Path To Sales for High-Tech Companies?
So all of you have stated either that IB isn't for me since I'm chasing money and/or it's not possible from my background. @YungMonc" @UTDFinanceGuy" gave me some AMAZING input about going into sales. I cant be a Quant because I am stupid in Math, can't be an IB because I "will be miserable." I am great at talking in large crowds, to new people and I am a very sociable person so this will help in sales. I am also chasing money and I will eat what I kill, that's what I LOVE about sales.
What would be a path into high-tech sales? I don't see much of it talked about here or online.
Campus recruiting
Also I wouldn't call it high-tech sales. Enterprise software or SaaS sales so you know what you're talking about
My campus doesn't have recruiting.
Edit: wait, on second thought, I might transfer to a school that's in the heart of IBM and I'm pretty sure they recruit on campus.
Oh and a lot of fuckers are telling me "sales is dead bro." Is SaaS really a comparison to brokerage? I mean we all know the stock broker days are over but I feel like selling software is a good thing right now would you agree?
No.
The only people who say sales is dead are people disappointed they aren't making that sweet sales money working 45 hours a week. Srs.
You'll probably be more successful if you choose work you might like and then let the money follow.
I'm passionate about sales now tell me the path please!!!!!
I'm bump
Bump
Sales Engineer if you have technical background, regular sales if you don't. Some companies, like Cisco, have a very cutthroat culture - so don't count on sales being a magic bullet, if you're avoiding stressful high-pressure jobs.
I didn't ask about how difficult the job was or engineering. WSO already told me IB was out of reach for me so I'll count on sales u fker
Campus recruiting is not the best way to get into high tech sales.
Honestly you should be checking out several different websites from angel.co to just indeed. Also I would use CrunchBase to find out what companies are headquartered where you're at.
If you're 22 (or just out of college) the role you're looking for is a BDR/SDR/LDR (sales development rep is most common) and that's where almost everyone starts out. It's one of those things you just have to deal with. You might get lucky and be able to land an entry level AE (full cycle) role which is a true selling.
The difference? SDR's or sales development reps set the demos for the AEs (account executives) to perform. What you typically do is cut your teeth for 12-18 months in this kind of shitty role (tons of cold calls, tons of cold email) and then you get a shot at AE work which is were you can big bucks.
Utlimately the path looks like this:
SDR (12-18 months) at 70K OTE. AE Small and Medium Business (12-18 months) at 100K OTE AE Middle Market (12-18 months) at 120K OTE AE Enterprise (forever) at roughly 200-300K OTE (depending on where you work).
From the day you start your career in sales you can be making 200K+ within 3 years if you're good at what you do. If not then you're looking at closer to 5 years, but really its just how hard you work.
Enterprise is the goal. If you can start off as a SDR at an Oracle/IBM/etc the great opportunities will find you. I started out working at tech startups (Zenefits and Zenreach) and then from there was able to land my AE role in another top startup.
Focus on building the basics of sales fundamentals for a year, and learning to grind, and then try to get into whatever big ticket item you can. That tends to be ERP/CRM/HRIS types of software OR things like Security sales, IT Networks, etc. The bigger the price, the longer the sales cycle, the more you can make.
I am 23, and am on target to hit $140K this year with my past performance the last 6 months. That's in a SUPER low COL area (think Dallas/Baton Rouge/Cleveland type COL).
It's a great career, and if you're a Type A go-getter you can fucking slay. Plus sales skills come in handy when you're trying to get laid. Win-win.
Sales is definitely something I would show up pumped to do. I have characteristics of a good salesmen (not a car salesman) so I feel like it would be a big bonus for me. I have 2 firms in my area that recruit on a college campus which is a complete non-target. AEs make around 150k post commission. What would be my plan of action to try and get an internship there? They're growing really fucking fast and I would PM you the names of them if you wanted to check out the salaries and all that. Could I even start out as an AE? They sell software also.
EDIT: The neat thing about sales is I get to control my salary which is just fkn awesome
Nigga are you making 140k in baton rouge?
you can ball out on 50k there
Not BR, Dallas.
It feels good man. Early 20's making bank in Dallas, but the real goal is to get an Enterprise spot here in the next few years and make that $250K+ OTE.
(Good) Government contractor account reps make really excellent money. Their main job is to suck d*ck (take clients to baseball games, go out for drinks), but they are so, so, so important to the success of the business. One of my friends does this and don't ask me how I saw his tax returns (shouldn't have seen it) but he makes something like $400,000/year. Job seems fairly laid back.
But it starts out by graduating from college, joining a gov't contractor or federal agency, and getting your feet wet in the industry. If I had an attractive personality and I liked people I would definitely do sales.
can you elaborate? I work at a govt contractor now
I'm talking about the people who bring in the business to gov't contractors. Those people who are hyper extroverted and great with people who produce revenue so that the rest of the company can exist.
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