Mason Pastorello

Youth Sports Coach at U.S. Air Force

Where do I start?

I am graduating with my Bachelors Degree in Professional Leadership Communication and am wanting to get a job in or around business to business sales. I am a college athlete looking to pursue being a professional athlete after I graduate, but want to start a sales career while I am pursuing professional athletics. I have a part time sales job lined up in spring 2024, but no real sales experience as of now. Does anyone have any advice for me getting into sales? What to look for in a job? Or just any general advice?

Thank you!

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🧠 Advice

✍️ Sales advice

33 comments

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Titanic

Opinionated

Senior VP - Sales

As a sports coach at the U.S. Air Force, I would browse USAJOBS.gov and look for NAVSUP or some form of supply team that buys military equipment. Great jumping off position with plenty of remote work. I'm sure you know this, but on that website, it says who the job is open to specifically.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Very specific, relevant, and likely helpful advice

Youth Sports Coach

I didn't even think of that, I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

Titanic

Opinionated

Senior VP - Sales

Yeah, so if you land one of these jobs, you’ll secure a Secret or Top Secret clearance that you can use to pad your resume for other companies in the private sector, like Boeing or Lockheed that require SCI. I will caution you on that though, when you leave the Federal Government and have been involved in secret contract negotiations, there’s a certain period of time (5 years +) that you can’t work for those companies in which you’ve negotiated with. However, with that being said, you CAN work for other companies that you haven’t negotiated with. It’s a conflict of interest clause they throw in there. For example, if you’re negotiating with Boeing on behalf of the Government, then you can’t work there after leaving the Government. However, you can work for other companies, such as Honeywell, that require SCI clearances. I would definitely say stay away from Top Secret unless you’re looking to make a career out of it. (Possible Less conflict of interest times post employment.)

Youth Sports Coach

That is really good to know, especially the possible repercussions if I do land a job. How difficult would you say it is to land a job like this? Sorry for all the questions btw.

Titanic

Opinionated

Senior VP - Sales

No problem at all! So this is a loaded question and response. I'm going to be as brief as possible, but it will be long. In the Federal Government, you have pay-scales. Those pay scales typically start with a letter(s). For example, if you google GS-13, it will show you the pay for that level. Some sectors of Government (Space Force, Air Force, FAA) change the letters based on the department. On USAJOBS.gov, if you see something that says GS-13, the job qualifications will start out saying something like "GS-7, GS-9" and then list the details and/or description. But at the top of the job you clicked on, (granted I don't know if you're paid by the Air Force or not), but if you are, you should find out what pay grade you're at, and then apply to an equivalent pay scale position. Typically goes like GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-12, GS-13 and so on. As the pay scale goes up, the requirements needed for the job also go up if you're coming in from the outside (public as they call it). However, because you have a bachelors degree (which is all they care about), you automatically get to apply for the higher pay scales. Each year, they move your pay scale up a level. If the job you're applying for doesn't say its open to the public, but is open to people with disabilities, and you have a documented disability (ADHD, dyslexia etc.), you can get a letter from your doctor and attach it into your "Required Documents" section and you will still qualify. And each role you apply for, it will have a contact listed to reach out to HR should you meet this requirement of having a disability. In my opinion, you should apply for a position with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as a GS-7 or GS-9. They're in control of purchasing for the Government, and they're not affected by Government shutdowns. With this position, you'll still get your clearances needed and learn how to negotiate/sell/spend. In closing, unless you meet every requirement, your best bet is to apply for an "Open to the public" position unless you're employed by them now. But if you are employed by them, then feel free to fire off resumes in the pay grades in which you meet. Just remember, its not the position you're hired on or your experience, its your GS pay grade and bachelors degree. I know this was a ton of complicated info, but the Government doesn't do anything easy anyway, so why under-complicate it. You can also submit resumes at recruiting events when they come around to universities. I hope this helps and doesn't confuse. I'm happy to answer any more questions you might have.

Youth Sports Coach

This helps a lot, and you're awesome for this. I am tracking what you're saying. My dad is actually a Air Force Academy grad and is in contracting for the military, so I am familiar with the pay scale (GS-5, ect.). I didn't know about the qualifications for jobs and how they hire though, so thank you for that. I have heard some things about purchasing/contract specialist work recently, so I'm gonna take look into it right now and see what I find. No more questions for now. Thanks again!

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Read the academy here on starting your search
Highly recommend doing Tech Salea U, to separate yourself from other candidates

Youth Sports Coach

Okay cool, thanks!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Copier sales will hire you

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Yep. Fox knows best.
Konica, Minolta, Xerox

Youth Sports Coach

Copier sales? This might be a dumb question...But do you mean selling copy machines? Is that hot right now?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

You'll get tough training for sure.

Youth Sports Coach

Okay, good to know

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Oh damn. Friend of mine did it. That sucked

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

You're on the right track! I did retail sales in high school, and then jumped into a B2B AE position after business school. That was before the days of SDRs though.
Welcome and good luck!

Youth Sports Coach

Okay gotchya, thank you! What do you mean by "before the days of SDR's"? What changed?

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

10+ years ago almost no companies had SDRs. Maybe some of the big, blue chip tech ones. AEs were mostly all full cycle. Prospect your own opportunities, demo, close - all of it.
The only lead gen was done by marketing, and often done poorly.

Youth Sports Coach

Interesting... appreciate that info

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Do you have any reference that can help? SDR/BDR could be a good role to start with but without any experience could be challenging.

Youth Sports Coach

Okay noted, thank you. In terms of references, I just have my athletic coaches, maybe some higher ranking officers in the military that I have worked with, and if all goes well, my coworkers and the owner of the company I am planning to work for in the spring.

BTQ

Politicker

Account Manager

Couple ways to go about it. But the fact you have a part time gig is a great start!
Option 1: Get into some type of consulting in the industry you want to get into then you could skip the SDR role into AE.
Option 2: SDR/BDR grind until you're an AE.
Tons of resources in education and the search bar!

Youth Sports Coach

Thank you, I'm hoping it goes well. What option would you recommend? I am still gonna be spending a couple hours on my sports training, and you mentioned it's a grind for SDR/BDR. Would option 2 not be a good plan then for you think? Or still doable? (obviously that's subjective to the person, but in general)

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

The Sales Academy has already been recommended. Also recommend using search, as "how do I break into sales?" gets asked a lot.
But honestly, sounds like you're already lining things up properly. What is the sales job you have coming up? Without knowing too much about it, that could be the start of either transitioning into a f/t role OR a way that you can network your way into something downroad.

Youth Sports Coach

Thank you for the help! The job I have lined up is for a roof repair company. Essentially you are knocking doors, inspecting roofs for hail damage, and having people pay a deductible to their insurance so they can get their roof repaired. The pay is straight commission, 3k-6k a roof supposedly, but we'll find out.

Retired Sales Professional

It is my understanding that a very low percentile of collage athletes make it to the professional level, so you literally have to dedicate yourself to that mind set. Sales is a beast in itself that demand respect and dedication.

This platform has introduced me personally (and I have 25 years experience) to a part of the sale industry that demands a high level of focus, creativity and innovation in any individual that contemplates entering this octagon.

If you have what it takes I will tell you, go for it and don't let anything or anyone stand in your way. Always think outside the box and look for those who are successful. Utilize all the resources at your disposal.

If you fail at achieving your goals get back up dust yourself off and learn where you can make adjustments, make the necessary adjustments and don't look back at the mistakes.
But at the end of the day you have to make a choice on which career will be your priority. All the best.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

.....and copier sales....

Youth Sports Coach

That's a fair point about being committed to one or the other. Thank you for the advice!

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Sports is great analogy so interviews say sports taught me discipline, drive, motivation, working hard and I think sales aligns with my values and I'm keen to learn. Great about the part time gig

Youth Sports Coach

Noted, thank you!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

SaaS companies love college athletes. Look for SDR jobs and make sure your athletics are very prominent on your resume.

Youth Sports Coach

Okay awesome, thank you!

Youth Sports Coach

Wow, thank y'all for the help and advice. I read everything and this helps a lot!

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Mason Pastorello

Where do I start?

33 comments

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