Choosing a sales career is a great route but it can be difficult for candidates to decide which kind of sales industry to pursue. General sales and IT sales share the same foundation, but they are two separate disciplines with different skill requirements, earning potential and work days. Understanding the differences between the two can save you from uncertainty and get you going in the right career direction.
As an experienced IT recruitment agency, we understand these roles well and will be guiding you through these two options so you can decide which career is right for you.
What A General Sales Role Encompasses
Sales can cover everything from retail and FMCG through to financial services, media and more. Roles tend to include account executive, business development manager or field sales representative titles and the main goal is to generate consistency by identifying prospects, building relationships and closing deals.
The products and services may change, but the basics don’t tend to. Strong sales professionals tend to be:
- Natural communicators who can adapt pitches quickly
- Target driven & resilient when there is high pressure
- Comfortable managing a high number of short sales cycles
- Confident working in a broad range of different industries
Job entry routes are fairly accessible and many firms hire candidates based on attitude and potential not just sector experience. This kind of flexibility is really appealing for those early in their careers.
What IT Sales Roles Consist Of
IT sales jobs within the technology sector usually cover software, hardware, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, managed services, SaaS platforms and more. Job titles could include technology sales consultant, solutions specialist, pre sales engineer or vendor account manager.
Buyers in IT are often technical stakeholders with job titles such as IT directors, heads of infrastructure and CTOs. This means that the ability to hold an informed conversation about the latest tech is essential.
What tends to put IT sales candidates in a good position:
- Genuine interest in tech & how it solves business problems
- Patience to navigate long & complicated sales cycles
- Ability to translate technical detail into clear business value
- Comfortable working with pre sales & technical teams during a deal
The time taken to learn the tech can be long but the reward may be higher. IT sales roles generally command higher base salaries and commission structures, especially at the enterprise level.
Which Career Path Works Better For You?
There is no right answer for everyone, but there are useful questions worth asking yourself.
- Do you like fast paced high volume selling or building expertise in one sector?
- Do you enjoy learning about tech or does the idea feel more like an obstacle?
If you are motivated by the IT specialism, strong earning potential and a sector with consistent demand, IT sales is worth serious consideration. If you prefer variety and a more straightforward path into sales, then a general sales role could be the better starting point, with IT sales as a next step once your confidence has built.
Ready To Explore Your Career Options?
At Apache Associates we work with candidates at every stage of their sales career. Whether you are interested in a move into IT sales or are looking for a new role, our specialist recruitment team can help you find the right fit. Get in touch with us today to make an appointment to run through your next step.