Job Description for IT Sales
An IT sales professional works for an information technology organization to sell products or services. This profession is competitive and requires advanced sales skills. There are many opportunities for job advancement.
Other People Are Reading
-
Required Skills and Education
-
Organizations typically require a bachelor's degree in information technology or a business related discipline, but because this position is a sales position, a degree is not mandatory. Companies will hire a candidate who provides a verifiable track record of success in information technology sales. Other required skills include an outgoing personality and excellent communication skills. Listening skills and an inquisitive personality are also important. Understanding the client's IT needs will help sell the appropriate product or service, and can lead to additional future sales.
Responsibilites
-
The most important responsibility of IT sales professionals is maintaining relationships with current clients and ensuring their satisfaction. Finding new business opportunities with current clients is also an important part of their responsibilities. Pursuing business opportunities with new clients is also critical, and this can include many phone calls and business meetings. Depending on the product or service the IT sales professionals are selling, they might need to prepare presentations for top executives and information technology staff of potential clients.
-
Non-Sales Responsibilites
-
Maintaining careful records is critical for IT sales professionals. This includes tracking all meetings, sales calls and new sales. IT sales professionals are required to report their progress to supervisors.
Because they work closely with current and potential clients, IT sales professionals collaborate with product and service development teams to offer insight on improving current products and on developing new products and services.
Average Salaries
-
Salaries range extensively because of the vast amount of products and services in information technology. As of October of 2009, IT sales professionals' salaries exceed $70,000 a year, according to Indeed.com. Most organizations offer a base salary, plus bonus or commission for this profession. Because IT sales professionals frequently meet with clients and travel, they're typically offered a company car, cellphone, laptop and expense accounts for business meetings.
Additional Insight
-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment in all IT occupations is expected to increase 24 percent between 2006 and 2016. Technology continues to advance, and although IT sales professionals are not always required to have a technical background, they must continuously research growing trends and understand competitors' products and services in order to excel.
-
