Tech Sales Career Path Explained: SDR, AE, and Beyond

what is tech sales reddit

You’ll also get an in-depth look at the important features of new technology, which can give you technical experience with the product. Many tech sales representatives come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, such as engineering, sales and marketing. 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. If you’re just getting started in your tech sales career, chances are you’ll be applying to mostly SDR positions.

Tech sales jobs often involve identifying new sales opportunities and talking to clients about what kinds of issues they face and how your product could help. For some, this may look like cold calling clients, connecting with past leads or discovering new leads through networking. To learn more about how Crunchbase can be your secret weapon in your tech job search as well as sales prospecting endeavors, visit our website and sign up for a free trial. When it comes to establishing yourself in industry tech sales, the most effective weapon you can have in your competitive arsenal is information.

The time it takes to become a tech sales rep can vary depending on your educational background, technical training, experience and network. Some individuals with minimal experience start in entry-level tech sales positions and work their way up. Others may take several years to gain the necessary skills and experience.

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. After identifying an organization’s internal review financial literacy for millennials 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. Job growth for sales managers is expected to be around five percent through 2031, according to the U.S.

Ready to get a job in tech sales?

what is tech sales reddit

They also buy bigger deals, which is why most companies only entrust big accounts to more experienced Commodity trading strategy sales reps. You’ll probably start out as an SDR, but after that, there are countless different ways to advance your tech sales career. 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. 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.

As the tech market continues to expand, there’s an ongoing demand for new salespeople. But there’s also a ton of competition, which can make it hard to opencv introduction land a job. If you finish the entire course, follow all the instructions, and don’t get at least one tech sales job offer within 30 days, we’ll give you a full immediate refund. In most cases, you will need previous sales experience as an SDR or other entry-level sales rep, before you can win a spot as a tech sales Account Executive. Click here to learn more about tech sales job titles like SDR, BDR, and ADR. During the interview, take the time to explain how you fit into the company’s mission and how you can help solve a challenge relevant to the role you’re applying for, Jordan said.

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Some candidates come from places that still promote a “coffee is for closers” culture. As a result, they may think their ability to sell sawdust to a lumber mill is an attribute, but it’s an immediate turn-off for hiring managers at tech companies. He thrived in his first sales role working for a serial entrepreneur, but he started to struggle in his tech sales job.

Business Development Representative — Central region

  • Every company has its own set of challenges, and they’re continuously looking for a way to boost earnings.
  • I’m currently searching for a SaaS sales role, preferably in the tech or healthcare space.
  • This stood as one of Gebrewold’s biggest challenges when he applied to Klue.
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  • Essentially, tech salespeople focus on selling products to a variety of companies, while IT salespeople continue to solve a company’s problems once a sale is complete.

We’re building the largest and most successful community of sales professionals, so you can learn, connect, and grow. The quotas and technical understanding might seem like big barriers, but there are tried-and-true steps you can take to land a tech sales job without years of experience. Her writing expertise extends to brand strategies and driving small business growth through targeted content. In the last three years, she’s primarily produced education-focused content, writing on topics like degree programs, trade schools and career pathways.

One area to zero in on is the company’s competitors and how it is unique in the market. I’ve already started applying and interviewing but figured reaching out to a recruiter or leveraging my network might be the next best step. After you’ve been an AE for three years, you’ve probably developed a battle-tested ability to close deals, which is one of the most valuable skills in the business world.

An Essential Guide to Using the MEDDIC Sales Framework

This is a software product that helps sales teams collaborate, manage their sales pipelines, forecast their revenue, and manage their customers and their upcoming touchpoints. In a way, my job is like working in a mirror because it’s the same tool I use while selling it. This stood as one of Gebrewold’s biggest challenges when he applied to Klue. The company was only looking for five-year tech sales veterans to fill its open account executive roles. He knew if he wanted one of those roles, he’d need to plant a hunch — a tiny voice in the back of the manager’s mind that doubted that requirement because of his skills. But having a bachelor’s degree isn’t the only way to get into tech sales, and some companies don’t require a degree.

The buyer has already made their decision, and the main difference maker is whether the rep is likable or not, Jordan said. That success doesn’t always translate to tech sales, where buyers have more choices and the deals are more complex. Continuing your career development in sales is an important part of staying up to date on the latest trends and sales techniques.

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. 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.

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