Sit around and do nothing or find a new job?

Back in April, I was at a startup, they laid off all the sales and marketing teams to go in a different direction. I don't know founders believe sales doesn't define organizations anymore.

While I was there, I made a cold call to a vp of sales, who liked my opener, tone, the questions I asked, and how I handled his objections. He ended up saying he wasn't the DM and that he didn't need the tech, so he said it was a long shot at the company, but he said if you're ever looking for a job, I would love to have you on the team.

I called him after I got laid off, he gave me the job, no interview just a talk with the SVP of sales. They brought me on the team, paying me a small base salary, but said a lot of opportunity to make 6 figures in commission. The problem is ever since I joined, they kinda just said when we have a new product we want you to run the sales for it.

They haven't come out with a new product, I get slacks every 3-4 weeks or so saying just hang tight keep getting paid for doing nothing for now. So I go play golf during the day, workout whenever I want, I could even go out on a Tuesday and wake up at noon the next day with no repercussions. It's a great gig to get paid for doing nothing, but the problem is the base is 50k which doesn't go very far in 2023.

I took on a commission only role on the side in medical devices, that I work like 4 hours a day for visiting dr offices and such, but it takes 2 months to get paid my commission and it's not any higher than what I could be making at a tech company, but can't get any interviews for AE or AM roles at tech companies because I don't have experience selling to big logos or any track record.

I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing. Should I go all in a job search and just focus on one job or go all in medical device even though, I've barely seen any commission?

(Sorry for the long post)

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17
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
5
Sales Rep
I mean it's up to you, to sit and relax while getting paid a small base to take advantage of not working or find a role where you can grow.

I think you know which option is better for the long term in your career, just depends on what you value
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
0
๐Ÿบ
I want to find a new role to grow in, but don't know which direction to go in. Go back to tech or go all in on the medical device
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
3
Sales Rep
Tech and Med Device can be extremely profitable, my advice is start interviewing and find one that makes you happy
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
๐ŸฆŠ
Have you checked out Flex?
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
1
๐Ÿบ
Just saw the post for it, checking that out today
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
FLex got the perfect timing right here
Pachacuti
Politicker
4
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Donโ€™t quit the 50k role - thatโ€™s just free money. And it may eventually work out.

It doesnโ€™t hurt to keep sending out applications and make calls to look for something else.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
1
๐Ÿบ
Well I was either gonna go all in on the med device or get another tech job and just double dip
FoodForSales
Politicker
1
AE
This
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
If they are paying you for doing nothing I am assuming they are building the product / solution. If you feeling demotivated and think a new job can be your support system you know what to do.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
0
๐Ÿบ
I donโ€™t know if theyโ€™re building or restructuring, I havenโ€™t been told anything. I just know I get a direct deposit every 2 weeks from them.
TommyShelby
Good Citizen
2
Account Exec
Keep collecting those cheques. Youโ€™re already doing the best thing by supplementing it with another role.

Plus, the job market is a mess.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Don't quit what you have until you have something better in hand.
Alternately, check out Flex and see if you can land something that will supplement what you've got going until you either land that great new job or the current one that pays you to golf pans out.
pirate
Big Shot
2
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Can you start generating interest? How far along is the product
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
1
๐Ÿบ
Well I donโ€™t know if itโ€™s a new product or if theyโ€™re restructuring. They just keep saying hold tight like every few weeks.
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Can you start pushing on it internally saying you have customers interested in X and X and timeline X?
mikecamby
Valued Contributor
2
Strategic Enterprise Account Executive
This is a trap, whether they realize it or not. I had a company actually ask us not to prospect while they cleaned up Salesforce. The problem is, when it the shitty numbers get shown to the board they will can your ass no matter what your manager told you to do. Youโ€™re expected to be productive, if youโ€™re dead weight and thereโ€™s nothing you can do, I would definitely start looking now because itโ€™s a terrible hiring market and you should have a heads up if you the axe comes In the next few months
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Wait. You are in a sales job where they have no issue with you just standing by and not doing any sales related activities.

Bro. Thatโ€™s like the golden dragon. Make your wish or hold on to it. Keep doing a side thing if you need more cash flow but definitely donโ€™t let go of that job. Keep it for your resume and future roles credibility.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
0
๐Ÿบ
Yeah the only thing they really make do is attend some meetings and give advice on one of their products and marketing materials for it. Definitely just gonna keep it, but the main thing is if I get a new job and then they start making me sell something or whatever and I just quit itโ€™s just a bad look
EsteComoEs
Personal Narrative
1
Head of Sales
You are in a unique position and seem to be a perfect candidate for over employment. Check out the subreddit r/overemployment to see if itโ€™s something you are interested in. Or check out Flex, Upwork, Toptal, if a traditional gig is harder to get an offer for. This market is a shit show so Iโ€™d expect patience in applying and interviewing.

Iโ€™m swinging over employment right now and plan on doing it for a few months, with two gigs that each have a $300k OTE with a fifty fifty split.

The stress is wild, but I figure itโ€™s good to double up on base salaries since the average reps hitting in tech sales is 20%-30%, so itโ€™s not like youโ€™d be missing out on commission opportunities. Hopefully we all start crushing our neighbors again in 2024 though.

DM me if you are interested in learning more.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
0
๐Ÿบ
ive seen the reddit, thats what im looking to do rather than taking a side gig, thats why I took the med device, but the commission takes a while to build up. I should've just took an offer I got 2 months ago smh
EsteComoEs
Personal Narrative
0
Head of Sales
Well life came at me quick, one thing I forgot to mention is how Iโ€™m losing my mind and I am going to be quitting my J2. I canโ€™t keep up with it.<br><br>It is so important to have two jobs that could coalesce for over employment, and that is so much harder in sales.<br><br>But I think you might have the best set up that would actually work, so keep me in touch!
0
Retired Sales Professional
Do you understand the companies culture to be proactive enough to start looking for new ideas and products for the company so that your worth is seen, because at this point you could be the first one they cut when they announce restructuring the company. (Red flag for layoff) It's cool that you have the time to play golf (great game) but that time could be used to gain either the experience through educating yourself further in sales or working on researching new products. He hired you because he believed and like your sales pitch. Stay put and work on building yourself up.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
1
๐Ÿบ
Well I just read sales books and watch training videos and such on sales, but the best training is actually doing it
Iizmu
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
I would echo what others have said. Keep the job and look for flex jobs on the side. Hell maybe Uber and Uber eats on the side. Or get into real estate investing.
Selling.is.helping
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
One time I was told to not prospect while they figured out my territory (It was my first month on the job)

They didnt figure out my territory and I got fired shortly after for not having โ€œgreat activityโ€.

I recommend try to make a change within the org (even if itโ€™s not on your responsibility), theyโ€™ll likely appreciate the initiative and youโ€™ll make a good impression on them
KingFlavor
Executive
0
Account Exectutive
Just curious what's the medical device gig that your working on the side?
My short and sweet advice: just be proactive with your VP and make sure he is aligned with your career and financial goals. All depends on what you value the most, but transparency with this guy is key!
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
0
๐Ÿบ
Wound care. Well he came to this week and let me go bc theyโ€™re paying me to do nothing. All knew that was gonna happen.
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