It might seem as if all B2B tech sales roles are moving to a work-from-home model. The “Great Resignation” saw 47 million employees resign from their jobs in the past year – which has created significant urgency for employers competing for high-caliber talent. What this means for professionals is that you often have the choice of whether to pursue an on-site or remote position – sometimes even with the same company.
While working remotely might seem like the best choice at first, don’t overlook the benefits of working on-site. Some sales reps thrive in an office environment or a hybrid working environment. Here are a few questions consider if you are evaluating whether remote work is right for you:
Are you new to sales?
If you are new to sales, you should strongly consider an on-site or hybrid role. New sales professionals learn faster in an on-site working environment. There is simply no substitute for sitting at a desk and listening to colleagues who are doing the exact same thing. Sales reps in this situation pick up on best practices more quickly than remote workers, like cold call strategy, objection handling, negotiation, and competitive differentiation. You’ll get immediate and real time feedback from your colleagues and from management, and this significantly shortens your learning curve.
Are you entering a new industry or selling a new technology?
If you are learning a new technology, or transitioning to a new industry, the same learning curve may apply. You will learn much faster if you work on-site, at least part of the time, with a sales community of like minded professionals.
Do you thrive in a group environment?
Some sales professionals operate much better in a collaborative environment, and they don’t do well when isolated. And this transcends experience levels. Many reps enjoy the camaraderie of the sales team, and they thrive in a good sales culture. They like celebrating wins and being personally acknowledged for good performances. If you are one of these professionals, remote work may note be the right fit for you.
Is there a career upside to being in the office?
This is not the case for every company, but many promote sales reps who work on-site. You have a chance to establish good working relationships with leadership at many different levels, not just your direct manager. Additionally, you are exposed to other departments and can create good professional relationships with more colleagues, who could be helpful for future networking opportunities. When you’re in the office, you may also hear faster about opportunities that open up.
Should you consider a hybrid option?
For many, a combined on-site/remote experience is the best choice, and 54% of employees who work remotely at least some of the time say they would ideally like to split their time between working at home and in the office. This is good news for today’s professionals – with the increased demand for talent, many sales leaders are flexible. If you find a job you want, and they want you, don’t be afraid to ask about hybrid options. You may be able to negotiate the schedule that’s right for you.
Before you make the decision to only apply to remote positions, make sure you understand where you are in your professional life cycle, and what environment will best set you up for success – not just in your next role but in your long-term career.
It’s a great time to be a sales professional, because demand for tech sales employees is high, and inventory is low – so pursue the opportunities that are right for you, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
Are you trying to break into tech sales and don’t know where to start? Check out New to Tech Sales: What Role Should I Apply For?
