Has anyone here switched careers from car sales? If so, what did you go to and what were your main skills that transferred with you to the new job?
erikkillmonger
Career Change
11
I got my start in sales in car sales!
I started at CarMax and was there for 2 years. From there I moved to a fully funded start up (financially backed by a larger org but not fully acquired by them) into an "AE" role. It was super fast sale cycles (1 call close - 1 month at most) in a very niche space and paid about 70k a year. Not a bad first job but not a strong resume builder either.
From there I transitioned into an even smaller company. A reseller that had about 7 employees total at the time. I didn't experience a ton of success here as I was the first employee they had in my vertical so 0 training. But I did learn a TON and made a lot of connections at OEM's.
That brings me to my current role at an OEM in the cyber security space. I'm in inside sales currently. Sort of an AE/SDR hybrid is the best way to describe it. OTE of 120-140 but pushing up against 200k with a lot of upward movement promotion wise here in the future.
So I guess long story short - it is absolutely possible to move from car sales into tech. I've done it, and I know quite a few others who have as well. I wouldn't say its easy because the sales cycles, prospecting, etc are all very, very different. But its absolutely possible and is the best decision I've ever made.
Hopefully that helps. Let me know if you have any questions, happy to assist :)
I started at CarMax and was there for 2 years. From there I moved to a fully funded start up (financially backed by a larger org but not fully acquired by them) into an "AE" role. It was super fast sale cycles (1 call close - 1 month at most) in a very niche space and paid about 70k a year. Not a bad first job but not a strong resume builder either.
From there I transitioned into an even smaller company. A reseller that had about 7 employees total at the time. I didn't experience a ton of success here as I was the first employee they had in my vertical so 0 training. But I did learn a TON and made a lot of connections at OEM's.
That brings me to my current role at an OEM in the cyber security space. I'm in inside sales currently. Sort of an AE/SDR hybrid is the best way to describe it. OTE of 120-140 but pushing up against 200k with a lot of upward movement promotion wise here in the future.
So I guess long story short - it is absolutely possible to move from car sales into tech. I've done it, and I know quite a few others who have as well. I wouldn't say its easy because the sales cycles, prospecting, etc are all very, very different. But its absolutely possible and is the best decision I've ever made.
Hopefully that helps. Let me know if you have any questions, happy to assist :)
This is awesome to hear, I was in car sales for 15 years started from the bottom and soon became a manager/salesman hybird, but I was being used and not compensated for it. Covid blew back the cover on a lot of things i kept brushing off and I eventually walked away. Now i'm looking for a career change and I can use any tip or helpful information that you have on how to break into tech. People make it seem like its so hard to break into tech, would you say the same? And thanks for responding, again this is awesome.
tech is very tough to get into. Companies have this weird notion that unless you have tech sales experience you aren't qualified. Even though in the end, sales is sales.
Once you're in, you're in though. All it takes is finding one manager to like you enough that he'll give you a chance despite not having the experience.
Once you're in, you're in though. All it takes is finding one manager to like you enough that he'll give you a chance despite not having the experience.
I was just about to ask your thoughts on getting into tech sales cause it does seem pretty hard to get into!
How is it comparing car sales to SaaS? I feel like car sales gets a really bad reputation, but I feel like when I meet with a sales rep is a good experience.
I feel like car sales to smb or a product with a short sales cycle, would be pretty easy
I feel like car sales to smb or a product with a short sales cycle, would be pretty easy
Thanks for the motivation Kosta
I'm a huge car guy, so car sales was a ton of fun for me. And it being such fast sales cycles is a lot of fun too. But the amount of work that you put in for the amount of money you get just isn't worth it to me. The best of the best will make 150 a year and work 80 hours a week to do that. guaranteed you're working weekends and evenings too.
An SMB sales role with a more transactional type of product is absolutely the right way to make the transition. If you jump all the way in and try to go from car sales to something with a year+ sales cycle you'll lose your mind. You'll also struggle to find someone to take on the risk of hiring you.
An SMB sales role with a more transactional type of product is absolutely the right way to make the transition. If you jump all the way in and try to go from car sales to something with a year+ sales cycle you'll lose your mind. You'll also struggle to find someone to take on the risk of hiring you.
And that is my biggest issue them long hours, so smb? Iโm new to this, what is that so Iโll know what to start looking for?
SMB is small to medium business. Realistically, look for SDR or BDR roles. You'll be cold calling and sending emails all day every day. but its the easiest entry point to get some experience on your resume. In addition, its still not a bad paying gig. 80-120 a year at most orgs. Ideally you'll only be in that seat for 6 months-1 year to get some experience then move up from there.
๐๐พ Preciate that my guy!
Quite a unique question! Are you planning to switch from car sales to SaaS?
PS: welcome to the War Room !
PS: welcome to the War Room !
Yes, yes & YES. I need a change!
Youโre at the right place. I already see some great advice given by @NotCreativeEnough and @ThatNewAE .
Itโd be โsoโ awesome if the WarRoom can help you make this transition possible. Keep posting, weโd love to know how this goes !
Itโd be โsoโ awesome if the WarRoom can help you make this transition possible. Keep posting, weโd love to know how this goes !
yes, awesome advice and I've been needing some positive people around me lately, I have the mindset that I can do anything whereas some people around me are like just go to another lot. SMH! Thats to easy, I think I like the hard way!
Thanks for welcoming me as well and do you think this is a hard change to make?
Not really. The skeleton changes entirely, but many of the sub-structures remain more or less the same.
I know someone who switched from a non-tech sales to Website developer.
He was doing these courses and had side hustles even when he was into the hardware door to door sales. When he found the right job, he made a full time switch.
He was doing these courses and had side hustles even when he was into the hardware door to door sales. When he found the right job, he made a full time switch.
Wow, I really thought about taking some courses, but I love selling and I think i'd be awesome selling anything.
I had a friend that worked in car sales that was able to switch into SaaS quite successfully. It was his ability to not let a no bother him.
This is my first day here and you guys are awesome, thanks so much.
@DanealBYOU are awesome for joining such a savage/elite group. As a recommendation, not sure if you are using your real name as your username, but I would switch it to something as to not give away your identity. This is an anonymous community afteral.
Preciate it, hope yall like the new name. lmao
I believe we have a few former as well as current car sales folks up in here.
You're definitely in the right spot. Welcome to the War Room!
As you can see, it's definitely been done.
As you can see, it's definitely been done.
Awesome do you have any pointers?
Sales skills are transferable, think about what you've done and accomplished and be specific.
Tailor your resume to each role, and just put yourself out there.
Tailor your resume to each role, and just put yourself out there.
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