Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Sales Professionals
Entry-level sales roles, such as "inside sales" or "sales development representatives," provide valuable experience and demonstrate performance capabilities, paving the way for career advancement. Alternatively, roles in product, finance, or marketing offer alternative entry points, allowing individuals to gain business acumen before transitioning into sales, with experience in areas like "product analyst" or understanding "gross margins, uh, EBITDA" proving beneficial.
Sales, Business Development, Product Management, Finance, Marketing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
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Max Coates
Director of Sales - Strategic Accounts
Ouster Lidar Inc.
University of Colorado, Boulder
N/A
Economics
Electronics & Semiconductors, Technology
Sales and Client Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Inside sales and SDR (Sales Development Representative) roles are common entry-level positions in sales, providing valuable experience and a path to career growth.
2. Experience in product, finance, or marketing can be a valuable stepping stone to a sales career, offering a strong understanding of the business.
3. Exploring openings at companies of interest and making a positive impression can help land an entry-level position and potentially transition into sales later on if desired.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I think it's common for people to look for inside sales jobs, or as Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) for large software companies. Sales forces with large organizations hire often, and this is a way to get your foot in the door of a sales organization.
Inside sales is often the beginning, involving more cold calling. However, it's really good experience, and if you can cut your teeth there, you're bound for a pretty good career in sales. People realize this quickly; it's about performance.
My path in product was very helpful for me, like moving from product analyst or product management. These are roles where you're more involved in the business. I've seen many people move from product to sales. Likewise, if you have an interest in finance coming out of business school, perhaps working in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), you can learn how money operates in businesses.
Understanding things like gross margins and EBITDA actually matters in sales. So, anything that gets you involved in the business and helps you understand it can lead to a pivot into sales if you have an interest. Knowing the business well helps, and you don't always have to go straight into a sales job. It might be easier to start there, but there are other avenues like product, finance, or marketing.
There are a lot of different options. When you find a company you like and are interested in, see what openings they have. Get your foot in the door, make the right impressions, learn, and make a change if you'd like to.
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