Notmy1strodeo

Ent AE

Moving out of SaaS sales

I've been in software sales for 10+ years. it was hard at first and then with new tools and tech it seems to get easier. But lately it's impossible. Hard to get disco meetings, longer sales cycles, more people involved in deals.

anyone move out of software? considering medical devices or pharma.

🚀 Career Goals

💉 Medical

☁️ Software Tech

15 comments

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Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

We're in a downturn for spend, ride it out, the VAST majority of tech is a "nice to have", when companies are willing to spend again the upswing will be great, just like it was pre-covid.

However, Med Dev is solid, great money, always a need, just be wary of startups.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Ex med/drug rep. Healthcare will always be a great decision.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Depends on what you're selling. If you're a nice-to-have solution, it's exceptionally challenging to prove value. If you're a need-to-have, it's still possible to be just fine. Maybe consider looking at companies that have tech that is critical to their business so you can leverage your software sales skills.

The irony is that if you read the boards here, there's post after post talking about how difficult it is to break into software sales without relevant experience. I'm going to bet it's equally difficult to break into other things like med device or pharma without relevant experience, but if that's calling to you, I'd be interested in your process and results of landing that new role.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

And what happens if you experience a downturn in that industry? Hop back over to SaaS and expect not to be scrutinized?

punishedlad

Tycoon

Regional Partnership Manager

Do you think hiring managers/tech companies would really scrutinize someone for hopping into another industry during low volume times? I don't think anyone worth their salt would blink an eye at someone being resourceful and looking out for their own earning potential.

Notmy1strodeo

Member

Ent AE

Everything’s a risk. It’s not like working at IBM in 1985

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Are you giving up because it's getting difficult? I survived 2010-2012 and I can survive 2023-2025 if I need to.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Tortoise and hare story in the making. Macroeconomics hit all verticals simultaneously with different levels of force. Be the tortoise.

buckeyenation

Acclaimed Answer

this is correct.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Just before considering changing the sales field,any clear reasons may tell you why things went bad out there and if it was just temporary or permanent,based on the answer you could think and decide what to do next!!

Notmy1strodeo

Member

Ent AE

Thanks all. Good stuff to think about. I am not one to make quick decisions. And thinking long term about my career.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

If, despite the downturn, you’re making ok money, I’d ride it out or try to find the “next thing” in software sales.

Or try to move into a leadership role.

UncleHoho

Good Citizen

Account Executive

Med device is a much better move then pharma. Pharma is dying 10x harder than tech. Layoffs increase by the year and have for a decade.

Device is good - long hours. Highly technical. Most roles require a lot of account management as opposed to new sales. Unless you’re a manager

Notmy1strodeo

Member

Ent AE

Good info. Thanks!

buckeyenation

Acclaimed Answer

Its always been dogshit for instant-gratification-millennials. Of which I am one.

Healthcare is brutal too. Long sales cycles, old fashioned buyers, + the entire industry is still putting bandaids on shit. Needs a total rewrite... okay anyway where was I...

Listen to the people that say "stick with it" --> in general its a best practice. Now, it might be actually exciting to do something else. I'd recommend trying it for that reason.

But anything worth having is hard anyway you skin it