Sales professionals and teams are living in a fast-paced, dynamic world. Based on our hiring experts’ direct experience with clients of all sizes and candidates of all levels across 5 continents we’ve identified the following technologies impacting sales to be aware of in 2025 for your next Sales job.
The 5 top technical sales trends to watch out for in 2025!
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation
- Virtual selling
- Omnichannel sales
- Social selling
- Data-driven selling
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AutomationÂ
62% of customers expect businesses to anticipate their needs, according to global research. Happy customers are key – and both artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools are being rapidly adopted across sales teams to achieve customer satisfaction effectively at scale.Â
AI can’t replace what you do as a salesperson, but it can make what you do easier, taking on tasks to free up your time where it’s needed most.Â
According to Salesforce, one of the key ways AI can help Sales is to reduce the time it takes to nurture and convert sales leads and prioritise deals. AI tools are also changing customer service and success roles, with chatbots answering common customer enquiries. For business development, product sales and pre-sales (and many other roles), AI also helps by analysing customer data and providing the information you need to create a personal touch to selling and targeting.
Globally 68% of business leaders say AI and automation tools are already important to their overall business strategy. Researching what tools are available and keeping up with the news in this field will help your application stand out.
Recent Sales jobs listing AI and Automation as key skills include:
- Sales Engineer
- Sales Solution Specialists
- Technical Sales Specialist
- Pre Sales
- SaaS Product Sales
There is also a marked increase in job posts listing these skills for the more general sales job including;
- Salesperson
- Sales Executive
- Account Executive
- Sales Manager
- Account Manager
- Business Manager
- Sales Director
AI and Automation skills for Sales
With this technology fast developing, it’s important to stay in the loop and follow the updates as the landscape changes. The rise of AI is not just about automation but also about continuous learning. AI-driven platforms can now adapt and evolve, learning new skills and strategies over time. For example, AI tools can analyse sales conversations, identify trends, and recommend improvements based on what’s working or not. These systems enable sales teams to stay ahead of the curve by continuously enhancing their techniques, staying agile, and responding to market changes quickly.
Upskilling in AI and automation tools within your sales teams could include focused learning on data analytics to make informed decisions or using these technologies to improve communication skills for better negotiation and relationship-building. Continuous learning in these areas will help your sales career and showcase you as adaptable in an evolving landscape.
2. Virtual Selling
Flexible, hybrid and remote working has also changed the buying and selling landscape, with sales honing their outreach techniques with sales technology and CRM data. Focusing on researching and prospecting over making cold calls. According to the State of Sales survey by LinkedIn, 50% of the buyers surveyed in the UK and 68% of those surveyed in APAC stated that remote working made buying easier.
With many people working from home more frequently, and using digital tools to communicate, selling things online has become a key part of a salesperson’s repertoire. Including hosting virtual meetings, presenting on video, and demoing products online.
Virtual selling is a key part of most sales roles, but is a particular benefit to:
- Sales Representative
- Sales Development Representative
- Business Development Representative
- Global, remote or hybrid sales teams
Highlighting virtual selling skills in job applications
Highlight the platforms and touchpoints you’ve engaged with and how they’ve contributed to your virtual selling approach. Share your experiences and the outcomes achieved through virtual selling, such as successfully closing a deal or fostering a strong relationship using these techniques. For example, you might mention platforms like online marketplaces, social media channels, or video conferencing tools, and explain how these have helped you connect with customers, build rapport, and drive results.
“The paradigm shift towards virtual selling has been accelerated, with the digital realm now serving as the primary platform for interactions; sales roles are adapting to this change by honing virtual communication skills, mastering online presentation techniques, and utilising technology to establish meaningful connections with clients.”
Bianca Roos
Practice Manager for Salt South Africa
Find Sales jobs in South Africa
3. Omnichannel Sales
If you’re applying to retail or larger companies, particularly if they sell both online and off, an understanding of the omnichannel sales approach is a key differentiator. Showcase that you know how to use these different channels to talk to customers in a real and consistent way, no matter where you’re interacting with them.
Popular job titles for omnichannel sales include:
- Lead Generation Associate
- Digital Sales Executive
- Account Executive
- Media Sales Consultant
- Sales Channel Manager
- Client Manager
- Ecommerce Manager
- Sales Manager
- Account Manager
- Sales Director
Omnichannel sales in job applications
Focusing on the technology tools and techniques you’ve used to engage with customers across multiple platforms previously if you’ve been working in an omnichannel environment will help highlight experience and capability.
As well as technology skills balance this with skills such as communication, adaptability, active listening, and emotional intelligence. These skills are essential for building strong customer relationships, understanding diverse needs, and navigating the complexities of engaging with clients through various channels. Demonstrating your ability to collaborate effectively, problem-solve, and maintain a customer-centric approach will further showcase your ability to thrive in an omnichannel sales role.
4. Social Selling
According to LinkedIn, 78% of social sellers outsell peers who don’t use social media. Social media doesn’t replace human connection, it enhances it. With social platforms, you can build relationships around the world, engaging in real-time with a real understanding of their interests and values. Converting more prospects, and standing out to future employers.Â
Social Media and industry sites and channels also provide multiple ways to keep tabs on the areas that interest you as the narrative takes shape. You’re able to gain valuable insights into your market, industry and field of work, as well as track competitors’ activities and stay ahead of emerging market trends as they develop.
Sales roles where social selling is a key skill listed in job postings:
- Business Development Representative
- Sales Development Representative
- Salesperson
- Sales Specialist
- Sales Consultant
- Sales Executive
- Account Executive
- Sales Manager
- Key Account Manager
Showcase your social selling and networking abilities
When applying, let your profile demonstrate your brand and network. If you have been social selling and networking then your profiles should speak for themselves. For those less confident – here’s how to stand out on LinkedIn. You can also highlight social selling as a skill in your applications to go beyond the number of connections or followers. It’s not how many people you know, it’s who. Provide examples of influential contacts, connections, or audiences you can reach. Share strategies you’ve liked using to increase brand visibility and how they’ve helped prospects convert.
5. Data-Driven Selling
Data-driven selling is all about analysing your customers’ behaviour to better understand their needs, and to better sell your solution to their pain point. Linkedin’s Career Pathing for Salespeople report found that 85% of sellers agree understanding buyer intent is integral to the success of their sales strategy.
The ability to use data to your advantage as a salesperson is something hiring managers will look for, and this skill will only increase in value over time. Gartner anticipates that, by 2025, 60% of B2B sales organisations will transition from intuition based selling to data-driven selling. With more use of AI tools, ensuring accurate data and understanding how to leverage it, are crucial across the sales landscape.
Popular job titles for data-driven sales
- eCommerce Analyst
- Sales Operations Analyst
- Channel Sales Market Analyst
- Sales Strategy Analyst
Use customer data to better meet their needs
By sharing the ways you’ve used data to inform your sales strategies and approaches, you demonstrate to potential employers that you’re not just adept at traditional sales techniques but also well-versed in modern tools and approaches. Share platforms and data sources you’ve used and how. Follow key voices in your market or industry to get ideas about what to analyse and how, as well as their summaries of trends and insights as they happen.
How to stand out as an amazing Sales professional
Here is some further reading to help you showcase your sales prowess in your job applications and interview to land you the role you’ve been searching for!
- Customise your CV:
Write a great CV for 2024 - Write a great cover letter:
Salt’s guide to a great cover letter - Get noticed online:
How to update your LinkedIn to get noticed - Ace your next interview:
How to prepare for your next job interview - The most in demand sales skills:
What employers look for in their sales hires
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