lilguybigcity

Sales Representative

In Very Bad / Complicated Situation - Seeking Advice

Have been with my current company a bit less than a year. Came from another state and similar company in the same industry where I was the top salesperson by a wide margin.

Was tasked with building up the territory with my new company, as they had little to no current presence (was told we had a strong presence before coming aboard). Had been wanting to get into tech sales prior to moving. Was stubbornly against starting in a BDR type role which led me getting into this company.

Fast forward to now. Recently put on PIP due to myriad of factors (misled in interview process, frustrations leading to lack of faith in organization on my part turning to less than optimal effort, mentally not committed, among other things) that resulted in less than ideal sales. Less than a week into PIP (where I have been actually doing very well) they say they have hired new representative for the territory. Basically have 30 days / the duration of the PIP to either decide to interview for a different, non-sales position, or take severance.

Recently became open to BDR type roles within SaaS and have a few hot leads with that, but worried if those don't come to fruition. Would taking a project manager type position hurt me in interviews with tech companies? Would possibly taking a recruiting job as a placeholder hurt? Absolutely worst scenario is not having a job in an expensive sitting needing to help support my SO. Any thoughts / advice of people who have had similar low point?

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🙏 Mental Wellness

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13 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

12

☕️

At the end of the day, we need to take care of ourselves and our family financially. Taking another role, if they give it to you, is not a mark of shame. It’s humility.

However, you need to learn how to tell a story about why it did not work out and why you are looking to take a step back to a S/BDR role. Tell a good story and any hiring manager should be receptive.

Pachacuti

Politicker

3

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

My 2cents - use the 30 days to get your resume out there and find a better job

lilguybigcity

Good Citizen

1

Sales Representative

Yup. Been doing that, now just to secure an offer.

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

good luck with that!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

You and your mental health come first. ❤

SADNESSLieutenant

Politicker

2

Officer of ♥️

' (misled in interview process, frustrations leading to lack of faith in organization on my part turning to less than optimal effort, mentally not committed, among other things'

^excuses. Control what you can. unless ur planning on jumping ship, ramp up ur activity, get up early, go to bed late. make scripts every day, do copy work, ask advice, rip dials, rip emails, add 100 contacts a day into a sequence. U answered ur own question here.

If u dont want to prove them wrong, or get out of pip, and just hate the company start interviewing. No shame in getting another role (as long as its not marketing ;) )

IF ur going down the interviewing path and want to land the job read these, even if ur not, read this. : https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/should-u-quit-die-negotiate-or-find-a-better-job

We've all been in hard spots, some worse than others, but u sound discouraged, thats okay. lick ur wounds, talk to ur spouse, make a plan, and get it the fuck together(respectfully).

You got this, just focus on what you can do, come to us for more advice, and keep your head up. dont forget at the end of the day you can do any fucking thing you put your mind too and dont need any companies approval. Get that BDR role in tech saas, or that mgmt role, or reverse the script and make them fire that new rep. either way, victory is urs so long as u choose it.

best of luck, keep us posted

Much luv
The fkin kid

lilguybigcity

Good Citizen

1

Sales Representative

Appreciate it! Yeah unfortunately the PIP is just now serving as a timeline for my severance if I choose to go that route. No way of keeping the current position.

Definitely some excuses on my part, at the end of the day it was my mistake to ignore the red flags and stay as long as I have. Hoping these SDR opps come to fruition so I can get out and start grinding my butt off at a place where I want to be.

SADNESSLieutenant

Politicker

1

Officer of ♥️

You got it.

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

2

Director of Revenue

Yeah, I'd bail. Pip's (in my experience) are often a sign of a deteriorating relationship with management, as well as subpar performance.

They've already shown you your replacement, so they're obviously trying to get you out of the role asap. I would say your odds of landing another role in the company are slim to none. From their point of view: Why would we hire him as a PM, when he/she couldn't even sell the product well?

Freshen up your resume/Linkedin and get it out to recruiters. AEs/SDRs are in ultra high demand right now. You could realistically have interviews within a few days.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

0

Business Coach

You better find more than "no current presence" as your reason for disengagement and lack of performance. It sounds like you got frustrated and gave up.

IzzyWinning

Tycoon

0

Enterprise Account Executive

PIPs always turn out one of two ways: either you leave or you get better and stay. Since it sounds like you can't stay (at least not in this role), I'd take a hard look at what you actually want. If you like the company and what they do, take a different role and focus on crushing it. If not, get out there and meet some new people and get a new gig. Tons of opportunity in tech sales right now.

lilguybigcity

Good Citizen

0

Sales Representative

Yeah, actively trying to bail from the company and interviewing at multiple places. Using the other role as a backup plan.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

0

Rolling 20's all day

Sorry to hear about the situation. Do what you need to do to keep your best possible leverage and future potential. Life rarely works out how we plan anyways, so the best you can do is guide yourself in a general direction and put in the best effort along the way.

I would say to remember the sales basics and make sure to not become complacent. Remember what kept you at the cream of the crop at your old company!

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