ARG! I need a career!
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 5
From: Connecticut
software to businesses, medical supplies or equipment to hospitals, etc. Basically, products to large companies. The people I know raking in the big bucks are involves with orthopaedic sales. I also know a guy that used to sell sw to investment banks.. he was making over 200k within two years.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 3
From: Spokane
Originally Posted by vtec9,May 18 2006, 09:15 AM
Accounting is so boring. A friend of mine words at an accounting firm and deals with hedge funds. He tries to talk to me about his work, but it bored me to death. Also, during the tax season, he works 10-12 hour days including weekends. The starting salary is relatively competitive and the bonuses are huge though. I remember after his first year of employment he got a $10k bonus. My first year as an engineering consultant (fpga/embedded system work for aerospace) I think I got a $1k bonus.
The real way to make big money is sales. No, obviously not selling TVs at costco. If you are able to get into a training program for a large company, or work a crappy sales position to get 2 or so years experience, you can get a territory and start at 80-90 base with a top end of 150+ in your 1st year easily. I know people that don't hold a candle to me in terms of interpersonal skills, intellectual capacity, and whatever else (basically they are morons
), yet they are able to sell 15 million and make a cool 10%. This is the reason I am getting out of engineering (salary ceiling is way too low) for a position in sales 
The real way to make big money is sales. No, obviously not selling TVs at costco. If you are able to get into a training program for a large company, or work a crappy sales position to get 2 or so years experience, you can get a territory and start at 80-90 base with a top end of 150+ in your 1st year easily. I know people that don't hold a candle to me in terms of interpersonal skills, intellectual capacity, and whatever else (basically they are morons
), yet they are able to sell 15 million and make a cool 10%. This is the reason I am getting out of engineering (salary ceiling is way too low) for a position in sales 
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by vtec9,May 18 2006, 01:15 PM
Accounting is so boring. A friend of mine words at an accounting firm and deals with hedge funds. He tries to talk to me about his work, but it bored me to death. Also, during the tax season, he works 10-12 hour days including weekends. The starting salary is relatively competitive and the bonuses are huge though. I remember after his first year of employment he got a $10k bonus. My first year as an engineering consultant (fpga/embedded system work for aerospace) I think I got a $1k bonus.
The real way to make big money is sales. No, obviously not selling TVs at costco. If you are able to get into a training program for a large company, or work a crappy sales position to get 2 or so years experience, you can get a territory and start at 80-90 base with a top end of 150+ in your 1st year easily. I know people that don't hold a candle to me in terms of interpersonal skills, intellectual capacity, and whatever else (basically they are morons ), yet they are able to sell 15 million and make a cool 10%. This is the reason I am getting out of engineering (salary ceiling is way too low) for a position in sales
The real way to make big money is sales. No, obviously not selling TVs at costco. If you are able to get into a training program for a large company, or work a crappy sales position to get 2 or so years experience, you can get a territory and start at 80-90 base with a top end of 150+ in your 1st year easily. I know people that don't hold a candle to me in terms of interpersonal skills, intellectual capacity, and whatever else (basically they are morons
), yet they are able to sell 15 million and make a cool 10%. This is the reason I am getting out of engineering (salary ceiling is way too low) for a position in sales Your scenario sounds rather optimistic though. What is the start-up cost like to start a "sales business" like that? I think I can handle the crapy first two years IF there is a payback like 150K/year.
This particular statment is very appealing: "I know people that don't hold a candle to me in terms of interpersonal skills, intellectual capacity, and whatever else (basically they are morons
), yet they are able to sell 15 million and make a cool 10%." As I'm one of those "morons" who really don't like interacting with ppl (well, at least in business setting, anyways).More details please.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 5
From: Connecticut
Well, I didn't mean simply because they lack some interpersonal skills they are morons. This is no measure of intelligence or capacity. An example though.. this one guy I know will hear me use a word, then I will hear him completely misuse it weeks later oh and he probably sells 2 million/year! I know salesman that are rude, misuse and mispronounce words all the time. Not exactly the recipe for success, but some how they get it done.
Also, I'm not referring to starting a business. That's a very difficult thing to do. You need the capital, you need the product, you need to get the attention of businesses and people that are probably pretty happy with what they already have. It takes a lot of dedication, long hours, and hair pulling. The best way is to network and use your connections to get your foot into the door of a larger company that will provide you the tools necessary such as stability, reputable or excellent product, and possibly existing accounts.
To the guy that is an engineer.. you're already a step ahead of most. There is no degree in sales, so they look for people they know to be intelligent and capable. They look at an engineer and say hey this is a smart guy. Also, it's an excellent background for technical or software sales. They know you will be able to understand the product easily and be able to explain it throroughly.
Obviously getting your foot in the door is the most difficult thing. With no sales experience, degree, or connections, its difficult to get a mid-high paying position. Therefore, you need to prove yourself and get involved with a smaller organization, or use your background to get involved with a company that will accept you with no experience and train you. For example, a friend of mine was an elementary education major in school. He took a job as a computer teacher. A year later when he realized he would top out at 65k after 30 years being a teacher, he decided to switch careers. He took a job selling VOIP systems to small businesses for something like 25k + comission. The only prerequisite for attaining such a job was the ability to speak without sounding like an idiot. Two years later he parlayed that into a position selling some medical machine worth 80k to hospitals.. he makes like 10% off ever maching on top of a base salary.
Alright enough of the fairy tale talk. Personally if I did not have my degree, technical experience, and numerous connections in sales, I don't know if the switch would be something I would entertain. Thankfully I know several people that can help me get my foot in the door. From there I will use my good looks and boyish charm
oh and he probably sells 2 million/year! I know salesman that are rude, misuse and mispronounce words all the time. Not exactly the recipe for success, but some how they get it done. Also, I'm not referring to starting a business. That's a very difficult thing to do. You need the capital, you need the product, you need to get the attention of businesses and people that are probably pretty happy with what they already have. It takes a lot of dedication, long hours, and hair pulling. The best way is to network and use your connections to get your foot into the door of a larger company that will provide you the tools necessary such as stability, reputable or excellent product, and possibly existing accounts.
To the guy that is an engineer.. you're already a step ahead of most. There is no degree in sales, so they look for people they know to be intelligent and capable. They look at an engineer and say hey this is a smart guy. Also, it's an excellent background for technical or software sales. They know you will be able to understand the product easily and be able to explain it throroughly.
Obviously getting your foot in the door is the most difficult thing. With no sales experience, degree, or connections, its difficult to get a mid-high paying position. Therefore, you need to prove yourself and get involved with a smaller organization, or use your background to get involved with a company that will accept you with no experience and train you. For example, a friend of mine was an elementary education major in school. He took a job as a computer teacher. A year later when he realized he would top out at 65k after 30 years being a teacher, he decided to switch careers. He took a job selling VOIP systems to small businesses for something like 25k + comission. The only prerequisite for attaining such a job was the ability to speak without sounding like an idiot. Two years later he parlayed that into a position selling some medical machine worth 80k to hospitals.. he makes like 10% off ever maching on top of a base salary.
Alright enough of the fairy tale talk. Personally if I did not have my degree, technical experience, and numerous connections in sales, I don't know if the switch would be something I would entertain. Thankfully I know several people that can help me get my foot in the door. From there I will use my good looks and boyish charm
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
supadupa_s2k
The Corner
17
Jan 12, 2003 08:09 AM