Help me decide my next career move

If you'd like to read some historic posts that give a little color surrounding my current role and the situations that have arisen, I've linked past posts below.


My current 3 options:

  • Stay in current role and ride out my PIP that lasts until December. Current company swings between toxic AF and most fun place I’ve ever worked. This place truly embodies the ‘work hard play hard’ mentality (we’re talking company-wide vacations, strip club trips, benders, etc. but also the expectation of 60-hour weeks as the minimum). The goal post moves constantly, no training, and legitimate narcissism at the top. However, the money is better than anywhere I’ve ever been and I’m finally starting to pick up on the product after just over a year of drowning in “figuring it out myself”. I wasn’t assigned an actual quota until I was put on my PIP, and I’m not allowed to go after enterprise deals any more even though that’s background. Biggest question-mark is that at EOY they have the ability to fire me if I don’t meet the arbitrary metrics they set in the PIP (some of which haven’t even been clearly defined to me yet) so zero job-security. If I survive my PIP however- I’ve got a few deals on deck that will pay out about $100k to me in mid 2022.


  • Take a SaaS role that is less base, less OTE- but I believe the OTE is actually achievable (whereas my current role I don’t believe so). I’ve never been in SaaS, I’ve never sold completely remote (this role has zero face to face interaction with customers or colleagues outside of conventions/seminars), and I’ve never been fully WFH. Never made a career of phone-cold calls as my calling has always been in-person with phone follow ups. Not sure if I’d like it, not sure if I’d be good at it. However, it’s a more secure spot than what I have currently. Set expectations, higher career potential to get into something else after a good 1-2years of high performance, no drunk bosses calling you names, but also no office or client camaraderie. Doesn't excite me, but maybe a means to an end?


  • Wait out my PIP, and if I get fired, take a role more similar to what I’ve been accustomed to. Lower paying, lower long-term potential but it’s a guaranteed job if I lose mine in Dec and it’s something I’ve got a track record in being a high-performer at. I’d be given the ability to build out the entire sales division from processes to hiring a team as needed to accommodate growth. This business has doubled YoY since 2018, but it’s still a hardware and service company with an average sale of $20k and comp structure would be on the profit per sale.


Would love to hear the thoughts of the WR! I’m really torn and my SaaS offer expires soon- I just cant decide if taking that is a step backward in my career, or if sometimes a step back is necessary to get two steps forward.


https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/employment-law-are-they-trying-to-get-me-to-quit-instead-of-firing-me

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/advice-needed-my-boss-keeps-taking-my-deals

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/boss-keeps-taking-my-deals-update

🧠 Advice
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
🎯 Career Development
19
CuriousFox
WR Officer
8
🦊
I have questions. How can you be on a PIP with no clear metrics to hit? Are you set up for failure? Why would you sell something to give that company credit if you aren't going to be there to reap the rewards? Am I asking too many questions?
UserNotFound
Politicker
2
Account Executive
No, these are good! I have no idea how you can put someone on a PIP without metrics. But, here we are. I was never presented with any QEBs, just a 'you should be able to sell ____' in the interview process and that was never brought up again. Yes, I do believe I'm set up for failure- but I hate to fail so much that the idea of quitting while on a PIP just kills me. Like, I'd rather quit as the best rep that's ever existed instead of someone feeling like 'good riddance'. 

Why sell something to give them that credit... because I cannot stomach being a loser. Lol. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
I mean I get your point. Hopefully you are looking for other opportunities. I just don't see how you can survive a PIP when there aren't clear metrics of how to keep your job.
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
So, do I take the job in front of me? It's new, and I'm not averse to trying new things... but I'm not in love with the job. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
I can't make that decision for you babe. Try writing it all out in a list. Sometimes looking at facts and pros/cons helps snap your brain into making a decision instead of being caught up in emotion. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Lol, DAMNIT! I really want someone to decide for me... 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
❤❤🦊
Cornholio
Opinionated
5
Account Executive
After reading your past posts, this is a tough situation. I would usually agree that you need to enjoy the commission and try and learn. But it now genuinely sounds like they’re trying to push you out even though you’re their in for these big accounts. This fact that you’re on a PIP without any real plan to get you there and that is very ambiguous is a huge red flag. I would consult with an attorney right away to have your bases covered. It sounds like you have some great connections and you have a four month runway to make a move. So I would be more deliberate and really start putting yourself out there with recruiters and connections since it sounds like you have a good network. It sounds like the leadership here is younger and very short sided and probably don’t realize they are potentially creating a situation where they could get sued. As the year draws down and you have your ducks in a row and you want to stay. It may be worth having a “come to Jesus” meeting with HR and your managers lay it all out there and see what they do. Also call your connections at the companies they want to get into and tell them you’re leaving on bad terms. It honestly sounds like they just used you to get into these major accounts and get some credibility without plans to keep you on long term.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
Talking to an attorney is a great piece of advice for this situation. I'm no lawyer, but it's definitely fucked up.
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Yes, leadership is young and inexperienced- but unwilling to admit that. Great perspective, thank you! I don't know about consulting with an attorney because I don't really have the luxury of time to do that since this other role that is closer to comparable in earnings has an offer that expires soon. 
privateryan
Politicker
1
Director of Sales
Yea, I think perhaps some legit legal advice is in order. Something smells fishy..
FeedTheKids
Politicker
3
Solutions Consultant
I am here to make the decision for you amigo.... Make the jump. 

Sales is rough - sometimes it takes moving around a bit to find that perfect fit (that many of us in WR have found through our careers) 

Might not be the perfect fit, but doors will open organically and over time things will work out. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Love it- might not be the perfect place, but could be perfect for the next season in my career.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
3
Rolling 20's all day
From everything I've read, I would look elsewhere. I know you want to quit while you're on top, but you have to know when to cut your losses. 
Quality of life is more than just money. Look for companies that will treat you well, pay well, and give you room to grow. There is no perfect company, but there are those that will cause you less stress. 
Honestly, just the fact that you're on a PIP with undefined metrics is reason alone to go elsewhere. That is the complete opposite of professionalism and leaves you open to being fired for any little reason.
One last thing - We all hear the horror stories of closing huge accounts and then being let go before the commission comes in. In the way your company operates the way you described, I would not put this outside the realm of possibility to screw you over from $100K.
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
My head tells me you’re right, but it’s just so many potential zeros to walk away from. 😩
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
That is true, but nothing in life is guaranteed. And remember, this is IF you survive your PIP (which isn't defined well) and then the deals actually close, which in a pandemic landscape shit is constantly changing so it can be hard to count on something that far out. 
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Hey @AnonymousSource sorry to hear about what you're going through.

Really depends upon whats important to you - making more money or having mental peace.

I always prefer the latter but at the same time I make sure the earning I'd have (if not a lumpsum) exceeds my expectations. 
Closeitalready
Valued Contributor
2
Head of Sales
None of the options to be honest. Plenty of time till December to find a job/company that you truly would like to have or be a part of, but don't just sit it out and wait to be fired be ready for December and find a few other options till then. I would not stay in a company were I don't get clear metrics to master the PIP, like wtf?! 

I would do option B, but that could go wrong as hell for you if you never made cold calling and remote meetings. That's something you have to imagine and see if this would be for you. I have seen so many people who said "yah I can do that" and then cried because they had to call so much. I personally can't imagine in person meetings - yikes - not efficient at all, in the time from going to one in person meeting to another I could close a few deals instead. But that is something personal where you have to think about it. 
happyhunter
Politicker
2
spittin' sunshine
I am super fresh in my career so I can't illicit expert advice. That being said, your current position doesn't seem sustainable long term. So it's really how much longer you can manage the good and the bad before you are fully ready to make a change. 

Is it now with this Saas opportunity or is it in 6 months? Looks like you have some thinking to do this weekend! Whatever decision you make will be the right one so don't stress too hard!!!
softwaresails
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
If it was me, I'd leave. They don't seem to really know what they are doing.
LordBusiness
Politicker
1
Chief Revenue Officer
If you have to ask, should I make the move; then you likely should make the move. Get into software, technology has a way of pushing through recessions and economic downtime.
TheDuchess
Opinionated
1
Sales Enablement Queen
I’d leave if I were you - too many ‘if’s’. -if I can survive the PIP -if I can close these deals -if the company stays in the ‘most fun’ state instead of ‘most toxic’ Asking the right questions at interviews for other roles can help you avoid these things. -what’s the average rep quota attainment on the new team? -is commission capped or uncapped/what did their top performer make last year? -what training is provided in onboarding and ongoing? -what is the average rep tenure at the company? There are so many companies out there that do provide the right kind of support to make you successful AND exceed quota. There are even companies that use PIPs in the right way - holding managers just as accountable if you fail or succeed and setting clear metrics and steps to get you back on track. Sounds like you are looking for certainty in your role. Sales obviously comes with high risk which is part of the thrill, however the more certainty you can get from a company and management perspective, the more you can focus on just crushing your number!
cw95
Politicker
1
Sales Development Lead
Which ever role makes you want to get out of bed and do the work!
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Sales is rough - sometimes it takes moving around a bit to find that perfect fit (that many of us in WR have found through our careers) 
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
After reading your past posts, this is a tough situation.
Wildcard
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Don't leave. Make sure you have a few months worth of expenses saved up. Let the company fire you, don't do it for them.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
From everything I've read, I would look elsewhere. I know you want to quit while you're on top, but you have to know when to cut your losses.
Quality of life is more than just money. Look for companies that will treat you well, pay well, and give you room to grow. There is no perfect company, but there are those that will cause you less stress.
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