Why Veterans Should Consider a Career in Tech Sales

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Looking for your next career move? As a member of the armed forces community, you’ve already got the skills tech companies are crying out for. Whether you were managing high-stakes operations, working with cutting-edge military technology, or leading teams under pressure, your experience translates directly to tech sales, and as a bonus - it pays well too.

Why Tech Sales Needs Veterans

Tech companies need people who can assess complex situations, communicate clearly, and execute under pressure. Sound familiar? The UK armed forces instil exactly the kind of resilience, leadership, and strategic thinking that make for a top performer in sales. Whether you’re used to handling sophisticated military equipment or leading teams in high-pressure environments, there’s a place for you in this industry.
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Let’s break down the roles that suit veterans best.

Breaking Down the Roles

Pre-sales Technical Consultant

Salary Range: £50k+ (entry-level)
If you thrived in a technical role in the military - solving complex problems under pressure - this could be the perfect fit.

• Analyse technical challenges
• Propose strategic solutions
• Provide trusted expertise to customers

Perfect for: Former technical specialists, engineers, or those who enjoy troubleshooting and problem-solving. Your ability to quickly assess and resolve issues makes you a valuable asset in pre-sales consulting.

Sales Development Representative (SDR) / Business Development Representative (BDR)

Salary Range: £40k-£50k (entry-level)
Think of this role as intel gathering - identifying and qualifying potential customers before passing them to the wider sales team.

• Conduct targeted outreach
• Qualify prospects
• Support the wider sales mission

Perfect for: Those who worked in military intelligence, recruitment, or reconnaissance. If you are skilled in assessing potential recruits or gathering mission-critical information, you’ll be great at engaging and qualifying leads.

Check out this article if you want to learn more about SDR and BDR roles. 

Account Executive

Salary Range: £50k-£150k OTE (On Target Earnings)
This is where strategy meets execution. As an Account Executive, you’ll be responsible for closing deals, negotiating contracts, and managing high-value clients.

• Close strategic deals
• Navigate complex negotiations
• Deliver mission-critical presentations

Perfect for: Former officers, team leaders, or those who excelled in high-pressure decision-making roles. If you’re confident leading discussions and making strategic calls, this is one of the best-paying roles in tech sales.

Customer Success Manager (CSM)

Salary Range: £40k+ (entry-level)
This role is about keeping clients engaged and ensuring they get the most out of their product—similar to ensuring ongoing operational readiness in the military.

• Build long-term relationships
• Ensure client success and retention
• Drive product adoption and satisfaction

Perfect for: Those with experience in training, mentoring, or support roles. If you enjoyed developing personnel and ensuring mission success, a Customer Success role plays to your strengths.

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Why Veterans Excel in Tech Sales

Veterans bring serious advantages to the tech sales world:

• Mission Focus: Just like military operations, tech sales is all about setting objectives and executing against them. Veterans understand how to plan, adapt, and deliver results.
• Adaptability: The tech industry moves fast, and veterans are used to thinking on their feet in ever-changing environments.
• Leadership: Whether you were an NCO or an officer, your ability to manage teams and motivate people is invaluable in sales.
• Integrity: Trust is everything in both the armed services and tech sales. Veterans understand the importance of honesty, reliability, and delivering on promises.

Career Progression in Tech Sales

Unlike rigid military rank structures, tech sales offers rapid career advancement for those willing to put in the effort. Here’s how you can progress:

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➡️ Sales Development Representative (SDR) / Business Development Representative (BDR)
➡️ Account Executive
➡️ Enterprise Account Executive
➡️ Sales Team Leader
➡️ Regional Sales Director
➡️ Head of Sales

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The best part? Your earning potential increases at every stage, and promotions are based on performance, not time served.

The Bottom Line

Just as the British forces adapt to new challenges, veterans are built to thrive in high-performance careers like tech sales. Your military experience isn’t just relevant - it’s highly valuable.

Tech companies are actively looking for people with backgrounds in leadership, strategy, and operations, and the salaries reflect that demand.

See Which Sales Roles Fit You Best

Not sure which tech sales role suits your background? Try our AI-Driven Career Platform. It takes just a few minutes and maps your skills, experience, and career goals to the right role for you. 

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Click here to take it for a spin.

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