Career change as a sales representative

Career change paths

• Head of sales

  Also: Field sales team leader

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As head of sales you lead a team in the field or in the office, set targets and territories, plan prices and promotions, and report to management.

  What you bring:

  You know customers, markets and closing deals from hands-on experience, and you know what makes a sales conversation work.

  How to get there:

  This is usually an internal promotion after several successful years, often by taking on responsibility for a region or a key account team. Alongside your job, further training courses at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) can strengthen your application: certified senior business specialist (Wirtschaftsfachwirt) or certified senior specialist for marketing (Fachwirt für Marketing). Both can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Large companies more often expect a university degree for heads of sales.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €7,515gross per monthMedian salary

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• Real estate agent

  Also: Sales representative at a property developer

  With on-the-job training

  In real estate brokerage you appraise properties, prepare property brochures, hold viewings and support buyers and sellers up to the notary appointment.

  What you bring:

  You win customers, take sales conversations through to closing and organize your own schedule.

  How to get there:

  You can start at brokerage offices, property developers or the real estate subsidiaries of banks. They provide on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), usually lasting a few weeks to a few months. Courses of a few weeks teach you the basics of property valuation, tenancy law and purchase contracts. If you become self-employed, you need a permit under § 34c of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO). A recognized qualification is the further training course for certified senior real estate specialist (Immobilienfachwirt), which you can take alongside your job. To be admitted, you need three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) plus two years of work experience in the real estate industry.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

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• Buyer

  Also: Strategic buyer

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you select suppliers, negotiate prices and delivery terms, conclude framework agreements and secure the supply of goods and materials.

  What you bring:

  You know negotiations, pricing and terms from the sales side, and you know how suppliers argue their case.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in purchasing, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months. Product knowledge from your industry is an advantage, and the switch often works out within your own company or with a former customer. Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified senior specialist for purchasing (Fachwirt für Einkauf), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) you are admitted directly.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staffing coordinator

  Also: Recruitment consultant

  With on-the-job training

  In recruitment or temporary staffing you win client companies, look for suitable candidates, interview them and look after them during their assignments.

  What you bring:

  You are used to holding conversations, finding out what clients need and closing deals against targets, including by phone.

  How to get there:

  Staffing agencies give new staffing coordinators a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and teach them labor law and temporary agency work law (Arbeitnehmerüberlassung). Winning new customers is a core part of the job there. Later, you can take the further training course for certified senior specialist for personnel services (Personaldienstleistungsfachwirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) alongside your job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,046gross per monthMedian salary

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• Sales trainer

  Also: Sales coach

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a sales trainer you train field and inside sales teams in conversation skills, negotiation and customer retention, either in-house at a company or for training providers.

  What you bring:

  You have held many sales conversations, you know the typical objections and you know what new colleagues need to learn.

  How to get there:

  People usually move into training after several successful years in sales, often starting by training new colleagues in-house. Trainer courses from private providers take a few weeks to a few months. A recognized qualification is the further training course for certified vocational and continuing education trainer (Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagoge) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It requires work experience and the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung). You can also work freelance as a trainer, and then your workload can vary a lot.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,254gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT account representative

  Also: Software account manager

  With on-the-job training

  As an account manager you look after business customers, present software or IT solutions and work with technical experts who clarify the details.

  What you bring:

  You are good at winning new customers, analyzing needs and negotiating, and these skills matter just as much when selling software and IT services.

  How to get there:

  You can start at software providers or IT system integrators, with product training that usually lasts a few weeks to a few months. Basic technical understanding and a willingness to learn are expected. The path can begin in inside sales or in cold calling to win new customers.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible

  €6,745gross per monthMedian salary

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• Sales consultant

  Also: Customer management consultant

  With on-the-job training

  As a consultant, you help companies organize their sales, set up performance metrics and open up new markets.

  What you bring:

  You know sales processes, customer systems and typical weaknesses in field sales.

  How to get there:

  Consulting firms hire experienced salespeople. Working freelance usually only pays once you have references and regular clients. Knowledge of common customer systems is helpful.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of customer service

  Also: Service manager

  With on-the-job training

  As head of customer service, you manage service technicians, spare parts and maintenance contracts and make sure customers stay satisfied.

  What you bring:

  You know the products, the customers and what they complain about after the purchase.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers like to fill service management positions with experienced people from sales or technology and train them in service processes. Leadership experience is usually expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLots of contact with people

  €7,515gross per monthMedian salary

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• Payroll accountant

  Also: Payroll clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In payroll accounting you calculate wages and salaries and report social insurance and wage tax.

  What you bring:

  You work precisely with figures, deadlines and accounting software and handle data confidentially.

  How to get there:

  Take a payroll course at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or a training provider. It usually takes a few months. You also get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the payroll software. You keep building your knowledge of social insurance and wage tax law on the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Credit controller

  Also: Credit management clerk

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In credit management you check customers' creditworthiness, set credit limits and manage open claims.

  What you bring:

  From accounts receivable you know incoming payments, dunning and the customers who regularly pay late.

  How to get there:

  This is usually an internal promotion from accounts receivable, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Part-time courses in credit management take a few weeks to a few months. Commercial training and experience with dunning are generally expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,219gross per monthMedian salary

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• Insurance agent

  Also: Insurance broker

  With further training

  As an insurance intermediary you advise private or business customers on protection and planning ahead, arrange suitable contracts and look after your existing customers, including when they file a claim.

  What you bring:

  You win new customers, find out what they need and guide conversations through to a signed contract.

  How to get there:

  To sell insurance you need to pass the expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses take a few weeks. If you are self-employed, you also need a permit from the IHK and professional liability insurance. As a tied agent of one insurer you do not need your own permit, but the company usually requires the same exam. After that, you must complete 15 hours of further training per calendar year.*Regulated by law (§ 34d Trade Regulation Act (GewO), Insurance Intermediary Ordinance (VersVermV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,797gross per monthMedian salary

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• Marketing specialist

  Also: Product manager

  With further training

  In marketing or product management you plan campaigns, trade fairs and sales materials, monitor the market and develop offers together with the sales team.

  What you bring:

  From many customer conversations you know which arguments work, what competitors offer and which products are in demand.

  How to get there:

  The switch often works within your own company, for example by moving first into product marketing or trade fair marketing. Some jobs require a university degree, but practical knowledge from sales is useful. You can earn a recognized qualification alongside your job with the further training course for certified senior specialist for marketing (Fachwirt für Marketing), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). To be admitted, you need three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) and one year of marketing-related work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,385gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technology teacher at a vocational school

  Also: Business teacher at a vocational school

  With a degree

  You teach trainees and students at technical colleges (Fachschulen) in technology, business or health.

  What you bring:

  With a technical or science degree, you bring specialist knowledge that vocational schools need.

  How to get there:

  Depending on the federal state, university graduates with a master's or diploma degree are admitted through the alternative route into teaching (Seiteneinstieg) and complete a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) alongside work, usually lasting 18 to 24 months. Each state decides for itself which degree subjects are recognized.*Regulated by law (State law: teacher education acts and alternative-route regulations of the German states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €5,140gross per monthMedian salary

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• Financial accountant

  Also: Balance sheet accountant

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a financial or balance sheet accountant you prepare monthly and annual closings, look after value-added tax, and work together with tax advisers and auditors.

  What you bring:

  You post receipts, reconcile accounts, and know accounting software and deadlines from everyday work.

  How to get there:

  You can take the further training course for certified balance sheet accountant (Bilanzbuchhalter) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes about two years alongside a job and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with completed three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung). Without it you need at least five years of work experience, mainly in finance and accounting. As an intermediate step there are shorter courses for financial accountants.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tax assistant (Steuerfachangestellte)

  Also: Accountant in a tax firm

  With retraining

  In a tax firm you do the bookkeeping for different clients, prepare payroll, and prepare tax returns and closings.

  What you bring:

  You know account assignment, value-added tax and accounting programs from the company.

  How to get there:

  Tax firms also hire experienced accounting staff directly for client bookkeeping. The recognized qualification is vocational training (Ausbildung) as tax assistant (Steuerfachangestellte), which takes three years, or usually about two years as retraining (Umschulung). The Chamber of Tax Advisers (Steuerberaterkammer) is responsible for the exam. Later you can take the further training course for certified senior tax specialist (Steuerfachwirt).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,710gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tax officer (Finanzwirt)

  Also: Tax secretary at the tax office

  With vocational training

  At the tax office you process tax returns, check information and issue tax notices.

  What you bring:

  You know receipts, accounts and value-added tax from the companies' point of view and work precisely according to rules.

  How to get there:

  You do the preparatory service for the mid-level civil service of the tax administration, usually for two years, with pay during training. You usually need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss), or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) together with vocational training (Berufsausbildung). Age limits and hiring dates differ by state, and some tax offices also hire employees with commercial training under collective pay agreements (Tarif).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,615gross per monthMedian salary

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• Team leader accounting

  Also: Head of financial accounting

  With a degreePromotion

  As team leader or head of accounting you assign tasks, check closings and are the contact for the management and tax advisers.

  What you bring:

  You know all the processes from the invoice to the outgoing payment and know where errors arise.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there through the certified balance sheet accountant qualification (Bilanzbuchhalter) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and several years of experience, often starting as a deputy. In small and medium-sized companies, leading the accounting department without a university degree is common, while corporations more often expect a degree.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €8,334gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.