Is success in sales more about just learning the right skills/work ethic and taking that to whatever industry you are in or, is there something to be said about finding your industry/right company?
I started a sales career about 5 years ago because I was tired of not earning what I was worth.
I worked with very challenging, technical work related to 401k and taxes.
I found out that my 3yrs of experience in a highly technical position full time + over time (lots of tax season weekends and late work) was less than an entry level sales person.
My position had lots of turn over as most service positions do. I took it personally and made the switch.
I like talking to people, study communication and leadership, and knew a lot about the product so learning about working the product to sharing and teaching it was simple.
It was a SDR, 100 dial a day sort of role. I did it for a year or so but then the company had to make cuts and I was least tenured so I didn't make the cut even though I was low drama, and producing well. (there is a lot to why I think I got cut but keeping it out for now for sake of focus)
I went to a large payroll company out of necessity of getting something to pay the bills and I don't know what exactly to aim for in a job any more (I am more about what it provides than what I do).
Spent a year there, and hated every minute of it. Primarily leadership and culture differences but then it just got annoying that the company acted like they "we are the best and there is no other provider like us", when in reality, all the clients treated us like a commodity.
I recently posted that now I work in a tax credit firm, specializing in R&D, basically only R&D. The company hit a big rough patch, and on paper I look like I have a decent future ahead but the reality of pulling from and working with partners isn't a 1 for 1 in my experience. I am hesitant to stick with them considering the climate of the industry, like meeting with CPAs and the network that makes sense. Just kinda shaken up since last month the founder said the company was doing great and a month later they realised there was lots of money being bled and they fired half the company.
My confidence has been hit and I am not sure what to do or consider. I want to provide a great life for my family and with out highly technical degrees, sales seems like the best option to make good money.
This all leads back to my top question. I am worried about job hopping and eventually getting no where because people are worried about that sort of thing IMO.
I at one point felt like I had good sales skills, conversation abilities, leadership and now am a bit shaken.
Just a matter of working on me and my craft or does where you land make a lot of difference.
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