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The Jobpocalypse — Why Entry-Level Tech Sales Is Still Surviving—and Even Thriving



A New Reality: Entry-Level Jobs Are Disappearing


The “jobpocalypse” isn’t a viral buzzword—it’s the lived experience of many new graduates and early-career professionals today. Across industries, companies are tightening thresholds. They demand 2–3 years of experience for “entry-level” roles. Many internships and opportunities have shrunk or disappeared entirely.


  • A hiring-trend report shows an 11.2% drop in entry-level job postings from Q1 2021 to Q2 2024.  

  • In tech especially, roles labeled “entry-level” frequently require prior experience — making the barrier to entry steeper.  

  • Employers are increasingly adopting skill-based hiring and reducing rigid degree or seniority requirements.  


It’s a brutal environment for someone fresh out of school. But not every role is collapsing. Tech sales is bucking the trend.


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Why Tech Sales Remains Resilient


  1. Revenue-Driven Function - As long as companies depend on growth and customer acquisition, they’ll need sales teams. Even when budgets get tight, outbound and growth roles are often among the last to go.

  2. Low Barriers to Entry + High Upside - Unlike engineering roles with strict technical prerequisites, many SDR/BDR roles can be entered with communication skills, grit, and basic sales aptitude. That makes tech sales a viable path for people who may not have a traditional technical degree.

  3. Rapid Skill Acceleration - In months, a motivated rep can develop negotiation, objection-handling, persuasion, CRM systems, and industry knowledge. That speed of learning and value creation is rare in many fields.

  4. Transferability & Career Mobility - Sales skills move across industries. Someone who proves themselves in SaaS or fintech can likely jump to another domain and carry relationships, experience, and credibility.

  5. Shifts Toward Skills over Pedigree - As companies loosen their requirement on resumes and degrees, credentials, certifications, or demonstrable output become differentiators. A candidate with validated traction in sales becomes more appealing than one with just a degree and little practical experience.



Data Point: Non-Traditional Candidates Are Winning


While tech sales is often more forgiving of non-traditional backgrounds, data supports this shift:


  • A 2024 study from Burning Glass Institute found that graduates from alternative training programs had a 72% success rate in landing tech sales roles, compared to lower success rates for traditional degree-only candidates.  

  • Many tech companies now emphasize skills-based hiring, reducing the premium placed on formal degrees in favor of demonstrable ability.  


That doesn’t mean the path is easy. It’s competitive. But for those who prepare, there’s opportunity.


The Differentiator: Certification & Consistent Standards


Here’s where many get stuck: training is scattered. One course is good. Another coach is great. Self-study can teach a lot. But how does a hiring manager know what you actually know and can deliver?


That’s exactly why Adgility ATSC Certification exists.


We built ATSC to be:

  • A uniform benchmark that anyone—regardless of training path—can aim for.

  • A standard that signals you’ve been assessed, tested, and verified on real sales skills.

  • A way to distinguish yourself in a crowded field where “I took this course” doesn’t carry weight on its own.


When hiring managers see ATSC Certified, they can shortcut a lot of uncertainty. You’re not just another candidate — you’ve met a verified standard.


What New Grads (or Career Changers) Should Do Right Now


  • Pick a specialization (SaaS, cybersecurity, martech, etc.) and become knowledgeable in that domain.

  • Train intentionally — don’t just watch content. Simulate calls, role-play, execute.

  • Aim for certification — it signals rigor and can open doors.

  • Build a “proof of work” portfolio — even small results, mock campaigns, or hands-on prospecting assignments help.

  • Network in sales circles — get mentors, peer groups, attend sales events.

  • Never stop learning — sales trends evolve (product, AI, messaging). You need to evolve too.


The Bottom Line


The “jobpocalypse” is real. For many entry-level roles, the floor is collapsing. But tech sales is one of the few fields where persistence, training, and performance can still push you forward.


If you combine actual skill development with a recognized standard — like ATSC Certification — you don’t just survive the jobpocalypse. You come out stronger.


The market may be shrinking in many areas, but right now is a window of opportunity for those who outwork, out-train, and out-prove their value.


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