Entry Level Tech Sales Jobs

Entry Level Tech Sales Jobs

Tech sales training opens the door to an exciting career at the intersection of technology and business. For those eager to jump into the tech industry but unsure where to start, entry-level sales roles offer an excellent path. Rather than requiring deep technical expertise, tech sales focuses on helping companies connect their innovative products with the right customers. In this article, we’ll explore the most frequently asked questions about entry level sales jobs in tech, including salaries, challenges, and how to land a job in this dynamic field.

What Entry Level Tech Jobs Pay the Most

When it comes to entry level tech jobs, software developers and engineers tend to have the highest starting salaries. These roles, which require a more technical skill set, typically offer starting salaries ranging from $75,000 to $90,000. In contrast, an entry level tech sales salary generally falls between $45,000 and $53,000 per year. While sales roles may not pay as much upfront, they offer unique advantages in terms of future earning potential.

At the beginning, entry level tech sales jobs often come with smaller commission structures, but the opportunity for growth is substantial. As you climb the sales career ladder and take on roles with larger responsibilities, your income can increase significantly through commissions, bonuses, and other financial incentives. In fields like SaaS and cybersecurity, the combination of salary and performance-based earnings can lead to six-figure incomes within just a few years, making tech sales an attractive long-term career choice.

Is Tech Sales a Good First Job?

Because of the flexibility and high earning potential, tech sales is an attractive long-term career choice. But in addition to being a long-term career, tech sales is often considered a great first job for many reasons. For one, it doesn't necessarily require a technical background, making it accessible to a wide range of candidates. Additionally, it offers significant career advancement opportunities. Entry-level roles, such as Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) or Business Development Representatives (BDRs), focus on lead generation and customer outreach. These roles are an excellent way to gain client facing exposure early on in your career. Instead of being hidden away in a backroom with the interns, these positions are the face of the company to prospective customers.

Tech sales is also a good first job because it allows you to get your feet wet in the tech industry. You might not end up as a twenty-five year tech sales veteran, but starting off as an SDR allows you to learn how tech companies operate. After gaining some experience and product knowledge as an SDR, it is an easy transition into a customer success or marketing position. 

For those unsure whether tech sales is a good fit, consider the following:

• Learning Opportunities: You’ll gain a deep understanding of various industries and the technology that drives them.
• Interpersonal Growth: Tech sales enhances communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Career Progression: With experience, tech sales professionals can advance to more strategic roles such as Account Executive, Sales Manager, or even VP of Sales.
• Income Growth: As mentioned earlier, the earning potential in tech sales can increase significantly over a short period of time.

Given its low barriers to entry and the potential for rapid career progression, tech sales is a solid starting point for individuals who want to break into the tech world.

How Do You Land a Tech Sales Job With No Experience?

Landing a tech sales job without prior experience can be challenging, but it’s far from impossible. Many entry level positions are designed to train newcomers, so having the right mindset and work ethic can often outweigh the need for a sales or tech background.

Here’s how you can increase your chances of landing a tech sales role without experience:

1. Enroll in a Tech Sales Training Program: Programs specifically designed to train people for tech sales roles can give you a competitive edge. These programs teach foundational sales skills, such as cold-calling, email outreach, and objection handling.
2. Develop Soft Skills: Tech sales is all about communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving. Highlight your ability to collaborate, negotiate, and understand customer needs during the interview process.
3. Network with Industry Professionals: Building connections with people in the tech industry can lead to job referrals. Join industry-specific groups on LinkedIn or attend tech-related events to meet potential employers.
4. Tailor Your Resume: Focus on transferable skills. If you’ve worked in customer service, marketing, or another role that involves client interaction, emphasize those experiences in your application.
5. Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to demonstrate your enthusiasm for tech and sales. Research the company and its products, and be prepared to explain how your background makes you a good fit for the role, even without direct sales experience. To set yourself apart, show up to the interview with a cold call script or email sequence you created for them. It might not be perfect, but it will show the interviewer that you have the grit and determination required for an entry level tech sales role. 

Is It Hard to Break Into Tech Sales?

Given the current market conditions, landing a job in tech has become more challenging, and tech sales jobs are no exception. With companies reducing their workforce, there are fewer openings and more candidates vying for them, making the job market highly competitive. To stand out, you'll need to demonstrate your unique value. However, compared to technical roles that require specialized degrees and years of experience, tech sales has a relatively lower barrier to entry.

One of the main challenges in landing a tech sales job is the sheer volume of competition. As more people enter the job market, many from non-technical backgrounds, employers are flooded with applications. This means your resume needs to clearly showcase skills that set you apart, like strong communication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Without a technical background or direct sales experience, you’ll need to highlight transferable skills from past roles, such as customer service, problem-solving, and relationship-building.

Another major hurdle is convincing potential employers that, even without experience in tech or sales, you can quickly learn and thrive in the role. Tech companies are increasingly seeking candidates who can demonstrate a growth mindset, resilience, and a passion for the industry.

Can I Get Into Tech Sales With No Experience?

Yes, you can break into entry level tech jobs even with no previous experience. As mentioned earlier, many entry level tech sales roles do not require a formal background in sales or technology. However, your chances improve if you demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt.

To increase your appeal to employers, you can:

• Take Online Courses: There are numerous free or low-cost online courses that cover basic sales techniques and tech industry knowledge. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses specifically tailored to tech sales. If you are wanting to get into Fintech, then a financial 
• Gain Experience Through Internships: Even unpaid internships or volunteer positions can give you exposure to the sales process and help build your resume. If you can demonstrate your ability to succeed in an internship, it makes it a lot less risky and easier for a hiring manager to give you a job without formal experience.
• Leverage Your Network: Reach out to contacts in the tech industry or in sales roles for advice, mentorship, or potential job leads. However, it is important to approach networking as an opportunity to learn. Do not approach networking with the sole goal of landing a job offer; people can smell this a mile away. Instead, take networking as an opportunity to learn, and then use that knowledge to land a job. 

Can You Make 300k in Tech Sales?

Yes, it's definitely possible to make $300,000 or more in tech sales, but it typically requires several years of experience and a solid track record of success. At the entry level tech sales salary range, most professionals won’t come close to this figure. Entry level roles generally pay between $45,000 and $53,000 annually, with a compensation structure that’s primarily salary-based and includes only a small commission incentive.

As you progress through your sales career, the potential to earn more increases significantly. Senior positions like Account Executive, Sales Manager, or Director of Sales come with larger commission plans and bonuses. However, your earning potential depends on a few critical factors:

1. Your Ability to Build a Pipeline and Close Deals: Successful tech sales professionals are skilled at prospecting and closing deals. The more you can grow your pipeline and consistently close sales, the more you'll earn.
2. The Quality of the Product: Selling a product that’s in high demand or solves a critical problem for customers makes it easier to hit your sales targets. A great product can drastically boost your earning potential.
3. Market Conditions: Even top sales performers can struggle in a bear market. Economic downturns or industry slowdowns can make it harder to meet quotas, which can impact your overall earnings.
4. Contract Value: The size of the deals you’re closing plays a significant role in determining your earning potential. An enterprise AE selling $1.5 million contracts will have a much higher ceiling than a small and medium business (SMB) AE selling $9,000 deals. Larger deals result in higher commissions and greater overall income.

In industries like enterprise software, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, the tech sales jobs salary structure, combining base salary with commission, can be highly lucrative, especially as you rise to senior roles. Deals in these sectors can be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, offering substantial rewards to high achievers.

Can You Work Remotely in Tech Sales?

Yes, many companies now offer entry level remote sales jobs. With advancements in communication technology, remote work in tech sales has become more common, especially in the post-pandemic era. For companies, this allows access to a wider pool of talent, while for employees, it offers flexibility in terms of location and work-life balance.

Remote tech sales jobs are typically centered around virtual meetings, phone calls, and email outreach. Many of the tools that tech sales professionals use, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software, can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility makes tech sales jobs remote positions a viable option for individuals who prefer working from home or need a more flexible schedule.

While remote work offers more flexibility, it is important to remember your income is directly tied to your performance. One of the pitfalls of remote work is that it is easier to get distracted and spend less time working. Less productive time working will result in fewer cold calls, emails, and videos being sent. Fewer outreach activities result in a smaller pipeline, which is ultimately reflected in a smaller paycheck. If an individual can manage their time and responsibilities, tech sales can flourish in a remote environment.

Conclusion

Entry level tech sales jobs offer a unique and exciting opportunity for individuals seeking a lucrative career with growth potential. Whether you have experience or are just starting, tech sales provides an accessible entry point into the tech industry. By focusing on the right skills and leveraging available resources, anyone with grit and determination can land a role in tech sales, even with no experience.

If you're interested in learning more about how to break into this dynamic field, check out Ravenue’s N.E.S.T. Academy.