Key Takeaways

• Research is key: Spend time researching companies and job boards to find remote or hybrid sales roles that match your skills and experience.
• Share your best quantitative successes in sales during the interviews: During the interview, share your closure rate, your successful performance in the sales KPIs for your past and/or current company, and how you will ensure your success in sales performance for your incoming company.
• Negotiate your offer: Don’t be afraid to negotiate your offer and consider the full package, including salary, benefits, and working arrangements, when accepting a remote or hybrid sales role.

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With the global pandemic reshaping the way we work, many sales professionals are finding themselves rethinking their careers and considering remote or hybrid work options.

Remote work, where employees work entirely from home, and hybrid work, where employees split their time between home and office, have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering many benefits, such as greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, and reduced commuting costs.

However, finding a remote or hybrid sales role can be a challenging process.

Sales professionals must navigate a complex job market, adjust their skills and experience to meet new requirements, and learn how to make a good impression in a virtual setting.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to find a remote or hybrid sales role that suits your skills and experience.

We’ll provide tips on how to assess your skills and experience, research companies and job boards, navigate the job application process, negotiate your offer, and start your new remote or hybrid role successfully.

Whether you’re looking for a fully remote role or a hybrid role that combines the benefits of remote and in-person work, this guide will help you navigate the complex job market and find the sales job you’ve been dreaming of.

Before we venture further into this article, we like to share who we are and what we do.

About 9cv9

9cv9 is a business tech startup based in Singapore with a strong presence all over the world.

With over six years of startup and business experience, and being highly involved in connecting with thousands of companies and startups, the 9cv9 team has listed some important learning points in this overview of how to find a remote or hybrid sales role.

If you are looking for a remote sales role, then we are keen to speak to you. Register and complete your profile here.

If your company needs recruitment and headhunting services, you can use 9cv9 headhunting and recruitment services to hire top talents and candidates. Find out more here, or send over an email to [email protected].

The Rise of Remote and Hybrid Work Models in the Sales Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the way we work, and the sales industry is no exception. Many companies have had to quickly adapt to remote work arrangements in order to continue business operations. This shift to remote work has led to the rise of remote and hybrid work models in the sales industry.

According to a report by McKinsey & Company, more than 75% of buyers and sellers say they now prefer digital self-serve and remote human engagement over face-to-face interactions.

In addition, a survey by HubSpot found that 91.7%% of people prefer working in a hybrid work environment that allows for a mix of remote and in-person work in 2022.

This trend toward remote and hybrid work is expected to continue even after the pandemic ends. A Gallup survey in June of 2022 found that 8 in 10 people are working hybrid or remotely.

Employers are also recognizing the benefits of remote and hybrid work models. A survey by PwC found that 83% of employers plan to offer remote work options going forward, with 55% planning to offer a hybrid work model.

These statistics suggest that remote and hybrid work models are becoming increasingly popular in the sales industry, with both employers and employees embracing the benefits of greater flexibility and work-life balance.

Sales professionals who are seeking new job opportunities may want to consider exploring remote and hybrid roles in order to take advantage of this trend.

Why the Sales role is suitable for Remote Working?

Remote working can happen for the sales role for a variety of reasons.

One of the main reasons is the advancement of technology, which has made it easier for sales professionals to connect with clients and colleagues virtually.

With the availability of video conferencing tools such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Viber, and other collaboration software, sales teams can communicate and collaborate with each other and their clients from anywhere in the world.

Which Sales Positions have the most hybrid or remote working?

According to a recent study, digital sales roles offer the highest level of flexibility in terms of working patterns, with a staggering 50.3% of job postings advertising hybrid working options and 28.1% offering remote work possibilities.

In contrast, Industrial and Medical sales roles seem to lag behind, with a greater expectation for employees to be physically present in the office or out in the field on a daily basis.

However, it’s important to note that the trend towards remote and hybrid work is expected to continue in the sales industry, making it an attractive career option for those seeking greater flexibility and work-life balance.

According to recent research, senior sales roles are more likely to be advertised with the possibility of hybrid working styles.

In particular, Business Development Directors and Chief Revenue Officers lead the study, with 46.6% and 45.6% of job postings respectively mentioning hybrid work arrangements.

This trend toward offering hybrid work options for senior sales roles may be attributed to the need to attract top talent in the market.

Sales professionals in senior roles typically have a track record of success and may have established relationships with key clients.

By offering hybrid work arrangements, companies can demonstrate their commitment to work-life balance and flexibility, which are increasingly important factors for senior sales professionals.

Moreover, hybrid work arrangements for senior sales roles can help companies attract and retain talent from a wider geographical area.

By offering remote work options, companies can expand their pool of potential candidates beyond those who live within commuting distance of their physical office locations.

The research reveals that among various sales roles, Customer Success Manager (CSM) positions are most commonly advertised with the option of remote working, accounting for 17.3% (3,457 out of a total of 20,002) of all live UK remote roles.

One reason for this trend may be the growth of Software as a Service (SaaS) business models, which tend to allow remote working and rely on CSMs to drive customer satisfaction and retention.

In fact, UK SaaS spending has surged from £18.5BN to £31.5BN since 2016, indicating the increasing popularity of these digital service businesses.

Moreover, the nature of the CSM role itself lends itself well to remote work, as it often involves providing customer support and engagement via phone, email, or video conferencing.

This makes it easier for CSMs to work from home or other remote locations without compromising their productivity or ability to connect with clients.

The trend towards remote work for CSMs is likely to continue, as more companies adopt SaaS models and prioritize customer satisfaction as a key business goal.

For professionals seeking a CSM role with remote work options, it may be worth targeting SaaS companies in their job search.

Benefits of Working Remotely as a Sales Professional

There are several benefits of working remotely or in a hybrid setting, including:

1. Greater flexibility: Remote and hybrid work arrangements offer greater flexibility in terms of work hours and location. This can lead to improved work-life balance and reduced stress levels.
2. Increased productivity: Research has shown that remote workers are often more productive than those working in a traditional office setting. This may be due to reduced distractions and interruptions, as well as the ability to customize their work environment to suit their needs.
3. Cost savings: Working remotely or in a hybrid setting can lead to significant cost savings for both employers and employees. Remote workers can save money on commuting costs, while employers can save on office space and related expenses.
4. Expanded job opportunities: Remote and hybrid work arrangements allow employees to work for companies located anywhere in the world, rather than being restricted to a specific geographic area. This can lead to a larger pool of potential job opportunities for employees.
5. Improved health and wellness: Remote and hybrid work arrangements can lead to improved health and wellness for employees. For example, they may be able to take breaks throughout the day to exercise, prepare healthy meals, or attend medical appointments.
6. Environmental benefits: Remote and hybrid work arrangements can also have environmental benefits, as they can reduce the carbon footprint associated with commuting and office buildings.

Overall, remote and hybrid work arrangements offer several benefits to employees and employers alike.

They provide greater flexibility, improved productivity, cost savings, expanded job opportunities, improved health and wellness, and environmental benefits.

How to find a Remote or Hybrid Sales Role: A Comprehensive Guide (Updated in 2023)

1. Assessing Your Skills and Experience
2. Researching Companies and Job Boards
3. Navigating the Job Application Process
4. Negotiating Your Offer and Starting the Job

1. Assessing Your Skills and Experience

Assessing your skills and experience is an important step in finding a remote or hybrid sales role.

Here are some tips to help you evaluate your skills and experience:

1. Review your past work experience: Make a list of your past work experience, including the companies you worked for, your job titles, and your responsibilities. This will help you identify the skills you have developed in your previous roles.
2. Identify your transferable skills: Transferable skills are those that can be applied to different roles and industries. Examples include communication skills, problem-solving skills, and project management skills. Identify the transferable skills you possess, as they can be valuable in a sales role.
3. Evaluate your sales skills: Review your sales experience and identify the sales skills you have developed, such as prospecting, lead generation, and closing deals. Also, consider any training or certifications you have received in sales.
4. Consider your technology skills: Working remotely or in a hybrid setting often requires a high level of proficiency with technology tools such as video conferencing, CRM software, and messaging apps. Evaluate your proficiency with these tools and identify any areas where you may need to improve.
5. Seek feedback from others: Reach out to colleagues, managers, or mentors and ask for feedback on your skills and experience. They may be able to provide valuable insights that you had not considered.

By assessing your skills and experience, you can better understand your strengths and areas for improvement, which can help you identify the remote or hybrid sales roles that are the best fit for your background and career goals.

Thereafter, revamp and update your CV and Resume to make them relevant.

We highly recommend using the modern CV builder, UrbanCV to quickly build your CV in under 5 minutes.

2. Researching Companies and Job Boards

Researching companies and job boards is an important step in finding a remote or hybrid sales role. Here are some tips to help you with your research:

1. Use job boards: There are several job boards that specialize in remote or hybrid work opportunities, such as 9cv9, FlexJobs, Remote.co, and We Work Remotely. These sites can help you identify companies that offer remote or hybrid sales roles.
2. Research companies: Once you have identified potential companies, research them to learn more about their culture, values, and mission. Review their websites, social media accounts, and online reviews to get a sense of what it’s like to work for the company. 9cv9 is a great place to research for the company, including its website, reviews, and other crucial information.
3. Check out LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a great resource for researching companies and job opportunities. Follow companies that interest you, engage with their content, and connect with employees who work there to learn more about their experiences.
4. Attend virtual events: Many companies host virtual events, such as webinars and job fairs, which can be a great way to learn more about the company and its culture. Attend these events to connect with employees and learn more about the company’s remote or hybrid work opportunities.
5. Network: Networking is a key part of any job search. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and other professionals in your industry to learn about potential job opportunities and companies that offer remote or hybrid sales roles.

By researching companies and job boards, you can identify potential job opportunities and learn more about the companies that interest you.

This can help you make more informed decisions about the remote or hybrid sales roles that are the best fit for your skills, experience, and career goals.

3. Navigating the Job Application Process

Navigating the job application process is an important step in finding a remote or hybrid sales role.

Here are some tips to help you navigate this process:

1. Customize your resume and cover letter: Tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job you are applying for. Highlight your relevant skills and experience, and demonstrate how they align with the job requirements. Using cloud-based CV builders such as UrbanCV can drastically save the time and effort needed to build a CV.
2. Prepare for video interviews: Many companies conduct video interviews as part of the hiring process. Make sure you are comfortable with the video conferencing platform the company is using, and test your internet connection and equipment beforehand.
3. Share your past successful sales performance and metrics: During the interview, share your closure rate, your successful performance in the sales KPIs for your past and/or current company, and how you will ensure your success in sales performance for your incoming company.
4. Follow up after interviews: After each interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewer to express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in the position.
5. Be patient: The job application process can be lengthy, especially for remote or hybrid roles. Be patient and follow up with the company periodically to show your continued interest in the position.
6. Be prepared to provide references: Many companies require references as part of the hiring process. Prepare a list of professional references and make sure they are willing to vouch for your skills and experience.
7. Research compensation: Research the compensation range for the position and industry to ensure you are being offered a fair salary and benefits package.

By navigating the job application process effectively, you can increase your chances of securing a remote or hybrid sales role.

Customize your resume and cover letter, prepare for video interviews, follow up after interviews, be patient, be prepared to provide references, and research compensation to make informed decisions about job offers.

4. Negotiating Your Offer and Starting the Job

Negotiating your offer and starting the job are important steps in securing a remote or hybrid sales role.

Here are some tips to help you navigate these steps:

1. Negotiate your offer: Once you receive a job offer, negotiate the salary, benefits, and other terms of employment. Research the industry and company to determine what is fair compensation for the position.
2. Communicate with your employer: Communicate regularly with your employer before starting the job to ensure a smooth transition. Clarify your role and responsibilities, and ask any questions you may have.
3. Set up your home office: Create a comfortable and productive workspace at home that is free from distractions. Ensure you have the necessary equipment and technology to do your job effectively.
4. Get to know your team: Make an effort to get to know your colleagues and team members, even if you are working remotely. Schedule regular check-ins and participate in virtual team-building activities.
5. Establish a routine: Establish a routine that works for you, and stick to it. This can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and be more productive.
6. Be proactive: Take the initiative to learn and grow in your role. Seek feedback from your manager and colleagues, and look for opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

By negotiating your offer, communicating effectively with your employer, setting up a comfortable home office, getting to know your team, establishing a routine, and being proactive in your role, you can set yourself up for success in a remote or hybrid sales role.

Conclusion

Finding a remote or hybrid sales role can offer many benefits, including increased flexibility, work-life balance, and the ability to work from anywhere.

With the rise of remote and hybrid work models in the sales industry, it’s important to assess your skills and experience, research companies and job boards, navigate the job application process, negotiate your offer, and prepare for starting your new role.

As you begin your search for a remote or hybrid sales role, keep in mind that it may take time to find the right fit.

Be patient and persistent in your search, and make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for.

Utilize online job boards and professional networking sites to expand your search and connect with potential employers.

Once you have secured a remote or hybrid sales role, it’s important to communicate effectively with your employer, establish a comfortable home office, get to know your team, and be proactive in your role.

With these strategies, you can set yourself up for success in a remote or hybrid sales role.

Overall, the remote and hybrid work models in the sales industry provide exciting opportunities for those seeking more flexibility and autonomy in their careers.

By following these tips and strategies, you can find and succeed in a remote or hybrid sales role that aligns with your skills, experience, and goals.

If you find this article useful, why not share it with your sales friends and also leave a nice comment below?

We, at the 9cv9 Research Team, strive to bring the latest and most meaningful data, guides, and statistics to your doorstep.