Starting a career can be daunting. There are a multitude of different career paths, each with its own positives and negatives. If you're considering whether tech sales is a good first job, the answer largely depends on your skills, personality, and career goals. Entry level tech sales jobs offer a fast track to a career with significant earning potential. In this article, we’ll explore key questions people often ask when deciding if tech sales is the right path for them, from getting started with tech sales training to what a long term career in tech sales could look like.
Can I Get Into Tech Sales with No Experience?
One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new career is breaking into the field without prior experience. The good news is that tech sales is an industry where that is possible. While you might not land a full-cycle closing role like an Account Executive right away (those positions are typically reserved for experienced professionals) you can start as a Sales Development Representative (SDR), which is designed as an entry point into tech sales.
The SDR role focuses on prospecting and qualifying leads, providing a strong foundation in sales without the need for prior experience. Many companies offer comprehensive training programs, so as long as you’re willing to put in the effort, learn, and have good communication skills, you can succeed in this role.
With the rise of remote work, many are looking for entry level tech sales jobs from home. However if you don’t have any prior experience, securing a remote position can be more challenging. Hiring managers prefer to hire those without experience to in-office positions. This is because it is easier to train and manage while in-office. A pro tip: don’t limit your job search to strictly remote roles. Consider in-office positions as well to increase your chances of getting hired.
Do Tech Sales Pay Well?
One of the reasons tech sales is a good first job is because of the pay. Not only are you setting yourself up for a lucrative, high-earning career path, but you're also earning a competitive salary for an entry level position. SDRs typically make between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, which is quite solid for a starting role.
For example if you are making $50,000 annually, your tech sales salary per hour would be around $24 per hour, assuming a standard 40 hour work week. However, it's important to note that sales professionals don't usually think about their earnings in "per hour" terms.
This is because your hourly rate will vary due to a couple of key factors. First, sales roles are commission based. This means that the better you perform, the more you earn, making your per hour rate higher as your skills improve. Second, sales is all about efficiency. If you're able to book meetings and manage your time well, you can increase your effective earnings without necessarily working more hours.
Is Tech Sales a Good Long Term Career?
Tech sales offers two key benefits that make it an attractive long term career: high commissions and a flexible schedule. While you won't be making the big bucks as an SDR, your earning potential will skyrocket as you progress on your tech sales career path. As you move into a closing role, you’ll be working towards goals with significantly higher commissions and bonuses. Many of these roles come with uncapped commissions. This means the more deals you close, the more you earn.
In addition to high commissions, tech sales often provides flexibility in your schedule. Many roles allow you to manage your time independently, giving you the ability to balance work with other priorities. For those who thrive on self-management, tech sales offers both financial rewards and work-life balance.
Is Tech Sales Worth Getting Into?
When considering whether tech sales is worth getting into, it's essential to acknowledge challenges that come along with the rewards. When you research tech sales Reddit users reveal that many tech salespeople struggle with the pressures of meeting quotas and managing stress. Constantly living under the fear of missing your goal (and income) can crush some people’s mental health.
Another difficulty in tech sales comes from poor time management. If you’re not proactive and focused on deal closing activities, you’ll quickly fall behind your goals. Actively prospecting and engaging with leads is crucial, and it's easy to lose valuable time on unproductive tasks like mindlessly scrolling LinkedIn. Without prioritizing tasks that move deals forward, hitting your targets becomes much harder.
However, if you can handle stress and manage your time effectively, tech sales can be an incredible career option. With high earning potential and a flexible schedule, those who thrive in this fast paced environment will find the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
Conclusion
Tech sales can be an excellent first job for those who are driven, adaptable, and ready to handle the unique challenges that come with the role. From strong earning potential to a flexible work-life balance, this career path offers all you could want. If you think tech sales sounds like the right fit for you, consider checking out the N.E.S.T. Academy to get started and pave the way for a successful career in tech sales.
