mrsexyspizza

Account Executive

Time to leave tech sales? (Experience in Non-SaaS?)

Hey War Room, it's been a rough year. I've had 3 jobs since leaving the last company I was at for 3 years (blue chip public firm). I was very successful there, but have now had 3 short stints at early stage (Series A) SaaS companies that have not worked out for various reasons. I was just fired last week for not being a culture fit...

The fact that I've now had 3 unsuccessful gigs is really concerning me. I'm good at my job (AE), but I'm wondering if I should use this as opportunity to look at other industries. Or maybe the start up life just isn't a fit for me and I need to go back to a public company?

I think part of why I've stayed in tech is the barrier to entry to make a lot of money and have a nice career is relatively low. I'm a college dropout with no technical background, but have been able to make good money and up until recently live a very comfortable life.

Does anyone sell outside of SaaS/technology? What's your experience like? Have you found a niche or any sweet spots? Would you prefer to be in tech? What are the pros and cons of non SaaS selling?

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1nbatopshotfan

Politicker

4

Sales

I flipped into SaaS last year from a services heavy job. I found that relying on the service deliverable was so far out of my control and caused a lot of stress. Too many possible issues that could pop up and cause a missed delivery.

I think you may want to avoid the start ups but go back to something similar to what you did before the last 3 gigs. Good luck!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

That part stresses me hell out too. I completely understand.

FormerStartupJobHopper

Tycoon

3

AE

Been there man. I got let go from my first SDR job where I was doing really well bc the company was struggling. That was in March 2019. By January of 2020 I was sitting in my 4th gig in 10 months.

Luckily this one took, but funnily enough it's a fortune 1000 company and I'm selling SaaS lol.

My read of startups isn't likely that different than anyone else's. It's high risk high reward. You could make a shit ton if you pick well, but there are so many of them out there that it's hard to really tell before you get in there if the solution actually works/sells. Turnover is insanely high for this reason and others.

Larger companies SaaS or non SaaS are of course more stable. You have a good idea their products sell. People stick around for a long time for this reason. You can definitely make plenty of money but I think your ceiling is likely lower than similar seniority roles in the startup world.

I'm guessing if I started looking at startups I could probably increase my base 10-25% and my OTE by a similar amount. But it's fools gold if the product doesn't sell or the quotas are unattainable.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

2

Federal Business Dev Director

I've sold hardware and IT staffing. Both can be very profitable if you are with the right company, but they also have their struggles. Hardware is low paying to start out but once you're solidified in your role you can make a good bit. IT staffing is very profitable, but it's basically legal human trafficking and humans are the worst and most volatile product out there. Good money but not worth the stress in my opinion.

TheRealPezDog

Notable Contributor

2

Sr. Business Development Manager

Could be the most accurate description of IT staffing that I've ever seen or heard.

DesperadoDinero

Valued Contributor

1

Director, Member Services

I come from a very similar background; territory account sales for a building material company and recently took a stint in recruitment/staffing. I quip about the white collar human trafficking bit often but it's so true. Looking to get into SaaS sales right now.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

1

Federal Business Dev Director

It's worth the switch. You don't have to worry about software showing up to work every day you can keep your spread.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

1

Rolling 20's all day

I have sold SaaS, but currently sell a hard good that delivers a solution (currently a small sales team and small company). I don't live in a tech hub, and my COL is just a hair over the national average.
I'm not making the huge bucks I'm sure I could if I jumped back into the tech/SaaS world, but I would need somewhere fully remote and to be quite honest I'm not sure what I want to sell. Still looking around.
From what you've mentioned, I would look really hard at how you can perhaps avoid the pitfalls you have hit so far. Perhaps they are common to startup culture and you're more a fit for large corporate model sales.

SaaS is a flashier world than what I sell now and I do think I'll end up back into it, but it has it's own problems as well.
If you're really struggling, make a pro's and con's list.

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

It's the start-ups, man. I've found my stints in those jobs to be awful and soul crushing. More established companies are different and feel a lot more comfortable, especially if that's how you started your career.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

I feel you must do what you did successfully. Sometimes we figure it out late.

jefe

Arsonist

0

🍁

As others are saying, avoid the start-ups.

I've had my ups and downs, as most of us here have, but landed at a great spot.

Make sure you look hard at what you liked, and didn't like, and where the struggles came from. Identify common elements and qualify your next role and company hard.

AIDA

Executive

0

Business Development Manager

I've moved into SaaS from working in recruitment. Loving the change tbh. Nice to deal with a product as a opposed to people that get emotional about changing jobs, or just don't turn up to work etc.

Maybe another product? Avoid recruitment if you hate the unpredictability.

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