Everything you need to know about sales, selling, business development, lead generation, prospecting, closing and more! Selling, recruiting and blog spam will result in an immediate and permanent ban. Having a background in electronics or software development is preferable for highly technical roles.
Learn About the Industry
Considering that sales are quite literally what keeps every company’s doors open, it makes sense that there’s a lot of security and demand in this career field. If not, there are several reasons why you should consider joining the ranks at a software or technology company and using your skills to help them continue to grow and make an impact. These strategies can help you find opportunities in the technology space, but the IT sales sphere isn’t as simple to break into. If you have a particular company in mind, try connecting with their recruiters and walk them through your profile. Even if they don’t have an opportunity ready for you, you’ll be able to learn more about what they’re looking for when you apply in the future.
You’d be able to offer your expertise and advise companies on how each product works, which could lead to a wide range of career growth options. Much like lead qualifying in sales, you need to qualify companies before reaching out. Start by listing the specifics of the job you want — such as the type of tech you want to sell, the pay range, and more. Use this criterion to pinpoint companies that are the best fit. Sales certifications help to beef up your resume and position yourself as a more qualified candidate.
Many companies offer entry-level positions where you can learn (or hone) the technical skills necessary to succeed. Sales is the lifeblood of every business, putting the demand for sales-related jobs in high gear. On top of that, the total number of technology startups has increased by 47% since 2007, creating a growing need for capable tech sales professionals. The amount of experience you need to qualify for tech sales rep positions varies by role, company and industry. Whether selling to a small startup or a global corporation, tech sales reps must harness their technical expertise and sales prowess to identify clients’ unique needs and develop tailored solutions. Tech sales is mostly centered on selling new products to companies, so hiring managers don’t place as much importance on understanding the technical details behind each product.
However, similar to technology sales, there are ways to get your foot in the door without this type of expertise. If you don’t have any concrete sales experience, there are still plenty of options that can help you break into technology sales. Showing hiring managers that you have the drive to work in a sales position is a great first step. Finding a good position in tech sales isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. The tech industry is constantly churning out new products to sell, and it needs good salespeople to communicate the value of its products to a public overwhelmed with options. On average, tech sales professionals make $71,300 per year in the United States.
This means immersing yourself in the tech industry and the specific sector you want to pursue. Seems $75k-300k+ OTEs all seem pretty standard to people on this sub. But for a lot of us it’s insane compared to how much we earned at one point. LinkedIn pulled together a list of the most promising jobs of 2017—the ones with the highest median salaries, strong job openings, and year-over-year growth.
People in tech sales, what can I expect as starting pay, and what should I look for in a job?
These reps work in several industries, including computer and software tech, telecommunications, manufacturing, biology, chemistry and healthcare. Both technology and sales are never going away, so if you are worried about your current industry’s longevity, you won’t need to worry so much about tech. So, as you gain more experience, continue to close deals, and prove your worth, you’ll likely experience rapid progression in your career. While others may worry about things like automation or online capabilities replacing the need for their jobs, that’s not the case for sales—where human interaction still carries a lot of importance. But, regardless of the specifics, in this customer-facing role, the critical thing to know is that you’re tasked with connecting with and educating potential customers—and ultimately closing the deal.
Leverage your sales experience
- So if you’re the kind of person who gets flustered by tech issues easily, IT sales might not be the best trajectory for you.
- Then, send a request to connect along with a thoughtful message.
- Meaning, there’s no strict criteria you have to meet to secure a job.
- There is no single pathway to becoming a tech sales rep, but these professionals tend to have in-depth technical knowledge, sales acumen and strong interpersonal skills.
- Forging a new career path is daunting, but having the right contacts can make all the difference.
In fact, the number of technology startups has increased by 47% in the last decade — creating a need for competent salespeople. Getting into tech sales is possible without experience, but it may be more challenging. Even without direct experience in tech sales, you may have gathered transferable skills from other jobs. Highlighting these skills in your cover letter and résumé can help you demonstrate Best copper stocks your ability to succeed in tech sales.
Candidates can develop these skills through formal education, training and relevant professional experience. A sales engineer proves that pursuing a career in tech sales could mean bright things for your future. There’s a wide range of free sales certifications you can find online to get a competitive edge in the job market. Having these certifications on an application shows hiring managers that you’re willing to put effort into your job, and it gives you more staying power during hiring decisions. Every company has its own set of challenges, and they’re continuously looking for a way to boost earnings. Working in the technology space gives you an opportunity to interact with professionals from a wide spectrum of fascinating and high-profile industries.
Others may take several years to gain the necessary skills and experience. It can take anywhere from a few months to several years to become a tech sales rep, depending on which route you take. Some tech sales reps seek certification to gain structured training and education on industry best practices, sales techniques and emerging technologies. Certification can also demonstrate a commitment to professional development, providing a competitive advantage over other job candidates. Below we list a few how to become a cybersecurity specialist updated for certifications aspiring and current tech sales reps can pursue.
Become more marketable with sales (or tech) certifications.
Several factors can determine their earning potential, including education, training, certification, experience, industry, specialization and location. After identifying an organization’s internal structure, a tech sales rep presents their product or service as a solution to an existing problem for the organization. Beyond closing sales, tech sales reps continue supporting organizations once they become clients.
Rainmakers is the ideal platform for both high-achieving sales professionals seeking their dream job in the tech industry and employers looking to hire top talent. While a paycheck isn’t everything regarding your job satisfaction, knowing that a career path in tech sales quite literally pays off makes it worth considering. Exactly what type of tech you’re selling—from actual hardware to software or other services—will vary depending on the kind of company you work for. That said, if you prefer to stay in tech sales, there are plenty of opportunities for mobility.
So if you’re looking to land a position in tech sales, interacting with companies is your best bet. Those contacts could be invaluable if you decide to change your career path. As a sales technologist, you’d be working with organizations that offer their services through multiple forms of technology. For example, a company that sells computer software might offer organizational tools or cloud CRM software to keep their client info in order.
That way, you already have contacts to leverage when the time comes. Forging a new career path is daunting, but having the right contacts can make all the difference. Follow industry influencers on LinkedIn, join online sales communities, and stay up-to-date with any trends or shifts in the industry. Take note of any big mergers or acquisitions, and read up on the latest tech innovations. Further, as you gain more experience, you can move vertically to other sectors in the industry that interest you, including FoodTech, CleanTech, and more. This is because the type of tech you’ll sell varies depending on the kind of company you work for.
For instance, one company might sell computer hardware, like laptops and monitors, while another sells CRM software. Or, they might sell a combination of tech, such as computers with anti-virus software. There’s a lot of negativity in tech sales right now and I think a lot of it is warranted. There’s no strict mold you need to fit into or overly formal criteria you need to meet to find success as a tech sales professional. The fxdd forex market analysis fxdd forex market analysis tech industry can be intimidating and leave many wondering how to get into software sales without experience.