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What's the best way to break into the tech industry as a sales professional?

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6 Answers
  1. Sarah Mercedes (Osborne)

    HubSpot Director of Sales • 1y

    With any job you want, the best thing you can do is to do the job without having the job. You want to show the hiring manager that you are a de-risked candidate. If you are a sales rep wanting to become a sales manager, you could start doing things like driving broader org initiatives based on problems and opportunities you or the business identify. You could start coaching other reps, booking time with existing managers and learn how they forecast or use data to understand the health of their b ...Read More

    1,068 Views
  2. Justin Offermann
    Justin Offermann

    ComfyUI Head of GTM • Jun 16

    SDR/BDR is the obvious on-ramp but it's not the only one. Pick a company whose product you actually understand, get fluent enough that they can't ignore you. Domain affinity beats a polished resume every time. Don't chase the logo, chase the motion. Get in early somewhere moving fast, where the product is technical and you can build real depth. That depth compounds. I'll take someone obsessed with the space over a brand-name AE with no curiosity, every single time.
    361 Views
  3. Scott Barton
    Scott Barton

    Bluevine Head of Sales, Lending & Credit • 5mo

    I'm a big fan of the B/SDR role. It's a great way to learn the basics of sales, including how to build pipeline. This is a skill that you can carry all the way to the C-suite, and you'll certainly need it if you start your own company. This role is a great way to learn by doing and really figure out if sales is the right path for you.

    You can also build really strong relationships in this role. I still keep in touch with people from my 2013 SDR class in 2026.

    686 Views
  4. Greg Baumann
    Greg Baumann

    Outreach Sr Director of Strategic and Enterprise Sales • 8mo

    If you are a sales professional that is not in tech, but want to become a tech seller, I always recommend a few things: Really understand why you want to work "in tech"...the grass isn't always greener! Identify the technology in your career that you work with the most. Perhaps it's tooling that you use at your job, or where you get your reporting, or how you place orders or get paid or...whatever! Make a conscious evaluation of that technology and think about which of it you'd like to sell. Onc ...Read More

    580 Views
  5. Tim Britt
    Tim Britt

    Freshworks VP Partnerships • 1y

    Breaking into the tech industry as a sales professional can be highly rewarding, given the growth and opportunities in this space. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you successfully transition: 1. Learn the Basics of Technology and the Tech Industry • Understand Key Concepts: Start by familiarizing yourself with foundational tech terms (SaaS, cloud computing, APIs, AI, cybersecurity, etc.). You don’t need to be an expert, but having a solid grasp of the language and concepts will help you c ...Read More

    1,099 Views
  6. Helen D'Abreo
    Helen D'Abreo

    SurveyMonkey Director, Expansion Sales • 1y

    Expanding and developing your network in the vertical you would like to break in to is key. A referral will always be more powerful than applying direct to roles without a recommendation. Join networking groups that are focused on the vertical you would like to break in to. Develop any essential skills that you are lacking. Take courses and gain certifications that are relevant to the vertical you would like to break in to. Follow industry news - stay up to date on trends, news and key players i ...Read More

    788 Views

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