IT sales simply requires more technical skill, making it harder to break into than tech sales alone. Since IT salespeople provide additional consulting after the sale goes through, they need to fully understand how each product works and be able to explain its use to other people. But if you’re looking to break into tech sales, there are some steps you can take to land a position without years of experience, technical knowledge, and a fancy tech degree. Both involve working with clients to find any challenges they might be facing and designing a set of hardware and software that can solve these issues.
There’s always new technology to sell
You often get to help others solve their problems using a unique solution you have to offer, and in learning about your product, you may even find ways to improve it. So if you are going to start fresh looking into a job in tech sales, start looking in the industries that you are personally interested in to help fuel that inner fire of excitement and motivation. As a tech sales rep, you might be selling only one kind of tech product, such as a cloud CRM platform. Or, you might sell a product that combines different components, like a wearable tech device with embedded software.
Of course, in order to reap the benefits of working in tech sales, you need to get the job first. I’m 27 years old, and I currently work in sales in the car industry. I want to break into tech sale’s because of the remote aspect and ability to earn a lot. I want a sales career where I can make good money, but I can also balance my travel and fitness goals. Everyone is in tech sales is absolutely convinced that tech sales is where it’s at and I only hear very positive things. The best time to rev up your networking efforts is before you even begin applying for jobs.
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 Action acheter for highly technical roles.
Reasons to Consider a Tech Sales Career
However, the industry is always evolving, along with the products in it. Building and maintaining a strong network of sales professionals and industry experts is vital to a successful sales career. You can learn about emerging technologies, sales strategies and job opportunities through your network. Tech sales representatives, sometimes referred to as sales development representatives, work at the forefront of today’s fast-paced technological landscape.
If you’re interested in working at a specific company, check out their tech sales reps on LinkedIn to see their work and education history. You might get ideas for courses or programs that will give you skills they expect from their tech salespeople. Even though training won’t give you hands-on sales experience, they’re great resources for familiarizing yourself with sales strategies and tactics. Tech sales reps should have a comprehensive understanding of the tech sales industry, including unique challenges and opportunities for selling tech products and services.
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- Both involve working with clients to find any challenges they might be facing and designing a set of hardware and software that can solve these issues.
- If you’re interested in working at a specific company, check out their tech sales reps on LinkedIn to see their work and education history.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of tech sales and what you’ll need to begin applying for work in this competitive field. Even without years of direct experience, you can still communicate the value of your other skills to land a job in tech sales. A technical sales representative liaises between sales teams and customers.
Leverage your sales experience
For some added clarity, you should check what Ralph Barsi wrote about SDR job descriptions and what they’re REALLY telling you. Connect GTM Partners with the resources and solutions they need to reach potential customers.
Whether you’re working for a wide range of businesses or looking for a position with a single company, you won’t have trouble finding tech products and services to sell. The next technological breakthrough is always right around the corner. As a tech sales representative, you’d be one of the first people to learn about modern software and hardware trends. You’ll also get an in-depth look at the important features of new technology, which can give you technical experience with the product. Having experience selling how the stock market works tech products is a plus, but if you’re starting from ground zero, don’t fret.
To get into tech sales, consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like computer science, information technology, engineering, business administration or marketing. You might also gain experience through entry-level positions and technical training. While there isn’t a single pathway to a career in tech sales, building foundational technical knowledge and sales skills can help you succeed in the field.
Look for examples of when you built positive customer relationships or generated new business. With so many roles on a sales team — such as account executives, business development reps, and team managers — there’s plenty of opportunity to advance your career. In my case I was earning about $25k/year (yes, really) about 2 years ago after having graduated from college years ago. All my life up until now I’d been working low level, low paying jobs.
I would legitimately get depressed thinking about my finances until I decided to try my luck in tech sales. Having a job that pays well is one thing, but having a job that interests and stimulates you mentally is another. In the world of tech sales, there are endless opportunities to find niches that work for you, your interests, and your passions. “There’s often no formal education and training programs for sales pros; it’s something many people discover as a career by accident,” explains Sharon Florentine. The company discovered an average base salary of $60,000 with average on-target earnings of $118,000—proving that technical roles aren’t the only ones who earn the big bucks.
Research from the Harvard Business Review found that direct interactions with providers influence B2B purchasing decisions more than anything else. Demand for tech sales professionals is high (and will likely stay that way). Essentially, tech salespeople focus on selling products to a variety of companies, while 5 alternative investments for 2021 IT salespeople continue to solve a company’s problems once a sale is complete.
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.
Here’s everything you need to know about why a tech sales career is worth considering. If you’re looking to get into tech or IT sales, one of the most powerful ways to get started is to become familiar with a simple CRM like Zendesk Sell—an essential tool used by sales teams. A community for Tech Sales Professionals or those who want to get into a technology sales role. Including Advice, Hiring, Humor, OTEs & Tips from the Tech Sales world. Although the tech industry seems intimidating, it has a relatively low barrier to entry. Meaning, there’s no strict criteria you have to meet to secure a job.