Engineering to Sales: 3 Low-key Tips to Landing Your First Technical Sales Job
If you’re an engineer looking to change careers and are considering becoming a technical sales engineer, here are three tips to landing your first technical sales job you can’t overlook.
It’s much easier to shift to technical sales from engineering compared to the other way around. You already have the qualifications and technical knowledge required for the job. Now, it’s time to market yourself as the right candidate for the role.
Get Your Resume in Shape
When it comes to the job search, the first thing you have to do is have a rock-solid resume.
On average, hiring managers and recruiters only spend about seven seconds reading through resumes. That not a lot of time.
Your resume is the first impression you make on your future employers. They need to recognize your potential as a successful sales engineer. Highlight both your experience in the technical aspects of the job and how it impacted sales.
Pro Tip: Use action verb bullet points that are easily skimmable and quantifiable.
Example:
Collaborated with senior sales team to create cost models to support RFP’s, leading to a 15% increase in sales.
Top Soft Skills for Sales
- Communication skills
- Ability to focus on customer needs
- Interpersonal skills
In technical sales, both hard skills like product knowledge and soft skills such as problem-solving are essential.
Take the next step towards your success. Learn the fundamentals of technical sales and gain the specialized skills to crush you career goals.
Look at All Industries That Need a Technical Sales Engineer
When looking for a technical sales job, make sure you cover all bases. The following industries are those that typically have technical sales jobs available:
- Manufacturing
- Aeronautical
- Biomedical
- Chemical
- Energy
Don’t count out any industry just because you don’t have experience in that particular field. Do your research. For example, you’re currently a chemical engineer, and you don’t think you should even consider an aeronautical sales position. You should change this perspective.
Remember, even new graduates can apply for these jobs. If you have experience in engineering, you’re already one step ahead.
Also, most companies offer extensive training to their technical sales engineers. This ensures that their sales team possesses extensive knowledge about the technical products they are selling.
Continue Learning New Skills
Some employers provide training on various sales techniques and customer requirements. However, sales engineers are also expected to take it upon themselves to learn about the latest trends and new products in the industry.
When you are a new technical sales engineer, you aren’t expected to be an expert in the field yet. You need to be always open to learning new skills.
Use Your Network
In any industry, your network comes in handy when you’re looking for a new job. It’s always good to ask your professional contacts if they know of any technical sales positions available. Begin to cultivate your own personal brand and start marketing yourself as a salesperson.
LinkedIn is another excellent place to look for technical sales jobs. Make sure you optimize your LinkedIn profile to include all your sales-related and customer-centric experiences. You can start connecting with people who may help you find your next employer.
As an engineer, you may want to make the shift to technical sales for several reasons. It could be as simple as the promise of a bigger salary, or it might be more complex, like personal and employment growth. Whatever the reason may be, becoming a sales engineering is a great career move for engineers.
When you’re looking to make this change, remember that it requires a shift in perspective. It’s more than knowing the technical aspects of a product. You now need to create technical presentations, work with a sales team, and, most importantly, understand a customer’s needs and requirements.
With over 15 years of experience, we don’t just teach “theory.” We provide actionable lessons so you can see results tomorrow by providing you with all the tools you need to not only significantly increase your personal income but become a top performer at any company. If you are ready to take your technical sales career to the next level or are eager to make a career change, then click here to take the next step towards success with Technical Sales University.