Tanner Plemmons

Account Executive at Placer Labs Inc

Trying to break back into tech sales

So my first gig out of college was as an SDR at a B2B SaaS company. I eventually moved up to start closing deals, and was killing it. I had a 40% close rate where the floor average was 25%, and never had a month where I didn't hit/ exceed quota.

Unfortunately, one day upper management decided that we were being paid too much, and cut our commissions in less than half, so i left. Looking back I wish I had found another job in SaaS before leaving, I ended up selling a terrible product at a startup.

Not having any conviction behind what I was selling, didn't perform very well. Now about a year later I'm applying non stop to tech sales positions but haven't even gotten nibble.

Any advice/ recommendations?

👥 Hiring

17 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Reach out to your old managers/co-workers at the SaaS company, find out where they work and they will remember you doing well and more likely to refer

Account Executive

That's a good idea - i've honestly thought about going back to the company and taking the pay cut. The role was fully inbound, waking up with 4-5 demos on my calendar was something I took for granted

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Networking is always the best way to get a job.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Kosta gave you a great idea, I would also do the same. Additionally, I would reach out to all the HRs who reached out to me before and see if they have any potential opportunities where you could be a fit.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Network like hell

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Thanks for the context. The answer is in the title of your post. Unfortunately, you have to "break back" these days to find a good home.@Kosta_Konfuciussuggestion is gold, as mentioned. But there really are no shortcuts. You have to rifle shoot the right opportunities. Send resume, email or DM the hiring manager. Ask for some pre-screen clarification so as not to waste their time. Get dialogue. Its all about the hunt.

Wishing you the best of fortune!

ASalesCoach

National Director of Sales

i agree with the other comments. I would add that leaving the job without a new position was not the best move and one that I would a lot of questions if i was interviewing you. You will need to get over the perception that you are job hoping and write a damn good cover letter when submitting your resume. Also, be acute to that company / space when applying.
the more targeted your search, the more success you should have.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Just keep applying.

I guess the lesson learned is to it not get mad when things like that happen and leave. Use your current job as a paid job search and find the right job.

Account Executive

You're absolutely right that was just an impulsive, unexperienced move on my part - leveraging my current role to get a better one would have been a much better play.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You've learned a hard lesson (about leaving before you have something in hand), but I'm sure you will learn from it.

There's some great advice here already with regard to networking.

Are you still at the startup?

Account Executive

No I left the startup, in a commission only role now

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Hopefully you’re able to bring some $$ in while you look. Do you want to post a redacted version of your resume so you can get some advice from the experts?

Account Executive

That would be great! not sure how DM on here though is there another way i could contact you?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Ok, so the tech market is tough to find a job in right now if you have recent experience, that much harder if you have been out of the game, my best advice to you is to use the ole' SDR skills and start Linkedin messaging and e-mailing the hiring managers at companies you aspire to work for. List out
- Why the company is attractive to you
- Why you know you will be successful there
- Something that you found out about the hiring manager from research and tie that back to the role
- Action item for next step such IE. "If this 30 second e-mail has your attention imagine what I can do with 30 minutes of your time in an interview"

God Speed

Account Executive

I have been messaging recruiters but those are some great insights! Appreciate that, I'm gonna use those

Maximas

Tycoon

-1

Senior Sales Executive

Try to get a referral back to your old place after checking the commission status first if you could know,if you found it fair as it used to be consider reapplying again ,if not keep on applying elsewhere and getting referred as well the more you're doing the two the higher the chance to get a Saas job,much of luck!

Account Executive

Not sure why your comment is getting downvotes, maybe they're saying screw that company lol but I have been considering going back

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Tanner Plemmons

Trying to break back into tech sales

17 comments

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