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- Best industry to start in Sales Today
Best industry to start in Sales Today
6 sales reps tell us what industry they'd choose today
Happy National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day! Today’s the day to move all of those random files into labeled folders so you can pretend like you know where everything is. 😁
In today’s Follow Up:
The best industries to start in sales 🤑
25 classic sales letters ✍️
A cold email tip 🥶
Sales across the internet 🖥️
4 new sales jobs 💰️
The Best Industry To Start A Sales Career in Today?
Sometimes the industry you sell in is more important than how good you are at selling.
Over the past few years, even a sub-par SaaS sales rep made more than the top sales rep in the newspaper industry.
But with that said, you probably have two questions:
What’s the best industry to sell in today?
And how do you break into it?
Breaking into a new industry is tough. Companies want sales reps with industry experience, but won’t hire new reps to gain the experience…
To figure this out, we asked 6 experienced sales reps what industry they’d choose if they restarted their career today, and how they’d land their first job without any experience or connections.
The sales reps asked to remain anonymous because real G's move in silence like lasagna. 🎵
But we’ve included their title, industry, and years of selling experience.
Let’s take a look 👇️
1. Enterprise Account Executive
Years of experience: 7+
Industry: HR Data and Software (private)
What industry?
I’d choose the cloud space. Specifically cloud because of the larger deal size and the impact they have on enterprise/mid-market companies.
How would you break in?
The answer is simple: network via LinkedIn. Find reps that are in the role and ask what they like/dislike about the role, if they’re hitting quota, etc. Build your network from this, and ask them to refer you.
2. Enterprise Account Executive
Years of experience: 6+
Industry: Data Management SaaS (private)
What industry?
I’d pick the same industry I’m in today.
How would you break in?
I’d master whatever my current role is and stand out as much as possible. Get creative and start making connections in that industry and try to land a job in a similar industry (ex: SaaS sales role, etc). Crush my numbers in that role, and then use the connections I’ve been building to get intros in the data management industry.
3. Sales Solutions Account Executive
Years of experience: 6+
Industry: Professional Networking Platform (public)
What industry?
I’d stay within tech, specifically CRM Software. CRM SaaS is applicable to businesses across every industry/size and is needed in every sales org.
How would you break in?
I’d learn everything there is to know about CRM software and the industry. Work on building an online presence (LinkedIn), and applying for entry-level roles, (even if not CRM software). Build up a base of experience and start cold-calling/emailing to find a way into a CRM company!
4. Mid-Market Account Executive
Years of experience: 5+
Industry: IT Software and Services (public)
What industry?
I’d stick to the SaaS industry. Good money and good perks. Within SaaS I’d pick a product that’s complex to learn and has multiple competitors in the space, so I could easily pivot and use my experience to move around.
How would you break in?
I’d start growing a LinkedIn network early. Narrow it down to your 1st or 2nd-degree connections that are at SaaS companies and ask for referrals. Interview for BDR positions to get in the door and once you prove yourself, you can move up to an AE or go elsewhere because other companies in the space will want your experience.
5. Associate Director of Business Development
Years of experience: 3+
Industry: Pharmaceuticals (private)
What industry?
I love what I do, but some days I dream of a shorter sales cycle. We do all the work involved with clinical trials, sometimes involving 40+ people, so there’s a ton of moving pieces and room for error (avg. deal is $7M). Our sales cycle is longer and more difficult compared to set product sales.
How would you break in?
Don’t be afraid to ASK someone who is in that position now. Use LinkedIn to find people who are at the companies you want to get into and come prepared with questions to better understand what it takes to be in their position. Don’t be lazy. Figure out WHY you want to do what they do.
6. Business Development Manager
Years of experience: 3+ years
Industry: Resource and Project Management SaaS (private)
What industry?
I’d still choose the SaaS industry, but likely something with less complexity, like Communication SaaS, where there’s a broader audience and a higher chance that someone is willing to discuss.
How would you break in?
Knowing what I know now, I’d treat hiring managers like prospects and try booking a meeting (interview) with them through cold calls and email. With 0 experience, there are plenty of resources on LinkedIn and YouTube that will teach you the basics of cold outreach.
If you started your sales career today, what industry would you choose? |
Steal these 25 classic sales letters
Stop writing every damn email from scratch. That’s essentially the opposite of self-care, and we can’t bear to see you suffer.
Here’s a pack of proven sales letters for first-touch, follow-up, and break-up communications — including a “last call” email that attained a 33% response rate, and a drip campaign that closed $100k in a month.
Use what already exists before you hit another inbox.
Sales Tip of The Day 💡
When you’re writing a cold email, use the 2:1 rule.
Use 2 you’s for every 1 we or I.
“Hey Paul - Was searching for personal injury law firms in the Milwaukee area and noticed you’re expanding the team.
We help personal injury law firms find top candidates, and only charge if they’re hired.
Are you interested in learning more?”
Cold emails are about the prospect and their problems, not you.
Sales in the News 🗞️
Underappreciated traits that top sales reps should have.
Where are people finding $250K+ sales jobs?
Living in a Toyota Camry, sales psychopaths, and two types of salespeople. Following Up ft. Sean Benoit.
Cool Jobs at Cool Companies 🤑
Business Development Rep @ Beehiiv (Remote)
Customer Success Manager - SMB @ Cobalt (Remote)
Account Executive - SMB @ HubSpot (Remote)
Account Executive @ Vista (Remote)
Sales Meme of the Day
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