what are your thoughts so far? going to quit and start a new path?
or maybe double down and become a VP somewhere?
or are some of us just treading water.
For those that have been in sales for 5 years
12
5 years isn’t long enough to be a VP. You’re 5-10 years away.
Depends, in the Bay Area, they seem a dime a dozen
Hence why they have high turnover
Exactly. The kind of thinking in this post is what really makes people doubt themselves.
with you pbc. Pushing for VP after 5 years sounds like job insecurity to me.
And ego fragility. It’s okay to be an IC or manager/director until you’re ready with the proper perspective and career maturity.
I'm 5 years in exactly. I've been laid off, i've been on presidents club couple times, #1 on my team, won awards, made a bunch of money some years made absolute shit money in comparison on others, treated great and loved sales, treated shitty and hated it, been PIP'd. 4 different roles, bunch of managers have come and gone. Its been a wild 5 years lol.
My answer would be, i'm treading water trying to figure out next moves.
Do I stay in and get back on my feet and then try and move up which doesn't appeal to me even though I think I would do a great job as a leader, not a manager but i'm too young.
Do I get out/pivot to channel or renewals/customer success/sales specialist. OR completely get out of corporate world entirely.
Idk yet, unfortunately. Leaning towards getting out completely from corporate and just having a AE job for the time being to hold me over until that comes to more of a reality.
My answer would be, i'm treading water trying to figure out next moves.
Do I stay in and get back on my feet and then try and move up which doesn't appeal to me even though I think I would do a great job as a leader, not a manager but i'm too young.
Do I get out/pivot to channel or renewals/customer success/sales specialist. OR completely get out of corporate world entirely.
Idk yet, unfortunately. Leaning towards getting out completely from corporate and just having a AE job for the time being to hold me over until that comes to more of a reality.
I feel this, the CS has me interested.
Parts of me just want a remote job and work abroad haha
Parts of me just want a remote job and work abroad haha
Is there a 40 year + category for this? If so, I'm just not sure what I'm gonna do.
.
Keep working hard man you’ll find your way soon I’m sure of it.
Making great money as an IC. Have managed people and it’s not that great. Typically more pressure and less money managing people until hit a VP role. Even as a VP, there have been plenty of years I made more than the VPs above me.
I like freedom of being individual contributors and the fact that we are less likely to be canned every 14-18 months like a director of sales or shitty underperforming VP. I’m planning staying where I am as long as I can. Will take on a team as my current company grows but still want a number on my head so I get that commission.
I like freedom of being individual contributors and the fact that we are less likely to be canned every 14-18 months like a director of sales or shitty underperforming VP. I’m planning staying where I am as long as I can. Will take on a team as my current company grows but still want a number on my head so I get that commission.
I’ve managed in the past, but have been very contentedly an IC for years. Occasionally I’ll be treading water, but that’s because sales is cyclical, and down periods suck!
I too thought I was ready for the VP mantle when I had 5 years sales experience.
And when I had 10 years, I knew I didn't have enough experience to be a real VP of Sales in a real company.
When I had 15 years exp, I didn't care any longer but I thought there's more money in managing other people.
And when I got to 20 I realized there's more happiness just managing my own problems then in managing other's problems.
Problems are that comp doesnt match the impact.
If you work really hard, put in the extra hours, and push yourself - the owner is going to buy a Ferrari due to your efforts.
If you work really hard, put in the extra hours, and push yourself - the owner is going to buy a Ferrari due to your efforts.
I've been in sales a little over 9 years. These past 7+ months since I lost my last job have made me really reconsider whether I'm truly cut out for this type of job. Thing is, I don't have any talent or skills outside of this to really do anything else (though it seems I don't have the talent or skillset to do this either).
So I guess I'm just treading water. Though barely. Doing Uber 6-8 hours a day isn't a great way to make a living, let me tell you.
So I guess I'm just treading water. Though barely. Doing Uber 6-8 hours a day isn't a great way to make a living, let me tell you.
This is the dilemma i'm afraid of. Being X years in and having no other experience or skills to make a move.
This was insightful, I keep seeing people move over to CS, which I initially thought was computer science haha
Yeah, and I've applied for CS/AM roles too. The thing is I really enjoy prospecting and selling to new clients. But the market is incredibly competitive, and I've tapped out every resource I have in looking for a new job.
I'm going to keep on being an IC.
Keep on, keeping on
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