Consider a mentor

If you are an aspiring sales manager, get a candid perspective on what it’s like to be one by building a mentor-mentee relationship with someone who’s already in the role.

Once you’ve picked someone you’d like to be your mentor, first let them know you’re interested in becoming a sales manager. Ask if he or she would be willing to meet with you to give some insight on what it takes to make the transition and what you can do to prepare yourself. If the first meeting goes well, ask to meet again about it – and if it feels right, you can eventually make it a regular meeting.

I guarantee a sales manager mentor will have interesting and honest things to say that you won’t find online.