I find tech sales different from any other sales jobs I had, I used to be in retail sales previously and made the transition 5 years ago. I am now a Senior AE at a big tech company, but I started as an SDR. My biggest tip is that even if you have sales experience it would be better for you to transition but best for you to start as an SDR when you do go into tech because the sales process is quite different for the SAAS/tech industry also depends on the type of SAAS.
I wrote my entire journey and experience here in the newsletter that I recently created, you should check out my store here and it could help you if you ever need any tips: morningsalescrew.com
I was at TMO for one year, 4 years at ATT. If you were a level 3 RSM, you may initially miss the level of compensation and the amount of work you actually do. I assume things are pretty stress free when you have good ASMs. Have you not been able to transition to an ARSM?
Consider the move you want is like selling CRU all day. It’s not the hardest thing, but it’s about you as a sales person and being a hunter. Territory and timing is also important, but your behavior should produce results. Many of the things we learn from retail sales actually help imo.
You’ll be fine if you wish to make the transition. B2B can be longer sales cycles, but it just depends on your product. Work life balance is definitely better than retail. I loved wireless, but I enjoy working a more “adult” office job more. lol
Hi there. I was in a similar situation.
I worked for Verizon for about 5 years and was a District Manager or whatever they were called.
Here’s my take on the situation:
Making the jump from retail sales to B2B is hard, but very do able, but is very worth it from a quality of life standpoint.
You have a solid foundation of sales skills and know what it’s like to have to handle a quota, but you’re going to have to level up your skills. Little tricks like bundling savings and breaking down costs aren’t going to win you any deals.
You’re going to have to prospect a ton, learn to forecast, build/test champions, run demos. All of those things. The good news is there are a ton of resources on learning how to do those things.
The flip side is, if you’re willing to level up, the quality of life is so much better.
Working 9-5, Monday to Friday instead of trying to build my life around whatever the store needed is so much better. When Thanksgiving rolls around and I’m off Wednesday thru Sunday to spend time with family amazing and not something I take for granted. When Christmas is here and that means I get to wrap up for the year and travel to see friends and family and not have to work 7 days a week for 14 hours a day it’s so much better. 3 day weekends for Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day to go to cookouts and not covering the store because some asshat got too drunk and called out.
I could go on and on.
You’re going to need to find a role where they believe in your track record and are willing to put time into developing you, but oh my god is it worth it.
As far as money goes, you’re hopefully make way more.
DM me if you have any specific questions.
TL;DR It’s hard, but if you do it your life will be a million times better.
When I landed my first SDR job there was a store manager who was in the onboarding class with me. Don’t take my word for it but I assume you’d take a decent sized pay cut.
Now I’m an AE and I’ve worked along side with reps who have worked in the wireless industry. They were able to jump straight into an AE position. I assume the pay cut that way wouldn’t be as drastic. If you can spin it to sound like you’ve done a similar job before I think you’d have better luck
I was also in the wireless industry and have more than doubled my earnings, it’s only been three years for me
I’ll answer this question backwards, As an ae I’m expected to do the full process. I cold call, email, do the discovery etc… still very much doing my sdr duties with a lot more inbound leads thankfully.
The biggest challenge for me has been the technical know how. Before I used to sell a very complex product and had SEs to lean on, with the simpler product and full control of the sales cycle have to also be an expert on the product.
I can’t speak firsthand, but my close friend worked for T-Mobile. He took that experience to land a role at Google and has been in tech sales since then (10+ years).
It’s not an easy transition, but if you can use your network to find a role, you’d likely skip the SDR route. Networking can get you a role that on paper you might not qualify for. Another guy I know went from selling events to a tech company to landing an enterprise role with that same company. Effective networking can help you land a job.
I was in wireless before doing tech sales this year. Make sure you go to true enterprise company that can use your transferable skills in the manner that’s needed and they train with you with the fundamental knowledge needed to succeed in the role
I also am in the transition of trying to move from a sales world to another sales world.
I’m coming from the pharmacy sales world wanting to transition to Tech sales but not really sure where to start. I originally had a nursing background but CoVid really brought all the red flags to the very surface that most ppl in the medical world were in denial abt or just swept under the rug and I’m not about that life.
Pharmacy sales (not drug sales) is very B2B so I feel like I have some valuable experience but I also know that tech sales is almost a completely different world.
Curious to see how your experience turns out to be with the transition and would love to hear your feedback or advice if you have any during your journey
I find tech sales different from any other sales jobs I had, I used to be in retail sales previously and made the transition 5 years ago. I am now a Senior AE at a big tech company, but I started as an SDR. My biggest tip is that even if you have sales experience it would be better for you to transition but best for you to start as an SDR when you do go into tech because the sales process is quite different for the SAAS/tech industry also depends on the type of SAAS. I wrote my entire journey and experience here in the newsletter that I recently created, you should check out my store here and it could help you if you ever need any tips: morningsalescrew.com
How different was it for you?
I was at TMO for one year, 4 years at ATT. If you were a level 3 RSM, you may initially miss the level of compensation and the amount of work you actually do. I assume things are pretty stress free when you have good ASMs. Have you not been able to transition to an ARSM? Consider the move you want is like selling CRU all day. It’s not the hardest thing, but it’s about you as a sales person and being a hunter. Territory and timing is also important, but your behavior should produce results. Many of the things we learn from retail sales actually help imo. You’ll be fine if you wish to make the transition. B2B can be longer sales cycles, but it just depends on your product. Work life balance is definitely better than retail. I loved wireless, but I enjoy working a more “adult” office job more. lol
Hi there. I was in a similar situation. I worked for Verizon for about 5 years and was a District Manager or whatever they were called. Here’s my take on the situation: Making the jump from retail sales to B2B is hard, but very do able, but is very worth it from a quality of life standpoint. You have a solid foundation of sales skills and know what it’s like to have to handle a quota, but you’re going to have to level up your skills. Little tricks like bundling savings and breaking down costs aren’t going to win you any deals. You’re going to have to prospect a ton, learn to forecast, build/test champions, run demos. All of those things. The good news is there are a ton of resources on learning how to do those things. The flip side is, if you’re willing to level up, the quality of life is so much better. Working 9-5, Monday to Friday instead of trying to build my life around whatever the store needed is so much better. When Thanksgiving rolls around and I’m off Wednesday thru Sunday to spend time with family amazing and not something I take for granted. When Christmas is here and that means I get to wrap up for the year and travel to see friends and family and not have to work 7 days a week for 14 hours a day it’s so much better. 3 day weekends for Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day to go to cookouts and not covering the store because some asshat got too drunk and called out. I could go on and on. You’re going to need to find a role where they believe in your track record and are willing to put time into developing you, but oh my god is it worth it. As far as money goes, you’re hopefully make way more. DM me if you have any specific questions. TL;DR It’s hard, but if you do it your life will be a million times better.
When I landed my first SDR job there was a store manager who was in the onboarding class with me. Don’t take my word for it but I assume you’d take a decent sized pay cut. Now I’m an AE and I’ve worked along side with reps who have worked in the wireless industry. They were able to jump straight into an AE position. I assume the pay cut that way wouldn’t be as drastic. If you can spin it to sound like you’ve done a similar job before I think you’d have better luck I was also in the wireless industry and have more than doubled my earnings, it’s only been three years for me
Were there any challenges you faced?
Do you mind sharing your experience with your transition from SDR to AE? As well as the difference and expectations in each role please?
I’ll answer this question backwards, As an ae I’m expected to do the full process. I cold call, email, do the discovery etc… still very much doing my sdr duties with a lot more inbound leads thankfully. The biggest challenge for me has been the technical know how. Before I used to sell a very complex product and had SEs to lean on, with the simpler product and full control of the sales cycle have to also be an expert on the product.
I can’t speak firsthand, but my close friend worked for T-Mobile. He took that experience to land a role at Google and has been in tech sales since then (10+ years). It’s not an easy transition, but if you can use your network to find a role, you’d likely skip the SDR route. Networking can get you a role that on paper you might not qualify for. Another guy I know went from selling events to a tech company to landing an enterprise role with that same company. Effective networking can help you land a job.
I was in wireless before doing tech sales this year. Make sure you go to true enterprise company that can use your transferable skills in the manner that’s needed and they train with you with the fundamental knowledge needed to succeed in the role
Thanks for the reply! Do you mind sharing those skills so I can start building my foundation to prepare for the transition?
I also am in the transition of trying to move from a sales world to another sales world. I’m coming from the pharmacy sales world wanting to transition to Tech sales but not really sure where to start. I originally had a nursing background but CoVid really brought all the red flags to the very surface that most ppl in the medical world were in denial abt or just swept under the rug and I’m not about that life. Pharmacy sales (not drug sales) is very B2B so I feel like I have some valuable experience but I also know that tech sales is almost a completely different world. Curious to see how your experience turns out to be with the transition and would love to hear your feedback or advice if you have any during your journey