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You want to goto IT? Why???

By jasonmccubbin ·
Over the last year, I have been going back and forth about dropping it all and going into the IT field.
All the posts and questions on different boards are turning me away. I value you these opinions because they are exp. pro's with high-end education. Some have been in the field for 25+ years.
Then to hear the same person tell everyone TO NOT go to school or even put your foot in the door? Believe me I know about the fear of job security. Try being a mortgage broker :) From Big $$$ to rolling through months with zero incoming.
Everyone thinks "the grass is greener on the other side."
After reading through these posts. (they are alot of motivating posts AS well!)
But I think I will hone in on my own field. Damn having business\sales skills!
I with my A type persona could not work from tech. support for 2 yrs. and then up the next. lvl and so on.
Am I making a good choice? Should I sustain and try another area of the IT realm?
I value the thoughts here as they are from direct people.
With a family and a southern california mortgage I cannot make an unwise decision.

Thank you for your time,

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My two pennies

by Jellimonsta In reply to You want to goto IT? Why? ...

If you have strong technical and strong sales skills, it may be worth your time combining the two elements. Technical sales is a highly competitive, but can be a highly lucrative area to work in. If you can adapt to and learn the technology, but have a strong sales oriented personality, it may be a better fit that break/fix.
If you have the patience to start at the break/fix level, strong customer service skills and solid 'logical' trouble shooting skills will allow you to make your mark and progress fairly rapidly. If you already have a BS, you have a leg up on progression, but you still need the experience. Certs are good too, but at the end of the day they are just another piece of paper without experience.
You could study for and obtain your MCSE and (in the opinion of Jaqui) be a great proponent of selling MS products :) In all reallity though, this is a competitive field, but with a strong will, and willingness to get yourself out there, it is possible to get a position.
Don't expect to be 'raking it in' though, entry level tech positions do not pay that well, and Admin positions are not exactly high rollers. If you like sales and technology, go for the technical sales. IMHO.

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Once again Thanks Jelli

by jasonmccubbin In reply to My two pennies

Patience is a virtue I cant obtain! :)
I apperciate another solid reply by you, Jellimonsta. Any ideas on a specific type of position on that side? What are these types called? Are they reps for b2b sales\contracts? Hmm. A good idea. I will look into it, asap and check some companies out.

Thank you for your time!

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Tech skills not required

by amcol In reply to You want to goto IT? Why? ...

I've dealt with many, many salespeople representing technical products and services over 30 years (was one myself for a few years) and IMHO a technical skill set is not required to achieve success in technical sales.

As a matter of fact it's often a detriment. I've seen literally dozens of technical colleagues, people with great depth and breadth of technical knowledge and skill, folks with certs and degrees, go into sales and fall flat on their faces. Even people with extraordinarily good sales skills...for most of these people, they get and remain caught up in the technical aspects of their product and/or service and forget that what they're after is a sale.

A lot of technical people go into sales thinking they'll be more credible because of their technical backgrounds. That's true, but ultimately irrelevant. Sales is about kicking open doors, generating leads, closing contracts. You don't need technical skills or knowledge to do that, and you can always partner up with someone who has that to make a more effective sales team.

If you have great sales skills and an affinity for the IT industry, you should be able to do pretty well. I wouldn't waste any time going to any classes or getting any certs...that's possibly a good route to get a technical job but that's not what you want.

Find a good company representing superior products and then sell them on your ability to represent them better than anyone else. If you're that good a salesman you should be able to do that, and be able to hit the ground running once you get the job. If you join a high quality organization they'll give you all the training you'll need in whatever they're selling, probably in the space of just a few weeks.

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Excellent point

by dafe2 In reply to Tech skills not required

Sales people, 98% of them are just generalists.

The detail guys ( & gals) get called in when required.

Simply there to open the door so to speak.

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On the road...

by jasonmccubbin In reply to Tech skills not required

Thanks,

What shoe would I seem to fit best in? I have come to the conculsion on what and how to use my own marketable skills.
New to this genre, is there a specific area you had in mind?
With tech sales how are they done? b2b or contracted out? hmmm.. a very new area for myself. But have found a very content closure as to my career. This board alloted me the ability to gain on what I must do and also to dismiss what fairytales I thought to be the easy way into the industry.
THNX

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Don't limit yourself

by amcol In reply to On the road...

As a mortgage broker you're probably experienced, and most comfortable, in the B2C space. That's not a reason to stay there.

In addition, by and large B2B is where the real money lies in IT sales. That's what you say you're after.

Bottom line...it doesn't matter. You're after a sales job. At this moment you are your own product, so go sell yourself. Make a marketing program for yourself and figure out how to best present your skills and experience. Cast a very wide net and go after whatever you can get.

What part of technology interests you the most? Is it hardware, software, services, products, consulting? Figure that out first and start with those companies that are in your sphere of interest. You're at work at least 40 hours a week, you might as well enjoy what you're doing.

B2C, B2B...doesn't matter. Not for a really good salesperson.

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Thanks Amcol

by jasonmccubbin In reply to Don't limit yourself

I am glad to have closure on this.

Hmm I think for background exp. services or consulting would be the best. As it is not just one solid object. It is a blend of ideas, products, and goals. Very similiar to the long-term goal mortgage loans I work with now.
Thank your for the time. As I see I have a little research to do, as now, that I have established a battle plan.

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Ups and downs

by jdmercha In reply to You want to goto IT? Why? ...

All carrers experience their ups and downs. But sales least of all. Having a BS may not be needed when a particular carreer is booming, but is a definite advantage when a career is lagging.

If you have a BS you can always find a sales job. But as you have stated this often does not provide a steady income stream. You should also find that a sales carreer will provide many more options for the future. And things can be easier if you're willing to move.

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