mrman313

AE (Account Executive)

Am I screwed? Back to back short stints

basically I've swung and missed on two seed funded SaaS companies. Series A is never just right around the corner.

company 1 I actually hit quota but accounts were churning like crazy and I couldn't stand reporting to a CEO with no sales manager. never felt solid so I left after half a year

company 2 - I'm almost half a year in and have an ok pipe. 3 month sales cycle. have no sales manager still and don't see them deciding on one anytime soon. things are starting to get tense regarding the team's performance. nothing has closed yet for our territory.

what would you do?

☁️ Software Tech

29 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Why do you NEED a SM? Seems like you're doing well enough without one.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

I can survive without one. My BDRs have in 6 months have not turned in one true outbound lead. It’s not just about my own pipe but the future of the sales team and their performance.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I’m sure your company is aware of the problem and their lack of performance. Hopefully you don’t depend on a bunch of inexperienced BDRs for 100% of your leads.
It never hurts to see what else is out there but I would never quit w job without having something else lined up first.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

Yes I’m sourcing my own leads since I know how to, plus some inbounds. I just shared that as context for how the team is performing overall. While my pipe is ok and I should be somewhat close to quota, it might not be enough for the company overall if others aren’t performing .

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Look out for yourself first.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

I guess my main concern is how this looks on a resume moving forward. Is it more understandable since they are seed companies and not reputable names?

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Eventually one of the jobs would disappear from your resume and you switch to Year-Year format on the resume instead of Month/Yr-Month/Yr format. I would get rid of the first job already unless you REALLY need it on your resume.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

I see what you mean. For now though both of these jobs are my only employment through 2022.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

You stick it out. If you are uncomfortable then look for other roles on the down low, but I'd try to stick it out a year.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Dust off the resume

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

Prep for the worst and work on that resume. But I also don't see why you wouldn't be able to grind it out

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

Is this something I can explain through in my resume, if worst comes to worst? Plan is definitely to see it through, I wouldn’t leave this pipe on the table, just worried for overall organizational health.

Feels like 2 short stints would be pretty ugly on a resume

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

Definitely not a GREAT look, but I see no reason why you would not be able to address it in interviews.

I think it is similar to selling, if I know there is likely a concern for my prospect coming in, it is likely the first thing I am asking/commenting about. Just have to get in front of the objection

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You're taking risks going with seedfunded startups.

Honestly, it should be easier to explain than if you had back to back short stints with established big players. The very nature of the companies you're working for guarantees risk and churn.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Don't give up yet, keep your head down but eyes open. Maybe put some feelers out

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

You aren't screwed. As long as you can justify why you have short stints

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I don’t think it’s a blocker as I was in the same situation. Build your resume and position yourself better during your interview.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Are you going to be able to close something soon? My concern would be that you're just not getting any traction and not making any money, not that you have a bad "look" if you end up having to leave.

Out of curiosity, why are you picking such early stage companies for which to work?

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

I think so. I have a couple promising ones in the pipe where Q4 should end up ok. But say these don’t come through I think it makes sense to cut bait.

The first company was a really good fit on paper given my experience. Tbh I should have stayed and sucked it up about what I didn’t like with the regular travel to NYC they were asking.

The second stop was me taking a leap with a sales leader I was super excited about. He ended up getting let go very early on for a number of reasons.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Fair enough. And not that you made poor decisions, I was just curious. Sounds like some bad luck for you.

Let's hope those deals come through because $$ is important in this job.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

I had a tough stretch on the first startup the last couple weeks where accounts I brought on initially were beginning to churn and I couldn’t stand being attacked by my CEO every day even though I was holding the company up and closing huge logos. I think you create your own luck and I should have worked that out as we brought on a new sales leader, but I took a leap of faith for the current gig and it’s been the hardest job of my life. Especially with a technical product and sales cycle I’m just totally foreign to.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I agree with you in that yes, you definitely have a hand in your destiny. But you won't know if things would have actually been different at your previous company, and you took a risk that didn't pay off as expected. Hopefully you can land these deals, and a new position as well.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

Say you were in my shoes and you had a buddy right now at a reputable company who could refer you. Would you take that call now or see this through? I guess I see myself surviving at my current spot but I want more than that.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

Ask more/better questions in your next interview.

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

I know. I consider myself risk averse and thought I vetted both opportunities well, but people sell you what you want to hear to jump on board. Both were incorrect/false/dishonest or maybe call it just overly optimistic about their series’ A prospects. Company 1 was extrapolating a good Q4.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

Risk averse yet you are playing in start up world... ??? Isn't that the definition of risk?

mrman313

Contributor

AE (Account Executive)

Yep. Wanted to get out of my comfort zone and swing for the fences.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Stick it out but keep your feelers out.

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

Short stints are risky for sure. You really need to understand the market you are working in, before you really excel in it. So for sure, short stints would mean you're not very well versed with that particular market. So a drawback. Now try sticking to the company tho. :p

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mrman313

Am I screwed? Back to back short stints

29 comments

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