#299 SE Best Career Progression to Achieve Your Goals

Notes:

Were you ever asked, “Where do you want to be in 5 years?” I believe I’ve been asked once, in an interview, and I had no idea what I wanted to do now, let alone in 5 years. I have not been asked since. 

John Simpson on the other hand talks to his SEs about career action planning. Not only where you want to be, but how to get there too. 

And for sales engineers, there are many options for what to do next, including staying put. We cover that in this podcast. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Is Sales Engineering John’s calling
  • John decided not to go into sales
  • What are some career options for Sales Engineers
  • How can sales engineers learn more about sales
  • Good Managers and Career Action Planning
  • Advice to those who are looking for a job

Quotes:

“Sales are put in that position where they have to be strong and say no, or are weak can say, yes. SEs are rarely put in that specific position” Ramzi Marjaba

[About Career Options] That skillset that you’ve got means you can do a number of different things. – John Simpson

“In a pre-sales role, there are times when it’s going to be intense, where you maybe have to work an evening or a weekend because there’s something big going down.” John Simpson

Links from the show:

Music on the show: Watchmaker’s Daughter by Reeder