CareerInertia

Sales Director

Career Inertia

I spent the last 15 years working at the same company (part time through university followed up by full time after).

Joined as a sales executive, worked remotely and then set up an office in the Middle East.

Eventually worked my way up and have done everything from hiring and training down to account management, upselling, cross selling and forecasting.

Worked well until the management decided to stay human focused in the age of AI, which is making the product near impossible to sell (imagine a company that provides done for your graphic design options, is 100 outbound, has no real brand or relationships, and is stagnant at $5M in revenue for the last 4 years with a steady decline as customer shift to DFY AI design options which are cheap and extremely competitive).

Nothing wrong with staying resource intensive, but the issue is that the service we provide is elementary at best, and is ripe for disruption.

This lack of investment makes the offer archaic, and I want to now look at other opportunities (hence why I'm here).

I need your advice, dear sales people.

For a person who has worked with a somewhat unknown brand, how should one go about looking hire-able?

I'm adept at cold calling to keynotes, which sort of makes me a jack of all trades (and indeed a master of none).

I have sold to F500, including government, and won against F500 suppliers merely through hard work and networking.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

What books/courses/up-skilling areas would you recommend I should consider?

How to present yourself as enterprise ready (I've sold to the enterprise and competed successfully against them and sold to a similar ICP), but haven't worked for one.

Thank you for your time in advance.

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14 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

4

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

If you are looking to leave your company, Focus your CV on your accomplishments. If you’re not looking to leave, focus your sales efforts on the value add you bring to the client beyond just cheap graphics.

CareerInertia

Contributor

0

Sales Director

I am inclined to leaving the company as I seem to have outgrown the learnings that this would brought.

Also I was 'promised' equity which never happened so focusing on the CV it is.

Thank you

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

exactly! and then spread it around. also do recruiters (although they get a bad rep they can bring some great opportunities to you)

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

No books or classes are going to get you interviews. Do you know what you want to do? Start looking for positions at companies that interest you and start applying & networking into those companies.

CareerInertia

Contributor

1

Sales Director

Fairly well aware of that (resources/books/classes), which is primarily why I'm resorting to crowdsourcing a way out of this.

Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure. I believe I'm inclined to work for a company that has an established brand as that's one thing I believe I've always lacked working with smaller companies.
And the second requirement would be having something genuinely great to sell.
Most of my experience has been with generic outsourcing that saves resources (human/$$$), and that can only go so far in customizing the pitch or making a grand slam offer. If I'm a digital agency, I can do a no-nonsense review, do an SEO audit, post on your behalf for a month or have a team of VAs do your stuff for a month - and none of that makes us unique/standout, and we remain easily switchable so no real longevity on that end.

I've applied through different networking sites and all and primarily LinkedIn - don't even make it through the initial screening. Tried dumbing the CV down too. It's just that when you've worked in a company for more than a decade, you just appear unhireable/not coachable? This is a theory.
Also I'm between Dubai and Pakistan - and most jobs listed for US/CA say remote but need you to still be there. Which is wierd.
Thank you though. I appreciate you chiming in on this.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

5

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

The requirement to be in US/CAN is most likely due to how employees are paid. Companies are unlikely to set up a whole payroll operation, managing specific taxes and requirements in another country, for a single employee. You will be served better if you can target companies that may be based in the US but have an office presence in your country. Then network into that company’s employees. Just ask them about what it’s like to work there, what they are looking for, anything that can help you determine if it will be a good fit.<br><br>I think you’re also getting hung up on your own credentials. You do have a bit of an uphill battle based on the services you’ve been selling if you’re trying to move into something else, like tech, but build yourself a chart of where your skills map to skills required in the new market you’re targeting. Don’t focus so much on what you don’t have as what you can bring.<br><br>The other thing is that this is a difficult time to find work across the board. You’re not alone - so much of this may be the overall global economic situation more so than you personally. You’ll need to be persistent. Fortunately right now, you are able to look while still employed. I’ll say good for you for recognizing the challenge your current employer is facing and looking out for yourself.

oldcloser

Arsonist

4

💀

I read the post the same way. Seems you feel that your future prospects are hampered by the name of the company you’re working for. While you might not get, “shit! This guy worked for X brand!” It’s all in the narrative you spin in your resume.

A 15 year stint with progressive roles and responsibilities is unique and very valuable. Employers are looking for this… precisely this. If you position the company as a marketing solutions provider, you’ll get a broader scope of opportunities.

This is the hard part when you’ve been in one place that long. You’ve got to find the value in your personal career story and merchandise it. This doesn’t sound the least bit hopeless to me. Good luck!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Yeah - I don’t take longevity with growth as a bad thing either. I think there’s a great opportunity to use this to showcase your value and contribution to the success of your company.

jefe

Arsonist

2

🍁

Agreed.
Avoid the self limiting thoughts and ensuing behaviours.
Craft a compelling narrative on how you can deliver value and how what you've done matches up with what you want to do. The chart bunny mentioned could be a great tool for this.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

3

ERP Sales

Being able to talk through all prior success and how it’s repeatable

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

1

🐺

Talk about your successes in your resume. It sounds like you’ve practically built the company

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

1

Director of Revenue

I wouldn't sweat working at an unknown company. If anything, it should be a strength, selling to people that have never heard of your company or product.

SaaSguy

Tycoon

0

Account Executive

Dude, just apply to jobs and tell the story above. You have 15 years experience, im 100% sure you can land a role and get paid more. Don't overcomplicate or self narrate.

lowhangersalesbanger

Executive

0

Account Executive

Focus on your accomplishments and find a startup that is looking for an experienced and well tenured DOS for their team. They will appreciate the most that you have shown you can stay somewhere for more than 2 years.

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