Career switch: technical to sales

[Invester17]

Hello,

I'm currently in a technical sales role (70% technical, 30% sales). I work with a sales counterpart who is strictly focused on moving the business forward. However, at many times I feel like I could do both roles by myself. What annoys me about this role is that the sales counterpart makes significantly more. They take a higher risk, no doubt, but ultimately even if they make 50-60% of their number they would end up making what I would make as my OTE (on target rate).

I spent the last decade building up my technical skills and I get paid well (ranges between 150k - 300k). You can only imagine what the sales rep is making. I also know that their is a risk in sales (a few bad years and you are done, if you lose your job you don't have any technical skills, a bad year could mean I don't make that much etc.)

The other element I'll mention is that I'm kind of frustrated because I feel like I end up doing a lot of the sales work anyway. I also don't have as much flexibility since the AM would set the meetings, go on vacation whenever etc. leaving me to figure it all out.

Besides the above mentioned...the job/company is amazing (good pay, great benefits, great tech ~ you name it).

This is a bit of a vague question, but do you have any advice? Has anyone on this forum switched from technical to sales?


Thx

[AccidentialMustache]

Do you like sales over technical? If not, I'd say talk to your boss about how you're half the sales process and would like to be compensated in that way. May increase risk for a possibility of more reward, but that's sort of what you're after right?

[Invester17]

Good question. Generally speaking I'd say I prefer the technical stuff but I might actually be better suited for sales. I feel like if I'm selling it I can still be passionate about the technology. I have asked for raise but I suspect it will be minor. It's big company so there isn't much to negotiate but if I could I'd definitely take more of a risk.