What does a solution specialist do?
A solution specialist is responsible for selling and promoting goods and services of an organization to existing and potential clients through product demonstrations and professional sales pitches, typically on phone calls and e-mail communication. Solutions specialists must possess strong product knowledge to respond to customers' inquiries and concerns about the products and successfully close sales deals that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. A solutions specialist must have excellent communication and customer service skills, maximizing strategic techniques to build customer satisfaction.
Solution specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real solution specialist resumes:
- Lead multiple team meetings covering best practices, new policy and procedures, and explaining new MBO targets.
- Manage existing accounts while identifying new sources of opportunities for sales in the SME segment through cold calling and prospecting.
- Manage payroll and overall candidate compliance regarding eligibility of employment and new hire paperwork.
- Manage billing inquiries, encourage cross-selling and referral for additional property and casualty lines of business.
- Manage Microsoft SQL consolidation project to improve the operational efficiency of database servers and reduce their licensing costs.
- Research and implement new technology solutions including a CRM software, email marketing opportunities, and a company blog.
- Provide technical support and troubleshoot health software for pediatric populations.
- Create small tables using SQL to continue learning new skills.
- Modify, short sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure and forbearance.
- Train both in-office staff and patients on products used, when interest and qualify.
- Continue learning and education in regards to payroll and tax filing rules and regulations.
- Maintain, service and coordinate accounts with regard to equipment and service exchanges and upgrades.
- Work with excel spreadsheets, Microsoft, outlook, powerpoint, internet explorer and adobe reader.
- Help patients, insurance companies and attorneys with questions or concerns about billing statements and itemize bills.
- Design and build a suite of automate scripts in Java that help users get on-board with BrowserStack.
Solution specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Solution Specialists are proficient in Product Knowledge, Sales Process, and SQL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Solution Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Product Knowledge, 17%
Established a positive company presence within the designated territory by joining local chambers & enhancing product knowledge by sponsoring community events.
- Sales Process, 12%
Supported sales process and account management by conducting and presenting data analysis and solutions architecture for potential and existing customers.
- SQL, 6%
Managed Microsoft SQL consolidation project to improve the operational efficiency of database servers and reduce their licensing costs.
- Java, 6%
Created reusable Java components (Integration Objects) to access 3270 in IBM Host Publisher.
- Azure, 6%
Worked with public sector customers, partners, and Microsoft account teams to sell Dynamics CRM and Windows Azure solutions.
- Windows, 5%
Experienced on performing Disaster Recovery for NetBackup on windows platforms.
Common skills that a solution specialist uses to do their job include "product knowledge," "sales process," and "sql." You can find details on the most important solution specialist responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling solution specialist duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers." According to a solution specialist resume, here's how solution specialists can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "provided customer service performing returns and exchanges and developed interpersonal skills received recognition for providing excellent customer service through customer survey"
Patience. solution specialists are also known for patience, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to solution specialist responsibilities, because "representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers." A solution specialist resume example shows how patience is used in the workplace: "provided consumer education about samsung products equipped customers with full product knowledge problem solved complex issues with efficiency and patience"
Communication skills. For certain solution specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a solution specialist rely on this skill, as "customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what solution specialists do: "develop and continue to remain current in company and product knowledge and communication skills related to position. "
Customer-service skills. A commonly-found skill in solution specialist job descriptions, "customer-service skills" is essential to what solution specialists do. Solution specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints." You can also see how solution specialist duties rely on customer-service skills in this resume example: "provided customer support in completing purchases and resolving technical issues. "
Listening skills. Another skill commonly found on solution specialist job descriptions is "listening skills." It can come up quite often in solution specialist duties, since "representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day solution specialist responsibilities: "build customer relationships-earn their loyalty and trust actively listen to customer and then sell solutions that are exactly what they need. "
The three companies that hire the most solution specialists are:
- Deloitte1,684 solution specialists jobs
- Oracle275 solution specialists jobs
- Microsoft150 solution specialists jobs
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Compare different solution specialists
Solution specialist vs. Senior customer service specialist
Senior Customer Service Specialists perform directly around customers in a company. They are typically needed to answer customers' requests, respond to an inquiry, and resolve issues and complaints. Their duties may include data entry, file keeping, and general paperwork. Also, they supervise some representatives, monitor their progress, and serve as their mentors. Candidates for the position must have strong communication skills, analytical, and computer savvy. Additionally, they must possess relevant experience as a junior customer service representative and have excellent leadership skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between solution specialists and senior customer service specialist. For instance, solution specialist responsibilities require skills such as "sales process," "sql," "java," and "azure." Whereas a senior customer service specialist is skilled in "customer calls," "financial institutions," "call monitoring," and "seamless delivery." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that senior customer service specialists earn slightly differ from solution specialists. In particular, senior customer service specialists are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a solution specialist. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Solution specialist vs. Customer service specialist
Customer service specialists are employees who are responsible for providing the best customer experience to customers, usually for after-sales transactions. They attend to customers' inquiries and provide answers to their questions on products or services that the company offers. They also address customer complaints and help mitigate the concerns by offering solutions such as instructions on how to fix defects, or processing replacements or refunds. Customer service specialists also listen to customer feedback and ensure that these are logged properly so that proper departments will be able to receive them.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, solution specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "sales process," "sql," "java," and "azure." Meanwhile, a customer service specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "strong customer service," "cleanliness," "front end," and "customer transactions." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, customer service specialists achieve similar levels of education than solution specialists. They're 3.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Solution specialist vs. Account services specialist
An account services specialist manages the customer accounts and ensures that it performs well and generates income and profit. The account services specialist processes and records all financial transactions and also provides auditing and quality assurance services. It is the account services specialist's job to maintain healthy communication with the client and guide them through all the processes that make the account productive. The account services specialist also needs good conversational skills with people and has a high organizational ability.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a solution specialist is likely to be skilled in "sales process," "sql," "java," and "azure," while a typical account services specialist is skilled in "strong customer service," "account management," "past due accounts," and "hipaa."
When it comes to education, account services specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to solution specialists. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Solution specialist vs. Client service specialist
A client service specialist is an individual who fulfills tasks that are related to delivering a product or service to clients. Client service specialists are required to assist project managers in establishing parameters and requirements of a project or work with a particular client. They help in the development of training manuals and materials that are needed by the client to use the newly developed product. Client service specialists must also set up and create archives for client records.
Updated January 8, 2025
