GlenRoss

Account Executive

Should I leave my company based on demotion?

Our company did layoffs but in the process made our company more flat (directors demoted to managers, managers demoted to reps).

I got bumped up segments so I am getting more experience selling to larger companies and feel like I would do the job very well and make good money this year.

Problem is, not sure how that story reads on resumes and interviews. I was in sales leadership making good progress with my team and interviewing for head of sales type roles at very small companies and now I’m back to IC.

Do you think I should stick it out for the extra experience and make good money this year? Or is it not worth the hit to the resume and story I’ve been able to tell in interviews?

🚀 Career Goals

18 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

You have two options: leave and find a role that fits your previous title OR stick around and be a part of the rebuild. Gain context and experience as a rep so that when you are put back into a leadership role you are prepared and may even be more effective in leading your team. That’s a much more compelling hero story if you make a move because it shows you are willing to adapt and make the mission work regardless of the circumstances.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

Being apart of the rebuild is a good aspect to consider. If the company can turn it around and needs that leader again, you should be first in line.

But again, that’s IF they decide they need that again

GDO

Politicker

BDM

yeah, This can be an opportunity within the company as well!

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Glossing over the most important question...

Do you like working for this company? Are you happy and compensated appropriately?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

What is your gut instinct?

InQ5WeTrust

Arsonist

No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL

And why is there not brisket it there?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Stick around and have an inside track or leave during a tough time to look elsewhere. If you are still making good money and comfortable with the org then it's the rare case where I think it would make sense to stick around.

Sales_Yoda

Sales Leader

How you persevered through adversity says more about you than any change in title or responsibility. You can’t control circumstances, but you are in full control of how you respond to them. Stick it out.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

So it really depends on what is most important to you. I think it WILL be harder for you to get interviews for those leadership roles the longer you are back in an IC role.

If i was you, i would start looking for that leadership role you want while you start this IC role.

If the right opportunity doesn’t come up then you have a chance to still make good money. And if it does come up, then boom you can take it.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

The story is going to read however you present it. 2022-23 will go down as tough years, so some turmoil/changes are going to be common. The good news is, you have control over your resume, so can position any change in a positive light.

The even better news is you have choices now. As others have said, you can stay and be part of a rebuild and have that story to tell, or you can look for something else and make a change, and have a solid reason for why you did it. You didn't say if your change in role included a change in OTE that affects your livelihood, but if it's similar to what you had been earning and you like where you work, I'd personally weight staying a bit more than leaving.

TheDragon

Good Citizen

CVO

A title doesn’t pay bills…. If you enjoy the job the grass only be greener on the other side because it’s fertilized with bull$%#*

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

If you aren't happy and do not want to be a IC then start interviewing, it doesnt make sense to spend time there if thats your goal.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Oops, directors to managers and managers to reps!!!To me it's so uncommon for the story you've told, Jump the ship brother!

cache.money

Opinionated

Manager, Business Development

This just happened at my company. I’m not sure it’s as uncommon as you think.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

Damn, I can hardly imagine how much it would suck to be a manager and get moved to a rep. That would be almost as bad as being an AE and being demoted to an SDR.
No matter what it's not a bad idea to polish up the resume every other quarter. It's easy to forget what you've achieved if you don't keep records!

Tireless

Contributor

CRO

If you want to stick around, try to see if you can get a title that does not sound like a demotion even though your job is an IC. If you really want a leadership role, then keep looking. If someone else thinks you are good enough to lead a team, take it all else being equal.

o.g.meister

Member

Mid-Market Account Executive

I say you should double down and be part of the rebuild, make some money 💰 while keeping your LinkedIn profile updated and set your profile to casually looking which allows only external recruiters to see you are open for new roles. Like this you gain leverage and negotiate from a place of power rather than the bottom of the food chain. 💪Leverage is everything 🙌 😎 🔥

rsnyc

Good Citizen

Account Management Leader

It you enjoy the company and colleagues, I recommend sticking it out in this market. I left a job a couple years ago for the same reason and let me tell you, in case you haven’t heard, the market is so bad out here. I ended up in what turned out to be a much worse position and then heard they rehired/promoted most people that stuck around. Stick it out to get a check (and hopefully vest) for now and who knows, it might be an even better role or a better one will come down the line.

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GlenRoss

Should I leave my company based on demotion?

18 comments

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