Learn how to Get Into Tech Gross sales in 2023

Tech is likely one of the fastest-growing industries right now. In truth, the variety of expertise startups has elevated by 47% within the final decade — creating a necessity for competent salespeople.

If you are interested in tech — and a good better curiosity in serving to individuals — a profession in tech gross sales may very well be a sensible transfer. Nonetheless, there are some things it’s best to know earlier than diving in.

Right here, we’ll cowl the fundamentals of tech gross sales, the professionals and cons of working on this {industry}, and how one can kickstart a profession in tech gross sales in 2023.

Desk of Contents

What’s tech gross sales?

What’s a tech gross sales rep?

Must you work in tech gross sales?

Learn how to Get Into Tech Gross sales in 2023

Admittedly, this definition is broad by design. It’s because the kind of tech you may promote varies relying on the form of firm you’re employed for.

As an example, one firm would possibly promote laptop {hardware}, like laptops and screens, whereas one other sells CRM software program. Or, they may promote a mix of tech, corresponding to computer systems with anti-virus software program.

Tech corporations are likely to focus on one (or extra) of the next classes:

• Software program. Software program options could be offered as packages or as a service (SaaS) that requires a subscription. Examples embody CRMs, billing software program, and challenge administration software program.
• {Hardware}. Tech {hardware} is the bodily units or tools that run software program, corresponding to laptops, telephones, and tech equipment.
• IT providers. This entails promoting safety, consulting, or troubleshooting providers to corporations.

• Producing and scoring leads
• Conducting discovery calls
• Recommending and demonstrating merchandise
• Writing studies and proposals for distributors or shoppers
• Researching present market tendencies
• Constructing rapport with new and present prospects.

Gross sales is the lifeblood of each enterprise, placing the demand for sales-related jobs in excessive gear. On high of that, the whole variety of expertise startups has elevated by 47% since 2007, making a rising want for succesful tech gross sales professionals.

Professional: Aggressive salaries

As a result of gross sales jobs within the tech {industry} require specialised data, the pay tends to be extra aggressive than different positions.

On common, tech gross sales professionals make $71,300 per 12 months in the US. This quantity jumps to $129,700 a 12 months for a tech gross sales supervisor. Anticipate these numbers to develop with expertise and fee.

Professional: Loads of alternatives

With so many roles on a gross sales crew — corresponding to account executives, enterprise improvement reps, and crew managers — there’s loads of alternative to advance your profession.

Additional, as you acquire extra expertise, you possibly can transfer vertically to different sectors within the {industry} that curiosity you, together with FoodTech, CleanTech, and extra.

Cons: Excessive strain

Gross sales is a troublesome grind. Tech corporations, particularly, rely closely on subscription renewals greater than different industries.

As a rule, your efficiency can be fully results-based. In different phrases, you are solely nearly as good because the numbers you pull. 

For some, the strain to hit quota is a improbable motivator. However for others, it might rapidly result in stress and even burnout. All this to say, it takes quite a lot of dedication and persistence to achieve this function — however for those who can push via, you may discover many rewarding points of the job.

Begin by scanning your resume for any previous gross sales expertise, even when it wasn’t the first operate of your job. Search for examples of while you constructed optimistic buyer relationships or generated new enterprise. These are two vital actions within the gross sales course of.

Then, rework your resume to spotlight these experiences, and put together to name out just a few examples within the interview.

2. Turn out to be extra marketable with gross sales (or tech) certifications. 

Gross sales certifications assist to beef up your resume and place your self as a extra certified candidate. Plus, there are certifications for professionals of all expertise ranges, together with entry-level and extra superior packages.

Even when you have some gross sales expertise, certifications can strengthen key abilities corresponding to negotiation or prospecting.

3. Know the {industry} inside and outside.

If you wish to work in tech, you must appear as if an {industry} vet. This implies immersing your self within the tech {industry} and the particular sector you wish to pursue.

Comply with {industry} influencers on LinkedIn, be a part of on-line gross sales communities, and keep up-to-date with any tendencies or shifts within the {industry}. Be aware of any huge mergers or acquisitions, and skim up on the newest tech improvements.

Not solely will this offer you a stable grasp of the {industry}, however you may additionally choose up on industry-specific jargon and terminology you should utilize in your subsequent interview.

4. Search for the correct corporations.

When you could be tempted to blindly apply to tech corporations and see who bites, there are simpler approaches.

Very like lead qualifying in gross sales, it’s good to qualify corporations earlier than reaching out. Begin by itemizing the specifics of the job you need — corresponding to the kind of tech you wish to promote, the pay vary, and extra. Use this criterion to pinpoint corporations which can be the perfect match.

By doing so, you unencumber extra time to analysis every firm, tailor your resume, and put together for interviews.

5. Community, community, community.

Forging a brand new profession path is daunting, however having the correct contacts could make all of the distinction.

The very best time to rev up your networking efforts is earlier than you even start making use of for jobs. That approach, you have already got contacts to leverage when the time comes.

If you happen to’re on LinkedIn, begin looking for professionals in positions you are concerned with. Then, ship a request to attach together with a considerate message. In the event that they settle for, you possibly can even ask for a 15-minute Zoom chat to be taught extra about their work.

Bear in mind, networking is greater than only a one-and-done exercise. Preserve constructing your community, partaking along with your connections, and discovering teams to affix. Sure, networking takes time, however your efforts can open new doorways that had been in any other case outdoors of attain. 

Over to You

Except for working in one of many fastest-growing industries right now, a profession in tech gross sales affords aggressive pay, loads of alternatives to advance, and the possibility to work with cutting-edge options. We hope this text supplies the inspiration it’s good to forge a profession path on this thrilling {industry}.