Well.......got laid off today and feel so discouraged about the future.

Came out of nowhere but started my role late last year as an AE in the middle of December. Hired in a class of 3 AEs on the same date. No one closed anything this year including the 3 senior AEs who had been here for over a year. I drove the most pipeline in the team and set the most meetings for myself that showed but to expect me to close within 3 months was just unrealistic.


Things were going as normal but then my manager called me out of the blue during lunch. Told me that I am getting laid off and offered me a severance package of a month. Apparently, one other rep got laid off this week (it was one of the newer ones) and our VP of Sales was let go last week.


I thought I had made the right decision as the industry we were in sold more of a need to have than nice to have product.


In the previous role I got promoted from BDR to AE but after 11 mos as an AE, had to leave because of how toxic it got.


This role, barely 3 months as an AE, and I am let go. I cannot show that I have a year plus of AE experience. I am afraid I am going to be in a spot where I will have to restart as a BDR again or even worse, just be unemployed for months in this climate.


In any other environment, I feel like I could get back up on my feet if I got laid off but in this one, I feel so discouraged....

☁️ Software Tech
30
Sunbunny31
Politicker
8
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I'm very sorry this happened.
The lack of a full year as AE is hardly your doing, and please do not let that stop you from looking for new AE roles. The last company hired you for a reason - so remember that as you look for your next role.
Make sure the metrics you shared translate to your CV - those are very positive. The fact that they trimmed back the AE team and let the VP go is not your doing, so focus on what you do bring to the table as you look for something new.
0
sales rep
I agree as a recruiter that's what we mostly look at, your metrics
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
5
Sales Rep
Really sorry to hear that, take some time to heel. When is unexpected, its not always easily to come back from emotionally. Don't let this effect your self worth since its a failure on the company note you.
Try to get outside, and do something nice for yourself and someone else.

GingerBarbarian
Opinionated
2
Lead Sales
I am sorry to hear this man. There is a little bit of a good news/ bad news situation based on my read. The bad news is obvious. You lost your job. The good news is that this is so common in the industry now that you should have no problem getting back on your feet. Sales has been suffering such high turnover, particularly in SaaS, that most recruiters will understand. A change in VP will also usually lead to a bit of a drastic house cleaning.

It does not sound like you did anything wrong. It sounds like you just got caught in a increasingly common industry trap.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
2
Sales Director
This sucks to read.

Take a day or two (or however long) to process. Know that this wasn't your fault. Especially knowing senior AE's couldn't close anything with 4x the amount of time.

I'd jump on corp's list of hiring companies asap.

https://stillhiring.today/ - here's the link.
DalJigsaw
Contributor
0
Business Development and Account Manager
Thank you for sharing that!
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
shit this blows.

allow your self a day or two to just recover mentally. and then on monday i would start to figure out what your next move will be.

its tough out there for sure, BUT ppl are understanding that tons of sales ppl are being let go and idk if its really being used against them.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
sorry to hear that. It sucks and seems to be going around like the flu.
Take the weekend off and hit Monday as hard as you would a new job.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
2
AE
Sounds like a plan.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
❤🦊
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Damn, misery loves company
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
3
AE
huh?
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
Im in the same boat as you and it sucks.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
He got laid off yesterday. So sorry for both of you.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
2
AE
Hey man, let's connect. I need to download the freaking app so I can see DMs lol.
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
Sorry for what happened.
Being laid off is unfortunately common in Sales so it's not cuz of you.
You surely have a chance to reapply into the same or even a better role especially that you had a chance to be AE once before that would definitely strengthen your resume a lot.
Give it a shot again after sometime to heal and I assure you that you will come back stronger than ever B4💪
Best of luck!
phe687
Member
1
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.
Fussybot
Executive
1
Director of Sales
Dont read into it / over think it. Everyone is on the chopping block right now as budgets tighten for survival. Use it. Let this fuel the next version of yourself and come out stronger for it
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
0
AE
On it man.
0
Business Development
I am sorry to hear... Keep your head up your opportunity is going to come knocking
shecat
0
Senior Account Executive
It's okay!! Layoffs have nothing to do with your performance, and there should be nothing holding you back from going after an AE role. You got this and don't worry about the current climate.
ChumpChange
Politicker
0
Channel Manager
Ugh... you got caught up in the tech bloodbath that's happening right now. Keep your head up! There's still a ton of opportunity out there... you just have to go fight for it. Always the hero... never the victim.
WholesomeGuy95
Good Citizen
0
Area Sales Manager
It will be okay. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid the mind-spiral of doubt and discouragement. It gets especially bad for me when I'm in periods of job insecurity. Just remember that everything passes and sales will never, ever be irrelevant.
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
0
Account Executive
Sorry to hear, dude. I got let go under similar circumstances as you. It's not easy, take some time de-stress and reorient yourself.
montham757
0
BDR (Business Development Rep)
Hey man sending good vibes I am in a similar situation expecting to be laid off by months end. They shouldn’t have even hired me or the other 4 AE’s I came in with in Nov. Just crappy companies with bad strategies, It’s not you keep your head up. We’ll find the right company and culture. Just seems like most companies w/ tech sales in general is getting a market reset.
Irishman
Catalyst
0
Business Consultant
There are many comnpanies out there looking for great talent, ours included. Make sure you pick a company and role that is good for you not just because it is available
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
And I want to say happy early St Patty's day in case I don't run into you again
Irishman
Catalyst
0
Business Consultant
Thanks mate! Best of luck with your next adventure, you'll look back on this as a great learning experience
0
Account Executive
Sorry. I know thats discouraging. Keep your head up and don't forget there are lots of other sales roles outside of Software that are booming. Tech is cool, but you can make great $ in a variety of industries if you can sell. Don't be afraid to branch out a bit!
MBSSuccess
Fire Starter
0
CEO
So sorry to hear that. Times are definitely changing and no company seems to have the funds or patience to let new hires go through the learning curve.

How would you like to offer Legacy Banking to individuals and business owners and teach them the one thing they cannot live without...being their own bank? First, we get rid of all debt, then we create wealth with no additional money and teach everyone how to keep more of what they make. There is a saying "It's not how much you MAKE, it's how much you KEEP! Feel free to email me at [email protected] with your interest.
rharris415
Contributor
0
Founder
This is unfortante and not going to be changing anytime soon.

Here is some practical advice:

1. Sign nothing regarding severance unless you absolutely need it today.
2. You have all the leverage.
3. If they are offering severance, they are bribing you for your silence.
4. Ask for everything, double the severance, double the insurance, keeping your laptop, whatever.
5. Rarely do they rescind severance offers because it would put them at risk.
6. Make sure the non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreement is bi-directional. It won't be written that way

And finally

As of about 2 weeks ago a severance package may not be legal if they include non-disclosure and non-disparagement paragraphs. This was decided by the NLRB, National Labor Relations Board.

I would definitely check with a lawyer to get specifics on the last comment as well as check your state laws.

If you do need your severance to live, pay rent, mortgage, take care of family, then by all means it's ok to accept it as is.
12

Do you feel as though going to Uni/College has helped you achieve where you are today?

Question
10
Do you feel as though going to Uni/College has helped you achieve where you are today?
57% Yes
43% No
79 people voted
11

Well it's been a weird year... But I'm coming out stronger and better

Discussion
25
16

Can I be happy for not being laid off while some colleagues are still waiting to know if they are laid off or not?

Question
15
What should I do?
62% Stay happy and content but don't show it
11% Constraint my joy and align with their negativity until they are notified or laid off
14% Work from home until they are notified (majority of them are wfh)
14% What else?
66 people voted