MurphysLaw

Account Manager

When do you know your ready to change roles?

A bit of background on me - I am a 26 year old Account Manager for a transportation company. I have successfully moved up within 4 years from a entry level logistics coordinator to a BDR and then within 5 months due to performance I moved up to my current position as an Account Manager. I have been in this position for 2.5 years (currently hitting budget and personal stretch goals)

My sales team is growing and a new Sales Manager role has been posted. this would be more of a leadership role providing support to our director and supervising a small sales team.

any advice or opinions on when is it the right time to move into a new role? can applying for a position you might be not fully qualified for yet be a bad thing? thoughts?

🎯 Career Development

🏋️‍♀️ Leadership

🧢 Sales Management

12 comments

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FromaBlankPerspective

Politicker

District Manager

First question - is management what you want or is that just the perceived next step? I took a management role at a prior company because I thought it made sense and I HATED it. If it is something that you want to do, I would definitely go to leadership and express your interest, why you think you would be successful and then ask them how they can help you get there.

MurphysLaw

Good Citizen

Account Manager

Great point - management to me seems like the logical next step but like you, would I just end up hating it? I haven't actually given that a thought before.

sales7

Politicker

Commercial Product Enablement

I'd say don't apply then, management isn't for everyone and it's more than just being a good rep, really think about what you want from your job & then evaluate from there

Stax

Opinionated

AE - Major Accounts

If you want the role -- go for it. Talk to your director to get an idea of what he'll be looking for and let him know why you think you'd be a good fit. 2.5 years is plenty of time to be looking for the next step up within the organization.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

I'm in the same boat (different roles) but I have actively gone to the person that would decide if you get a new role and explained my experience and history at the company - currently putting together a 'proposal' for why I should which includes stats and revenue generated etc. All it takes is the 'ask' in my opinion!

MurphysLaw

Good Citizen

Account Manager

Ya your totally right - its all about the ask. I have also started putting a mini proposal together. I tend to keep a high-level list regardless in my notes of big wins that aren't directly related to a measurable KPI. Seems to help when yearly reviews happen.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

Sounds good man, do please update us on what happens and as will I!

NoSuperhero

Politicker

BDR LEAD

I'd say when you stop learning anything new from your role and continuously crush your goals it's about time for the next thing.

LordBusiness

Politicker

Chief Revenue Officer

Don't move up because you feel you should be "growing" I can't tell you how many folks I've bumped into who push themselves into roles they A) aren't ready for B) don't really even want...because they are chasing this idea of "needing to grow". I guess to answer your question it really depends on what motivates you in your life right now -- sounds like your hitting your goals and making decent cash pretty stress free? If that's a priority keep on keeping on. If you bored as hell and hate waking up everyday to grind out a snoozefest, - then make a play for a new role (or a new company). Short answer, if you have to ask if you are ready --- you probably aren't ready.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

If you stop learning new skills or knowledge, start looking around and talking to the higherups.

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

“Moving up” to management is a misconception. You have to know how to & like dealing with people, their bullshit (and there’s LOTS of it) and taking the heat for their failures. Don’t feel the pressure to “move up” because society says that’s the logical order of things. Do it because you like dealing with crap and getting paid less for it.

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

And by the way, if you have to ask, you’re not ready. You’re 26. Get some experience (& a mentor) & stop trying to rush things. This whole retire by 35 thing is BS.

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MurphysLaw

When do you know your ready to change roles?

12 comments

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