Kirbster

Sales Leader

It's bleak out there - how do you keep going?

Looking for some optimism in the job market - it's been really tough trying to improve my outlook with so many employers putting a hold on promotions and pay increases. I'm on the doorstep of junior executive and have struggled to find a way to open that door for myself.

I'm considering switching out of sales and trying project management or something new. Where is everyone finding success, or how are you pushing yourself to the next level?

🚀 Career Goals

✌️ Growing Pains

💆‍♂ Mindset

23 comments

Sort by:

Space_Ghost20

Executive

Account Executive

I never thought I'd say this, but it's getting harder and harder to bother getting up in the morning. The gym is basically the highlight of my day. Going on one year of being unemployed. I know this career is about shaking it off and going after the next one, but I'm really burnt out right now, I just can't give up because I have financial obligations. But honestly, I really really want to.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It’s so damned hard to adult sometimes. Accept a virtual hug from an internet stranger. I promise it will get better.

Space_Ghost20

Executive

Account Executive

I appreciate it.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

1 year... wow. I had a 9 month stint of unemployment once and that about killed me. So much rejection. At the end, it was all about keeping the routine going and my family close. I had a fair amount of support from friends and family but it was relying on God and my personal persistence which finally landed me a job.

Space_Ghost20

Executive

Account Executive

I feel like I'm swimming in a vast ocean. If I could see dry land I could muster the will to swim to it. But everywhere I look is more water.

Not to get religious on here, but many days I think God has abandoned me.

yeetmeisterflex

Contributor

Account Executive

Damn bro, this hits me in the feels. I've been unemployed for 6+ months before and it was absolutely awful. I would keep trying but start to think about up-skilling or transitioning to something new. God never abandons you, but he may be trying to signal that it's time to change things up. It's all about your perspective, which I know is hard to see right now. Keep your head up and attitude positive, sometimes it's the only thing you can control!

Space_Ghost20

Executive

Account Executive

I wouldn't even know what to transition into, or what to upskill with.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Just wanted to send some love and good vibes, my friend. We're all rooting for you.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

It took me 11 months to find my current job. And it really wears down on you and you get burnt out. All it takes is one company saying yes to you, so just keep your head up (which is way easier said than done in this situation). I also found that cold calling the hiring manager works very well for getting an interview.

BitcoinAddict

Executive

Going through it myself and after tons of reflecting, I have gone all in on trying to launch my own business. TBH, I think it is the only way. I have been doing so for over a year with supplemental income but now, I am going all in. My take is that the world of a stable job, especially in sales, is over. I have been at the end of so many stupid games in this interview process that I have decided to take my pay check into my own hands.
I have always been a hard worker but been at the ends of toxic management that wants to get personal and petty in some past roles. I have aced interviews only to have some dumb Boomer CEO step in at the final hour and block an offer. At this point, I am done.
If I get an AE job, fine, I will do it because it is fun and I find it fun to hate sales targets and compete against other sellers. If not, fine, I see an even higher ceiling for myself.
I hope to one day have such a big voice in this world that I throw all of these companies treating candidates and employees like crap under the bus. They have been getting away with this for far too long and we are long overdue for someone calling these imbeciles who have been comfy in their executive seats out.

cardinalfang

Member

Sr. Business Development Manager

Yup, once you take the plunge to do your own thing, it's easy to see how this path is better than the eternal grind - and eternal risk of being canned. Easier said than done, however. Keeping a pipeline of consulting projects is tough, but it is better than dealing with rejection or ghosting from innumerable job applications. Think how much time and effort and soul is wasted learning about new companies, industries, roles, etc. only to have the first hurdle be a fecking wall. Putting all that time into generating your own business, building a website, generating content on LinkedIn, making new connections, etc. It's much more rewarding and no less lucrative in the short term. You can also start to figure out tax reduction strategies by expensing your investment in yourself.

medhardwaredr

Politicker

Director of Sales NA

Try a new industry. Take your sales skills and sell yourself. You can convince different industries to take a shot with you and if you’re coming from sales most positions are a breeze

BitcoinAddict

Executive

I do not agree with this advice. A lot of these other industries have their own high barrier to entry and are not going to take just about anyone, especially not from tech sales.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

If you are going to switch dont be out of emotion, do your diligence, learn from others who made the switch

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Are you currently employed? If so, you have the luxury of time to stay on your search for whatever your next level is. It is currently a pretty rough environment for many in sales. For what it’s worth, you’re not alone. But it’s going to take a lot of patience and diligence right now.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Hey!!
Welcome to the War Room.

This is Gasty - WR Community Manager. Just wanted to highlight a few points before I talk about the post.

WR is a Sales Community Platform with some of the best Sales people and their advice is pure gold. This is an anonymous platform and I see that you’ve got it covered. Kudos for that.

We consistently post Leaderboard’s, Fun Friday’s, who’s hiring and more.

This isn’t LinkedIn, you can go as detailed as you want. Just focus on providing value.

You can also use the search bar, you’ll get all the posts related to this, that we’ve had a discussion on.

Lastly, have you checked out the commission store yet? If not, I highly recommend. Earning those points is also super easy. Upvotes get you points. We got some amazing goodies that you can bag. Just be more active, post more, engage more.

Now to talk about your post;

Even though things are not working out for now, I think even switching careers is also something that comes with its own risks associated. Jobs are not designed to be safe, it's based on a lot of factors. Even if you join as a Project Manager, what is the guarantee that you'll be safe, if the company doesn't sell, then there will be no revenue, ergo no projects to manage.

My suggestion would be to look for an industry or a company that's promising and not the job, build from there.

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

I think things are picking up - I just saw today a whole lot of companies are announcing funding rounds this week. The low tier companies that couldn't really compete and over saturated markets are going to struggle and fizzle out. Good products and good companies will pick up their market share and continue to grow and hire.
Things may be looking up. Also, try and find a friend or former colleague to run though your resume, interview practice, etc. Had a friend who wasn't having any luck in in his job search and with a few tweaks in how he was presenting himself and former metrics have changed a lot for him in terms of offers recently.

MRK47

Tycoon

VP of International Sales

Not sure much optimism exists right now....and moving to a diff role within same industry...maybe, though not sure that will tick the box for short-term advancement (as you'll be starting fresh) which is your current source of frustration.....and I'd caution moving outside of your core industry (if you have built a decent track-record).....I took the leap (partly due to a non-compete).....it didn't work out (partially my fault as did not perform enough due-diligence on the org before joining) and with that career deviation, it's creating a barrier when now attempting to return to my original industry (as I'm competing against candidates with consistent tenure in that sector).
Understand you can't go into a new role assuming the worse, but for me, I now look 2 steps ahead...if I take on a new role but it doesn't work out, then where am I left? Has that move improved my profile or weakened it? Quick stint in diff industry or new type of role will likely lessen your appeal. Of course this depends on type of role & personal circumstance (finances, age, track-record etc). Right now, stability / security is valuable....excel in current role to be well positioned for when a lower risk opportunity comes along.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

I've made it to the final round with 4 companies in the last few months and it's demoralizing to lose out. Staying thankful for what I do have and remembering what I'm in this for is key for me.

Couper93

Executive

Director of Alliances

Hang in there Kirbster. I am close to a year myself. I started using jobscan and it has helped quite a bit. I am also starting to comment on more postings linkedin.com to try and build up my presence in my networks feed. It seems to be helping. Now if we can get a 'Pro business' president elected I think we will see a boom in hiring in December and early part of 2025. Consider this current hell as practice for the opportunities to come. Best of luck!

Justatitle

Tycoon

Account Executive

It's weird right now. Hoping that after the election the market gains clarity and stabilizes

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Checkin in ❤🦊

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

I was looking for a job for 11 months, 7 months of that employed and 4 months after being laid off. Being in job hunt mode sucks a lot and there's not much you can do about it. It did seem to get better in june and July and now I'm seeing more jobs on LinkedIn that are actually decent compared to 6 months ago, which is good. A lot of companies are putting out postings to hire for the new year. Things will get better. They always do.