Senior Engineer moves to the frontlines
Perhaps one of the biggest transitions one can make in a career would be from building a product to pushing it. Eric Tan went from operating behind-the-scenes as an engineer to going out there and selling a product as a salesman. The thirty-two year old is currently a Sales Executive at TL Jones Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. He shares his experience with us.
What were you doing in your previous company?
I was a Senior Sales Engineer at Danfoss Industries, a mechanical and electronic components company
What does your current job entail now?
I handle local and regional Sales for TL Jones Asia Pacific, manufacturer and supplier of elevator passenger safety, control and information equipment.
What made you decide to make the career switch to Sales?
My current job offers me regional exposure and an overall better pay package
When, and how old were you, when you made the switch?
June of 2010, I was 31 years old
Were there any courses you had to go through when you decided to do Sales?
Not at all, I think that's the beauty of Sales
What is the best aspect of Sales that engineering could not offer?
In Sales you enjoy incentives based off your performance
What were the biggest challenges you had to face when you made the career switch?
Switching to a different industry. Doing Sales and talking to people and being an engineer building things is a totally different ballgame
Advice you would give to a person who wants to make a career switch?
Don't only look at pay package but also consider factors like opportunities that the next company can give and whether it aligns with your career expectations and career plan ahead
What are your plans for the next 5 years?
I aspire to be a Sales Manager leading a sales team
What were you doing in your previous company?
I was a Senior Sales Engineer at Danfoss Industries, a mechanical and electronic components company
What does your current job entail now?
I handle local and regional Sales for TL Jones Asia Pacific, manufacturer and supplier of elevator passenger safety, control and information equipment.
What made you decide to make the career switch to Sales?
My current job offers me regional exposure and an overall better pay package
When, and how old were you, when you made the switch?
June of 2010, I was 31 years old
Were there any courses you had to go through when you decided to do Sales?
Not at all, I think that's the beauty of Sales
What is the best aspect of Sales that engineering could not offer?
In Sales you enjoy incentives based off your performance
What were the biggest challenges you had to face when you made the career switch?
Switching to a different industry. Doing Sales and talking to people and being an engineer building things is a totally different ballgame
Advice you would give to a person who wants to make a career switch?
Don't only look at pay package but also consider factors like opportunities that the next company can give and whether it aligns with your career expectations and career plan ahead
What are your plans for the next 5 years?
I aspire to be a Sales Manager leading a sales team
Take a look at the rest of our Career Switch stories!
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