– Software Sales –
Interested in software sales but not sure where to start? This guide covers everything you need to know about kicking off your career.
What Is Software Sales?
As the name implies, software sales refers to the sale of software to enterprises of all sorts, from small firms to multinational corporations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare providers.
Almost every software firm has a sales team that puts its product into the hands of potential clients and persuades them to use their tools and services, whether it’s Microsoft, IBM, Slack, or Salesforce.
If you’ve ever had to use specialized software for your job, such as Asana, Slack, SAP Concur, or Drop box, sales representatives from those firms most likely marketed it to you.
About the Software Sales Job
When people think of sales jobs, they may see door-to-door salespeople persuading strangers to buy their wares.
This is a long cry from the reality of software sales, where leads are thoroughly studied and precisely targeted, and time is spent developing the vendor-client relationship.
Software sales professionals are good communicators who can show potential customers how technology may help them solve problems.
How to Get into Software Sales
A college diploma is usually not required to work in software sales. Instead, recruiting managers search for applicants that have excellent people skills.
And also, a history of collaboration, and the ability to adapt an organization’s sales processes and pick up sales tools like CRMs, forecasting technology, databases, and business intelligence software.
In short, you must be able to use tools and technology to produce and handle leads; you must have the curiosity and desire to understand prospective clients’ demands.
How Much Can You Earn as Software Sales Rep?
According to LucidChart, entry-level software sales people can earn roughly $48,000 per year in basic salary, with commissions boosting their total annual remuneration to around $75,000.
Mid-level account executives can earn a basic salary of roughly $62,000 per year, with commissions raising their total income to around $126,000 per year.
Senior-level software sales managers can earn a basic salary of roughly $95,000, with commissions and bonuses pushing their total income past $150,000.
What Kinds of Software Sales Jobs Are Available?
Each phase of the sales cycle is handled by different jobs in software sales.
This is why collaboration is so vital in tech sales: no single salesperson can do it all, and good teamwork is required to ensure a smooth handoff from the reps who find fresh leads to those who close deals.
Some of the most popular forms of software sales jobs are listed below.
Internal Sales:
Inside sales staff, also known as sales development reps, are in charge of the first phase of the sales process.
They find fresh and qualified leads, make cold calls to set up appointments, evaluate customer needs, and occasionally pitch clients. Inside sales jobs are typically entry-level positions with a lot of room for advancement.
The average basic income for an inside sales professional is roughly $48,000 per year, with commissions and bonuses typically bringing total compensation to over $75,000 per year.
External Sales:
Outside sales representatives are typically stationed in markets other than the company’s headquarters.
Outside sales professionals should be able to provide insight into their target market, as well as identify leads, close transactions, and manage client relationships.
According to Zip Recruiter, the average outside sales representative earns roughly $53,577 per year in base income, with commissions and bonuses pushing total compensation closer to six figures.
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Account Manager:
Account executives are at the heart of the software sales engine; they communicate with new clients, complete transactions, and maintain client relationships.
They also ensure that the company’s products fit their demands. An account executive, also known as an account manager or sales executive, has a lot of possibilities for growth and can earn a lot of money in commission.
The average base income for an account executive is roughly $62,000, with commissions and incentives bringing the total remuneration to around $126,000.
Sales Operations:
Sales operations managers aid in the reduction of sales friction.
They handle everything that helps salespeople to execute their duties, from sales pipeline management to platform and analytics assistance, as well as business and sales metrics tracking.
Software Sales:
Sales engineers are usually qualified engineers that know the ins and outs of a piece of software and can demonstrate how the technology works and how it may address a client’s problems to prospective clients.
Sales engineers are paid similarly to account executives, with a basic salary of roughly $62,000 and additional pay from commissions and bonuses.
V P of Sales:
This executive position, sometimes known as the head of sales, is in charge of an organization’s sales strategy. A VP of sales may supervise sales teams directly in smaller firms.
The vice president of sales will supervise managers in larger companies.
A VP of sales can earn roughly $190,000 in basic income, plus bonuses based on the performance of their sales teams, for a total compensation of $300,000.
Tips for Getting Into (and Succeeding in) Software Sales
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to going into software sales, but here are some tried-and-true suggestions to get you started.
Find a Related Role and Then Transfer:
Consider beginning your career in an entry-level position or in customer support or marketing.
Also, these positions provide exposure to industry trends, customer needs, and the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of an organization’s products and services.
All of which are valuable to sales teams and conducive to a lateral move.
Get Sales Experience:
The majority of sales experience is transferrable. You’ll be in a good position to land the software sales job you want if you hone your sales skills at a different company or industry.
Additionally, learn how to court clients, gain experience researching and understanding client problems and needs, and develop a track record of advocating for both clients and an organization’s products and services.
Find a Mentor:
Mentors can provide career advice and support, assist with networking and job prospects, and use their contacts and experience to help mentees grow more quickly.
Given the very interpersonal nature of software sales, having a mentor who can offer guidance based on their own experience can help you secure a job as a sales representative and succeed in your position.
Take a class or obtain certification:
New sales tools and best practices are being developed all the time.
Consider attending a course given by industry professionals to remain on top of the newest trends and ensure your research, prospecting, and discovery abilities are current and relevant.
Concentrate on a specific industry or product type:
Developing specialized knowledge of an industry or type of product can give you an advantage because you’ll already know the lay of the land.
Also, be familiar with the types of problems potential clients might face, be aware of what the competition has to offer, and be able to explain how your company’s software differs.
Obtain LinkedIn or social media endorsements:
Recruiters frequently target salespeople based on their LinkedIn accounts or social media presence.
You can improve your chances of getting recognized and landing an interview by keeping ties with other sales professionals and obtaining public-facing endorsements.
Create a Business Book:
Portfolios are used by software engineers and designers to demonstrate that they can perform what their CV claims. A book of business is kept by sales agents.
This is where sales reps keep track of their clients and sales, as well as demographic information, referrals, and a client’s future needs potential.
The sales book of business is useful as confirmation of a salesperson’s work as well as a list of leads.
Software Sales Jobs in 2022
There are so many jobs in software sales this year and we have a compilation of these jobs below, you can check them out;
1. IBM Associate Z Software Sales Representative
The whole sales strategy that drives closure of System Z Software Solutions in our System Z clients is the responsibility of the Z Software Sales Representative.
The success of our engagements depends on executive communication and coordination. The Z Software Sales Representative will be responsible for developing opportunity win plans, which will include leveraging IBM senior executives.
The Z Software Sales Representative should be at ease creating materials and presenting to top client executives, such as the CIO and senior IT and Line of Business executives. They must have a license.
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Description:
You will be working with a firm that has been in business for over 40 years and sells configurable accounting software to distributors, manufacturers, and other businesses.
Preferably, will build and manage a domestic and international sales force in areas with existing client bases as well as new territories. Commission rate is high.
Requirements:
▸ Must spend enough time learning about the software’s capabilities and limitations.
▸ Self-starter, motivated, and trustworthy.
3. Junior Sales Rep Software and Services
xSuite Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to workplace diversity and inclusion. We joined the signatories of the “Charta der Vielfalt.
We respect differences and do not discriminate based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or disability.
This policy governs all employment practices inside our company, including those at our headquarters and subsidiaries. Our hiring and management teams make judgments exclusively on the basis of qualifications, merit, and current company needs.
4. Application Security Sales Specialist
Software intelligence from Dynatrace helps companies simplify cloud complexity and drive digital transformation.
Our all-in-one platform provides exact answers regarding the performance and security of applications and the underlying infrastructure as the recognized category leader in offering automatic and intelligent observability at scale.
We make DevSecOps possible, allowing businesses to innovate more quickly, collaborate more effectively, and deliver more value with far less effort.
Position Description:
▸ We are the market share and magic quadrant leaders eleven times.
▸ We put more money into research and development than some of our competitors do in total sales, ensuring market-leading customer value and rapid adoption.
▸ Take advantage of our high-performing culture and competitive remuneration packages that recognize and reward excellence.
▸ Working with the world’s largest cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure, OpenShift, and Google Cloud, allows us to provide our customers with the best 3rd Generation monitoring available.
5. Software Brand Sales Specialist – IBM AIOps and Integration Software
This position is for a Software Sales Specialist in the IBM AIOps and Integration Software portfolio, focusing on Segment 1 Enterprise clients.
Prospecting, advancing, and completing software transactions in US Federal Government accounts are among the tasks of this client-facing/outside direct sales position for Cloud & Cognitive Software.
Segment 1 IBM accounts with current IBM software implementations and, in certain circumstances, existing implementations looking to expand their software footprint, modernize to IBM hybrid cloud services.
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6. Business Development | Solution Sales | Software Products
BKD is looking for a highly motivated Business Development Executive who enjoys finding new business opportunities for digitally driven goods and solutions in the nonprofit, healthcare, and higher education sectors.
This role generates new business for the firm, maintains and nurtures these new relationships for ongoing and expanded engagements.
Also, someone who manages the sales opportunity pipeline and stage analytics, and actively partners with firm leadership, marketing, and proposal teams to win business as a trusted advisor.
Responsibility:
▸ Manage business development initiatives for digital/software-based solutions and products by conducting market analyses and strategic account plans.
▸ At all pipelines and sales generation possibility stages, including capture management and proposal preparation, nurture the “pipeline” for new business and capture initiatives.
▸ Manage the lead and sales pipeline process, including chance of win calculations, revenue projections, and direct input into the corporate budget and forecasting process.
▸ Demonstrate BKD’s technology products to potential clients.
▸ Align new business activities with the strategic plan’s major growth areas and objectives by identifying key targets and developing proposals.
▸ Assist corporate leadership in staying informed about and planning new business development possibilities, such as forthcoming business development targets, market outreach events, and other major industry and outreach activities.
7. Sales Admin Assistant
This is your chance to work on cutting-edge, cutting-edge artificial intelligence software for the financial markets.
As a Sales Admin Assistant, you will assist the sales team in all aspects of working with individual traders to provide the software they require to improve their results in the financial markets.
The position is now working from home, with the possibility of moving to an office setting in the future.
Responsibilities:
▸ Incoming calls are answered and routed.
▸ Calendar Administration
▸ Sales orders are entered, processed, tracked, and analyzed.
▸ Data collection and tracking for webinars
▸ Reconcile sales, operations, and financial reporting.
▸ Report creation, data entry, and light analysis
▸ Other responsibilities as assigned
▸ We’re looking for the following people:
▸ We’re looking for people who are process-oriented.
▸ Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Apps (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)
▸ Must be organized and pay attention to detail
▸ Must have the desire and talent to succeed and learn new systems
▸ Must have a positive, winning attitude always seeking to improve
▸ Must enjoy a fast-paced environment
▸ Must be self-motivated, always seeking to improve and grow
▸ Can work well in teams but stay task oriented
Education Requirements:
▸ Minimum High School / GED completion.
▸ College credits or Degree is preferred.
8. Software Sales Executive – South East
Turbonomic’s Application Resource Management (ARM) technology ensures that applications have exactly the resources they need to run smoothly, while preserving policy compliance and avoiding overspending.
Turbonomic is well positioned to construct the AI-driven hybrid cloud of the future.
You’ll be doing the following:
▸ From cold calling to installation, meet individual sales objectives by prospecting and closing strategic deals.
▸ Work across many verticals with significant clients in the Southeast.
▸ Collaborate closely with a sales development team dedicated on generating new customer interest and meetings.
▸ Demonstrate Turbonomic’s value by collaborating with clients and our exceptional Sales Engineering team as part of our POV process.
▸ Candidate must live in or be willing to relocate to the Southeast.
▸ Technical and professional expertise are required.
9. Prisma Cloud Sales Specialist, Americas Major Accounts
Join a team that has brought together the greatest public cloud infrastructure security firms and the best cloud-native workload protection companies with Palo Alto Networks.
The industry leader in cloud security. Our technologies will combine to create the world’s most advanced cloud security solution.
This is an opportunity to join in on the ground floor of Palo Alto Networks’ core growth area.
Your Personal Experience:
▸ Proven sales expertise in the technology business, with a preference for network infrastructure-based security equipment, software, cloud, and Enterprise SaaS.
▸ A consultative salesperson with exceptional communication and closing abilities.
▸ The ability to think and act tactically and strategically.
▸ A high-aspiration risk taker with sound commercial judgment and instincts.
▸ Consensus-seeking personality who thrives in a collaborative setting
▸ 5 years of direct corporate software sales executive experience, particularly in SaaS, CyberSecurity, or DevOps
▸ Knowledge about the top accounts in the territory
▸ Closed seven-figure transactions in the past
10. Sales Development Representative for China Region (Software)
Our most successful Sales Development Representatives are driven to achieve their objectives. They pull up their sleeves and work hard in a fast-paced, dynamic workplace to get outcomes.
They are a team of collaborative, productive problem-solvers who enjoy working together to make a difference.
Qualifications:
▸ Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or relevant engineering field.
▸ Technical aptitude and at least 1-year experience in a sales environment (internship is ok).
▸ Excellent record of customer service and customer satisfaction
▸ Experience in leveraging social media to identify and engage with key decision-makers.
▸ Good telephone etiquette and computer literacy skills
▸ Understanding of sales automation tools and the sales process
▸ Fluent in English and the local language of the territory
FAQs about Software Sales Remote Work
These are the most asked questions about software sales jobs on the internet web;
1. What are Software Sales?
Software sales is a career in which sales professionals help clients identify their technology needs and match them with a software solution that best solves their problems and fulfills their needs. It also shares interactions with small businesses.
2. How Much can You Make Doing Software Sales?
According to the BLS’s Occupational Employment Statistics, the mean annual wage for software developers of applications is $108,080, while for developers of systems software, it is slightly higher at $114,000. However, not all states pay software developers the same salary.
3. What do People in Software Sales do?
Software sales representatives perform sales and customer relations tasks to drive the sales of computer software products and services. They have daily direct interaction with customers and leads, either face-to-face or at a distance via the phone or online platforms.
4. Can You Make a Lot of Money in Software Sales?
The annual average salary for software sales professionals is more than $54,000, according to PayScale. As with most sales jobs, the salary range can vary greatly depending on factors like bonuses, profit sharing, and especially commission.
FAQs about Software Sales Remote Work
These are the most asked questions about software sales jobs on the internet web;
5. Is Software Sales a Good Job?
Software sales jobs are among the most lucrative sales jobs, as they tend to offer greater pay, flexibility, and opportunities for advancement. Working in software sales requires technical knowledge and strong people skills. However, those who possess the required traits and experience can expect a successful career.
6. What Degree do You Need for Software Sales?
The most common degree for Software Sales Representatives is Bachelor’s Degree 72% of Software Sales Representatives earn that degree. A close second is Associate Degree with 11% and rounding it off is Master’s Degree with 7%.
7. What does SaaS Sales Stand for?
SaaS stands for software as a service. It is a type of software hosted, secured, and managed by a single provider. It can be accessed online, easily customized, and is serviced and supported by the provider’s own product engineers and customer success team.
FAQs about Software Sales Remote Work
These are the most asked questions about software sales jobs on the internet web;
8. Why Work SaaS Sales?
Why do SaaS companies need amazing salespeople? With the right salesperson or sales team, a SaaS company can grow exceptionally well. SaaS companies are all about growth. As a business model, it’s more profitable than service-based businesses, which is why investors are so keen to put money into them.
9. How do You Succeed in Software Sales?
A few of the companies hiring for software sales include CyberCoders, HubSpot. Essential skills needed to qualify for the position include working flexible hours, knowledge about the software that you’re selling, great communication skills, rapport building on the call, and strategic prospecting skills, among others.
10. How can I be a Good Software to Sell?
The reasons are fairly simple: with software you can create something once and then sell it an unlimited amount of times. For this reason, the profit margins are much larger than a typical business selling a physical product.
FAQs about Software Sales Remote Work
These are the most asked questions about software sales jobs on the internet web;
11. Is Netflix a SaaS?
First, let’s cover off the question in this title: yes, Netflix is indeed a SaaS company that sells software to watch licensed videos on demand. It follows a subscription-based model whereby the customer chooses a subscription plan and pays a fixed sum of money to Netflix monthly or annually.
12. Do you Need a Degree for SaaS?
SaaS jobs favor experts in programming languages like SQL, Python, and JavaScript, which are most compatible with cloud platforms. Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree, though some employers may accept an associate degree.
13. Is SaaS Sales Easy?
SaaS sales ain’t easy. There’s big money, multiple stakeholders, and complex value propositions involved in each deal. However, the ability to navigate that added friction is also what makes SaaS sales reps so valuable and well-paid.
FAQs about Software Sales Remote Work
These are the most asked questions about software sales jobs on the internet web;
14. Is SaaS a Good Career?
Is SaaS sales a good career? Yes. The growth of the SaaS industry means that a job within it comes with a certain degree of financial stability. SaaS sales is also a rewarding job for a motivated and talented sales professional.
15. Is it Hard to Sell SaaS?
SaaS sales ain’t easy. There’s big money, multiple stakeholders, and complex value propositions involved in each deal. However, the ability to navigate that added friction is also what makes SaaS sales reps so valuable and well-paid.
16. What is Different about Selling SaaS?
Even more so than in non-software sales, SaaS salespeople need to focus on building relationships. Without something physical to sell, you aren’t just selling the software for most of the sales process, but the aftercare, support, and ongoing benefits of your specific product.
Software sales people can make a lot of money. Although many entry-level positions have lower base wages, sales performance bonuses and commissions can quickly double a salesperson’s overall compensation.
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