Let me give you the good news first, if you want to get into sales, and tech sales specifically at that, you do not actually need any experience or even tech specific fancy college degree to break into the tech sales job market. That is because organizations these days are trying to hire from diverse backgrounds. They also understand that having prior sales experience may not translate into successful selling of their product as most of the tech products are unique. That means they will have to train anyone and everyone who is starting fresh at their enterprise, so the new hires can learn from a certain selling style for that particular technology. This is especially true for MNCs who are trying to be meritocratic organizations. These tech giants will focus more on the merit and persona of the employees to be a good fit in this dynamic industry. They are looking for people who are adaptable go-getters who can adjust to their roles in the corporate world easily. That being said, any freshers would be taken in as a Sales or Business Development representative, where all tech sales people find their foothold.
Who are Technology Sales Representatives?
Professionals that market a wide range of technology-related items for specific organizations or independent sales agencies are known as tech sales reps. They represent businesses and are knowledgeable about connected products. Medical, pharmaceutical, and technological products are examples of technical products.
Technology sales is a field that focuses on employing sales methods to link customers with technological items. Following up with customers after a sale is a crucial aspect of this job. Head of sales, online sales representative, medical equipment salespeople, and commercial equipment representative are all positions available. Tech sales agents work directly with clients to promote or sell a company’s technological products. These individuals are expected to establish long-term commercial partnerships and industry contacts by their employers. To gain field experience, entry-level tech salespeople will operate as part of a team. There is also the possibility of earning commission in this position. Potential consumers (also referred as Prospects) are interviewed by tech sales personnel to learn about their demands and how such products would suit those needs in their sector. They also increase market awareness of a company’s products by successfully articulating the characteristics and benefits of connected products and services.
So we can categorize their responsibilities into the following:
- Increases the company’s sales
Tech sales professionals are expected to produce sales by connecting with current and future prospects in a professional manner. A technology sales representative’s primary goal is to achieve this. They should be able to sell a variety of items, including scientific and medical equipment. They should also communicate the terms of sale.
- Increased Market Awareness
These professionals help existing or new products get market exposure. This is one of the reasons why communication skills are so important in work. When new technology becomes available, tech sales paired with digital marketing helps spread the news. Professionals may be called upon to provide a product demonstration in order to improve consumer understanding of the products.
- Identifies and addresses customer grievances
This profession includes resolving any questions or concerns customers may have about a specific product. This involves making recommendations for how to address these concerns. In tense situations, tech sales people must be patient and work with clients to find solutions that benefit them and the organization.
To learn more about the type of roles in a tech sales profession, read my previous blog on the topic.
Special Skills Required for a Tech Sales Representative
To be successful in their work, salespeople need to have special talents. Professionals may need physical stamina or a driver’s license to excel in this fast-paced field. Higher annual salary will result from having more abilities.
The skills required of a tech sales representative are listed below.
- Promotion and Advertising
To help generate sales from potential clients, sales professionals should have excellent promotion, advertising, and solution selling skills. They should be able to determine what a prospect or customer needs and then market a product that meets those requirements. To achieve this goal, they may need to reach out to a wider group of clients.
- Public Speaking and Presentation
When connecting with a specific audience and conveying messages clearly, presentation skills come in handy. In some circumstances, tech salespeople are required to speak to a gathering. They should be able to confidently respond to prospects and explain things to them in a room full of people.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
When discussing and dealing with others in groups and individually, interpersonal skills come in handy. This could include phone calls, email threads, face-to-face meetings, and even PowerPoint presentations. A tech salesperson should be well-versed in main industries as well as labor market data.
Job Requirements for Tech Sales Reps and Business Development Reps
A technical sales representative’s job is to serve as a liaison between the company’s sales department and potential clients, transmitting crucial information while also providing additional services. Listed below are some of the essential requirements for tech sales reps enforced by various companies.
- Prior sales experience is preferred to be a qualified candidate. Working as a computer sales agent, unlike most technical positions, does not often necessitate academic education. Recruiting firms, on the other hand, strongly favor individuals with past expertise in a related field.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Customers must be informed either verbally or in writing by sales representatives. As a result, employers will prioritize candidates who have proved their capacity to communicate.
- Knowledge of associated software. The majority of today’s sales professions necessitate the preparation of reports and logs. As a result, employees must know how to use Microsoft Office and other associated software.
- It is essential to be able to travel. Some IT sales professions necessitate regular travel to other regions or areas. If necessary, a candidate must be adaptable and available. A valid passport or driving license may be required.
Salary and Future Prospects
The rate of increase in employment for these professions has slowed in recent years, although it is still rather significant. Sales representative employment is expected to expand by 2% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Although this is a slower pace of increase than the norm, it still bodes well for the future of technology sales.
Furthermore, technology salesmen make a decent annual compensation. Wages vary, but according to ZipRecruiter, the average income for a tech sales professional is $63,533. This area is promising because of the mix of high pay and job growth. Professionals can also supplement their income by working on a commission basis. Remember that these are starting salaries at corporate level tech jobs. Also, the salary listed here needn’t be the one you continue to stay on with. Top notch tech sales professionals making more than a million dollars annually isn’t a one-off.
Therefore, in 2022, you should consider a career as a tech sales representative as one full of opportunities. Over the next decade, the demand for such professionals is expected to rise. These individuals also earn significantly more than the national average when compared to other industries, in terms of annual pay. There are also few barriers to entry, making this a relatively simple career to pursue for those who are interested.
Top Reasons to Work as a Technical Sales Rep in 2022
If you’re currently considering your career alternatives, you should seriously consider a job in technology sales. There are numerous reasons to consider this professional path. For example, because there are few obstacles to entry, getting into this field is rather simple.
- There is a reasonable amount of demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for these experts will increase by 2% between 2019 and 2029. This implies that there will be a lot more employment vacancies during the time. The pandemic has fast forwarded this process quite a bit which has led to a lot more tech adoption. This in turn means a lot of tech sales roles have cropped.
- You might be able to make a good living. The salaries and commissions have been listed out previously. But again, those are the averages. If you have been following this website and incorporating the suggestions and tips being put out in the weekly blogs, you know you are already cutting above the rest.
- The entry restrictions are relatively low. Workers in IT or software jobs typically need a technical background as well as previous sales experience. Fortunately, occupations here only demand a high school diploma. As a result, it will be one of the finest IT careers in 2021.
- The possibilities for a career are boundless. Professionals in tech sales have several options to enhance their careers. The path you choose will be determined by your interests and abilities. The abilities you gain will prepare you for a more advanced career in technology sales. Some professionals diversify their careers after a while by getting into product management or leading business units as they forge ahead in their career. T
How Long Would It Take to Get a Job as a Tech Sales Rep?
To become a tech sales representative, it can take anywhere from a few months to five years. It will take four to five years for those who want to gain formal knowledge through college degrees. Others will only attend a bootcamp programme for a few months.
Coding bootcamps are ideal for students who want to learn new skills quickly. These programmes are frequently less expensive than traditional education and can be completed in as little as a few weeks. Furthermore, bootcamp programmes prepare students for a specific role within a particular industry. You can also enroll in other types of bootcamps, such as computer hardware bootcamps, to learn more about the field. The best way to learn more and earn a higher average base salary in the field is to sign up in a formal training programme.
It is all quite straightforward if we put it into the following steps:
1. First and foremost, complete your formal education.
Although most positions in tech sales do not require formal education, a bachelor’s degree can be beneficial. Engineering, marketing, and business are all popular majors. If that isn’t an option, consider attending a bootcamp or taking a series of online courses to learn how to sell technology. You can also look for more information.
2. Then, get some practical experience
The majority of employers prefer to hire people who have practical experience. Consider applying for internships or volunteer opportunities that provide on-the-job training. You can also become acquainted with technological products and develop a background in technology or engineering.
3. Lastly, Impress with your resume
When you can portray yourself properly, educational prerequisites don’t matter as much. Treat the hiring committee as if they were a prospective client, and try to persuade them to hire you. Connect the skills you have picked up from previous jobs to translate into relevant skills now needed. Show your strengths and previous tasks you have undertaken to back up what you say about yourself. Prepare yourself well with these potential interview questions:
- From start to finish, describe your sales procedure.
- How do you deal with sales disappointments, especially when you don’t close the deal?
- How and when did you realize you wanted to work in sales?
- When it comes to organizing or preserving client information and sales, what method do you use?
- What are your professional objectives?
- Do you have any sales experience?
Here are some more tips to get you that coveted sales job.
BONUS QUESTION:
I am now used to working from home, can I continue doing that?
Yes, you can work from home as a tech sales representative. You can learn from home by enrolling in a workshop that offers online tech sales courses. You can work as a tech sales rep from home even after completing such training programmes because some tech sales jobs are remote. Basically, you do your daily tasks virtually.
CONCLUSION
Sales careers have always been very rewarding for people who put in the work. Combine that with the technological age we are in, it can be the ultimate career to be in. What that also means is that there will be a lot of competition in the field, making it harder for tech sales professionals to stand out from their peers. With all that said, it’s important to note that the basics of sales continue to be the same as they have been for time immemorial. This blog deals with the beginning of that journey. Do remember, that your first job or gig will not define you but a good start can put you in a commanding position from which you can catapult your career. Focus on the learnings in the initial stages of your career and then build on them to give yourself the best chance to be a top notch sales professional of your industry.
