Put on PIP after 6 months

So I was just put in a PIP after just 6 months at a company. The first 3 months i was on ramp and also was switched to a different territory half way through, so I haven't even finished a full quarter in territory yet. My metrics are the highest on the team in call volume and emails. Pipeline generation is lower but the other new reps inherited their larger opps. I have untill the end of the month to close a certain amount (which is tough seeing our sales cycle is about 90 days) and build a certain amount of pipeline. 

Should I go all in to try and hit the plan or look for a new role? or try to do both? How should I explain leaving after 6 months in interviews?
🎯 Career Development
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
🔫 Job Separation
32
Sunbunny31
Politicker
7
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Is there some other reason you’re on a PIP with your good metrics?

In any case, I’d do both. Do your very best where you’re at (it will benefit you monetarily anyway) and I’d start looking for another role elsewhere so you have options or at least a head start if they do manage you out.
King
Catalyst
5
Enterprise Account Executive
The main reasons were poor pipeline and my manager doesn’t think my discovery calls have been quality
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
OK, glad you have some feedback. Did your manager provide specifics on the d calls so you can improve? That's a skill that will be beneficial wherever you go, so that's something you can work on.
King
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Yeah in the official document he linked to my Gong recordings and pointed out things but if you compare them to other reps I think it’s very similar to what they are doing. I will focus on those specifics though to show I’m trying
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
In this case, I wouldn't focus too much on how other reps are doing in comparison to you, as that's not going to help you out. Maybe they're about to be on PIP as well. The short of it is, take his advice, do what he recommends, and don't worry about what others are doing. Focus on what he's telling you.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Have to agree with this, give it your all but start interviewing
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
5
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I would do both. Even when I am "secure" in my job, I always keep my feelers out for something just in case, or even if I just find something that gives me more of an opportunity.
King
Catalyst
3
Enterprise Account Executive
How should I explain the short stint at the role?
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Be honest and upfront about it. Your territory was switched halfway through. Any sales organization knows that it takes time to build a pipeline. Focus on what YOU DID accomplish even though that happened. Not your fault that it was switched up on you.

btw, why did they switch it?
King
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
They wanted to get a rep in territory and the manager hired his friend that lived there with him
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
3
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Nepotism, got it
Angusmacg
Valued Contributor
3
Territory Account Mgr.
Did you have the conversation with your manager about the territory change during your 6 months? I would've suggested that once that occurred My time table should've been reset.

Your other option with interviewing is not to bring up the job. I would defer to being open and honest but if you come up with a good story or someone at your previous company can back you up that you were still working there then maybe you can not even mention your current company.
King
Catalyst
2
Enterprise Account Executive
I would have thought the same. Conversations were had and he tried to be all nice and be my friend and said it takes a full year to get a territory ramped up. I have a feeling they are slimming down the sales force because the business is missing it’s number big. The other 2 teams both lost a rep and they didn’t backfill (one was pip’d as well)
Angusmacg
Valued Contributor
2
Territory Account Mgr.
Yeah...doesn't sound good. Guessing they don't have the money to pay for unemployment insurance either. They will use the PIP then fire you for not meeting requirements and then you may not qualify for unemployment.
King
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Yeah kind of a shifty situation
MidwestRaiderNation
0
Entrepreneur/Sales/Gig-Master
Bingo bango
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
Both, definitely both. Hopefully this is just temporary but you never know.

Seems strange to be PIP'd in your situation.
DevSomeBiz
Valued Contributor
3
Senior B2B Sales Guy.
Whether or not this is justified, hustle to close deals, and hustle to find a new job. No one survives a PIP. You are more than likely going to lose your job, the PIP is just to keep you from suing them.
Exp_Seller
Personal Narrative
0
Sales Manager
I 100% agree with this statement. People generally do NOT survive a PIP plan. I have seen people go on on PIP and accomplish every one of their goals they gave them, but still found a reason to let them go.
This is the Company's way of saying you are no longer wanted, or needed. Could be not a right fit for their culture or some other reason along those lines. Start looking immediately, and unfortunately do not get your hopes up if you do accomplish your goals, because seems to me the end is inevitable. Best of luck in your search. It's not easy out there right now!
Justatitle
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
From the sound of it they’re looking for a reason to get rid of you and cover their ass. The PIP is a kind of nice way to say start your search for a new role now and we’re giving you a heads up. Sucks but it’s the reality
King
Catalyst
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Yeah I’m going to have to start the balancing act of trying to perform at my job and also interviewing for new jobs
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Keep trying, but I would look at this as a good opportunity to jump start your job search.
King
Catalyst
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Yeah I may look at switching to a CSM or Account Manager role
Balloons4baboons
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I would just do your best to get off the pip while applying for other opportunities.

If you get a good response for explaining why you’re leaving, please let me know. I’m in a very similar situation…5 months in, super complex product, just 3 months of ramp to learn, I’ve been through 3 SDRs and am now on my 4th, only one on my team hitting call and email metrics, my sdr hasn’t booked me a single meeting yet where the prospect showed, $0 pipe. They bumped our meetings from 2 a week to requiring 10. No one is picking up the damn phone (have confirmed with other reps they aren’t close to the meetings either) I’m on a pip. I have not been on one of these since 2016. I have 2 weeks or I’m out a job. Of course applying for jobs after 5 months and leaving my last role just 1 year in for this one doesn’t look good.
StumbleB3
2
Sales Director
Same boat, the last 3 months of this year are going to be rough. Worst month of VC capital in last two years in August. I’d definetly look, hiring managers will be forgiving over the last two years.
FeelItInMyPlums
Valued Contributor
2
Sales Account Executive
It's hard to come back from a PIP. Keep your metrics up, but start interviewing full time. If your boss really wanted you to improve and stay, he'd have a conversation with you about how you can get better. Not PIP you.
Maximas
Tycoon
2
Senior Sales Executive
Just try and hit the plan.
KendallRoy
Politicker
1
AM
Could be a worse. My manager put someone on PIP 3 months in, while on ramp.
King
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
That’s wild, you are right it could be worse haha
Juancallclose
Catalyst
1
Director
Sorry man, but who cares about calls and emails? Revenue and pipe, that's all that matters. Good luck.
King
Catalyst
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Yeah I’m the end only results matter I get it, but they can at least see I’m putting in the effort and trying
Juancallclose
Catalyst
2
Director
Yes but those activity metrics can be manipulated and I don't see correlation between call volume/emails to ACV
King
Catalyst
1
Enterprise Account Executive
True true
Varro36
1
AE
A PIP is a firing plan, not an improvement plan. It means your manager has lost confidence in you or doesn't like you for whatever reason. I would put 90% of your effort into finding a new job.
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
Both, And to answer the question, just dont put that role on your resume, presto-dont have to explain it, just extend the last place to the date and say you were part of the layoffs like every other interviewee right now
Stealth8
Personal Narrative
1
Sr. Account Executive
Keep in mind if you don't put that role on your resume and extend your previous job to the date...the new company that hires you will most likely run a background check to confirm start/end dates of that job. So be careful!
King
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Yeah I’m curious how that would work out
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
Ive done it and no issue. Typically reference check is for start and end dates (on the ones listed) Background check is education, tickets, arrests, bankruptcies not employment history. But do what you want, this worked for me
King
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Ok I might try that since I’m not getting any responses from applications. How did you explain the gap between jobs?
fuegocheif
1
Key Account Manager
Ask yourself how many people have been able to get off the PIP. I would not focus on work and focus on finding a new gig. If they ask in an interview I would say they are downsizing and it is clear they were going to cut their sales team.
BlueJays2591
Politicker
1
Federal Business Dev Director
Definitely look for another job. Sounds like your manager is just lazy and doesn't want to help you out.
omeizer
Executive
1
CRO
Look for a new role immediately and try to close your PIP if possible but realize your sales cycle won't allow for this in most cases, but you should make that evident to HR and your manager as well and write it on the feedback section of your PIP form.
hOwDiDuGeTtHiSnUmBeR
0
Account Executive
hOwDiDuGeTtHiSnUmBeR
1
Account Executive
Everyone overhired, and planed for growth with the inflationary market and a 10+ year bull run. Most are using PIP to give a heads up there will be layoffs and you're most likely on that list unless you find revenue for the org. Not your fault. Its a fighting chance and a job while you potentially find another landing spot.
SalesinSeattle
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
I agree with the majority here - if you're officially on a PIP it means you're official on the "outs" list. I have personally been in this position once before, I closed the largest deal in the region's history that month all it bought me was one more month of abeyance. They'll find some way to close the door once they've decided to do so.
I would personally dedicate all my effort to finding a good new job, and the gap on the resume is small enough you might consider not even listing this gig.
Snowey
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I would do both. Sounds like a situation management would be aware is difficult to impossible.

Brush up that resume
lovehelpingsalespeople
Personal Narrative
0
Sales Director
You are in a challenging situation; if you can, I would try to do both. Do you have Gong or any call recording you are using? I would be happy to listen to one of your Discovery calls and provide some outside coaching if you would like.
salesisformasochists
0
enterprise sales exec
Have you had a conversation (where you have not outlined your points around metrics and what not - potentially can be seen as defensive) as to why you are being put on a PIP? What is the justification and what guidance have you been given (if any - you will know if they are pushing you out, which is likely) to be successful? Have you asked? Either way, red flag alert. Get on the hunt and learn from this. I have had a few short stints and while it hurt at the time, I learned so much that I am able to explain my why and believe I am better for it. Whether it be a culture of churn and burn, insufficient TAM, limited use cases, hell the product didn't work at one spot - learn from it, grow from it, and trust your gut.
SDM
Politicker
0
Sales development manager
In my opinion, start looking for new roles but don't loose hope in your current role...keep trying... Even if you get less tha expected here...it will give you confidence in your new role.
finboi
Notorious Answer
0
Fi-nance
You gotta judge if your manager genuinely wants to invest in you or if this is just a great tool to manage you out of the biz.

Regardless, anytime you go on a PIP I would take those recruiting Inmails and get some stuff in motion.
Brittnezy35
0
Enterprise Sales Rep
I am going through exactly this right now ... curious to see how this turned out for you!
starson
Good Citizen
0
Senior Sales Manager
Always hard to judge looking in from the outside.
However. Your manager hired a friend for your territory and put you on a PIP.
Think that tells you what you need to know.
As for how to interview…it wasn’t a fit. You tried but ultimately you qualified out.
That should be good enough. If they ask about the why specifics. You will not speak negatively. So hint at the fact that the culture did not fit. Maybe look at glassdoor. If that is low you can point at it.
Valueselling
Member
1
Managing Director
Hi King.

While I have not been in a PIP, I had to put people under them. The reality is that I wanted the individual to be aware of the low performance and give him a chance. The reality is that the individuals some times didn´t have interest on going forward because the PIP implied to change the way they were doing things, attitude and performance = extra effort.

The difference here is that you have a positive attitude, which I reckon, and that should be a game changer.

I suggest you ask your manager for a close follow-up, confirm your commitment and ask for help not on getting the results, but on HOW to proceed to get them. Ask for advice and through weekly reviews, review the metrics, that can NOT be the number of closed deals. You can't´measure the progress on building an apartment by measuring built or not built. You need to measure the number of floors, facilities, etc. I suggest you read into the MEDDICC methodology, which would guide you to identify how to increase the chances of succeed in a sales prospect.

Bear in mind as well, that sometimes is not our manager but our managers´ manager that pushes our manager to take the decision. Ask as well if that is the case. And if so, you might try to get access for the manager, always ASKING for ADVICE If you are under a PIP and not to show how good you are.

If you are under a PIP, it is likely because company thinks you are not as good as you think. Consider doing a humble reflexion on this and how to improve according the company's expectation. Compare to other successful guys in the same company and analyse what you do differently, always from the COMPANY´s perspective, not yours, and decide if you are keen on following same behaviour and action plan or not.

If you follow these steps, you would get clarity on if it is a decisionalready takenor if you can succeed. Treat this as any other sales opportunity. Find information, talk to people, get a champion, etc. Find out as well if any other employees have successfully went under a PIP and ask their advice:

ASK, ASK, ASK and get advice,
starson
Good Citizen
0
Senior Sales Manager
Like your post and do agree with all of it.
In sales terms: three key aspects = discovery discovery discovery
Where I differ a little with my opinion is the PIP and the other hire. That is a bit too much of a coincidence .
But hey. I only know that I know nothing. 😀