You may be starting out or far into your career, but there always comes a time to find a new role. Starting new can be scary and intimidating. You want to love where you work and what you are doing. Finding that perfect match is difficult, but possible. No two sales roles are the same. Educate yourself on the different types of sales roles and ask the potential employer what their roles specifically include, what type of sales culture exists, and how the company supports a high growth sales department.
First, define your career goals. This lays a solid foundation for the decisions to make on which company to choose and in what direction you will focus your career.
A new career in sales could be the best choice of your life. But how do you get started in sales? And if you’re already in sales, how do you adjust your goals and take your career to the next level?
Define Your Career Goals:
Without goals, you have no direction on where you want to go. Before you start your job search, define your future.
Do you want to sell to small businesses? Mid-market companies? Do you want to sell software? A service? Or products like medical supplies? Do you want to stay in inside sales, venture into outside sales, or is your goal to become a sales manager or VP? Do you prefer a pure hunting role where someone else does the closing? Or prefer a full-cycle sale? Or perhaps account management and working with existing clients? Are you a natural coach and enjoy leadership?
You need to have a clear vision of where you see yourself at the peak of your career. Then break it down into actionable steps.
Let’s say your goal is to become the VP of Sales at a Mid-market software company. Your smaller goals may be:
- Land an SDR Position at a software company. Exceed quota and expectations. Learn the technology, market, and industry inside and out. Clearly communicate your desired career progression to the management team.
- Be promoted to Inside Sales at the company. Exceed expectations on work ethic, activity, and sales outcomes. Continue to communicate with management on desired career goals.
- Transition into an Account Executive role. Shadow top performers. Learn the ropes from those who are currently excelling in the role. Exude and practice leadership skills to your SDR and inside sales counterparts. Be a kind human being who team members and management enjoy being around. Be a company brand ambassador. Make it known you’re interested in a management position.
- Enter a mentorship program for sales management. Learn the skills required to hit the ground running and be effective in a sales management role. Discuss your learnings with your management team and discuss what’s needed to earn the promotion.
- Successfully manage a sales team and grow revenue for 2 – 3 years. Pour your heart into developing your team. Don’t hide behind your dashboard. Get in the field, coach, and mentor your team to success. Be present and prepared in all leadership meetings. Continue being someone who inspires others.
- Find a 1:1 VP Sales mentor inside or outside your company.
- Start planting seeds with executive leadership and ensure they know your desire for progression. Ask questions and gain clarity on what executive leadership needs to see from you in order to be considered for the role.
- Apply and interview for an internal VP Sales role when it opens, or explore external VP Sales opportunities.
- CRUSH IT in your dream role!
Find The Right Job:
ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn are job search boards with a wide variety of sales jobs in different industries. Once your career goals are defined, hold the employer accountable to answering the additional critical questions listed earlier in this article to ensure the company is a great fit for you!
We cannot express enough how important it is to get into the RIGHT company.
The top 5 factors you should consider when looking for a new sales role are:
- Career development and progression
- Culture fit
- Competitive product, service, and go-to-market strategy
- Combination of visionary and tactical leadership team
- Company’s willingness to grow and successfully compete in the market
Excel:
Woo hoo! You got the job! They hired you because they believe in you. Now it’s time to show them what you are made of.
The first 90 days in a new sales or sales leadership role can be slow as you ramp, so you must show your employer and team members your work ethic and culture fit during this time. They should be able to see your hustle. During this time you need to learn the product or service and the company inside and out! Become a technical ninja.
Look for other ways to further your sales skills development. You should shadow the top performers and participate in outside sales training. Sales BQ offers top training at fundamental, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Good luck in your search for your next big step in your sales career!