Is Tech Sales A Stressful Job? The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Parts Of Working In Tech Sales

Tech sales can be a lucrative career with the potential for high earnings and opportunities for advancement. However, it is not without its stressful moments.

Uvaro

Aug 29, 2024

When you think of tech industry jobs, you might think of brilliant software engineers, creative marketers, celebrity executives, and busy customer service reps.

What’s missing from that list? Sales!

And it only takes a quick visit to our Tech Sales Job Board to see that sales roles are highly in-demand in the tech world!

Still, many people rightly wonder if tech sales positions are the right destination for a potential career change journey. Is it really a land of golden opportunity, or is it just another position where they’ll burn out fast from a high amount of stress?

In this article, we're not holding our punches. This is your quick and direct guide to stress in tech sales—complete with the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of the job.

AI-Generated Blog Summary:

Tech sales can be a lucrative career with the potential for high earnings and opportunities for advancement. However, it is not without its stressful moments. The work can be highly demanding, and sales targets can be challenging to meet. The fast-paced nature of the industry, the potential for long hours, and frequent on-the-spot decision-making add to the stress of the job. To succeed in tech sales, individuals often need to have a high level of resilience and the ability to manage stress.

Three Quick Positives Of Tech Sales:

High earnings potential

Not only do many tech sales jobs come with an attractive base salary, but they offer opportunities for commissions and bonuses that are directly linked to performance. For individuals who are results-oriented and enjoy a challenge, this is a major win.

Download our Salary Guides for common Tech Sales Positions:

Exciting, dynamic work

Want a job where no two days are ever alike? The tech industry is known for its innovative and fast-paced nature. Tech sales reps get to work with cutting-edge technology and be at the forefront of industry trends. If doing the same thing every day grinds your gears, you might find more fulfillment in this exciting, rewarding, and constantly-evolving work.

Impact on business growth

Tech sales reps make a significant and direct impact on business growth. Each time they identify a new prospect and close a new deal, they contribute to the company's bottom line and help drive the organization’s success. And as they drive this growth, their commissions grow, too! (Now that’s a situation where everyone wins!)

Three Quick Negatives Of Tech Sales:

Pressure to meet sales targets

Although a healthy paycheck is a significant motivator in tech sales, it can also create a lot of pressure to meet sales targets . Sales reps may need to work long hours and invest a significant amount of time and effort into meeting quotas–especially if they’re falling behind their target.

Demanding work

Tech sales reps often work in a fast-paced environment that requires quick decision-making, a high level of focus and concentration, and the ability to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously. The quarter starts fresh 4 times a year, and if you take your foot off the gas, it can create much bigger problems down the road.

Difficulty finding work-life balance

Tech sales reps may struggle to find a work-life balance due to the demands of the job. When you’re working long hours, keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the industry, and facing down a looming quota, it’s challenging to tear yourself away from the stress to prioritize self-care and personal time. Remote work makes it harder to find this division between work and home.

Should You Work In Tech Sales?

There’s a reason so many people love working in tech sales. Yes, it’s stressful—but it’s incredibly rewarding, too. And those who excel in it are resilient and adaptable.

Sound like you? Spark your joy? Then what are you waiting for? Uvaro’s Premium membership gives you access to the Courses and Workshops you’ll need to land your first role, and then to grow in your career. We provide the training and skills development that gives you the confidence to build the best career possible while helping you to achieve your version of Career Success .

And if you’re struggling with stress in your tech sales career, we won’t leave you hanging. Our Career Coaches are experts in stress management techniques. They’re here to help you navigate the negatives so you can enjoy all the positives.