Careers Beyond Sales

Careers Beyond Sales: Six Typical Career Transitions for Sales Professionals in 2024

Changing careers, whether within sales or in different fields, has become increasingly common in today's professional landscape. In fact, it's more typical than the traditional scenario of staying with the same company or role for an entire working lifetime. Research indicates that, on average, individuals change jobs about 12 times during their professional journey. Spending five years or less in one role before transitioning to another is not unusual. 

So, what drives this trend? Why are people more inclined to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new opportunities? 

Common Reasons for Career Changes: Several factors motivate individuals to change careers: 

Higher pay 

More flexibility 

Improved work-life balance 

Reduced stress 

Relocation 

Better benefits 

Would any of these factors motivate you to transition away from your current sales role? 

In 2022, LinkedIn conducted extensive research to understand the diverse career paths people pursue and the catalysts behind these changes. Analyzing millions of LinkedIn profiles, they identified emerging trends, particularly relevant for those in sales, many of which remain pertinent today. 

Prominent Career Transitions: Sales Sales experiences a considerable influx and outflow of professionals. According to surveys, while a significant number of individuals transition out of sales, there's an equally substantial number transitioning in. This phenomenon can be attributed to the high demand for sales positions, given that most companies historically rely on sales and business development for their growth. 

Sales Development Representatives ranked third on LinkedIn's list of Top Emerging Jobs in 2022. Despite being an entry-level role, it remains popular among recent graduates, offering an opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills as sales associates or account managers. 

Diverse Paths for Former Salespeople: For those weary of the constant cycle of sales tasks—prospecting, qualifying, closing, and repeating—numerous alternative paths are worth exploring. 

While some individuals are naturally inclined towards sales, mastering the art of negotiation and deal-making, others find this process less appealing. Switching careers can be challenging due to the limited growth opportunities offered by many companies in roles outside of sales. 

LinkedIn's study revealed that former salespeople often transition into one of these six career paths: 

Marketing Specialist 

Corporate Strategist 

Consultant 

Operations Manager 

Business Owner 

Retail Salesperson 

Noteworthy Trends in Sales Careers: Military veterans experienced distinct career transitions, ranging from business ownership to corporate strategy. Other roles, such as "community outreach coordinator" and "program analyst," also provided ample transition opportunities. 

Data also indicated that specialists tend to remain within their fields. For instance, web developers, paralegals, and physicians usually transition to related roles—software engineers, lawyers, and university professors, respectively. In highly specialized fields, career changes are infrequent. 

This trend aligns with the increasing preference for generalization. Generalists, who focus on soft skills, find their expertise valuable in management, leadership, and strategy across various fields. Being a generalist facilitates smoother transitions and ensures relevance in diverse job roles and industries. 

Transitioning Out of Sales: Crafting a Seamless Plan: If you've decided that sales is no longer your ideal career, creating a strategic plan for transitioning into a new field is essential. 

Identify Your Reasons: List the aspects of your current job that dissatisfy you and the reasons you want to change careers. This step ensures you avoid transitioning into a role with similar drawbacks as your previous job. 

Assess Transferable Skills: Reflect on your sales experience by asking key questions: 

Why did you enter sales initially? 

Which sales skills made you successful? 

What aspects of your job do you enjoy most and least? 

How do your co-workers describe your work style, strengths, and weaknesses? 

Align Skills with Potential Roles: Establish criteria based on your self-assessment to filter job roles that align with your skills and preferences. 

Explore Job Listings: Research companies and positions of interest using online job platforms, journals, and newspapers. Note compensation, career growth opportunities, and minimum qualifications. 

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Modify your resume and cover letter to match the skills identified in your self-assessment. Seek online resources for tips on creating a compelling CV and cover letter tailored to your desired job. 

Why Sales Professionals Excel in Various Careers: Salespeople, whether adapting to changes or not, are not confined to one career for life. Studies suggest that individuals with sales and quota-carrying experience will become highly effective workers in the future job market. 

This is attributed to their entrepreneurial spirit, relationship-oriented mindset, and development of soft skills. Sales professionals are typically proactive, building personal brands, setting and achieving goals, making them excellent CEOs. 

Salespeople hone their communication and teamwork skills to succeed. Those excelling in their craft maintain stability and organization throughout the sales process. With numerous stages and components to manage, maintaining focus and progress is essential. 

These skills are transferrable across diverse career paths, particularly when combined with the opportunities offered by the gig economy and online education. 

From project management to computer science, there are numerous online degree programs suitable for those seeking new challenges. For sales professionals using Salesforce, platforms like Trailhead provide valuable resources for refining skills and advancing their careers. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What is Sales Burnout? Sales burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. High-pressure quotas, constant demands, and a lack of job satisfaction can lead to burnout. 

When is it Time to Leave a Sales Job? Red flags indicating it's time to leave a sales career include being consistently underpaid, a lack of career growth opportunities, and a misalignment with the company's cultural changes. 

What Sales Skills are Transferable? Transferable skills include communication, negotiation, preparation, coordination, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are valuable in various aspects of life and enhance employability."