There are some things you should remember when leaving your sales job. Your skills in sales are likely transferable to other fields. When you are looking for a role, it is a good idea consider the pay and commission structure. It is important to quantify your achievements.
Skills transfer well from sales to IT job
An IT job is a great option for anyone who wants to make a career shift. A lot of the skills required to be successful in sales can transfer to an IT job. This includes attention to detail as well as initiative and communication. These skills will make you an asset in an IT role.
Sales positions require a lot of relationship-building, and skills in this area are particularly important. These positions require that people listen to and assess others' information as well as make decisions. This is a valuable skill which can be applied to any career. Problem-solving skills are also highly transferable.
Finding a job that pays a salary and a commission
Many companies offer jobs that pay a salary and a commission to salespeople. These jobs can prove lucrative. Software companies pay high commissions to sell software to businesses. Since the company incurs very high upfront costs to develop the software, they can afford to pay a commission to their salespeople. It is crucial to find a company that has high margins.
Your personal preferences, experience and learning style will all play a role in the job you choose. You may find that a commission-based role is more rewarding if your sales skills are strong than a salary-based one. However, if you're uncertain about your sales abilities, it may be better to begin in a job that provides financial safety and a steady base salary.
Conducting an interview for a sales job
A sales interview can be difficult when you're transitioning. The interview is more like an audition. The hiring company wants to determine if the candidate has the right skills to perform the job. Research the company before you go to the interview. Consider the company's marketing strategy as well as its primary customers.
You can use the questions in your interview to showcase your experience and skills. One example is asking a candidate about a specific role in sales. Using these questions can also help you to understand the candidate's background and experience, as well as his personality traits.
Quantifying your sales results
You must first identify your accomplishments in sales as you leave a career in sales. List them in terms of percents or ratios, if possible. Describe your sales goal, the actions you took and the results. Employers will be able to easily see the difference between your sales goals and actual sales results if you provide a baseline figure.
It is important to quantify your sales achievements as you move from a sales career. While writing press releases is acceptable for the responsibilities section, submitting ten press releases every week is more impressive. Besides numbers, your resume should include metrics. While finance and salespeople have access to many obvious metrics, don't forget about people-oriented metrics.
Taking an online career aptitude test to help you transition out of sales career
A career aptitude test is a tool that helps you narrow your choices. This test measures your personal characteristics, professional abilities, talents, and strengths to help you choose the right career path. It will help you stay focused on your strengths and prevent you from applying for jobs that are not right for you.
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.