When transitioning out of your sales career, there are a few things that you need to remember. The skills you have acquired in sales will likely transfer to a new job. It is a good idea to consider the salary and commission structure of your new role when looking for a new role. A key thing to do is quantify your accomplishments.
Sales skills transfer well to IT jobs
An IT job could be a good choice for someone who is looking to change careers. There are many skills you need to succeed in sales that transfer to an IT job, including attention to detail, initiative, and communication. These skills make you valuable in an IT job.
Sales positions require a lot of relationship-building, and skills in this area are particularly important. People in these positions need to listen to others, evaluate information, and make decisions. This is a valuable skill that can transfer to any career. Problem-solving skills are also highly transferable.
Finding a job that pays a salary and a commission
Many companies offer salespeople jobs that pay both a salary or a commission. These jobs are often lucrative. Software companies for instance often receive a high commission when software is sold to businesses. A company may have high upfront costs to develop software. They can afford to pay commissions to their salespeople. Therefore, it is important to seek out a company with high margins.
Your experience, your personal strengths and preferred learning style will determine the type of job that you choose. If you're a natural salesperson, you might excel in a commission-based job. However, if you're uncertain about your sales abilities, it may be better to begin in a job that provides financial safety and a steady base salary.
Interviewing for sales jobs
Interviewing for a job in sales while transitioning can be hard. The interview is more like an audition. The hiring company wants to determine if the candidate has the right skills to perform the job. Make sure to research the company before you attend the interview. Consider the company's marketing strategy as well as its primary customers.
Your interview questions can be used as a way to demonstrate your knowledge and experience. One example is asking a candidate about a specific role in sales. You can use these questions to help you get to know the candidate's experience and background, as well his personality traits.
Quantifying your sales successes
The first step in quantifying your sales accomplishments as you transition out of a sales career is to identify what they were. If possible, list them in percentages or ratios. Describe your sales goal, the actions you took and the results. Employers will find it easier to determine the difference between your sales goal, and actual sales results by providing a baseline figure.
Your resume and job interview will be easier if you can quantify your sales achievements after leaving a sales career. Although it is acceptable to submit press releases for the responsibilities section of your resume, it is better to submit ten press releases per week. Besides numbers, your resume should include metrics. While finance and salespeople have access to many obvious metrics, don't forget about people-oriented metrics.
Taking an online career aptitude test to help you transition out of sales career
A career aptitude test is a tool that helps you narrow your choices. It evaluates your professional skills and talents as well as your personality traits to determine the type of career that is right for yourself. It will help you stay focused on your strengths and prevent you from applying for jobs that are not right for you.
Most career tests require no fees, but you might need to pay for certain ones. These sites will help you make a decision about whether or not to take a career aptitude test.