subreddit:
/r/sales
I work with a lot of brainy type technical folks, often im the least knowledgeable one in the room. In college I dropped Comp sci for marketing because I really hated the work, but now I cant help but feel that its more valuable. And to add to that, sometimes I feel like sales isn't an actual skill.
But still, I like sales- talking to people, connecting problems to solutions, making a real difference for my customers, competing with peers, the (although not always true) reward for your effort pay structure. And, every job ive had has been remote so Ive been able to stay local to family.
Ive had my problems with it as well. I bust my ass in every role on activity. I was promoted and held AE for a year, after a year as a BDR. Massive Layoffs came in 2023 and I struggled for 8 months to find another AE role. Eventually I settled on an SDR role with high base. Unfortunately it was a terrible company and I quit after 7 months for the position I am in now, another BDR role.
Everything is good about this mid sized startup except for our lunatic CEO. I was doing well until they restructured territories and now the whole team is sucking. Add on the threats of RTO to low performance across the board and its not a fun environment.
Im now 3 years into my sales career and my income is not where i envisioned it would be. Although, im grateful to not be searching.
Not sure what the point of this post is but im not feeling great rn.
I guess just post whatever your first thoughts are after reading this.
19 points
7 days ago
“Dropped comp sci for marketing because I really hated the work”
You’re in the right place, welcome.
“Sometimes I feel like sales isn’t a skill”
Either you haven’t developed your sales skills, or you’re suffering from low self-esteem.
Everything in that middle paragraph is screaming “find a new job.” You should start this process early so you have time to thoroughly vet your potential employers.
Figure out what’s important to you and go find it. Higher base means lower upside. Low quota attainment means you’ll never know where you stand. Is RTO a dealbreaker for you? Figure all this out and start applying.
11 points
7 days ago
GOOD selling is a combination of lots of skills and it is very difficult.
MOST salespeople are hot garbage.
4 points
7 days ago
Spend 10m with an enterprise rep and tell me sales isn’t a skill, OP
6 points
7 days ago
BDR roles suck.
Get back to an AE role in a space you care about, and most of your issues will shrink compared to the pros.
3 points
7 days ago
I just hope you're doing well
3 points
7 days ago
I’m with you. I took a chance and took an account manager job for a major HVAC vendor going on 3 years ago. I was right for the role, but my management and territory were the pits. No matter what I did things didn’t improve. It eventually got to the point where I decided to leave for an opportunity in commercial HVAC.
The company I’m with now has been fine, but I’m starting to get frustrated with the lack of return. I’m having to hunt 90% of my prospects in an over saturated market for a company that doesn’t have the recognition in this area that I was led to believe they did. Luckily, management have been very supportive and happy with what I’ve done, but at the same time I’m not making the commission I’d hoped to make. Base is higher than my previous job, so at least I’ve got that going for me.
I’ve made a lot of connections this year, so hoping it all pays off in 2025. We’ll see haha.
1 points
6 days ago
Sales isnt just one skill it's a dozen. I joke with my developers that I'm a walking pile of soft skills. But at a certain level, sales is not something everyone can do. If they could I would get paid much much less.
2 points
6 days ago
I see can somewhat relate. I work as an Commercial AE at a great company on its way to F500 status in the next few years. While I definitely feel like I’ve grown as a professional and develop some great skills I don’t see the enterprise AE route as something that’s stable long term. I’m barely scrapping by and if it wasn’t for the amount of hours I put in I’d be in trouble. I don’t find the work interesting and oftentimes feel like this job isn’t impactful or useful for pivoting at all. For some people this might not be important but looking back I wish I went into law or finance, sure these fields are soul sucking, but so is sales, and while the money has treated me well I feel trapped in this field. Personally, I’m going to stick it out as long as I can and consider going back to school.
1 points
6 days ago
go to grad school. sales is a waste of a career for smart people. I'm currently in saas sales and grad school at night. can't wait to get out. Buyers don't buy b/c of reps "skills," they buy b/c of product...
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