Jermz

Senior Account Executive

How to get into Channel Sales or Partnerships

How do you make that transition from Account work to Channel Sales? I am stuck at my current company and I can't even get a first round interview at other companies despite creating and working our MSP Channel of sales.

It seems like a good ole boy club but am I mistaken? Would appreciate tips or advice!

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23 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

Does your company have an official Partner sales team, are you trying to join them?

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

They do but won't hire. I have been groomed for it but they have me on ice for 2 years now. Without the title on a resume I can't even land an interview or a second look for it unfortunately.

saaskicker

Tycoon

Enterprise AE

change your title on your resume.

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

Thought about that but then I feel they reference LI- and If I made that change there it would be sus to say the least as I am active on LI.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Bad MFer

Deal with that when it comes up. If changing the title on your resume translates to an interview it may be a necessary evil.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

You can say you keep it generic on LinkedIn as the title always Changes

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Add a "-" in the title and mention channel in one way or the other. It needs to be picked up and pass ATS before you getting a chance to talk in an interview.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

That darn ATS lol

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

The best route, if this is an area you want to migrate, is to just start trying to recruit and then sell through channels in your current role. If you are actively seeking channel partners in your current role, hopefully your company will start to look to you for this. If they don't, take your experience gained in this activity elsewhere.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Seems to be the best direction

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

Appreciate it, yeah unfortunately I need to try and take it elsewhere I just am stuck. Maybe have to enter a place entry level and abide my time. My numbers were great here I was just completely ignored and no matter what I do/did it equates/ed to nothing.

Bad times for myself and kick to the ego, no growth in 3 and half years despite being a company top performer with no recognition and raised goals month after month to limit what I take home.
My goal was to get to Partners or Channel sales and I have no avenue in my current.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Sounds like you know what to do.

Good luck!

If you want resume advice feel free to post a redacted version so your fellow Savages can take a look.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

👀🍿

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I would ask why Partner sales?

i would much rather sell directly and be accountable for my selling over trying to sell through other people/companies and having to babysit them and pray for them to do a good job at selling my widget.

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

Honestly valid points. I guess its the title- the different type of sales as well as job security. Every where I have been or apply has this stigma of trying to keep you at entry level sales and get paid crap and try to keep you there despite what has been done. I am ready for a more advanced role in my career. Maybe partner sales isn't ideal for me in the end but man if i could lock that title in I truly feel more doors and possibilities would open up. I am completely and utterly stuck right now unless I take a step backwards and a pay cut which I really can't afford to do.

moneymoney23

Contributor

You gotta look for some companies that are under a big branch or any solutions under aws marketplace type of companies. Those are always always looking for channel sales manager!!

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

I hate to ask this, do you have any base examples of a company (whether they are hiring currently or not)?

moneymoney23

Contributor

Can just be any companies built on AWS infrastructure, offer their product through AWS Marketplace or are part of the AWS Partner Network (APN). I used to work in the cloud for 6 years and my buddy told me that it’s an easy job, you just go to the trade shows and you get tons of inbound leads to work on.

For example-
https://aviatrix.com/careers/?gh_jid=4542399005&_gl=1*hp8q1b*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTUyOTU5NTE3MC4xNzQ5MDQ4MjYz*_ga_LZ25F9M71Y*czE3NDkwNDgyNjIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDkwNDgyNjIkajYwJGwwJGgw

moneymoney23

Contributor

My husband is a channel SDR that gets paid 120k a year plus commission to sit on inbound. Or the reverse search is to type “channel/partner/sdr” and get the company name to see if they are hiring for AE role.

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

Thank you!

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

Thank you very much!

FeelItInMyPlums

Politicker

Sales Account Executive

I guess it really depends on what your background is in "account work." I made the move into Channels about 3 years ago when my old VP called me and said she needed a partner rep who "knew how to sell."
3 years and 2 president club trips later (it'll be 3 soon) and I'm still rocking and rolling.

Jermz

Fire Starter

Senior Account Executive

So sometimes it is just that you can fall into it. That is the dream for someone to take the chance on them- was it a smaller company at that point for you? Or were you somewhat recognized already internally?