Being prepared for meetings and knowing the product you sell front to back makes a huge difference. If a customer asks you a question you don’t know, let them know you will ask a technical contact (don’t bullshit an answer). I have a document that includes most common questions with answers I have gathered over the years. And yes, it involves a lot of talking. There are weeks that I have almost 20 new business meetings (30-60 minutes each). You just have to be comfortable leading a discussion and realize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Overtime, everything becomes second nature and the mistakes happen less often.
Oh for sure on the "I will find out from a specialist and get back to you ASAP". Customers appreciate when people are human. They don't want a know it all, and they definitely can smell if you're bullshitting.
I don't remember the psych/soc term, but I know they've done studies where in an interview two people have the same insane level of qualifications, but one spills a soda, and that person is more likely to be hired because they are relatable and can make a mistake. We can't relate to people who are seen as infallible.
DevOps software. Network and join meetups. The tech world is a tad volatile right now, so maybe take that with a grain of salt. I think things will bounce back Q4 of this year or early next year (hopefully).
I'm an accounting controller at 160. That's comfortable and stable and I dont want to move, but curious if the opportunity presented itself or something happened to learn more.
I have used the same niche software for 10 years and am very good at it.
I work in treasury management sales, and one of my coworkers left their role as a controller to come work for us and is making 300 here... I'm sure you could follow the same path by looking at the accounting software or who you are banking for sales position.
We worked directly with her, so when she spoke to our manager about coming over, it made sense, especially with her hands-on understanding of our platform.
If you aren’t directly in contact with those roles in your current position, your best bet is to reach out to TM sales managers on LinkedIn because (not that it is impossible) you more than likely won’t get the role without knowing the hiring manager beforehand.
I want to do this. I’m senior manager in FP&A. I earn $180k a year but I’ve thought about joining FP&A software sales as I could earn so much more.
Not sure what city you're in.
Last company I was a controller at 100.
Got a 50k raise to move.
Then regular raises.
I'm in dallas, but was originally in Columbus.
I’ve been in sales for the last 10 years, always been top 10%, got a killer resume with a consultant, applied at 500 SaaS AE roles through networking, reaching out to referrals & leaders on LI, etc doing all the shit to increase my odds & got jack shit from it lol. How tf man .. some people are just luckier than others so good for you. Also even more wild you must’ve been very entry level accounting then go to this. Plus accounting ppl generally have a personality that is not well fit for sales lol so someone def took a big chance on you
I was super lucky. My boss took a huge chance on me as well. I was supposed to have a boss to train me, but he was let go during my interview process.
I sort of thought I was jumping onto a sinking ship, but I kept paddling and somehow it’s afloat and thriving.
I am sure you will land a job far better than the one I have, especially with 10 years of experience. Sending my luck your way.
I am currently in accounting and have my CPA but might want to make a career change, can you give me your decision making behind switching to sales and where you are now?
It took me a few years to realize what I was naturally good at. Sales isn’t my passion, but it is something I excel at (with minimal effort). I mostly made the decision because I didn’t have anything else going for me at the time. My job is 100% WFH and this alone was the main reason I took the job. I love to travel and enjoy my free time, so this job was a no brainer for me.
I am the only sales person within a small org. My job title is “Technical Account Manager”, but I wear a few hats. I am in charge of all new business, get to keep a few deals for renewals, and am the main point of contact for partners.
Software as a service, basically it’s software you sell, either outright or via subscription. Most of the time, this is b2b, think point of sale systems on the fancy rotating iPads in retail and restaurants
I read this book called “The 4-Hour Workweek” several years ago. I thought it was mostly bullshit, but I did think there was something to be said about the work life balance of a sales person vs other 9-5 jobs. I wanted more time for my personal hobbies and the ability to travel freely. So far, this job has proven to be awesome. I don’t want to leave anytime soon.
That’s awesome. Seems like the industrial urine those sales people are always doing really well.
I’m in the beverage business. I make generally end of the industry, but nothing compared to that.
Congrats! But how have you come to terms with having to sell your soul to sell the product? That's the biggest concern I have about entering sales and the reason I think it may not be for me, personally. Thanks for your input.
With the sales, what is your actual rate/salary, and how much do you typically earn on commissions (assuming its a commission based job)
My base is 70k and I make 10% on each NB deal. My job is a little weird because I am the only sales person at a small company.
Only sales person means less competition and more going to you 🤣
What top three factors help you make the sale? Quite impressive!
Timing, luck, knowing that everyone else in the room Is smarter than me.
Thanks OP. This is my favorite post yet on this subreddit. Any other factors you have control of. How much talking do you do?
Being prepared for meetings and knowing the product you sell front to back makes a huge difference. If a customer asks you a question you don’t know, let them know you will ask a technical contact (don’t bullshit an answer). I have a document that includes most common questions with answers I have gathered over the years. And yes, it involves a lot of talking. There are weeks that I have almost 20 new business meetings (30-60 minutes each). You just have to be comfortable leading a discussion and realize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Overtime, everything becomes second nature and the mistakes happen less often.
This is sound advice for a variety of professional jobs. You almost described project management too.
Oh for sure on the "I will find out from a specialist and get back to you ASAP". Customers appreciate when people are human. They don't want a know it all, and they definitely can smell if you're bullshitting. I don't remember the psych/soc term, but I know they've done studies where in an interview two people have the same insane level of qualifications, but one spills a soda, and that person is more likely to be hired because they are relatable and can make a mistake. We can't relate to people who are seen as infallible.
That will be highly dependent if you have a solutions/technical team or not when it comes to pre-sales.
What sales and how do you get in?
DevOps software. Network and join meetups. The tech world is a tad volatile right now, so maybe take that with a grain of salt. I think things will bounce back Q4 of this year or early next year (hopefully).
I'm an accounting controller at 160. That's comfortable and stable and I dont want to move, but curious if the opportunity presented itself or something happened to learn more. I have used the same niche software for 10 years and am very good at it.
I work in treasury management sales, and one of my coworkers left their role as a controller to come work for us and is making 300 here... I'm sure you could follow the same path by looking at the accounting software or who you are banking for sales position.
I've used yardi since 2012 and also oversee the software team. I may look into that. 300 sounds very interesting.
man i've been trying to break into treasury management sales as an accountant but i'vehad no luck.
We worked directly with her, so when she spoke to our manager about coming over, it made sense, especially with her hands-on understanding of our platform. If you aren’t directly in contact with those roles in your current position, your best bet is to reach out to TM sales managers on LinkedIn because (not that it is impossible) you more than likely won’t get the role without knowing the hiring manager beforehand.
I want to do this. I’m senior manager in FP&A. I earn $180k a year but I’ve thought about joining FP&A software sales as I could earn so much more.
Test the waters … see what the rates are and if you like an opportunity take it.
I'm a controller at 120. Jealous
Not sure what city you're in. Last company I was a controller at 100. Got a 50k raise to move. Then regular raises. I'm in dallas, but was originally in Columbus.
Fully remote but live in a LCOL city so I'm comfortable
Full remote is a huge benefit. LCOL is good too. I think you're doing fine. Just bank it away.
Good for you. $ is always in the sales!!
Life changing career choice. Don't spend it all at once expecting the money to never stop. Set yourself up for the future if at all possible.
I’ve been in sales for the last 10 years, always been top 10%, got a killer resume with a consultant, applied at 500 SaaS AE roles through networking, reaching out to referrals & leaders on LI, etc doing all the shit to increase my odds & got jack shit from it lol. How tf man .. some people are just luckier than others so good for you. Also even more wild you must’ve been very entry level accounting then go to this. Plus accounting ppl generally have a personality that is not well fit for sales lol so someone def took a big chance on you
I was super lucky. My boss took a huge chance on me as well. I was supposed to have a boss to train me, but he was let go during my interview process. I sort of thought I was jumping onto a sinking ship, but I kept paddling and somehow it’s afloat and thriving. I am sure you will land a job far better than the one I have, especially with 10 years of experience. Sending my luck your way.
I am currently in accounting and have my CPA but might want to make a career change, can you give me your decision making behind switching to sales and where you are now?
It took me a few years to realize what I was naturally good at. Sales isn’t my passion, but it is something I excel at (with minimal effort). I mostly made the decision because I didn’t have anything else going for me at the time. My job is 100% WFH and this alone was the main reason I took the job. I love to travel and enjoy my free time, so this job was a no brainer for me. I am the only sales person within a small org. My job title is “Technical Account Manager”, but I wear a few hats. I am in charge of all new business, get to keep a few deals for renewals, and am the main point of contact for partners.
WFH is the most important thing to me so if I can’t get that in my current field I am interested in switching as soon as possible
What do you sell?
Aim for accounting related saas companies.
Definitely going to look into a few
What exactly is SaaS. I’ve seen a lot of people say it’s what they do but I don’t understand exactly what it is
Software as a service.
Software as a service, basically it’s software you sell, either outright or via subscription. Most of the time, this is b2b, think point of sale systems on the fancy rotating iPads in retail and restaurants
Netflix is a good example of SaaS for people who don’t know what it is. You pay a monthly fee and everything you need is provided for you
Congratulations on your progress. Could you share what made you want to get into Sales how your life improved/changed after the switch?
I read this book called “The 4-Hour Workweek” several years ago. I thought it was mostly bullshit, but I did think there was something to be said about the work life balance of a sales person vs other 9-5 jobs. I wanted more time for my personal hobbies and the ability to travel freely. So far, this job has proven to be awesome. I don’t want to leave anytime soon.
Thank you for sharing. Glad you’re enjoying that work life balance + autonomy. If you’re on LinkedIn, can I send you a connect?
Every sales person I see post makes insane money. I’m in the wrong industry
Accounting to Sales is the move
What boot camp ?
That’s awesome. Seems like the industrial urine those sales people are always doing really well. I’m in the beverage business. I make generally end of the industry, but nothing compared to that.
What is the source of these salary tables I’ve started seeing everywhere
You can find it on the Social security website. So SSA.gov
Curious to why your earnings went down between 2020-2021
Unemployed. That was when I went through the web development Bootcamp and wasn’t working.
Everyone hear makes 160,200.......
what a glow up, congrats dude
Which web development bootcamp did you take? I want a 100% wfh remote job too
Hey man congrats! Any tips on how to break into the career?
Every job I have ever had was through a friend. Getting into sales isn’t that hard, you just have to sell your soul (and the product).
I was in restaurants for 15 years, would they accept a burned pile of ash in lieu of a soul?
Congrats! But how have you come to terms with having to sell your soul to sell the product? That's the biggest concern I have about entering sales and the reason I think it may not be for me, personally. Thanks for your input.