Related Posts
Advice on taking and passing the SPHR exam?
More Posts
Rising Star
Coach
This is my story. Think and act
Bowl Leader
Additional Posts in Jobs in Sales
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
I feel like you shouldn't listen to recruiters about this. There are definitely people who are willing to hire someone from a different industry on their sales team. You have to learn the skills somewhere. I would network with people though because a lot of times it's easier to make a pivot if you have some internal vouching for you
Start as an SDR / BDR.
Plenty of people with zero sales experience whatsoever have gotten in this way. We have former baristas and waiters here at SAP who started from the bottom now we hear them of being an AE.
How much did you make and how much are you making now that you've been promoted if you don't mind me asking? Congrats btw! 🙂
You're interviewing/talking to the wrong people. Recruiters are looking for a match to the posted requirements and the experience on your resume, nothing more. If you are able to talk to someone live, make sure you emphasize the transferrable skills that will make you a unique employee. Use the software that you leverage at your retailer as a starting off point, "I know SaaS, I use it everyday. In fact, let me tell you how that experience will allow me to convey the quantifiable value this technology provides my organization and other organizations out there"
"Tech Sales" is a large umbrella of positions, a lot of people mentioned BDRs below, but don't discount advisory, solutions, presales, implementation, and support roles. I worked as a store manager, got hired by a SaaS tech company as a presales consultant (the people that demo the software to prospects). My experience as a people manager within retail made me more than qualified to start leading teams and ultimately I became a VP, within 7 years.
When I'm looking for candidates, I want outgoing retail managers or end users of technology that can connect with people and tell great stories, learning the technology terminology is the easiest to teach, you can't teach people to "be more engaging." Focus on your strengths and sell above the job requirements to the people you're able to speak with.
Either try to get in as an SDR or you won't have much luck. Too many people with actual experience to roll the dice on someone that has been in retail "sales". That absolutely has zero to do with B2B sales.
SDR/BDR is the entry door. I took a 40% pay cut and grinded it out for 6 months then promoted. worth it
I support this. I did it as well. Taking a bit of a step back also helps you get respect and trust from leadership super quick. One thing I didn’t do that I should have was stay at that company to get to AE. Just make sure there’s a path to AE and ask what % of BDRs are promoted every year. Lots of tech companies are making it incredibly hard to get to AE but not all
As others have said, sometimes it takes "two steps back" to take steps forward. I came to the industry with no degree, no experience in SaaS, no B2B experience. I applied over and over again to a software company in my city with no response online and received nothing back (primarily because I had no degree).
I went to an open house hiring event...stood in line with my resume, spoke to anyone and every manager interviewing...was offered a formal interview and eventually accepted a a BDR (business development representative) role to get my foot in door. Took a tremendous pay cut, however years later can say it was one of the best professional decisions I made.
Each person is different and each path to success can be different. Companies and more importantly people (hiring managers) will recognize tenancity and other attributes that will allow an individual to succeed. Focus on what you can offer in terms of drive and determination and value and not the lack of experience or education which you may not have for the role.
Always answer the questions asked with real examples, even if they seem unrelatable vs vague responses of what you "would do" in a situation. Managers and most professionals of value can relate and recognize core competencies and skills and individual has vs what they "may have" if they can simply answer the questions using real examples.
Be creative, network and look for the opportunity that may seem indirect to make it known your interest in their opportunities...go to job fairs, career events, industry events and networking events outside of your comfort zone whenever the opportunity arises. You sometimes have to make those opportunities for yourself.
Take foundational exams for Amazon/ Google (eg the cloud digital leader course) as a starting point. Having those on your resume will get you further.
Where are you based... Send me a chat...
I’d maybe think about your wish list. Working as a sales rep in IT right now is extremely turbulent. I have tech experience and I’ve been looking for a tech job for over 18 months.
I’ve been there. It truly is ridiculous. I feel like it’s just a way to weed people out. I do agree with one of the comments on here. You just need to find a company that won’t really care - or prove yourself through networking first. There’s also tech companies out there that aren’t “saas” that would be a good way to slide in such as IoT companies. I’d probably look into those
KnowBe4 will take anyone who has some sales experience, and you could use it as a way to pad your resume for the next SaaS job, but be warned: it’s a cult with a very nasty culture, so I wouldn’t stay
Hey Man, apply to Pax8. They are always hiring cliud generation specialists and you work remote so location doesent matter
Cloud*
BDR roles. Ignore them, and keep apply. Best path is to send in some examples of writtten emails and cold call the hiring manager.
Your best bets are to get into a fledging sales org in a start up, or be willing to start at the bottom as either a BDR or SDR. More than anything, stay persistent.
What company do you work at now? If so see if they have AE positions or check out wireless companies like att tmobile verizon…ik att has sign on bonuses too for that position do that for 6mo to 1 yr and apply other top companies after you get ae experience, but u have enough exp already
the part right after "im being told ____" is an objection and you bought it. Getting proficient in sales means practicing the art of overcoming objections. In other words, it doesnt matter what your being told as your job as a salesman is to find a way to overcome the current objection until there are none left.
Best is to remove your previous experience and major focus on the current one. Second be confident that why you chose to switch, I know these days tech and IT is booming.
Make a good CV (industry keywords) and should be plain, the old style. Reach out to the person as you know whenever you go to office and ask CEO, guard will say he is not here, Heis Out of country (what he has been asked to say).
You have not mentioned you country of residence. Make connections and be consistent with sharing something.
Make yourself a brand like sharing emails , Whatsapp Messages for wishing and hsraing some up-to-date content as this will relax them and they will not choose you as greedy and desperate.