Tech sales combines knowledge in technology, information technology, and business. The goal of a tech sales professional is to create an effective strategy to reach more consumers. If you’re interested, you might want to start your career with a tech sales apprenticeship.
This guide includes some of the tech sales apprenticeship programs from various companies and organizations that you can check out. Keep reading to find out more about tech sales apprenticeships, what you can expect, and how you can prepare.
What Is a Tech Sales Apprenticeship?
A tech sales apprenticeship offers on-the-job training to those interested in entering the tech sales industry. You’ll gain technical knowledge and learn more about the sales process. Tech companies look for individuals who can effectively sell their products. Having tech knowledge is preferred so you can accurately pitch products to customers.
Nonetheless, even if you have little to no knowledge of tech, you can still get into tech sales. Tech sales apprenticeships address the gap in tech knowledge and aim to mold an ordinary salesperson into a tech sales professional. Through an apprenticeship, you will get in-depth tech and sales training.
What Does a Tech Sales Apprentice Do?
The tech sales apprentice has virtually the same responsibilities as a professional technical salesperson. The first thing to do is to get to know the product that you are selling, which is usually a software program. Learning software development basics and how it works helps a lot so you can explain it well to your customers.
The work of a tech sales apprentice does not stop at selling the product. Part of the reason you must learn tech knowledge along the way is because of your customer service responsibility. Having good problem-solving skills is a must because you will often be providing support to customers after completing a sale.
Tech Sales Apprenticeship Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average technical sales apprentice salary is $72,842, based on data submitted by its users. Some companies like Verizon or Cerner pay by the hour instead of a salary. Once you have established yourself through your apprenticeship, you may have the opportunity to work as a tech sales representative and earn even more.
Tech Sales Apprenticeship Requirements
To qualify for a tech sales apprenticeship, you’ll need some prior knowledge of software, information technology, and business practices. Your main goal is to sell a company’s technical products and services. Understanding how the product works is necessary for you to confidently sell it to your customers.
Having a keen curiosity and interest in developing a marketing strategy can make the process easier for you. While you may have the technical knowledge, your ability to communicate that knowledge will lie in your presentation to the client. An apprenticeship is both a work and educational experience, so you must be open to coaching and guidance.
Types of Tech Sales Apprenticeships
There are not a lot of types of tech sales apprenticeships, though they can be classified based on a specific focus. To give you an idea of how this works, below is an overview of the two common types of tech sales apprenticeships.
IT Tech Sales Apprenticeship
An information technology (IT) tech sales apprenticeship is more service-oriented. You will sell software programs or digital services to a specific customer. Once you sell the product, you will provide service for as long as the contract specifies. If the customer runs into a problem, then you must be able to resolve the issue using your IT skills.
Hardware Tech Sales Apprenticeship
Tech companies also need tech sales apprentices to sell their hardware products. Computer hardware can be small or large products that are essential for a company’s operation. Much like an IT sales apprentice, you are also expected to provide services, such as troubleshooting for computers and other devices.
Tech Sales Apprenticeship Jobs
To get access to different tech talents, several companies and organizations have set up tech sales apprenticeship opportunities. Below are some of the tech sales apprenticeship jobs that should be on your radar. If you find that any of these appeal to you, then do not hesitate to apply.
Vendition Apprenticeship Program
Vendition is a place to train aspiring tech sales apprentices and tech sales professionals to successfully land jobs in tech sales. Partnered with over 500 companies, Vendition hopes to help individuals regardless of educational background. Even if you have no prior experience in tech sales, you can still take a chance as long as you are interested.
There are three stages to the Vendition tech sales apprenticeship. The first stage is the interview prep where you will participate in mock tech interviews, a sales bootcamp program, and software tools training. The next three months is the job portion, where you will work as a tech sales apprentice while earning $2,500 per month.
The last stage of the tech sales apprenticeship program gives you alumni status. In this stage, you can access alumni networks and receive continued sales mentorship. Even as you are already working, you can still attend career growth and development workshops.
Flockjay Apprenticeship Program
Flockjay is committed to making technology accessible to individuals coming from different educational backgrounds and statuses. With this, Flockjay’s mission is to train upcoming tech sales professionals through its apprenticeship program. Its team is composed of software engineers who can help in significantly improving your tech knowledge.
For 10 weeks, you will receive tech sales training online through Flockjay’s training academy. Your curriculum covers strategies, helpful tactics, and an introduction to useful sales tools that you might encounter on the job. As part of the practical training in the program, you will sell real products from startup tech companies.
Each student will be assigned a personal career services manager to give you advice and training on things like improving your resume. Once you graduate from Flockjay, you will remain connected to its alumni network where you have the chance to find tech sales opportunities.
COOP Careers Apprenticeship Program
COOP Careers is located in San Francisco and offers an apprenticeship program to prepare you for the most in-demand tech jobs in the Bay Area and beyond. Launched in 2020, COOP is committed to training aspiring tech sales professionals through its 200-hour program. COOP’s curriculum combines soft and hard skills to help you succeed.
The first 100 hours of the tech sales apprenticeship program cover hard skills, where you will learn about business-to-business tech sales, tools such as Excel and Salesforce, and product demos. The next 50 hours build your strength and communication, and the final 50 hours include preparation for job applications.
The flagship partners of COOP are Google, Salesforce, and LinkedIn. With this, you are assured that you are receiving the technical, marketing, and professional training that you need to succeed in a competitive job market.
Prehired Apprenticeship Program
The tech sales apprenticeship program at Prehired specializes in software sales. Known for its award-winning program, Prehired has not only successfully trained individuals but also contributed to the rise in the software industry. A membership to Prehired promises a six-digit salary and a career that allows you to thrive.
Most clients are on the lookout for the best business software but might hesitate because these programs are complex to understand. Your job as a software sales apprentice is to make sure to simplify these to your client and guide them in mastering how the product works.
Prehired’s program has a three-set module base. The first set of modules focus on science-based sales practices, including basic and advanced sales tools. The second set of modules links you more towards understanding different types of customers and how to approach them. The last module is a career guidance program.
SV Academy Apprenticeship Program
SV Academy curated a tech sales program to help advance your career in the field. Its main mission is to help over one million job seekers from underrepresented groups find job opportunities. SV Academy is committed to propelling aspiring tech sales professionals into the tech industry.
With 300 hours of learning, your training will include lecture sessions, self-paced work, and virtual projects. Throughout the program, you will gain technical and industry knowledge so you can successfully navigate the field. The program also includes actual work at a tech company to complete your training.
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At the end of the training, you will have a professional portfolio which makes it easier during your job application. The program focuses on sales software, so you are likely to learn about software development as you go along.
How to Get a Tech Sales Apprenticeship
The US tech industry saw an increase of over four percent in its annual revenue, according to the Consumer Technology Association. The tech industry continues to grow, so the chances to populate it with more tech sales talent grows with it. If you’re interested in getting a tech sales apprenticeship, you have many different educational options.
Bootcamps
Some of the best tech sales bootcamps are readily available online with concise lessons and practical training programs. Prehired, Flockjay, and SV Academy are bootcamp programs that provide tech sales apprenticeships. Other bootcamps such as Elevate SDR Bootcamp and Aspireship have all of the tech sales essentials that you can check out.
Internships
An internship is also one way to get into a tech sales apprenticeship program. You can be working as an intern in a tech company to complete your studies as a requirement. Once you finish that, the company may offer you an apprenticeship. You can easily apply and continue the journey you’ve already started at that company.
Trade Schools
Apprenticeships are usually a part of trade schools as they are more focused on strengthening an individual’s practical skills. Your school can be partnered with various tech companies that will help you secure a tech sales apprenticeship. It is best to have your portfolio prepared before you look for opportunities.
Vocational Training
Vocational training might require you to apply to a tech sales apprenticeship to complete your program. In vocational training, the curriculum only focuses on the specific skills for the subject you are working on. Landing a tech sales apprenticeship following vocational training will not be too difficult as long as you have the skills to back up your application.
Is a Tech Sales Apprenticeship Worth It?
Yes, a tech sales apprenticeship is worth it. If you are coming into the tech sales field without prior experience in SaaS, then a tech sales apprenticeship is a good training ground. To excel in your work, you need basic knowledge and skills so you can attend to your responsibilities. The apprenticeship is one way to prepare you for more demanding professional work.
Companies, organizations, bootcamps, and trade schools have intact curriculum and programs that you can trust. You will be allowed to work in real-time and even earn as you are learning. If you are coming from an underrepresented community, take advantage of programs that are meant to help bridge the gap in diversity in tech.
Tech Sales Apprenticeship FAQ
A tech sales apprenticeship is a program that trains you in both tech and sales marketing. Having a background in information technology or computer science gives you an advantage because then you can easily explain the software to a customer. You are also expected to provide after-care services such as solving technical issues.
As this is an apprenticeship, you do not necessarily need to have a background in tech or sales to qualify. Most companies are accepting those without prior experience because the programs have curriculums to teach you the skills that you need. Your goal is to use the right marketing strategy to sell your products to as many customers as possible.
According to Glassdoor, a tech sales apprentice earns an average of $72,842 per year, though some companies offer hourly pay of $13 to $19. Some programs provide monthly stipends or monthly payments, while others only provide training without any sort of compensation.
The primary work of a tech sales apprentice is to study a product or service then sell it to prospective customers. Once the sale is completed, you need to provide an after-care service. Technology is not perfect, so a customer will likely encounter a problem, and it is your job to help resolve the issue.
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