Getting into Technical Sales

[HiRoller]

I have been working as a Project/Mechanical Engineer (Composites and Hydraulics) for a few years. I find one of the hardest things about my work is being at a desk and being so quiet and solitary!

I am considering moving across to Technical sales. I do enjoy getting out and about and having different challenges and situations from day to day...In a previous role I enjoyed project managing subcontractors and making sure projects would run smoothly as possible...This was smattered with a bit of Engineering which was a nice balance!

Have any other people made the change from a full on Mechanaical Engineering role to Technical Sales role?

What are the pro's and cons of this? - Money, time, targets, things that are irksome!

Is it going to be hard to do as I do not have any proper sales experience?

Considering re-selling Solidworks CAD software.....

Edited by HiRoller on Monday 20th February 10:08

[Frik]

Only just seen this thread. Plenty of people have made the jump as you describe. Have you considered making the move but staying a techie?

[Carpal]

In a similar situation and something I am considering as well.

Been in New Product Development for a while and feel the need to do something a bit different, maybe along lines of technical support as not convinced I am a salesman, but something that will ideally get me out and about.

[davepoth]

I know a little about sales. Generally there are two types of salesmen. Smarmy gits who would swear that night was day if it meant a sale, and honest ones who do their best to give the customer the best product for their needs. Generally the smarmy ones get on best because they make the most sales, and that's what is required in that role. It takes an incredibly good honest salesman to get on.

[Bullett]

Consider Pre-sales or solution architect type roles, both have a degree of technical knowledge, a bit of sales and lots of customer facing interaction. Usually without the bonus of sales but also without the pressure to make a number.

[Puggit]

There's a number of pre-sales consultants on here and I think we'd all agree it's a great role and pretty much as my friend Swerni describes. You do get a sales target, but it's the account manager who carries the can.

Last year I achieved 146% of my number - new car arrives this week

[Puggit]

swerni said:

Puggit said:

There's a number of pre-sales consultants on here and I think we'd all agree it's a great role and pretty much as my friend Swerni describes. You do get a sales target, but it's the account manager who carries the can.

Last year I achieved 146% of my number - new car arrives this week

And new target arrives the week after

3x last year's... I think it's the biggest SE target in the company

[Tyrewrecker]

Good thread and some good info. What industry are you people talking about when you are describing the roles?

[Bullett]

I'm presales and I don't have a number.

Maybe I should, I pretty much sell the solutions but then I prefer the lack of pressure to hit that number.

[Puggit]

Tyrewrecker said:

Good thread and some good info. What industry are you people talking about when you are describing the roles?

For me it's datacenter software (ie your man on the street doesn't use it!)

[Bullett]

Contact centre technology. Things the public use all the time but don't buy.

[Puggit]

Bullett said:

I'm presales and I don't have a number.

Maybe I should, I pretty much sell the solutions but then I prefer the lack of pressure to hit that number.

The only real pressure is on my commission - as I said above, it's the account manager who carries the can.

[Bullett]

Don't even have that, no commission but then my basic is much more than the sales guys. I get a bonus but it's relative chicken feed.

[Frik]

Would be nice if the OP came back to the thread...

[Bullett]

A recruiter probably.

[Puggit]

Oi Swerni - you have mail.

[ReaperCushions]

Another superbly happy Pre Sales consultant here.

I find it the perfect fit for my personality and lifestyle goals. Well paid, well respected but without the risk (read: number) I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying.

I get real pleasure from what I do and find it the best of both worlds for me.

Enterprise Process software for me, US company.

Happy to connect with other pre sales on LinkedIn if you want to find out more away from here

[elvismiggell]

swerni said:

Stuff

I echo what Swerni says. I actually went from Sales into Sales Support and PreSales. If anything I'm moving further towards your end of the spectrum.

PreSales (in the classic sense of Technical PreSales) would give you a great bridge between where you are now and a full on sales role. It would let you retain your technical expertise whilst allowing you to get out more and taste the life of a sales rep to see if it's a challenge you want to take on.

[HiRoller]

The OP is back. I started today as a Technical Sales Engineer for a Hydraulics company. No targets but have commission paid on overall company performance.

We'll see how things pan out. Knowing me I will want something more technical!"?

[Tyrewrecker]

HiRoller said:

The OP is back. I started today as a Technical Sales Engineer for a Hydraulics company. No targets but have commission paid on overall company performance.

We'll see how things pan out. Knowing me I will want something more technical!"?

Good luck - you can surely make it as technical as you like? Do your job and help with developmet team?