Synonyms: Revenue Operations, Sales Enablement, Sales Operations Analyst, Sales Strategist, Sales Support

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts
• Day in the Life
• Common Characteristics
• How to Become a Sales Operations Professional
• Career Path
• Specialties and Similar Career Paths
• Advice from Kevin

Quick Facts

What sales operations do:

Sales operations focus on optimizing sales processes, managing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and analyzing sales data to improve efficiency and support the sales team. They ensure every sale runs smoothly by assisting in strategic planning, training, and implementing sales technologies.

Median income:

$88,925 annually or $22.74 per hour.

Lifestyle

Sales operations professionals typically work in a fast-paced environment with the standard 9-to-5 schedule, which can vary based on deadlines and project demands. They can work both in-office or remotely, depending on their company’s policies and specific job requirements.

Education Requirements

While a degree is not an absolute requirement, having a degree in business, marketing, finance, or economics is common in the field and preferred by employers.

This is perfect for you if:

• You enjoy problem-solving and data analysis
• You like negotiating with others
• You don’t mind calling for long hours
• You are detail-oriented and comfortable with technology

If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Kevin Ramon to learn more about being a sales operations analyst here!

Day in the Life

Schedule

Usually a standard 9-to-5 schedule, but this can vary based on project deadlines, demands, or coordination with global teams.

Setting

Typically in an office or remote/hybrid arrangements.

Tasks

Engaging in sales calls, analyzing data, identifying problems and bottlenecks, meeting with departments like marketing, and addressing operational challenges to ensure effective solutions are implemented.

Topics

Sales strategies, data analysis, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, market trends, and technology updates.

Skills

Proficient in analyzing sales data and creating performance reports, predicting sales trends and outcomes, and familiar with tools and software related to sales operations.

Tools

A laptop or computer equipped with tools such as Excel, Salesforce, or other customer relationship management (CRM) platforms.

Common Characteristics

Natural Talents (strengths):

Problem-solving, analytical thinking, managing multiple tasks, and naturally conveying ideas clearly while collaborating with various teams.

Interests:

Analyzing data, researching to implement better sales strategies, engaging in strategic planning and leadership, and preferring structured tasks and organization.

Personality:

Sales operations professionals typically have investigative, enterprising, and conventional personality types. They are very analytical, persuasive, and organized.

Values:

Data-driven decision-making, collaborating effectively with teams, contributing to long-term business goals, and finding solutions to operational challenges.

*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.

How to Become a Sales Operations Professional

Education Requirements

While a degree is not always required, many employers prefer candidates with a degree in business, marketing, finance, or economics. Additionally, proficiency in tools like Excel and BI software is highly valued.

Preferred Majors

Pursuing majors in business, marketing, finance, economics, data analytics, statistics, and management information systems can be helpful.

Career Path

Specialties and Similar Career Paths

Advice from Kevin

Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:

Start by mastering Excel and gain experience with BI tools like Power Bi or Tableau. Create and share personal projects, such as dashboards, on platforms like GitHub to demonstrate your skills and initiative.

Fastest way to get your foot in the door:

Use your existing sales experience to highlight your understanding of business needs and decision-making, master technical skills like Excel and BI tools, and showcase your ability to apply your sales mindset to data analysis and process optimization to make yourself a strong candidate.

Recommended resources:

1. Courses on Excel and Power BI
2. Financial Modeling Course
3. Udemy – 100 Days of Code Course
4. Udemy – The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero

What Kevin would tell his younger self if he was just getting started:

“Take chances. You know, if you really have a dream or you really have a vision of what you wanna do, don’t feel like you need to prepare yourself for it. Like, just go out and go get it. Like, yes, you’re gonna fall. Yes, you’re gonna make mistakes. You’re not always gonna sound the smartest when you first start, but just go and dive into it. And know that if you put your best foot forward, everything’s gonna work out.”

Watch the full interview with Kevin: 

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