Teachers, veterans, retail managers, and career changers are crushing it in sales. Here's how to make the switch.
Sales is one of the few careers where your effort directly determines your income, your background is an asset, and you can start earning from day one.
Most sales roles pay a base salary plus commission with no ceiling on what you can earn. Entry-level reps regularly pull $75K–$300K+ OTE depending on the vertical. Your income is tied to your hustle, not a pay grade.
In sales, skills beat credentials every time. Employers care about your ability to connect, persuade, and close — not where you went to school. Some of the top earners on RepViewer never finished college.
Sales has one of the fastest promotion tracks in any industry. High performers move from SDR to AE in 12–18 months, and from AE to management in another 2–3 years. Your results speak for themselves.
From SaaS and solar to car sales, insurance, medical devices, real estate, and roofing — 7 verticals on RepViewer are actively hiring. No matter what excites you, there's a sales role that fits.
The skills you built in your previous career are exactly what sales teams are looking for. Here's how real career changers made the leap.
After 6 years in the classroom, Sarah brought her ability to break down complex ideas, read a room, and hold attention into tech sales. She hit 130% of quota in her first quarter as an SDR and was promoted to AE within 14 months.
After two tours overseas, Marcus knew how to push through discomfort and stay mission-focused. He channeled that same discipline into door-to-door solar sales, closing 47 deals in his first summer and earning over $120K in year one.
After managing a retail floor for 4 years, Jess already knew how to handle objections, upsell, and keep customers coming back. She moved to a dealership and finished her first year as the #2 rep on the floor with $92K in total comp.
Ten years behind the bar gave Mike an unmatched ability to read people, build rapport fast, and handle pressure. He transitioned to insurance sales and closed $380K in premium his first year. Turns out, selling a cocktail and selling a policy aren't that different.
You don't need experience. You need a plan. Follow these five steps to land your first sales role.
SaaS, solar, insurance, car sales, medical devices, real estate, or roofing — each vertical has its own culture, pay structure, and lifestyle. Not sure which fits? Take our free quiz to find your match.
You don't need a certification, but understanding the fundamentals helps. Brush up on cold calling, objection handling, and closing techniques. Visit our Resource Hub for free guides, scripts, and videos.
Even without sales experience, you can create a profile that highlights your transferable skills, upload a short video pitch, and show employers why you're worth a shot. Your profile is your new resume.
SDR, BDR, and junior sales rep roles are designed for people breaking in. Many offer paid training and don't require prior experience. Browse open opportunities and start applying today.
Once you're in, the learning curve is fast. Hit your numbers, build your track record, and let your verified performance data on RepViewer open even bigger doors down the road.
Here's what you can realistically expect to earn in your first year across popular sales verticals. OTE = On-Target Earnings (base + commission).
| Vertical | Year 1 OTE | Base Salary | Top Performer OTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS (SDR/BDR) | $65K – $85K | $45K – $55K | $100K+ |
| D2D Solar | $70K – $120K | Commission-heavy | $200K+ |
| Car Sales | $50K – $80K | $25K – $35K + comm. | $120K+ |
| Insurance | $55K – $90K | $35K – $50K | $150K+ |
| Medical Devices | $70K – $100K | $50K – $65K | $200K+ |
| Real Estate | $45K – $80K | Commission-only | $250K+ |
| Roofing Sales | $60K – $100K | Commission-heavy | $180K+ |
A note on pay structures: Base salary gives you stability while you learn. Commission rewards your results. Most entry-level roles offer a mix of both. As you gain experience and build a track record, you'll have the leverage to negotiate higher base salaries, better commission rates, or move into verticals with even larger deal sizes. The numbers above are starting points — not ceilings.
Got questions about breaking into sales? You're not alone. Here are the most common ones we hear.
No. Many entry-level sales roles — SDR, BDR, and junior rep positions — are specifically designed for people with zero sales experience. Companies hire for attitude, coachability, and work ethic, then train you on the product and process. Your transferable skills from previous careers (communication, resilience, customer service) are often more valuable than a traditional sales background.
Most reps start seeing real commission checks within their first 2–3 months on the job. In roles with a base salary, you'll have income from day one while you ramp up. In commission-heavy verticals like D2D solar or roofing, your first paycheck depends on how quickly you close, but many career changers hit their stride within the first 60 days.
It depends on your personality and goals. If you love technology and want a structured environment with a base salary, SaaS is a great fit. If you're high-energy and want to control your own schedule, D2D solar or roofing might be for you. If you're a people person who builds trust quickly, insurance and real estate are strong options. Take our free career quiz to find your best match.
Commission-only roles carry more risk, but they also offer the highest earning potential. If stability is important to you while you're getting started, look for roles that offer a base salary plus commission (common in SaaS, insurance, and medical device sales). As you build confidence and a track record, you can always move to higher-commission structures later. On RepViewer, each job listing clearly shows the pay structure so there are no surprises.
RepViewer lets you showcase who you are, not just where you've worked. Upload a video pitch that highlights your energy and communication skills. List your transferable skills front and center. Browse entry-level opportunities filtered by vertical, location, and pay structure. Plus, our Resource Hub has free guides on everything from cold calling scripts to objection handling — everything you need to prepare before your first day on the job.
You already have what it takes. Create your free RepViewer profile and let employers see the salesperson you're about to become.