UK is a hotbed of IT sales jobs

Jobs in IT sales can offer great pay and rapid career progression. What's more, there's plenty of choice...

1. The industry

The UK is the most successful location in Europe for attracting IT companies. Over a million people are employed in computer-related fields and IT sales jobs in the UK, with more than half in the software and computer services industry.

It's home to leading global players - Google, eBay and Microsoft to name a few - and to over 100,000 specialist software houses. In fact, there are more software start-ups in the UK than anywhere else in Europe. And with the Government investing heavily in pursuit of a new agenda for 'Digital Britain', public sector engagement will only serve to boost jobs in IT sales.

However IT sales jobs have not escaped the impact of the recession; several major industry players have been affected by a slump in client sales. But with technology so integral to so many businesses (if not all) its place in the future of commerce is particularly secure.

2. What does an IT sales job involve?

The IT workforce is almost 1.2 million strong in the UK, and growing. Technology is all around us and is used in just about every walk of life, and in almost every organisation, from a small design agency to a global charity, from a hospital to a corporate bank.

Jobs in IT sales typically fall into the three main areas: Pre-sales, sales, and post-sales support of hardware and software products and services.

The first area involves supporting pre-sales activities by giving detailed information on technical specifications and the ways in which they could meet a customer's needs, often demonstrating those features before a sale.

The actual sale involves negotiating a commercial agreement to the benefit of both customer and supplier. Post-sale may include introducing add-on products like training and software, or ongoing services such as hosting and maintenance.

3. What IT sales jobs are out there?

Jobs in IT sales account for the majority of roles within the IT sector.

A large proportion of jobs in IT sales are likely to be with computer manufacturers, eCommerce and software houses. IT sales jobs specialists in these roles explain the detailed features of products in non-technical terms to both users and those with purchasing power. It's likely to also include both pre-sales support and after-sales contract assistance to help with faults or to maximise facilities.

If you work for a major computer retailer, IT sales jobs involve offering advice to individual and corporate customers, helping them to choose the products and services that meet their particular needs plus providing a help desk or after-sales service.

Smaller, specialist computer retailers use IT sales recruitment to find sales professionals who can provide an individual and more informal service to customers (mainly small businesses and social/educational users).

4. What are the chances of career progression?

The wide range of technical and personal skills demanded by IT sales jobs are highly transferable and will allow progression into other areas of sales, consultancy, or management positions within IT. Marketing, training and product support roles are also future options.

Typical advancement in IT sales jobs involves handling more technically complex queries or becoming involved in the selling or marketing of larger IT products, systems and services. A detailed product and service knowledge, a proven track record of exceeding sales targets and strong business acumen can help career progression.

Career progression is often reflected in the level you are selling to, i.e. progressing from selling to an individual in a business up to sales at board level.