Sales Engineering Careers is a lucrative job option. Sales engineers are also called sales representatives, manufacturers' agents, and technical sales support workers. A sales engineer works with development, research, production and engineering departments of their respective companies. Sales engineers work with independent sales firms to decide how services and products to be designed or tailored to meet customers' needs.
Nature of the Work
Sales engineers sell and consult on scientifically and technologically advanced products. Sales engineers ought to possess extensive knowledge of their products and services. The responsibility of a sales engineer is to demonstrate to the consumer the usefulness of service or product.
Sales engineers apply the principles, theories, and mathematics to technical problems. They act as a link between commercial applications and scientific discoveries. Generally, sales engineers specialize in products that are concerned to their engineering specialty. For instance, sales engineers in the field of information systems or business software may have degrees in computer engineering.
Sometimes, responsibilities of sales engineers are similar to those of other sales persons. Sales engineers should create interest the clients in buying the products or services. Sales engineers have to work with other salespersons' team. The other teams are created with the intention of concentrating on the sales and marketing. They enable the sales engineers to concentrate on the technical elements of the work.
Sales engineers adopt different selling techniques, which are different from other sales workers. Usually, they employ consultative style in which they lay emphasis upon clients' problems and find appropriate solutions.
Sales engineers facilitate clients to solve problems when the service or product is installed. They serve as a link between the company and the clients. Sales engineers are assigned works related to sales, for instance, market research. They are given this kind of work due to their familiarity with clients' needs. Sales engineers may identify, plan, and develop new products.
Work Environment
Sales engineers work with service providers and manufacturers. They may small and independent sales firms. In such firms, sales engineers may sell complementary products from various suppliers. As for as sales occupation is concerned, sales engineers have to work under stress.
Most of the sales engineers work over 40 hours a week to achieve sales goals and clients requirements. Sales engineers have time flexibility where they can set up their own schedules. Subsequently, they often arrange their appointments; therefore, they should have time management skills.
In large organizations, sales engineers have to travel extensively because sales province may cover multiple states. At times, sales engineers have to be away from home for many days and weeks. Some of the sales engineers visit their near sales province and often travel by car. Nowadays, traveling overseas and dealing with international clients are becoming more common.
Educational Qualification
Some sales engineers possess a bachelor's degree in engineering and some of them have previous experience in the same field. Candidates interesting in sales may have to complete the above said degree along with ample work experience. Some organizations offer on-the-job training to the new sales engineers. They have to work with senior sales engineers to understand the company practices and policies and subsequently they start working on their own. This practice facilitates them to be accustomed to the work profile.
Training
Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in engineering may apply for the sales engineer. However, some working professionals with tremendous experience in sales sometimes hold the title of sales of engineers. Candidates who possess a degree in chemistry or even a degree in business with little experience in sales may be called sales engineers.
Candidates require a good background in mathematics (geometry, calculus, algebra, and trigonometry), physical sciences (chemistry, biology, and physics), and basic courses in social studies, English, computer science and humanities for admission to undergraduate engineering degree.
University programs differ in content, however, they focus on the development of computer skills. After taking admission to the course, students may choose an area to specialize. Some colleges have programs offering general engineering curriculum. Most of engineering degrees are granted in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering. Once engineers are trained in one branch, they may work in allied branches.
Skills Set
Sales engineers should have knowledge of products and services they sell. These engineers ought to possess analytical and technical skills. Other occupations required similar skills comprises of:
Employment Opportunities
There are a number of opportunities for skilled professionals in the realm of sales. Sales engineering is upcoming and exciting career options. Employment opportunities in this field may vary every year due to changing legislative issues, economic conditions, and customer preferences. Candidates who have technical skills and appropriate knowledge of sales may get into this field.