How To Get Into Software Sales Without Experience
Is it hard to get into software sales? Commonly asked by those with little experience.
Sales is great because there is a clear cut path to a six figure salary while working for less than three years in the space as well as a direct line to management and C-suite roles. However, a great degree is not imperative to break into the space. I will outline below the steps I were to take if I was breaking into the tech b2b SaaS sales space.
Step #1 The Salesforce and Oracles of the world are sexy names but if your resume is not helping you stand out from the crowd you should look to more of the local tech startup roles. Join the ranks as an SDR / BDR teeing up meetings for the AEs.
Step #2 Getting the interview - To get the interview with a subpar resume you should be getting your name out there and “networking” with people at the companies. To network, you should LinkedIn message all alumni in BDR, SDR and AE roles at tech startups. Setting up a quick conversation to “learn” more about the role and company. Send something along the lines of “Hi Jane,
My name is John Smith and I recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma this past May. I have experience doing X and Y and am looking to pivot back into a sales role.
I just applied for the Sales Development Representative position and it sounds like a very interesting role. If you have free time this week please let me know and I would love to connect. I would be happy to work around your schedule.”
At the end of the call ask if there is anyone else they would recommend you speak with. They will almost always point you in the right direction and tech companies always need more sales reps to push their products. Once you have exhausted your alumni then start blasting out the above meeting request to everyone who is a BDR, SDR and AE at companies you would take interviews with. It is a numbers game (as is sales).
Step #3 To boost your chances when you get the interview, you can also take courses on Udemy and various other platforms that probably won’t be all that helpful but can be told as a story during your interview as an example of why you want this job that exemplifies the hard work you are willing to put in. I would recommend reading sales based books like Influence and how to win friends & influence people as well.
To summarize:
#1) Apply to the less “sexy” companies which will typically be smaller stage tech startups
#2) Reach out on LinkedIn to alumni in BDR, SDR and AE roles and after that blast out messages to people in those roles
#3) Take courses and read sales books
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