Sales to Software: How SDRs/BDRs Can Launch a Career in Software Engineering

Introduction

For many SDRs and BDRs, the world of sales is a high-energy, dynamic environment. But if you're drawn to the technical aspects of the products you sell and enjoy solving complex problems, a career in software engineering could be your next successful pitch. Let's dive into how to make this transition a reality.

The Sales-to-Software Skills Bridge Sales roles like SDRs and BDRs hone skills that are incredibly beneficial in software engineering, such as:

• Analytical Thinking: Your ability to analyze customer needs can translate into analyzing user requirements for software.
• Persistence: The determination to reach sales goals can be redirected to solving challenging programming problems.
• Communication: Explaining product benefits to customers is akin to articulating complex technical issues to stakeholders.

Preparing for a Software Engineering Role

Moving from a sales-driven role into a tech-centric one involves education and practical experience. Here's how to get started, with specific references from our Elavize guide (https://elavize.com/blogs/the-ultimate-guide-to-landing-an-entry-level-software-engineering-role):

Identify Transferable Skills

• Client Relationships: Your skills in building rapport can help in understanding user needs during the software development process.
• Product Knowledge: Use your deep understanding of software products from a sales perspective to inform your development work.

Education and Training

• Self-Study Resources: Websites like Codecademy, Udemy, or Coursera offer interactive coding lessons that can fit around a busy sales schedule.
• Formal Education: Consider part-time degree programs or online universities offering courses in computer science.

Intensive Coding Programs

• Bootcamps: Enroll in a bootcamp designed for professionals transitioning from other fields to software development.
• Workshops: Attend workshops that focus on practical coding skills, often offered by tech companies or community colleges.

Building a Technical Portfolio

• Sales Automation Tools: Develop your own CRM tools or sales automation scripts to demonstrate your understanding of both sales and software.
• Collaborative Projects: Work on group projects with peers or mentors to gain experience in collaborative coding environments.

Key Technologies to Master

• APIs: Understanding how to integrate and extend the functionality of other applications, such as CRM platforms for instance, will play really nicely when interviewing.
• Database Management: Familiarize yourself with database technologies, as this is often integral to sales software.

Engage with the Tech Community

• Networking Events: Participate in local or online tech meetups to build relationships within the software engineering community.
• Contribute to Discussions: Join forums or social media groups related to coding and share your perspective coming from a sales background.

Approaching the Job Market

• Leverage Sales Experience: Highlight how your sales experience can bring a fresh perspective to a software development team during interviews.
• Technical Interviews: Prepare for coding interviews by practicing algorithms and data structure questions.

Conclusion

Transitioning from an SDR or BDR role to software engineering is a significant but achievable career change. Your sales background gives you a unique edge in understanding customer-focused software development and tenacity in problem-solving. By combining your existing skills with new coding expertise, you’re setting yourself up for success in the tech field. Embrace the challenge with the same vigor you bring to sales, and you’ll be on your way to coding and creating the software solutions of tomorrow.