moonl

Account Executive

AE Recently let go and looking for advice for next move

Hey guys, new to Bravado and glad to be here.

I was unfortunately let go last week as part of a restructuring and I am now looking for my next move.

I have been in customer facing roles for over 13 years now with the past 4 being in SAAS first as a BDR at a big enterprise org to a MM AE at a start up for the past 3.

I believe in my skills but still believe there is room for growth as a seller, I want to be in enterprise sales within the next 3-4 years.

The advice I am looking for is do I try to find an enterprise/MM role now or scale back and try for SMB/GRB at another big org to get the training/development to set myself up for the long term.

Any advice with regards to this as well as how to go about finding the right role would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

🎈 Mentorship

🤝 Networking

🧠 Advice

21 comment

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Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Bad MFer

Sorry you got let go. Appears to be a lot of that going around.

1) Leverage your network and connections to get your next role. The market is very much about who you know and do they trust you right now. Blindly applying to LinkedIn reqs could lead to a very long frustrating job hunt.

2) if you want to move for MM to ENT you need to be a master at a couple of things. First it’s listening and learning to your customers. Forget about the product you are selling and spend time with them to fully understand the bins and outs of there business. The second skill is problem solving. If you really understand their business you can then find some really creative ways to help them improve (even if that means your not selling them your product)

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Bad MFer

Oh and welcome to the WR. Thank you for starting with an anonymous profile. +5 pts for figuring out the climate before randomly vomiting on us.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Signing off on everything Rambo said, and doubling down on the appreciation of reading the (War) Room before jumping in.

Cheers and good luck @moonl !

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Totally!! Always feels good when someone does their homework before joining :)

With RR on this. Also, would like to add that I really think no one should doubt themselves in terms of capability and what's the point of joining somewhere big to be in SMB? You may not even want to be there for long term. Find MM and ENT roles now, learn on the job. Take help from almost anyone out there in honing your skills if you feel there is a room for improvement.

Really sorry that it happened to you, really wish you all the luck. Reach out to almost everyone without a single drop of hesitation.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Great observation here. @moonl , if this kind of observation is how you go about your job, you're well on your way. The ability to read the room cannot be overrated.

QWhiz

Tycoon

Founding AE / ex-SDR

I was let go a couple of weeks back as well. Welcome to the club, and the war room. It seems like all SaaS founders' new year goals are to cut headcount costs and make their orgs more lean. So don't be super disappointed that you were let go.
In this market, I'd suggest you find the overlap between: what you're an expert at + companies/people you can trust + roles available out there. That's where your sweet spot is - even if that means that you have to go back to SMB for some time.
Your head is at the right place for setting up yourself for long-term success. Good luck and welcome to war room.

moonl

Contributor

Account Executive

Appreciate it @Revenue_Rambo @QWhiz and @jefe .

I'm leaning on my network to make intros at most firms that i'm interested in and have some calls set up that way thankfully.

Any resources you can provide on interview prep would be super helpful.

I've tried cold applying to some jobs but have been rejected almost immediately so it is rough out there.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

If you’re getting auto rejected, make sure your resume is tailored both to the role and the job description.

Jobscan can help you optimize for the ATS and get through that first layer.

You can also post a picture of your redacted resume here for feedback from fellow Savages.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Bad MFer

💯 on the resume review here.

Adding that you should also apply to jobs before they exist. Sounds crazy but stay with me a minute.

…

Research companies that recently got Series B or C funding. When you cruise their job boards you may not see sales roles.

These are the companies you want to attack. Reach out to their CRO, head of sales, VP of sales, maybe even director (but not managers).

Your outreach needs to connect their funding with a need to increase revenue which will need additional sales reps. Now connect why you are the person they should be looking for, talking to, and ultimately hiring NOW.

What you are doing is showcasing a number os skills and traits that they should be thinking about:
-Research
-Relevance
-Cold out bounding
-Needs assessment
-Solution selling
-Closing

moonl

Contributor

Account Executive

Great idea man.

Other then googling recent Series B or C funding, is there a resource already out there that would list these companies?

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Bad MFer

CrunchBase and PitchBook are good options. Should also allow you to filter by industry and location.

moonl

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks alot man, I will be sure to check these out in my search.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

If you learn one thing in the WR, it should be this. Never doubt @Revenue_Rambo. Nothing further.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

+1 to this. We have a number of really great resume mavens here. Please do. Also summoning our resident ATS expert, @Pachacuti .

medhardwaredr

Politicker

Director of Sales NA

Network is the quickest way to interviewing for roles. Start there and focus on a resume that aligns with the job description. Research the company before you interview and study interview questions prior

moonl

Contributor

Account Executive

absolutely agree. I've been leaning on my network and I have some intros lined up thankfully.

LegacySales

Politicker

Account Executive

Several thoughts:
1- Do not blame yourself, happens to EVERYONE
2- Try to really leverage your network and events for next job. I found my current one at a house party.
3- Make sure to apply to jobs and customize your resume for them.

moonl

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks man, will do.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

Prospecting your way,treat the job opportunity like a prospect

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Welcome to the shit show my friend. We have open arms here. I'm sorry you are going thru this rough time.