Men starting to battle with women for sales jobs

When it comes to sales recruitment, a battle of the sexes could be starting to take shape, according to an industry expert.

New research by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Dundee showed that, in former industrial areas, men are now starting to apply for positions which were traditionally considered to be "women's work".

The report, Women on Incapacity Benefits, studied the one million women of working age claiming incapacity benefits, with researchers finding a socio-economic reason for the high numbers rather than one that was based on poor health.

Steve Fothergill, one of the report authors from Sheffield Hallam, said that miners and steelworkers who were made redundant in the 1980s and 90s were often reluctant to take what they considered to be jobs for the ladies.

"But their sons have rarely had the option of working in the old industries. They have competed for many of the same jobs as women and in doing so a difficult labour market for men has been transmitted to a difficult labour market for women in the same places," he added.

Abi Levitt, marketing director of Tomorrow's People, told the Guardian that it is seeing equal numbers of men and women joining motivation and confidence-building sessions to help them get back into sales jobs.

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Posted by Wayne Bly and John Oak

Filed: 13-01-2010