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Job outlook for business to business sales consultants in the United States
Business to business sales consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected business to business sales consultant job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 63,300 new jobs for business to business sales consultants are projected over the next decade.
Business to business sales consultant salaries have increased 10% for business to business sales consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,004 business to business sales consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 134,216 active business to business sales consultant job openings in the US.
The average business to business sales consultant salary is $49,665.
Are business to business sales consultant jobs in demand?
Business to business sales consultant job and salary trends over time
Business to business sales consultant jobs over time
Business to business sales consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,004 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,764 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,069 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,040 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,895 | 0.00% |
Average business to business sales consultant salary over time
Business to business sales consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,665 | $23.88 | +4.3% |
| 2025 | $47,610 | $22.89 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $46,733 | $22.47 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $44,985 | $21.63 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | $44,968 | $21.62 | +1.5% |
Business to business sales consultant jobs by state
Most common states for business to business sales consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 497 | 72% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 322 | 37% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 454 | 34% |
| 4 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 980 | 32% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 430 | 32% |
| 6 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,821 | 27% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,493 | 27% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 555 | 27% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 271 | 26% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 157 | 25% |
| 11 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,187 | 24% |
| 12 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,178 | 24% |
| 13 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 430 | 24% |
| 14 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 674 | 23% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 439 | 23% |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,482 | 22% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 686 | 22% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 164 | 22% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,229 | 21% |
| 20 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 639 | 21% |
Most common cities for business to business sales consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | 2 | 3% | $38,995 |
| 2 | Elizabethtown | 1 | 3% | $43,883 |
| 3 | Abilene | 1 | 1% | $46,140 |
| 4 | Amarillo | 1 | 1% | $45,730 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $38,980 |
| 6 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $38,830 |
| 7 | Chesapeake | 1 | 0% | $54,851 |
| 8 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $44,256 |
| 9 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $45,180 |
| 10 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $38,315 |
| 11 | Fort Worth | 1 | 0% | $45,378 |
Business To Business Sales Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of business to business sales consultant experts
University of Southern Mississippi
Washington College
University of Richmond
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
University of Central Arkansas
University of Nevada, Reno
Lasell University
The Pennsylvania State University
Bucknell University
Alverno College
University of Central Missouri
The University of Findlay
Fordham University Gabelli School of Business
University of Nebraska at Omaha
North Carolina State University
Augsburg University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Champlain College
Kent State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
What general advice would you give to a Business To Business Sales Consultant?
Kevin Buckley: The biggest factor in earning potential is performance - salespeople get paid based on their ability to hit and exceed quotas through revenue generation. With a sales career, you have a lot of control over earnings. My advice is to be metrics-driven and have a plan to intentionally grow your sales skills through training, mentors, and personal development. Build a reputation for consistent over-achievement. It's also important to do research and understand typical compensation benchmarks. Some may offer higher base pay, while others offer more earnings leverage through aggressive commission/bonus structures.
What Business To Business Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Buckley: Adaptability - The sales environment is evolving rapidly with changes in buyer expectations, technologies, and go-to-market strategies. Successful salespeople will need to be highly adaptable, comfortable with change, and able to quickly adjust their approach as needed. Those stuck in outdated methods will struggle. Digital Selling - The ability to effectively sell through digital channels and virtual interactions is now table stakes. Mastering skills like virtual presentations, video marketing, social selling, and leveraging sales technology tools will separate the top performers. Buyers expect a seamless, digitally-enabled experience. Business Acumen - More than ever, salespeople need the ability to position their products/services as strategic solutions that tangibly impact the client's key objectives, financial metrics, and business outcomes. Knowing how to speak the language of business strategy is crucial for consultative selling.
Dr. Michael Harvey
Provost and Dean, John Toll Professor of Business ManagemenWashington College
Business Department
What skills stand out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Dr. Michael Harvey: Above all, good Business Developers must have excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills. Their work centers on meeting prospective customers and building relationships with them. Their communication skills, in particular, must include good listening skills so that they can truly understand customer needs.
What soft skills should all Business To Business Sales Consultants possess?
Keith Webb: Oral and written communication skills are critical. Also, the ability to work within a team orientation, flexibility, and adaptability, to name a few.
Ozgur Araz Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Supply Chain Management & AnalyticsUniversity of Nebraska- Lincoln
Supply Chain Management & Analytics Department
What soft skills should all Business To Business Sales Consultants possess?
Ozgur Araz Ph.D.: Collaborative management and leadership skills are most important.
Anthony McMullen
Associate Professor of Business Law and Director of Forensics, vUniversity of Central Arkansas
Accounting Department
What soft skills should all Business To Business Sales Consultants possess?
Anthony McMullen: Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the phrase "soft skills" v. "hard skills," as some might take such phrases to imply that soft skills are not as important or are easier to obtain. That being said, to answer the question, communication and critical-thinking skills are essential to a successful career. Communication skills (both oral and written) are necessary to convey messages. It does not matter how much technical expertise someone has if that person is unable to convey that expertise to others. Critical-thinking skills are important because skilled workers need to know how to think through problems. The answer will not always be readily apparent. And even when it is, workers need to ensure that they can analyze it to ensure that it is trustworthy. Maybe the information found is outdated, doesn't apply to the situation, or is just flat out wrong, and a skilled worker needs to be able to make that determination.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, adaptability is also necessary to be successful. So many jobs have changed (and will continue to change). Many people left their respective industries during the pandemic because they couldn't (or did not want to) adapt to change. Those who can, or at least try, will find more opportunities in the workplace.
Jim McClenahan
Director of Career and Corporate OutreachUniversity of Nevada, Reno
College of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Jim McClenahan: Rethinking work locations. Companies may recruit in areas that have lots of talent, cheaper cost of living and better quality of life. As an example, Incline Village is a small community on Lake Tahoe about 40 minutes from our campus. Every store is packed and the traffic is worse than any holiday weekend. Silicon Valley companies (about 4 hours away) have seen lots of people "temporarily relocate" to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area. Now that some companies have permanently moved to at least a portion of their workforce as "work anywhere," communities like Reno, Boise, Missoula-ones with lower cost of living and better quality of life compared to the Bay Area may experience a mini-boom. It's already happening more in Reno.
The best candidates will be "swiss army knives." They have lots of different skillsets and with the flexibility everyone has demonstrated during the pandemic knowing how to do a lot of different things allows organizations to run a little leaner. Someone told me I was the ultimate "utility infielder" last week which I took as a high compliment! I think mastering lots of different skills is a key to employability for the candidate and success for the organization.
Finally, I expect small business hiring to be a mixed bag. Some are doing very well and expanding. Many others are struggling to survive and waiting to see how quickly lockdowns end and business returns before they start hiring.
Dr. Brian Wardyga
Professor of Communication; General Manager, 109.2FM WLAS & LCTVLasell University
School of Communication and The Arts
What soft skills should all Business To Business Sales Consultants possess?
Dr. Brian Wardyga: Most important soft skills include organization and time management, thinking conceptually and practically, being concise and to the point, and exhibiting common courtesy and professionalism. Flexibility, curiosity, and the desire to work as a team are also important--strong communication skills.
James Wilkerson Ph.D.
Business Program Coordinator, Project and Supply Chain Management Program CoordinatorThe Pennsylvania State University
Business Department
What skills will help Business To Business Sales Consultants earn the most?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Skill at rapidly learning market trends, relating business development to product development, and persuading major prospective clients when brought in to help with closing sales. Bottom line: the business development manager must be on the cutting edge of new market conditions and new business opportunities to help the firm organically grow its sales, especially in new markets or product/service lines.
Neil Boyd Ph.D.
David J. & Deborah West Professor of Management; Chair, Management and Organizations DepartmentBucknell University
Management and Organizations Department
What skills will help Business To Business Sales Consultants earn the most?
Neil Boyd Ph.D.: A combination of hard and soft skills, but at the end of the day, soft skills are critical to truly helping clients. And, for sure, they can be learned. This is a challenge for management education, but places like the Freeman College of Management at Bucknell work hard to develop soft skills in students primarily through coaching, experiential and community-based pedagogies, and professional development programming.
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business and Management, MBA Faculty Director, Associate - School Sisters of St. FrancisAlverno College
Business and Management Department
What skills stand out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.: The skills or competencies that stand out are those that add value to an organization. They complement the skills of those already working there and advance the organization's products, services, or culture. Transferrable or timeless skills transcend industries and stand out on resumes. They include leadership, teamwork, project management, and collaboration. Of course, individuals who list these skills on their resumes should effectively demonstrate that they have developed and are proficient in these areas. Business specialists should be ready to provide examples in writing/print or audio-video media, such as links to their work.
What soft skills should all Business To Business Sales Consultants possess?
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.: Today's business environment is complex and continues to evolve. Creativity, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage or lead in turbulent times are essential twenty-first-century skills. Critical and strategic thinking, organizing, and planning are also salient skills. Business specialists with these skills make important contributions to their organizations. They often lead when no one else can or wants to. Communicating and being visible throughout one's division, department, or organization are important to the well-being and prosperity of the organization and the individuals who work there. Business specialists can develop and practice these leadership skills on-site or remotely. Internal and external relationship-building leads to trustworthy and mutually beneficial relationships and/or partnerships.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Dan Jensen: There will be a combination of opportunities and losses across the next 3-5 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many industries will find it difficult to recover such as hospitality (hotels, restaurants, etc.), entertainment (movie theatres, night clubs, casinos, etc.), manufacturing, and educational services. But many industries and career pathways are opening up because of the use of online technologies. Positions that include remote work that leverage technology will remain and probably increase across time. Supply chain, project management, eCommerce, computer science, data science ("big data"), digital content, and artificial intelligence specialists will continue to increasingly be in demand. The healthcare industry has been in flux because of increasing costs but will emerge on the other side of the pandemic with opportunities for nurses, healthcare support staff, and related technologies (e.g., the "electronic healthcare record"). Irrespective of the pandemic, careers in sales or customer relationship management (CRM) will continue to be a popular launching point for recent college graduates.
The recruitment/hiring process is likely to become much longer than in the past and will rely on virtual interviews instead of face-to-face. With a high unemployment rate, it will be more difficult for younger, less experienced candidates to get hired. This is not great news for recent college graduates, but all is not lost.
Networking has always been the number one way that people find work opportunities. The skill is more important than ever. My recommended approach is to: identify a list of companies where you would like to work; research job postings within the company (and apply!) while simultaneously identifying contacts at the company (LinkedIn is a great tool to do this); then reaching out to contacts by using your existing network for an introduction (identify someone you know is already connected to the person you want to meet and ask them to forward a letter of introduction on your behalf). This leads to an "informational interview" (not a job interview); a chance to speak with someone about the company and its culture.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: The focus on remote working will continue to expand rapidly and transform how we define the workplace. In many ways, it will also make the job market more competitive as anyone, anywhere can be a candidate. Lots of international business will be centered on global health reform and there will be increased understanding of the interdependence of nations. This may encourage a stronger focus on the social responsibility of companies and organizations in promoting the well-being of all people. The job market will continue to shift quickly and in unanticipated ways. Job candidates will need to monitor and flex to these changes.
What skills stand out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: Evidence of continued engagement with the world despite the pandemic will be important. As mentioned above, this might be in a virtual, remote way, but most organizations are seeking candidates that show a willingness to continue to move forward despite the pandemic. A commitment to a diverse number of cultures and countries is also very important. Diversifying your experience and demonstrating to potential employers that you are not one-dimensional in your international interest becomes even more important when COVID requires extreme flexibility. Additionally, evidence of intercultural communication skills are paramount. In the time of COVID, industries need recruits that already have these skills and can quickly create positive relationships with diverse international colleagues. Lastly, the resume should demonstrate an individual's engagement with technology and provide evidence of skills in creative problem solving.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Business To Business Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: A silver lining to the pandemic may be that the location of an individual in many industries no longer dictates which company or organization someone can work for. When travel restrictions begin to ease, successful candidates will be willing to go wherever they are asked to go. In these challenging times, organizations will need people that are open to working where they are needed.
What type of skills will young Business To Business Sales Consultants need?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Young graduates need to be very familiar with the various digital communications platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others. Also, as important is to understand the nuances of communicating content in a way that is clearly understood on the client side. These graduates must learn to not be afraid to treat these meetings like a regular face-to-face meeting as they engage and build relationships with existing and prospective customers. Effective phone communication skills are also critical.
What experience really stands out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Knowledge and experience with sales technology tools and effectively navigating Omnichannel hybrid sales environments. Social selling and analytical skills are also highly important. Product and industry knowledge for the targeted verticals also stands out. Experience with specific industry vertical prospecting tools can be a major differentiator. Finally, important to complement the aforementioned ATS keywords are leadership and team collaboration.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Business To Business Sales Consultants?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Yes, there will. Many businesses are changing their headquarters, operational infrastructure and buying communications protocols. Effective vertical prospecting, networking and selling skills will still be as important as ever as sales engagements will continue to become more complex. According to McKinsey sales engagements of course have moved mostly to digital and remote which is a trend that started before the pandemic. A McKinsey survey of B2B companies finds that, "Almost 90 percent of sales have moved to a videoconferencing(VC)/phone/web sales model, and while some skepticism remains, more than half believe this is equally or more effective than sales models used before COVID-19." (The B2B digital inflection point: How sales have changed during COVID-19) April 30, 2020 McKinsey Article)
What type of skills will young Business To Business Sales Consultants need?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Young graduates need to be very familiar with the various digital communications platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others. Also, as important is to understand the nuances of communicating content in a way that is clearly understood on the client side. These graduates must learn to not be afraid to treat these meetings like a regular face-to-face meeting as they engage and build relationships with existing and prospective customers. Effective phone communication skills are also critical.
What experience really stands out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Knowledge and experience with sales technology tools and effectively navigating Omnichannel hybrid sales environments. Social selling and analytical skills are also highly important. Product and industry knowledge for the targeted verticals also stands out. Experience with specific industry vertical prospecting tools can be a major differentiator. Finally, important to complement the aforementioned ATS keywords are leadership and team collaboration.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Laura Sansoni: I think the changes we will see in the job market will have to do with how employers recruit and how we will work. Many employers had to transition quickly to virtual recruiting without changing their usual recruiting schedule. In the last few years, I have seen a shift to virtual interviewing and recruiting; the pandemic simply sped up the process across industries, occupations, and geographic locations. Virtual recruiting has allowed employers to expand their reach and connect with institutions and students they would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. Some employers also reimagined their internships from in-person to virtual experiences in direct response to travel and social distancing guidelines. Being able to still offer internship programs in a virtual setting offers more possibilities for students to gain work experience and new skills.
Moving forward, employers will likely focus again on in-person recruiting and working, but I believe virtual recruiting and remote work will become a much larger offering in the future. Here at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) we have transitioned to offering more courses and programs online and we plan to continue to offer career services programming virtually to accommodate the growing number of online students. I think that working remotely or the ability to work remotely on an ad hoc basis will remain prominent but will look different based on the needs of the company and position.
What Business To Business Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Sansoni: I think taking a year between high school and college or between a bachelor's and master's degree can be incredibly beneficial if the individual approaches this time with intentional purpose. If they want to gain work experience and/or save up money for school, seeking a position with ties to a career that interests them is going to help them narrow down their academic path once they begin their higher education.
If they want to use this time to travel, they should consider documenting their experiences to reflect on their personal growth and any new skills they gain such as learning a new language. If they simply wish to take a break from their studies, take the year to explore their personal interests and hobbies by trying new things and meeting with people doing work that interests them. Lifelong, fulfilling careers stem from your passions and interests. Discovering both early will help guide them in educational pursuits as well as fulfilling work throughout their life.
What general advice would you give to a Business To Business Sales Consultant?
Laura Sansoni: Whenever I work with a new graduate, I see them experiencing many emotions ranging from excitement from completing their education to anxiety about starting their careers.
For the graduates that have a job, I highly encourage them to take advantage of any opportunity presented to them. Participate in workplace events, take advantage of professional development opportunities like attending conferences or trainings, and volunteer to work on projects when asked to. Taking advantage of these opportunities in your workplace will increase your skills and experiences while deepening your connections to your colleagues and growing your personal network.
For graduates that are still looking for jobs, I remind them that the worst things that can happen in the job search are an employer saying "no", "we went with another candidate", or not responding to your application at all. While that can be scary and defeating at times, think about the positives of the situation. You didn't get the interview or the job, but you didn't lose anything either. Instead, you gained more experience in the job search process that you can improve upon for the next time. I also remind new grads to let the employers decide if they are the right fit for the job instead of counting yourself out too early. If you meet 75 percent of the qualifications in the job description, apply for the job and let the recruiter decide whether to set up an interview. Don't be so afraid of the next "no" that it prevents you from finding the next possible "yes".
Steve Barr Ph.D.
Professor of Technology ManagementNorth Carolina State University
Department of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship
What general advice would you give to a Business To Business Sales Consultant?
Steve Barr Ph.D.: You have to think about a career and not just a job. It is not all about the money. If you take a job to "chase the money" you will be disappointed later. Find something that you are passionate about and give it your best. The money will work out over time. I see too many people who can't wait to retire but have to stay "for the money" due to their lifestyle and lack of savings. This is very sad. I may never retire, I really like what I am doing. It is not for the money.
Be prepared to move to take the first job/step in your career. You also need to be prepared for "constant learning" for your job, be it technological changes, supply chain changes, industry/economic value changes, etc. Your best option is to be able to show that you can "create value for the organization" in specific ways so you need to plan your education and career in a way(s) that enable you to "create value" in different organizations.
Brian Abraham Ph.D.
Instructor, Full-time faculty member at Nichols CollegeAugsburg University
Business Administration Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Brian Abraham Ph.D.: The current generation of graduates entering the workforce seeks flexible hours and more socially responsible employers. While the pandemic has instilled the desire for remote work, it certainly has hastened the process. Moreover, traditionally in-person arrangements - such as teaching - have been recast in a remote workforce environment.
What Business To Business Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Abraham Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I recommend they:
Learn a new language, ideally through immersion.
Perform at least 250 hours of pedigree-level volunteering. This is volunteering at a high brand name organization.
Learn how to code in a current software language.
Learn a professional skill set such as Quickbooks or Salesforce.
What general advice would you give to a Business To Business Sales Consultant?
Brian Abraham Ph.D.: While it is exciting to be starting your first job as a recent graduate, don't be too hasty. Be sure you are entering a positive atmosphere with strong leadership. Take time to ask about the company culture and turnover rates. You can find low and high turnover rate ratios on the Internet for your industry. A high turnover rate company likely has a poor working atmosphere.
What general advice would you give to a Business To Business Sales Consultant?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: Some of the advice is contained above. Some is to reflect on the collapse of the world in March, and what they've had to grapple with since. As I told my students in September, in many ways, even business classes are "history" classes. Much of what you've "learned" that will help you will be, ironically, the shift to online communication via various platforms. I suspect that many of the distance communication platforms were as new to your business peers as to you, and in fact, by adapting to distance learning, you may be at least as well prepared for the new work environment as your fellow employees. Be prepared, too, to adapt, to change, and to learn on your own. You're the tech-savvy generation, at least that's what you tell us (and that's what your coworkers expect). Live up to it by learning how to learn without classes. To some extent, the chaos in higher education in the past year has paralleled the chaos in business, and you've had to adapt. Just like the businesses that have survived.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: The biggest trends I believe in the job market will be the search for employees who have mastered (or at least adapted to) the demands of online everything: sales, fulfillment, working at a distance with minimum supervision in groups with minimal supervision, positive mental attitude, and an ability to self-motivate.
What Business To Business Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: If a student (or graduate) needs to take a gap year, I'd recommend training in computer skills and other analytical techniques that were not covered in their curriculum. There are incredible applied courses available on Coursera and Udemy and Lynda, many of them taught by the same professors at schools that charge $50,000 tuition. Many are also offered by the companies that provide the software students will be using, and lead to certifications that indicate one is "proficient" in a program.
Many career centers, including the one at my school, tell students to put "proficient" on a resume. "Certified by Salesforce" is a more powerful statement. I'd also recommend in a cover letter, students point out they realized they needed additional skills, and these are the steps they took to ensure they would be able to hit the ground running. I'd also recommend taking something really different - perhaps a foreign language, perhaps the art course they always wanted to take but could not fit into the curriculum. That would indicate curiosity and motivation.
Dr. Cyrus Patten
Assistant Dean, Assistant Professor of EntrepreneurshipChamplain College
Robert P. Stiller School of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Cyrus Patten: I anticipate we'll see continued adoption of remote work, even after the pandemic subsides. Office space is expensive and represents a significant fixed cost that companies will look to eliminate now that it's clear many jobs can be done remotely. The fears that remote working arrangements can't yield productivity have been widely disproven during the pandemic. Many companies are realizing not only that the job gets done but also that workers are putting in more time than ever before. As the boundaries between work and home have become blurred, so too has the notion of a "workday".
The tech and consumer goods sectors have done quite well during the pandemic. Consumption has only increased, and large online retailers were well-positioned to meet the need. Businesses in these sectors will continue to thrive even after the pandemic, with extra cash on hand to invest in new ventures or expansions.
What skills stand out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Dr. Cyrus Patten: The skills that stand out the most are not always what you'd expect. In a recent update to the IBM Institute for Business Value Study, it's clear that executives crave applicants with critical human skills. These are skills like agility, adaptability, and teamwork. For the first time, these skills have surpassed the "hard" skills like computer skills and other core technical skills.
Personally, I always look for applicants who have demonstrated a concern for their community, ethics, or social justice. I can train a skill. I can teach competence, but I can't train someone to be an involved citizen or an ethical business leader.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Business To Business Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
Dr. Cyrus Patten: For starters, the pandemic has shown that you can work from almost anywhere. So I expect recent grads to flock to areas that offer a high quality of life (like Burlington, Vermont) and a well-equipped communications infrastructure. They'll move to cities with gigabit connections, a strong outdoor lifestyle, and lots of bars and restaurants. If I were graduating with a business degree right now, I'd be looking to move to one of the entrepreneurial and technology hubs like Austin, Miami, San Diego, Boston, or Boulder.
John Rose
Associate Lecturer, Internship Coordinator and MSA CoordinatorKent State University
Department of Accounting
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
John Rose: For accounting students, the job market is good. There was a dip at the beginning of the pandemic, but CPA firms are still hiring. The number of interns for the winter season is comparable to the previous year.
What skills stand out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
John Rose: Many of our students obtain their entry-level accounting after completing an internship with the organization. Students that do not receive an offer from the organization they interned with typically receive an offer with another organization. An internship on a student resume increases their chances of obtaining an entry-level poisition.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Business To Business Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
John Rose: Many accounting graduates start in public accounting. It is easier for entry-level accountants to first start with the office of a CPA firm that recruited them and then, after a year or two, to request a transfer to an office in a city they desire.
Jonathan Byers
Assistant DirectorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Career and Professional Development
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business To Business Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Jonathan Byers: -The increase of remote or home-based job opportunities and internships on job search websites and platforms.
-The increase in virtual recruitment (interviewing, networking events, career fairs, etc.).
-The possibility of jobs that may begin as remote/virtual experiences and then transition to in-person experiences over time or become a hybrid of remote and in-person activity.
What skills stand out on Business To Business Sales Consultant resumes?
Jonathan Byers:
- Professional skills related to career development competencies such as strong oral & written communication, teamwork & collaboration, leadership, problem-solving ability & creativity, and professional integrity, but we recommend that applicants do not just list these skills. They should provide evidence of how they have used them in their work experience, volunteer experience, academic experience, etc.
-The ability to use technology effectively to solve problems or improve collaboration; this could relate to social media management, computer hardware or software skills, proficiency with general programs like Microsoft Office Suite (also being able to demonstrate the use of these skills in various experiences).
-With diversity, equity, and inclusion becoming more important in 2020, the ability to appreciate different points of view, accept and appreciate different cultural backgrounds & types of identities, and increased awareness of one's own cultural biases and assumptions can also be important to market on a resume.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Business To Business Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
Jonathan Byers: Like most Liberal Arts graduates, people with History degrees will most likely develop a number of the professional skills mentioned above that can be applicable in many different industry areas. In today's job market, college graduates are not bound to one type of job opportunity. History majors from Virginia Tech have found employment in Higher Education, Law, Politics, Public Policy, Business, Marketing, Information Technology, Information Management, International Affairs, Local & State Government, and the Federal Government. They have found opportunities in many different locations across the United Students. A person who finds a job depends on how much they are willing to network with other professionals and be strategic and intentional with their job search strategies.