KnightKingORL

Account Executive

How early is TOO early to leave a job?

What's up fam? So I made the move to a Lab Sales role from a SMB Software AE Role with a top company. In short, I realize 5x more work isn't worth a slight increase in pay and life on the road is not a long term career move I look forward to. (Save yourself from the "you should've thought about that before you took the job" speech).

But I'm 3 months into the role, do not see myself in this industry long term, and realized the grass ain't always greener. Is it too early to call it quits and start interviewing for tech sales positions or even my old role back?

Would also appreciate any advice from anyone who's made a jump similar to this!

☁️ Software Tech

💉 Medical

🎯 Career Development

31 comment

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Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

@KnightKingORL: Let's paint a picture.

You're in a movie. Your job is the villain. 3 months in, you've already seen the plot twist. What do you do? Wait for the climax, or cut to the chase?

You already know that lab sales gig isn't your jam. Maybe skip to the part where you're the hero of a new tech sales flick?

"But what do I say in the next interview, Gasty?" Valid concern.Have a narrative in place. Spin the gig as a wild adventure where you learned what blows your hair back.

Remember. It's your movie. You're the Hero. Direct it the way you want. And it's ok. Every good film has a couple of plot twists.

Filth

Tycoon

Live Filthy or Die Clean

Life is just@Gasty's movie and we're all actors in it.

lajefa

Good Citizen

Enterprise Account Executive

Best answer ever.

KnightKingORL

Executive

Account Executive

Love this.

ecroson

Personal Narrative

Head of Sales

Great movie analogy! If you ain’t feeling it with the company already, seek greener pastures. It’s almost like dating as well. And yes, definitely have a narrative in place when asked. Most reasonable companies and recruiters would understand your wild adventure (in my personal experience) if explained with specifics and examples. We only have so much time on this planet in our starring role.

The other adds I would contribute is of course don’t make a habit of it with each further job with a three month stint. Then you might come off as too picky, finicky, flaky. Also, try and do as much preemptive research before your next interviews to learn as much about the company as possible through LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc.

Mix in questions during the interviews with TAM/recruiters and your would-be direct report about OTE pay, activity, expectations, culture etc… you have just as much right to have an understanding about what you’re getting into with a company as they do with considering you joining them.

Also consider networking with other reps at the target company prior to the offer phase, and begin some dialogue with them, such as LinkedIn messaging, to get a feel of the company. Obviously pay is a touchy subject as each person might be paid differently based on experience and tenure, but at least you can get a feel for the work environment, the workload, the potential.

All the world is a stage, best of luck finding a happy home, you can do it.

RelationshipMaker

Opinionated

Head of Sales

"Every good film has a couple of plot twists". This.
Perfect response.

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

It's never too early but don't quit until you have something else lined up. Call your old company up and see if they'll bring you back on if you have to.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

I've left a job in 3 weeks when I realized my boss was micromanaging antisemitic. If you hate it, start looking, and leave it off your resume.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Micromanaging, sure, it’s everywhere. But anti-semitism, this still lives at work?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Yep

Small team who would all grab lunch together. Guy used multiple slurs over the course of the week.

I called back my old company, ate crow, and stopped showing up at the other place.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Infuriating.

DataSlangah

Politicker

SAE

There are only two things I can't stand in the world: People intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

JK - Antisemitism is fucked. I wouldn't blame you for leaving.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Don’t know about ‘how early’ because I have seen people leaving in a few days as well. If you are not happy and know it’s not long term, prepare now. Just don’t leavebefore securing a new one. All the best !

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I have left after just a month.

Just make make sure you have somewhere else to go first.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

No shame. It’ll fall off your resume. Go.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Get your next gig lined up and make the jump. And don’t beat yourself up too much for taking the leap. Sometimes you have to experience things for yourself. It’s ok. Good luck.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

I’ve always gone by the adage that a quick no has value. You knew early on that it was an issue, but you are going to have to explain why you took the job and the reason you left in future interviews (only if you keep it on your resume).

Space_Ghost20

Executive

Account Executive

If it's a one time thing, leave as soon as you feel comfortable. I would just try to avoid taking any kind of risk in the next position you take, because you don't want to have two or three of these short stints in a row. That's when you risk being untouchable (in the bad way).

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

I wouldn't judge a new role I took until at least 6-12 months.
Things in Sales are massively dynamic as you might find a change outta nowhere that probably makes you changing your mind to stick to the role.
Even if not, feel free to jump ship after those 6 to 12, as IMO this sounds more reasonable to me for judging a company after giving it some good time,and certainly do what you can see right prior to that duration or even after, good luck!

QWhiz

Tycoon

Founding AE / ex-SDR

Never too early. In your case, you should leave it asap!

Link

Executive

Regional Sales Rep

There’s no better time to search for a new gig, than when you’re already in one

KingofGIF

Politicker

12 hours, I made the mistake of leaving late a few years back (8-9 months-ish). I think about building a time machine every other day to stop myself from working there after 3 months, which is when I realized the place was not what I was promised

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Get a new job and leave that one as soon as you can.

Field sales sucks.
Med sales sucks and is extremely competitive. Live the 60 hours worked and its Wed lifestyle.
You can make great money, but yes, you have to work very hard for it and truly be the CEO of your area.

SalesPharaoh

Big Shot

Senior Account Executive

Im with the school of thought if it is not for you then leave the sooner the better fam for you and for the people you work with.

But of course, only leave when you have an offer in place.

Im seeing the world being more and more forgiving with short tenure of people for instance we just hired a giy who worked for 6 month in each of his last two jobs.

Co-fondateur

You should leave ASAP… but before, I would advise you to think it through, be sure about your next move.
Don’t forget guys, we are in a field that requires mental happiness. If you aren’t happy you won’t perform, if you don’t perform, you don’t make money, if you don’t make money you aren’t happy… full circle…

Sales Specialist

Med sales rep, currently selling into labs. Like a previous comment says you are truly the CEO of your book of business, which in my opinion is a great way to develop your business acumen and grow as a professional. It is hard the first year or two, but once you develop relationships, understand your company internally and your product you will gain more work life balance. You can even start to win deals working from home. That being said you do have to put in some long hours and face time to build report.

Valueselling

Member

Managing Director

Hello KnightKing ORL

The fact that you have realised that the result you get is not worth the effort makes a god sign to me as having reflection in your new job.

What I would suggest is to take into account what recruiters and hiring managers don't like and it is having a candidate running away from a situation or not being patient enough, because there is nothing that prevents the candidate to do the same if hired.

Likewise, the country you work at is very relevant. In France, Italy, Spain and Germany, have a worker protection that makes the workers stay longer. Not the case in the UK or the US so it is relevant you take this comment depending on the geography.

As someone commented, you have to have a good story, related to your development, learning, company value, etc, you might have found and you don't consider that a longer stage will add value to your career. That is always understandable but avoid references to "long working hours, poor pay" because that means you are money driven and there can be always a new post offering more money and recruiters don't like your profile.

Finally let me tell you a short story. I was contacted by a recruiter and offered me to move. I said that after 7 years in Spain ( where is very difficult to hire someone due to the accrued rights on a dismissal) I had just accepted a proposal to move. He understood. Three months later he called me again to ask if I was still interested. I said " why are you calling me after three months if I just landed". He got back to me saying " it is frequent that people unroll in a company and discover that is not gold all that glitters, and that things are not what you envisaged. Then, it is very easy for me, as recruiter, to hire someone after three months as he has not accrued any rights for dismissal "

Bottom line : have a good speech for the change, not running away from anywhere but looking to learn and build a better career is the answer.

Hope it helps

connectfirst

Fire Starter

Financial Advisor

Huh the rights for dismissal piece with recruiters is an interesting one.

Systems Engineer

@KnightKingORL wait for 3 months more see things how it's is work for you and then take the decision.

usedpeoplesalesman

Good Citizen

-1

Recruitment Consultant - Sales

As a sales recruiter, a lot of my clients raise questions if they see 3 months on a resume. And if your resume only consists of short stints, they won't bother, even if you have relevant experience. Now if you were with your previous company for 3+ years, I don't think it matters that much.

FranchiseSalesQB

Politicker

-1

Franchise Sales QB

That's enough time, my experience is happiness and balance is worth WAY more than a slight increase in pay.