Career Networking Tips for Enterprise Software Sales Professionals

As an enterprise software sales professional, you understand that networking is crucial for success. You know that getting your product in front of as many decision makers as possible can make your break your sales numbers.  But sometimes networking can be hard–and it’s even harder when the “product” you’re trying sell is you!

How to Network Yourself to Future Employers

Selling yourself to potential employers can seem daunting, but you’re a sales expert!  Treat yourself like the best product in the world and follow many of the same approaches that have made you a successful enterprise software sales leader:

Don’t Rush Yourself

Don’t approach career networking as a numbers game, trying to get as many “at bats” as possible. Instead, focus on the quality of your interactions and the quality of person you’re networking with. Successful career networkers take their time and try to establish meaningful and memorable connections with the right hiring decision-makers and influencers.

Always Be Memorable

A recent report by HR consultant Dr. John Sullivan, noted that the average job opening received 250 resumes!  That means that the hiring managers you target will see a lot of faces and hear a lot of names. So how will you stand out during an interview, a career fair or a more general networking event?  Here are some tips:

• Be distinctive – Don’t wear anything that borders on a costume, but add a little bit of flair to your attire to help people remember you.
• Be present in all interactions – If you happen to see someone out of the corner of your eye who you wish to speak with, just be patient. Events last a long time and conferences go on for days. You’ll have more opportunities to hook that big fish later. Always make eye contact and listen, remaining fully engaged in your conversations. Don’t just barge in and interrupt their conversation.
• Ask questions – You may want to talk about yourself, but it’s far more important to get your new contacts talking, that way you can establish rapport and spot needs and potential pain points. Ask questions about the person to whom you are speaking such as, “How you get started in your business,” or “what do you like best about what you do?”
• Contribute to group conversations – One-on-one conversations are important, but when participating in group conversations, try to make meaningful contributions. Solving someone else’s problem and making an insightful observation can be extremely memorable.
• Do your homework.  Before your meeting or event, study up on who will be there and gather as much background “intel” as you possible can–it will come in handy later!

Follow up on LinkedIn

Rather than following up immediately by email or telephone, try to connect with the people you meet on LinkedIn. Not only will they see your name, but they’ll see your headshot, helping to jog their memory regarding your conversation. When they accept your invitation to connect, they’ll be able to see your full profile and will have access to any relevant articles that you’ve written or shared on the network. This can be another way to establish yourself as an expert and further your relationship without having to engage in hard-sell tactics.

Strategic Search Solutions understands the demands put on enterprise software sales professionals. As a full-service recruiter for enterprise software sales professionals, we work with sales pros who are looking for new opportunities to grow their careers with some of the most innovative and well-established companies in the industry. For more information on how we can help you take your career to the next level, contact the recruiting team at Strategic Search Solutions today.