Software Sales Careers

Software Sales persons are now being given the due they deserve, as they are the people who play a predominant role in the software development industry.  They bridge the gap between customers and software companies.  Software sales careers are now sought after by many graduates with IT backgrounds, because it gives them an edge over other people.  IT qualified candidates fare better in the competition for these jobs as they are familiar with software systems and are in a better position to explain the technicalities to non-IT people.

You can become a part of the software sales team, if you have the right education, training and experience.  Selling is an art, and if it is combined with the right knowledge, you can make a successful career of it.  You need not necessarily have a formal degree in either sales or software to start a career, but educational qualifications can definitely give you an added advantage.

Types, Description, Information

Software sales careers, like most other sales careers can be broadly divided into four types: Direct Customer Sales, Company’s Representative, Corporate Sales and Sales Management.  A career in software would include selling software products like applications, web browsers, operating systems and other such things.

With a career in software sales, you are expected to be an expert on the software you are selling.  You should be able to convincingly answer any questions from customers and be in a position to clear their doubts.  If need be, you must be able to design the sale to suit the customer.  Software sales career is best suited if your personal qualities include flexibility, outgoing personality, high levels of motivation among other things.

Software sales careers are a good way to gain knowledge about the IT industry and get a foothold in the software industry.  Many candidates choose this career and bide their time and wait for their ‘dream job’ in IT industry.

Qualifications: Courses, Training, Certification

Software Sales career may not have very stringent requirements about educational qualifications or training per se.  Though, it is always helpful to have done some kind of formal training in both software and sales, it is not compulsory.  Knowledge about the software systems that you want to sell is mandatory, as you may have to convey its applications and working to non-IT people.

Schools, Colleges, University

You can take up courses in both software and sales by opting for degree programs or courses.  Some of the popular schools, colleges and universities for software careers are:

University of Phoenix

Gibbs School

Lincoln Tech

Hesser College

Technical Career Institute

Job opportunities, Salaries, Recruitment

Job opportunities in software sales are projected to be ‘good’, as it is a growing and evolving field.

Salaries in software sales career vary greatly depending on the company you are working for.  Sometimes, companies combine a basic salary with a commission on sales, whereas sometimes, companies may recruit on the basis of commission on selling only.  The arrangement differs depending on your contract with the company.

Career change is a feasible option, as you can switch from software sales jobs to other careers in the software industry.  This reason also makes it a very attractive career choice.