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Job outlook for sales support managers in the United States
Sales support manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected sales support manager job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 23,800 new jobs for sales support managers are projected over the next decade.
Sales support manager salaries have increased 12% for sales support managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 84,431 sales support managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 166,510 active sales support manager job openings in the US.
The average sales support manager salary is $94,946.
Are sales support manager jobs in demand?
Sales support manager job and salary trends over time
Sales support manager jobs over time
Sales support manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84,431 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 72,956 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 75,250 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 71,402 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 70,186 | 0.02% |
Average sales support manager salary over time
Sales support manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $94,946 | $45.65 | +4.5% |
| 2025 | $90,890 | $43.70 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $89,154 | $42.86 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $86,886 | $41.77 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $84,661 | $40.70 | +3.6% |
Sales support manager jobs by state
Most common states for sales support managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 388 | 56% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,910 | 26% |
| 3 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,450 | 24% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 207 | 24% |
| 5 | California | 39,536,653 | 8,852 | 22% |
| 6 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 648 | 22% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,451 | 21% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 437 | 21% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,982 | 20% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 606 | 20% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 191 | 20% |
| 12 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 937 | 19% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 789 | 19% |
| 14 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 578 | 19% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 884 | 18% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,229 | 17% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 975 | 17% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 931 | 17% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 225 | 17% |
| 20 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 738 | 16% |
Most common cities for sales support managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schenectady | 2 | 3% | $110,560 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $110,882 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $100,427 |
| 4 | Springfield | 2 | 2% | $98,459 |
| 5 | Bozeman | 1 | 2% | $102,365 |
| 6 | Albany | 1 | 1% | $86,929 |
| 7 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $70,457 |
| 8 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $107,000 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $89,314 |
| 10 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $103,543 |
| 11 | Houston | 2 | 0% | $98,232 |
| 12 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $95,401 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $111,239 |
| 14 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $99,725 |
| 15 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $114,096 |
| 16 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $79,738 |
| 17 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $78,850 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $86,328 |
Sales Support Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sales support manager experts
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
University of Maryland
Baylor University
The University of West Florida
Christopher Newport University
Andrews University
Valdosta State University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Penn State Behrend
Indiana University Southeast
William Paterson University
Minnesota State University Moorhead
University of Minnesota
Missouri State University
Longwood University
Aquinas College
Montana State University
Michigan State University
Upper Iowa University
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Sales Support Manager?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: AI-Integrated Consultative Selling: Recognize the evolving role of AI in sales. Embrace AI tools that enhance your pre-call preparation, role-playing, agenda setting, and call talk track development. Stay ahead by incorporating AI into your sales strategies to deliver personalized and efficient client engagements.
What will help Sales Support Managers increase their earning potential?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Holistic
Knowledge Mastery:
Become an expert in your industry, staying abreast of market trends, and thoroughly understanding the products/services you sell. This comprehensive knowledge will empower you to provide exceptional value, resulting in higher sales success and increased client
retention.
Strategic
Question-Based Selling:
Master the art of question-based selling. Use insightful questions to uncover client needs, address pain points, and tailor your approach. This strategic skill will not only boost initial sales but also contribute to secondary sales and long-term client satisfaction.
Compensation
Structure Expertise:
Understand your organization's compensation structure thoroughly. This includes baseline compensation, commission and bonus plans, and additional benefits. This knowledge allows you to set realistic targets, maximize your earnings, and take full advantage
of uncapped commission structures.
Consistent
Target Achievement:
Consistently meet or exceed targets and quotas to demonstrate your value. This not only enhances your immediate success but also positions you for continuous earning potential, especially in roles with uncapped commissions.
Negotiation
and Value Recognition:
Develop negotiation skills to ensure you are compensated appropriately. Recognize your worth and, when appropriate, discuss compensation adjustments or additional benefits with your employer. A proactive approach to recognizing and articulating your value
contributes to your overall salary potential.
In a rapidly evolving sales landscape, continuous learning, tech adaptability, and proactive career management are fundamental for achieving sustained success in consultative sales.
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing at the TCU Neeley School of BusinessTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky: Substantiated numbers such as sales pipeline efficiency, callbacks, meetings, and repeat purchasing are more important than listing responsibilities. Also, management-level personnel should have team growth numbers and coaching methodologies listed with substantiated returns from such efforts.
What skills will help Sales Support Managers earn the most?
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky: Research about the client and strategic questions (with active listening) to understand a client's needs and opportunities will help a sales professional determine if there is value alignment, which leads to more efficient and remunerative outcomes.
Roland Rust Ph.D.
Distinguished University Professor, David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing, Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Service, Ph.D., Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill MarketingUniversity of Maryland
Robert H. Smith School of Business
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Roland Rust Ph.D.: One might think that a stellar sales record would be most important, but that would be most relevant only if the individual has prior sales manager experience. If promoting a salesperson to sales manager, the thing that may be missing is administrative and managerial skills. In addition, we are in a technological revolution, driven by AI, which means that prior knowledge and experience with AI-related analysis would also definitely stand out (although probably hard to find).
What soft skills should all Sales Support Managers possess?
Roland Rust Ph.D.: We consider empathy the most important soft skill (see our 2021 book, "The Feeling Economy: How Artificial Intelligence Is Creating the Era of Empathy," authored with Ming-Hui Huang). This is central for both sales managers and salespeople. The sales manager can best manage a salesperson by being able to understand their emotions. Different salespeople require different approaches. Likewise, salespeople need to relate to the customer's feelings. In addition, because so much of business is now digital, and we're in a pandemic of unknown duration, skills on media such as Zoom are more important than ever, as is the capability of texting and other modes of electronic communication.
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: Like salespeople, sales managers must focus their resumes on tangible, objective performance results that are achieved by their teams.
Growth in revenue or quota attainment for the overall team are examples of the types of objective performance results that matter.
High-performing sales managers also highlight long-term performance indicators, which includes both long-term revenue growth by the unit
AND investment metrics that signal the sales manager is building company results for the long run. For example, a high-performance sales manager focuses on building and maintaining a high-performing unit. Such a manager looks to move low performers to other roles where they can be successful.
Another investment metric that a sales manager can signal is the percent of their unit promoted to managerial roles in the organization.
What soft skills should all Sales Support Managers possess?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: Since sales professionals have a lot of information available to them today via customer relationship management (CRM) systems, the sales manager's "supervisory" role is less important (especially for experienced sellers). Consequently, the sales manager needs to be more of a coach and enabler of high performance. Having confidence balanced with humility allows the sales manager to engage more effectively with their salespeople.
One of the critical soft skills for sales managers going forward will be the ability to connect members of the sales team to others in the organization - in other words, the sales manager of the future needs to have strong skills in network building for others. Sellers have access to data which helps them build success.
They also need access to the right people to turn to when they need specific expertise or assistance.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sales Support Managers?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?
What skills will help Sales Support Managers earn the most?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: People who can recognize patterns (in data, in people), build connections with and across others, create a focus on high-performance behaviors, and lead with a confident humility are those who will win today and in the future business environment.
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.
Professor of AccountingThe University of West Florida
Department of Accounting and Finance
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sales Support Managers?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: In a word, yes. The adjustments that both individuals and businesses have made during this time have shifted our expectations for life and work. For a generation of students who were already tech-natives, the shift to more technology-enabled interactions has reinforced the "click-to-do" mentality. And for non-tech-natives, the roll-out of intuitive, easy-to-use apps has overcome much of their resistance to these types of interactions. These shifts have affected everything from business meetings to family reunions and from buying lunch to meeting with your doctor. However, graduates will need to grow beyond being technology consumers. They must be able to effectively use technology to deliver a company's value proposition, especially in service-oriented fields such as accounting, finance, law, medicine, and consulting.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sales Support Managers?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Although the use of office productivity software has been important for a number of years, the importance of fluency with these types of programs has been heightened by our increased virtual interactions. In addition, the use of online collaboration tools has grown and will continue to grow. Thus, candidates will stand out when they demonstrate knowledge/skill (e.g., certification) with respect to basic collaborative productivity tools as well as specific technology commonly used in their career fields.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sales Support Managers?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Although the use of office productivity software has been important for a number of years, the importance of fluency with these types of programs has been heightened by our increased virtual interactions. In addition, the use of online collaboration tools has grown and will continue to grow. Thus, candidates will stand out when they demonstrate knowledge/skill (e.g., certification) with respect to basic collaborative productivity tools as well as specific technology commonly used in their career fields.
Todd Lee Goen
Instructor & Internship DirectorChristopher Newport University
Department of Communication
What's a good job out of college for Sales Support Managers?
Todd Lee Goen: Pandemic or no pandemic, the best job out of college is one that sets you on the path to achieve your ultimate career goal(s). Reflect on where you want to be in five or ten years or even twenty-five years. Then consider positions that will set you on the path to achieve that goal. Very few people land their dream job upon graduation - dream jobs are typically those we're not qualified to do without some additional work experience and training. A good job is one that will help you achieve your goal(s) - just don't frame it that way in the interview.
Good jobs pay a livable salary for the location, offer benefits (health insurance and retirement at minimum), and provide professional development opportunities (these can take a variety of forms). Too often, college grads overlook professional development. If an employer isn't willing to invest in you, there's no guarantee you will succeed in the job. Good employers understand they need qualified employees who continually develop their skills and abilities, and good employers will make sure employees have the resources they need to succeed.
What technical skills for a Sales Support Manager stand out to employers?
Todd Lee Goen: Technical skills are often industry and/or position specific. Applicants should highlight any technical skills related to the position advertisement and those that add value to the position/organization. Most importantly, requirements for technical skills change with time and technological advances. This means employers value workers capable of adapting to change and continually improving and acquiring new technical skills. Thus, it's usually more important to demonstrate you are capable of learning and developing technical skills than it is to have a specific skill set upon hire (although this is not true for some positions/industries).
That said, technical skills related to online presentations, virtual meetings, virtual networking, remote working and the like are hot commodities right now. While most organizations were in the process of adopting many of these technologies and ways of doing business pre-pandemic, the pandemic accelerated the process. Organizations are making it work, but they often don't know best practices or the most efficient means of working in the largely virtual, pandemic environment. Post-pandemic, many of the remote/virtual changes the pandemic brought will stay in some form. Technical skills that support this type of workplace will make applicants stand out to many employers because they need/want to do virtual/remote business better.
What technical skills for a Sales Support Manager stand out to employers?
Todd Lee Goen: Technical skills are often industry and/or position specific. Applicants should highlight any technical skills related to the position advertisement and those that add value to the position/organization. Most importantly, requirements for technical skills change with time and technological advances. This means employers value workers capable of adapting to change and continually improving and acquiring new technical skills. Thus, it's usually more important to demonstrate you are capable of learning and developing technical skills than it is to have a specific skill set upon hire (although this is not true for some positions/industries).
That said, technical skills related to online presentations, virtual meetings, virtual networking, remote working and the like are hot commodities right now. While most organizations were in the process of adopting many of these technologies and ways of doing business pre-pandemic, the pandemic accelerated the process. Organizations are making it work, but they often don't know best practices or the most efficient means of working in the largely virtual, pandemic environment. Post-pandemic, many of the remote/virtual changes the pandemic brought will stay in some form. Technical skills that support this type of workplace will make applicants stand out to many employers because they need/want to do virtual/remote business better.
What's a good job out of college for Sales Support Managers?
Todd Lee Goen: Pandemic or no pandemic, the best job out of college is one that sets you on the path to achieve your ultimate career goal(s). Reflect on where you want to be in five or ten years or even twenty-five years. Then consider positions that will set you on the path to achieve that goal. Very few people land their dream job upon graduation - dream jobs are typically those we're not qualified to do without some additional work experience and training. A good job is one that will help you achieve your goal(s) - just don't frame it that way in the interview.
Good jobs pay a livable salary for the location, offer benefits (health insurance and retirement at minimum), and provide professional development opportunities (these can take a variety of forms). Too often, college grads overlook professional development. If an employer isn't willing to invest in you, there's no guarantee you will succeed in the job. Good employers understand they need qualified employees who continually develop their skills and abilities, and good employers will make sure employees have the resources they need to succeed.
Lucile Sabas
Associate Professor of Finance & EconomicsAndrews University
School of Business Administration
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lucile Sabas: Along with the competencies mentioned above related to a restructuration of the labor market, many other competencies would be needed. We can mention some few of them, like, competencies in NTIC, web developers and designer, teleworking software specialists, technician-supports, software developers, drone specialists, cybersecurity specialists, teleworking software specialists. With the pandemic, we saw the intensification of online education. This later has proven to be very efficient in almost all domains. A graduate can take this option to use her gap year acquiring new competencies, if being on campus represents a challenge in the pandemic context. With this said, we assume that as an international business graduate, the student has had an international experience of at least six months (in a foreign country).
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral ProgramValdosta State University
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.: Education and certifications complemented with practical experience is what employers like to see. Additionally, demonstrated skills leading, whether it be an implementation process through an entire lifecycle or driving change through innovation, will always impress. A resume should demonstrate a prospective employee's ability to take ownership of the functions of the job and complete those functions competently. Employers want to feel confident that the applicant can perform the job successfully, and any inclusions on the resume to help make that case should be included.
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Celeste Spier Ph.D.: If a student opts to take a gap year, recommended skills to gain include the Naceweb sought by employers according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which are critical thinking, communication, teamwork, digital technology, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, and global/intercultural fluency. Technical skills are especially powerful in catching the eye of a recruiter in today's job market. Many free resources like EdX and Coursera exist to boost technical skills at no cost. For students who are taking a gap year because they are uncertain of their future career goals, their gap year should focus on exploration and reflection to ensure they end the year with a better sense of direction and next steps.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sales Support Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Owens Ph.D.: Historically, the greatest number of jobs in international business have been located in the major trade areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. However, the work from anywhere trend could open more opportunities for international business in areas outside traditional trade centers.
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Uric Dufrene: First, I would not recommend a gap year. One of the skills that is critically important, regardless of the time period, is adaptability. Learning how to adapt to the circumstances around you is a skill that is valued in the workplace, regardless of the year. This is a key part of problem solving. Solving problems with the conditions and resources on hand will prepare you for a lifelong success in any field. As a graduate develops a reputation for problem solving, they emerge as a "go to" employee and will be seen by others as a leader, in their department or company.
What general advice would you give to a Sales Support Manager?
Dr. Uric Dufrene: Graduates must make a commitment to life-long learning. This does not have to be in a traditional graduate program, for example. Although, graduate school is highly recommended. Outside of a formal degree program, graduates must find ways to continue to invest in their professional development. This includes hard skills within their profession and soft skills, regardless of the occupation.
Find ways to meet people. This includes both within the organization and the industry. Think about face-to-face networking, when available, but also be very sensitive and intentional with respect to your online brand. Use the social media tools as a way of maintaining a very professional image and 24/7 virtual networking. Graduates need to think of their name as a brand. That brand will be influenced by your digital footprint, and how one might communicate, both in writing and in a virtual sense (video technologies). With working in a remote environment, the impression that one might develop of you will be based on writings co-workers receive from you (emails, memos, etc.) and your video presence. Graduates need to invest time in developing and enhancing these important skills.
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Giuliana Andreopoulos: I do not think that the pandemic has been and will be able to reverse the importance of certain skills on students` resumes. There is no doubt in my mind that communication, team working, problem solving, leadership, still come at the top of the list for business students. However, the pandemic has added new skills: ability to work remotely, manage crisis, and deal with data. We hope that Business Colleges and Schools will take into consideration these new developments when they plan new courses, programs, or certificates.
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorMinnesota State University Moorhead
Paseka School of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.: During this unprecedented context, the biggest trends in the marketing job market would be three parts - 1) Hyper-competition in the shrunk size of the job markets, 2) Emerging virtual (or remote) work environment at the home office, and 3) Salary and/or compensation reduction in the workplaces.
First, on average, the unemployment rate has been drastically increased while the job positions were (temporarily) eliminated in 2020 due primarily to the negative effect of the pandemic across industry sectors. Also, the pandemic situation has accelerated the job positions by replacing humans with AI (artificial intelligence) and machines (e.g., automation and/or touchless system), shrinking the total size of the job market. As a result, the given conditions inevitably entail hyper-competitions by creating a new structural environment in the job market for two or three years from now. This situational tendency would accelerate in the manufacturing and service industry sectors. Second, due to safety reasons by following the CDC regulation, many firms have changed the workplace from firms' office to home office, although several labor-intensive sectors had minimized this change (e.g., retailers and restaurants). This replacement of the workplace has increased the virtual or remote oriented work environment. Third, overall costs for maintaining businesses increase while declining profits - tight budget for business sustainability to survive in the current market. This circumstance tends to reduce overall marketing costs as well as the labor force-related costs (salaries, compensations, and benefits).
Nonetheless, the job positions in analyzing consumer behavior and psychology would be sustainable in the marketing-related job market, such as the job areas related to market and marketing analyses, online consumer analyses, and similar fields across the industry sectors.
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.: I believe diverse recommendations exist dependent upon the job positions in the different industry sectors. Generally speaking, even marketing-related jobs encompass numerous functional areas in many business organizations, such as advertising and PR, branding, customer experience and service, digital marketing, new product development, product management, sales and promotions, social media marketing, and more.
Regardless of the diversity above, I commonly recommend two skills to enhance marketing-related competence: 1) communication skills as a soft skill and 2) analytical skills as a hard skill responding to the concurrent marketing environment. These two skills would be fundamental skills to be marketers since marketing job activities always interplay with people (colleagues, consumers, partners, etc.) and products/services, and therefore, job seekers should understand human behavior and are capable of comprehending the marketability of products/services.
To obtain these two skills, I suggest that students need repetitive practices by conducting continuous observations and interacting with others in the college and workplace. In this process, I urge them to keep asking three essential questions - what (it is), why (it occurs), and how (to act) questions, according to the principle of 5W and 1H, when facing the situation needed to react or solve. In my opinion, this continuous training would help to develop the recommended skills: communication and analytical skillsets.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Geoff Kaufmann: Working remotely and integration of personal and professional lives and in many cases increased productivity of those workers.
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Geoff Kaufmann: Just get experience working anywhere and with teams. If they can get any leadership role, the better.
What general advice would you give to a Sales Support Manager?
Geoff Kaufmann: Do your best in school, volunteer, gain leadership experience and see if you can hitch yourself to professor-based research.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Jerri Lynn Kyle: There are three major lessons I think we have learned from the pandemic that will affect us moving forward in the job market. First, we learned how much we rely on technology. Second, we learned how capable technology is in allowing us to change our "business as usual" operation, adapt, and continue to move forward. Third, we learned in most cases, that working remotely does not result in lower workplace productivity. We have digitized every industry to some degree, and we are not going back!
What we have gained in innovative ways to reach our stakeholders will continue in some way. Now, how does that translate to the job market? Digital literacy. There will be an increased need for digital communication strategists in every industry. The need for people who can design, develop, and maintain platforms will grow, with an increased emphasis on analysis of performance and results. We are a data driven society, and digital communication provides the data needed for strategists to help organizations accomplish their goals.
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerri Lynn Kyle: Whatever your career goals are, stay informed! Keep up to date with what's going on in the world, and what's happening in your field. A lot can happen in 24 hours, so imagine what happens in a year. Just because a student takes a year off, doesn't mean learning has to stop. I recommend volunteering or interning to gain experience in your field and stay up to date on trends. It's important to remember that a gap year refers to a gap in time, not a gap in learning or productivity. Continue to live for your purpose!
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Dr. David Lehr: Information flow skills, particularly surrounding data analytics.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sales Support Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. David Lehr: Most job growth will continue to be in urban centers and the surrounding suburbs. Rural areas will continue to struggle (remote work notwithstanding).
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. David Lehr: A premium on flexibility and having a variety of skillsets. Continued weakness across the board in labor markets.
Kerri Orders
Assistant Professor of BusinessAquinas College
Business Administration Department
What Sales Support Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kerri Orders: In terms of a gap year, I recommend that international business students acquire tangible skills, relevant experience and/or certifications which will enhance their success in their desired area of interest. For example, a gap year could consist of gaining technical or digital training overseas, which would also further the students' cultural intelligence and language proficiency. These types of enriching gap year experiences will assist students to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive market. Furthermore, students should focus on broadening and maintaining their global network during a gap year in order to be ready for the job market once the gap year is concluded.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Kerri Orders: In 2020, companies of all sizes rapidly changed the way they were organized and conducted business daily, both internally and externally, with customers and suppliers. COVID has accelerated the potential and opportunity for remote work, both domestically and within the international business environment. Consequently, the future trends for international business will be a decrease in business travel and an increase in collaboration and communication via remote modalities. Many companies have now realized the ability for employees to conduct international business via remote networks, which are both effective and economically efficient. Increasingly, employers are looking for candidates with a global mindset, a culturally diverse range of experiences, and a broad skill set. In addition, employers will expect candidates to have a high level of technical and communication skills in order to thrive and have a shorter learning curve at the entry level. It is important for students entering the job market to highlight and promote their specific skills and value added to a potential employer.
What general advice would you give to a Sales Support Manager?
Kerri Orders: There is more than one path to any given career, therefore students will benefit from being curious, creative, and collaborative as they embark upon their international business careers. More than ever, employers will be looking for students who are adaptable, flexible, and proactive. In this tighter job market, students should be more open-minded about opportunities and willing to work in a range of sectors and different sizes of companies. The pandemic has impacted businesses around the world, so this advice will apply to graduates from all regions of the world.
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: Skills that are immediately useful stand out on resumes. Right now, data analytics skills are in hot demand. A desirable job candidate should be able to import large data sets in various formats, clean data, manipulate data, interrogate data, and draw conclusions from the data. Additionally, the job candidate should be able to prepare informative and easy-to-follow data visualizations of the results. This skill set allows a job candidate to be immediately useful in an organization. It is the new way of analyzing and communicating.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sales Support Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: There are pockets of opportunity in most communities. The savvy student will meet and make connections with local businesses through internships, student clubs, guest lectures, and other college events. With a little effort, students can learn to speak the vernacular of local industries and tailor their resumes and skill sets accordingly.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: There is still work that needs to be done. Those jobs that are necessary for the economy to continue and for the protection and service of the public will continue to need willing and able employees. The field I know most about is accounting. Publicly-traded companies are required to have audits of their financial statements. This is for the protection of all who use financial statements to make investing decisions. Think about your retirement savings plans, 401(k) plans, etc. So, every year there is a need to hire students who are ready to take the CPA exam and ready to become auditors. The same goes for students who are trained and ready to prepare income tax returns for corporations and individuals. Pandemic or no pandemic, we still need accountants. In fact, we now need accountants who are prepared to make certain that loans and grants related to pandemic relief have been used for their intended purposes and have been distributed appropriately.
Wyatt Schrock Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of MarketingMichigan State University
Broad College of Business
What type of skills will young Sales Support Managers need?
Wyatt Schrock Ph.D.: For graduates entering careers in sales, two skills that come to my mind are (1) listening skills and (2) analytical skills. First, I think listening is indeed a skill that can be developed with techniques and practice. Importantly, and for several reasons (e.g., building rapport, overcoming objections), I do not think you can be a good salesperson and be a bad listener. Second, I think analytical skills may be overlooked in terms of importance for salespeople. Certainly, selling is about relationship-building. However, and simultaneously, selling is also about delivering quantifiable value. It may be increasingly important for salespeople to have the ability to demonstrate exactly how or where they intend to help their customers grow revenue or reduce expenses.
What experience really stands out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Wyatt Schrock Ph.D.: Based on my experience and discussions with recruiters, at least two things stand out for applicants looking for sales jobs. First, I think transferrable skills are important to signal on a resume. For example, working as a hostess or waiter at a restaurant could signal to recruiters certain interpersonal skills that are important in sales. Second, I think any experience that allows the applicant to quantify their success will help applicants to stand out. If a person did well at work, I think it is worth spending some time thinking about how to tell that story with numbers. I think numbers can be just as important as words on a resume, especially when applying for a sales position.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sales Support Managers?
Wyatt Schrock Ph.D.: For graduates entering careers in sales, I expect the coronavirus pandemic to have at least one enduring impact. That is, I think the pandemic has changed the way that people think about the nature of buyer-seller interactions. In particular, I think we now know that a lot of relationship-building, problem-solving, etc., can be accomplished remotely with video meeting applications. This development might, for example, ultimately lead to lower levels of business travel for salespeople.
Dr. Karla Gavin
Director of the Master of Sport Administration Program, Associate Professor of Sport Administration (2010)Upper Iowa University
School of Business and Professional Studies
What skills stand out on Sales Support Manager resumes?
Dr. Karla Gavin: College students who graduate and move into the workforce need to think of themselves as independent contractors. They need to articulate their abilities to be flexible and adaptable, and to communicate very clearly in written and verbal communication. Job candidates will benefit from viewing issues as challenges instead of problems and using out-of-the-box thinking to resolve those issues.
They need to share their ability to work with diverse groups of people in team settings. Their willingness to be lifelong learners is important and they should reflect their desire to attend professional development activities and to pursue advanced degrees or certifications. Examples of leadership positions and opportunities need to be indicated on the resume.
Each of the areas mentioned above requires related examples to be stated concisely to reiterate their accomplishments and future goals.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Support Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Karla Gavin: At this time, it appears that individuals will continue to be interviewed and hired virtually without meeting their employer face-to-face. To retain these new hires, employers need to have stellar orientation programs to be completed remotely and onboarding that engages them before Day 1 of employment. Constant communication is critical, especially in the hiring process.
Work is very likely to be conducted in a virtual format for many employees in at least the first six months of 2021. Candidates with experience working with multiple virtual communication platforms will stand out during this time frame.
Employers may require employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to face-to-face work with colleagues and clients. Depending on what happens as this vaccine is more widely administered, it could impact employee and new hire decisions to stay or to leave.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sales Support Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Karla Gavin: The world of work is in great flux right now. Willingness to relocate and to learn the field from the bottom up is very important, wherever that might be. Too many students have unrealistic expectations for salary and job title upon graduation.
They also need to know themselves well enough to understand how their personal purpose and passion match that of their chosen field and of their specific employer.