When transitioning out of your sales career, there are a few things that you need to remember. Skills you learned in sales are likely to transfer well to a new field. It is a smart idea to look at the compensation and commission structure for your new role before you apply. Another important thing is to quantify your accomplishments.
Transferable skills are great from IT jobs to sales.
An IT job could be a good choice for someone who is looking to change careers. You will need many skills to succeed in sales, which can be transferred to an IT job. These include attention to detail and initiative. These skills make you a valuable asset in an IT position.
Sales positions require a lot of relationship-building, and skills in this area are particularly important. People in these roles need to listen, analyze information, and make informed decisions. This is a valuable skill that can transfer to any career. Similar skills, such as problem-solving, are highly transferable.
Find a job that pays both a salary or a commission.
Many companies offer commission-based sales jobs with a combination of a salary, as well as an opportunity to earn a living. These jobs can prove lucrative. Software companies, for example, often pay a high commission for software sold to businesses. The company can afford to pay their salespeople a commission because they incur very high upfront costs for developing the software. It is essential to look for companies with high margins.
Your experience, your personal strengths and preferred learning style will determine the type of job that you choose. For example, if you are a naturally good salesperson, you may excel in a commission-based sales position faster than a salary-based position. It is better to start with a job that gives you financial security and a stable base salary if your sales abilities are not clear.
Conducting an interview for a sales job
Conducting an interview for a sales job while transitioning out of sales can be challenging. The interview is more like an audition. The hiring company wants to determine if the candidate has the right skills to perform the job. Do your research on the company before going to an interview. Take note of its marketing strategy and its primary customers.
The questions you ask during an interview can be used to show your experience and skills. For example, you can ask a candidate to describe a specific sales role. These questions will allow you to get to know your candidate's work history, experience, and personality.
Quantifying your sales accomplishments
You must first identify your accomplishments in sales as you leave a career in sales. If possible, list them in percentages or ratios. Indicate what your sales goal was, what you did, and how it ended. Employers can see the difference between what you set for sales and what actually happened.
You should quantify your sales achievements when you leave a sales job. This will help you to build your resume and get a job interview. 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. Your resume should not only include numbers but also metrics. Financial and salespeople are able to access many obvious metrics. However, you should also include people-oriented measurements.
Taking an online career aptitude test to help you transition out of sales career
A career aptitude assessment is a tool that can help you narrow your choices. The test assesses your professional skills, talents and personality to determine the best career for you. It can help you be more focused on your strengths so you don't apply for jobs you hate.
Many career tests are free. However, you may need to pay fees for some. There are many websites that can help determine if you should take a career aptitude testing.