Starting Over - Career Change
Fellow Monkeys,
New account for this post but I have been reading WSO for ~8 years. I am hoping to change careers and find a role within sales (account manager, business development, etc.). I am planning to exit the financial services industry and have no interest in wealth management / financial advisor careers. I am in the very early stages of this transition and basically just researching all of my options.
Although this is different from many of the posts on this forum, I know there are a ton of insightful people on WSO who could help me with my latest career questions. For context, I will provide as much detail about myself without revealing my identity.
Education
BSBA Finance at a state school
MBA from top 25 school (semi-target)
Professional
Corporate finance at top-tier bank (support role) - 3 years pre-MBA
Leveraged finance (middle market) - 2 years post-MBA
Regional consulting firm (risk advisory) - 1 year post-IB
Personal
Located in Charlotte, NC
Recently married with our first baby on the way
Not willing to relocate
So now time for my questions:
What industries would hire someone for a sales position without any sales experience?
Are there specific companies I should target?
What does compensation look like?
What hurdles should I expect during the interview process?
Any input would be greatly appreciated and I plan to follow up on this topic as I progress with my career change.
Thanks!
Hey mileywrinkle, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot...do any of these help:
If we're lucky, maybe I can guilt some users to help you out: @robr65" THC @Roger17"
Hope that helps.
I would look into biotech and other smaller companies. I always say that everything relates to sales. I'm pretty sure that if you really thought about your overall job experience, you could identify times where you have contributed to growth within your organization. Do you have a better idea of a sales role maybe because companies tried to persuade you to invest in them? Were there any smaller companies in your companies portfolio that were looking to perhaps go public that you could reach out to? Those might be likely to hire sales people. Being that you're in North Carolina I know that there are several companies in research triangle park. I would jazz up your resume and add some sales language. I think sales is a nice transition for a lot of people because in many instances less longer travel is involved and there is the flexibility of not having to report to an office each day. Think about products that maybe interest you...have you had a love one effected by cancer (drugs, tests for that), being that your wife just had a baby perhaps you are familiar with some of the newer genetic tests that people offer during that time? As far as compensation it really depends what you sell. Sometimes jobs with lower bases have a better opportunity to make commission. The hurdles: no sales experience (have to craft a way to show that you do), maybe unfamiliar with an industry, no previous relationships. Think about who you do know. Doctors, nurses, anyone in a hospital. Start to make connections from people you know and then of course through linked in. Not sure if this was helpful.
Possimus expedita sed et dicta qui. Sint aut rem nisi sit velit architecto. Eum tempore quia molestiae iure magni pariatur. Alias possimus porro rerum consequatur temporibus. Ut ut voluptates sit maxime et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...