In a field as competitive as software sales, how do you make your application stand out? How do you differentiate yourself from the other applicants? As it turns out, you don’t have to hire an airplane to write your name and contact information in the clouds. Actually that would be pretty cool…if you try that and it works, let us know! All you really need to do is take a few simple steps to set your software sales job application apart (in a good way).
Do you look good on paper?
Is your resume a six-page rambling affair showcasing in excessive depth every job you’ve held since graduating college? It might be time to trim it down and showcase your relevant experience, especially in the last decade. Your resume should also sell your own expertise and experience with hard metrics that illustrate success in your various roles. Resumes need to strike a nice balance between being easily scannable, while also illustrating your best selling points as a salesperson. Much of it has to do with the way you package, present, and format your stats on paper. A big part of this is making sure you have edited your resume and that there are no spelling or grammar errors. Working with a recruiter comes in handy here because they can help you fine-tune your resume to help sell your skill sets.
Do you look good online?
Love it or hate it, your presence online may impact your ability to land the role you want. This is perhaps most relevant on a space like LinkedIn. Your picture does not have to be a professional headshot but it should look good. The various workplaces you’ve listed should be filled out with the same descriptive detail you’ve given your resume (see our above point). LinkedIn profiles also provide you with an ample space to craft a compelling summary of what you do. Make sure the verbiage in these spaces not only reflects your sales metrics, but also any keywords that software recruiters might be looking for when they search for potential candidates on LinkedIn. Even if you don’t feel like repping the #opentowork badge (for whatever reason) these terms will still help you look visible. Also keep in mind how you appear on your more personal social media accounts. If you want more freedom to post thoughts and pics as you please, consider making the profiles visible to friends only and check your privacy settings regularly.
Are you personable in person?
With the advent of the Covid Pandemic, a lot of changes were made to the software sales industry, some of them permanent. Some companies are still conducting ZOOM meetings, while others have returned to face-to-face interviews. Whatever the case may be, make sure you appear professional but also relatable. This will be communicated not only by the way you act and speak, but also by how you dress. A software sales recruiter who is in touch with the hiring manager or executives at the company in your sights can coach you on how the interview might go, what questions they might ask, and even what question you should ask. They can also help you screen companies to find a good fit in terms of corporate culture. If a company’s vibe matches with your own sense of work-life balance, it will be easier to start off on the right foot, make a great impression, and fit in to where you’ll potentially be working.
Do some R&D
You probably associate terms like R&D with product development, but it’s also an important part of getting hired where you want. The research component has to do with you conducting research about the company you’re interviewing at and the industry space they sell in. As mentioned above, doing a little research will help you know what questions to ask about the company, which will communicate more engagement and interest on your part. But research can also relate to your own personal and professional development. Even if you want to stay where you are in the sales cycle and have no interest in moving into, say, management, your sales path should always be moving upward in terms of compensation and title. Seeking sales mentorship and reading sales books are two easy ways to develop yourself professionally. You will find that if you wait until you’re job hunting to develop yourself, it’s too late. But if development is an ongoing process, you will actually find it more likely to be hitting and surpassing your goals and attracting the attention of recruiters.
How will you stand out?
We’re already into Q2 of 2022. Perhaps you feel like you missed the boat in terms of landing a new career at the beginning of the calendar year. But the truth is it’s never the wrong time to develop your skills for selling…well, your own selling abilities. It’s a little bit ironic, but salespeople, just like any other professionals, sometimes struggle to make a convincing pitch for their own hireability. However, by using some of the pointers above, you will find it easier to stand out from other applicants and land the role you want.
As mentioned, one foundational strategy is working with a recruiter who is familiar with the space. I have been in the tech and software space for well over three decades, and I’m familiar with a wide range of companies…one of which might be your next workplace. Alternatively, if you’re an executive or manager looking for talent, I have an extensive network of pre-vetted candidates I can help you with. Whether you’re hiring or seeking, I can help you. Send an email to mike@michaelblair.com and let’s discuss what you’re looking for!