ChickenDinner

Account Executive

Screw tech sales!

I was laid off from my tech sales role as were so many others. But my experience is so low in the industry that I haven't had any luck finding an AE position for the past few months.

I feel like the door for tech sales is closed for me. Maybe not forever, but at least for now. So here is my question:

Where to next?

I'm not feeling pharma sales, but I am open to almost anything. I'm even looking into non-sales consulting roles.

Where can I take my drive, my people skills, my communication skills, and my problem solving skills that I used in tech sales to next?

☁️ Software Tech

🗣 Interviewing

20 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Woof. I've really only ever been in tech sales, with a sidestep into EdTech after the dotcom crash.
There are going to still be roles out there - for every one you're getting denied due to lack of experience, someone else is getting told they have too much experience. I'd encourage you to keep at it while broadening your reach.
I'd be interested in hearing what others have to recommend; I know we do have some non-tech folks here.
I'm sorry, this is so frustrating.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

It's just rough out there for the industry due to all the layoffs :/

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Thank you sensei

punishedlad

Tycoon

Business Development Team Lead

Same advice I'd give. I've only been in tech sales, so it's the only context I have.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

I'd encourage you to keep at it too at least for now, until you'll see yourself in a different niche, at that point you can go for it!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

I'm of the mindset that sales people will almost always be needed in order to scale a business and the skills apply across many industries. SAAS sales is a business model not necessarily a business if that makes sense. My advice to you would be to look for roles that may line up with HR experience. Justworks for example may be a good place to look, there's also ADP competitors like greenhouse. but HR has been getting crushed amidst layoffs as well. Also reach out via linkedin to hiring managers at the companies as that will 100% differentiate you from the rest and from there they probably won't care about your experience. You've already done more than others with 5-10 years of experience.

ChickenDinner

Politicker

Account Executive

Yea i've been prospecting into every org I've applied, even cold called some, and they all appreciate it and it's at least gotten me interviews. But it wasn't enough

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

It will be enough to 1 and all it takes is 1, the struggle will make you appreciate it that much more when you get there.

DalJigsaw

Contributor

Business Development and Account Manager

That’s really amazing! Never thought of that. Props to you.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

What type of companies are you applying at - established, start up. I know there are a lot of startups hiring without much experience. Did you get a chance to browse through the list of hiring companies that was shared in this is community?
I know it’s frustrating, I wish you all the best !

ChickenDinner

Politicker

Account Executive

I've applied for series A startups all the way to the big dogs, no luck. I am also noticing a lot of the bigger companies are doing a back to the office move (even though that wasn't mentioned on the job posting) which won't work for me

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Hey don't be knocking pharma. Not until ya try it 😉

ChickenDinner

Politicker

Account Executive

Oh I didn't know you were on the dark side @CuriousFox, well good onya!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Check out local heavy equipment companies. LOTS OF MONEY in that.

ChickenDinner

Politicker

Account Executive

Yes! I found a company that sells forklift services, etc and they have great ratings on repvue and I had never thought of that type of sales before. Said their top rep made 800k last year

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

Ever thought about product management? Or marketing? Could be a good option

TonyDollaz

Opinionated

Account Executive

Med device

I_LOVE_WINE

Executive

Enterprise AE

Well, do you want to stay in sales or be Sales adjacent? I think the CS world will do really well. As established companies get close to penetrating as much market share as they can, the emphasis of keeping their existing clients happy, successful and renewing will become more important and I think the role will start to be a good place to sit.
I now see you mentioned non-sales consulting. I feel like Account Management and CSM might be good avenues. I think your Sales experience will be very helpful in those roles and will set you up for success.

Account Executive

Humble yourself and be an SDR first to get your foot in the door somewhere.

phe687

Member

Business Development Manager

Keep your head up. There are many sales jobs out there in different industries. Building materials is still in need of lots of talented sales people. Huge gap in availability.

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ChickenDinner

Screw tech sales!

20 comments

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