vet

Senior SDR

When is the right time?

After several weeks of reviewing sales profiles on Linkedin, I noticed lots of sales people that grow into new positions.

At my current company I wanted to grow into a management title, just after I started searching for it I realized that it may not be where I want to be.

So I keep looking at new jobs but going to keep working in my current role.

When do you know you are ready for management? When do you know you have to leave a company?

Currently $150K total comp, low monthly quota, in the above average in rankings compared to my peers. In late 20s.

Thanks for the advice ahead of time.

🔓 2024

🧠 Advice

🎯 Career Development

22 comments

Sort by:

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

Let’s start with 2 quick questions?

- Why did you get into sales to begin with?

- Why do you want to go into management?

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

These 100% need to be answered. Don't go into management 'because it's the next step'.

That's how we end up with so many shitty managers.

What aspects of work gets you fired up?

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

Saw your comment and thought it would be funny to use it.

It really is just the next step at my company and as its privately held then theres no extra compensation.

I enjoy chasing deals also helping people. Although I do want to be compensated for my help.

Would be great to build a team and drive revenue, although from my research internally… I have found its not the same.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Sounds like you should pursue IC at least for now.

If you find you enjoy building process and coaching/developing people then maybe pivot

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

I agree, so applying to the next role.

Management at my current company seems tough, maybe somewhere with RSUs would motivate me to take a new path.

BigShrimpin

Catalyst

Account executive

good clarifying question this guy sells for sure

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

1) Make a good amount of money and work client facing.

2) Management is the next step but I see that its more shiny object syndrome. Thus why I mentioned I dont want to pursue management.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

You’ve clearly got your head on straight and priorities in order. The ugly truth of management is that you will in most cases make less money.

Later in your career it could be worth exploring, but follow your gut and keep focusing on the opportunities you have as an IC to add value to your team. Look for ways to improve process (when needed), coach up and mentor newer reps, looks for projects to give you experience AND exposure.

And for everything in between you’ve got this group to fall back on.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

That moment when something you said helped someone else close a deal and you get nothing for it. But you light up with a sense of gratification you never felt before. That’s when it’s time to manage people.

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

I saw this and enjoyed the thought, but in the end I want to be compensated for my work thus why I went into sales.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Do you want to be responsible for other people?

Armageddon

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

This is so tough. I was at a fork in the road a couple years ago and I chose to stay IC / go up market while a number of my peers went the downmarket leadership route. To me I’ve always said I want to lead one day, but first need the enterprise experience.

2 years later, 4 out of my 5 peers who went management have transitioned back into IC while I’ve been promoted twice. My company is particularly tough to manage in, but it’s definitely validated my choice was the right one for me.

I think the answer is, you don’t know, and to find out you may need to make the leap and test the waters.

No one ever said you can’t get back in the hot tub after jumping in the pool

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

The ending was great. Personally like the change between the pool and hot tub.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Timing depends upon individuals but there’s both upside and downside as others started.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

I recently made the move from sales to leadership and there were several reasons that helped me decide it was time:
1. Our sales structure was changing dramatically and any sort of fun was taken out and comp severely impacted (better for those who perform).

2. I had been top rep for most of my tenure and truly love and care about my company so I felt like I could help move the financial needle more by leading others.

3. I had already been mentoring and training several teammates and with nothing in return or compensation I quickly realized I was enjoying that quite a bit more than dialing.

Leadership is a role earned through conquering adversity, making mistakes and learning lessons. Make sure you give yourself time, lots of time to learn and develop both personally and professionally. You become an important part of someone’s life and mental health so it’s very important to take it to heart, be honored and work to the best of your ability. Hope something here helps, good luck

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Do you want to manage humans or process?

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

Process is bad, would like to change it. Although I do not think as a manager I would change the process.

Manager of people, I have done this at a different industry and found it to be little comp compared to the work load.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Well, that is part of the managers job. Influence process based on human feedback and funnel performance.

I’d stick to being an IC if you’re innately pulled towards developing humans.

vet

Catalyst

Senior SDR

I agree. So now I am on the job hunt for a good opportunity!

Manager role at my current company does not make sense with my personality.

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

🐺

Depends if you’re ready to hang up the jersey or not.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

When you find something you believe will improve your life

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Honestly, the grass is pretty green where you are right now. HEre is why I say this

- 150k total comp is about where SMB tops out and you have a monthly quota that sounds like you are hitting and doing well.
- Many companies will promise you 200k OTE or in the neighborhood and years 1 and 2 you'll be lucky to crack 150 which you do now
- If the goal is to get into management it's unlikely another org will hire you for that role without the experience(it's like leaving and SDR role for another SDR role because you want to be an AE)- Your company may have other routes to take such as Ent AE, Team lead and so on

Net: Unless your org is a true dead end it sounds like it isn't that bad. If it's a fulfillment thing bring it up to your manager and see if there's a way you can help coach people if you seem to consistently hit your number.

Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.

Products

The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U

Company

About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty

Contact

Press Careers

If you are hired as a contract sales rep by a Bravado customer, we may ask you to prove access to the employee email account provided to you by that customer. This data will be shared with customers to track your sales productivity; customers can use this data to confirm you meet the minimum activity requirements to pay out your ramp stipend and commission.

vet

When is the right time?

22 comments

Related posts

When’s The *Right* Time?...

You all were right.

Am I doing this right?

When’s The Right Time?...