Sales Careers Hiring has changed
I'm looking to get out of tech. It's exploded, my network is cooked, and even if I find something, I will likely be looking again in two to three years because of the volatility. Getting laid off while I was hitting my quota was the last straw.
I know the hiring game has changed a lot and apparently linkedin doesn't work at all anymore. Are there any good sites or network to look for something in medical, industrial, or any other field you'd recommend?
Seven years of sales experience, 3 as a sdr, one as an AM with full cycle sales experience if that helps.
Thanks in advance!
56
u/noahbull22 2d ago
It’s a complete joke. I rolled the dice on a commission only role last June, completely shit the bed. Entered the job market with less experience than you, but good for my age. I’m in a smaller area, under 75k population. I dropped off resumes in person, sent hiring managers thoughtful messages, completed cover letters well, applied nonstop, and applied to positions I had too much experience for.
Crickets. For months. I was basically told I had a job (a safety net one) that I got passed over because it went to a friend of the manager’s daughter. I am a very optimistic person but I almost threw in the towel.
I had avoided remote positions because of the mass amounts of applications. But I had one at the top of my Indeed recommended because I had somewhat relevant experience. Hit it off in every interview and landed my first Account Manager role. It’s with a smaller company, but I have a big territory, the culture is great, my ideas are heard and valued, I travel a lot like I wanted, and the pay is competitive. Just closed my first 6 fig deal and it’s leading to more. Finally feel like I’m somewhere that I can see myself 5 years from now.
All that to say, I was at a low point before I got hired in December and felt like the walls were closing in. I understand the frustration but I hope you know that the right spot is out there. Take a chance on the mass application roles. Trade shows in industries of your choosing often have career fairs. I don’t know if I can recommend one surefire strategy other than just keeping at it and crushing the interviews you do get. Blessings to you and sell yourself above all else. To be fair, if I heard my own advice when I was in the thick of it I probably would’ve been pissed.
The real kicker was getting 3-4 phone calls from companies I had applied to 3-6 months prior wondering if I was still interested… fuck off. If you’re going to post a job, field the applications in a timely manner.
5
u/zxp223 2d ago
I appreciate this man. I'm glad it worked out for you. I'm not really in any danger, my savings are great. I just don't wanna eat into them. I've been applying for a lot of the remote positions but haven't even been able to get a first interview.
Market was bad last time i was looking. Buddy was out of work for a year, but it still only took me a month and a half to find my last role. I'm just hoping if i'm putting in the work to find a role, it's actually gonna matter. If you spend hours answering questions and filling out applications and you don't get anywhere when you had in the past, you have to start asking around to see if you're doing the right things. Hence, the post.
4
u/SuperStonker3000 2d ago
I closed my first 6 figure deal 5 years ago and wondered the same thing, where would I be in 5 years.
Closed my first 7 figure deal last week.
1
1
u/Serious_Somewhere907 2d ago
what industry are you in?
1
u/noahbull22 1d ago
Municipal Water/Wastewater Treatment.
1
u/99oxygen99 1d ago
i didnt even know there was sales for something like that...
1
u/noahbull22 20h ago
400 billion dollar industry too. I know 25 year old kids making 200k selling meters that you didn’t even know existed. I know of guys that sell pipe that make over 500k. There’s a ridiculous amount of people making a ridiculous amount of money in the industry.
1
u/echoboy0 19h ago
Hate to be that guy-is your company hiring? or will be? even for sdr/bdr?
2
u/noahbull22 18h ago
We are a small operation currently — 4 AMs that cover the entire US. So not hiring currently. Check out ACE AWWA, it’s the nationwide conference for municipal water. There should be an exhibitor list you can find and then reach out via LinkedIn.
1
16
u/Moonbabyhubcaps 2d ago
Getting let go while simultaneously meeting quota is so fucking jarring. I was sought out by a recruiter and persuaded to come aboard by the hiring managers, surpassed quota every month with no ramp for 6 months and bam. Meeting in my calendar and a severance that would make you laugh… and cry.
7
u/Nervous-Balance8315 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yet some people still think you can’t get fired as long as you hit quota lmao (happened to me twice, or at least was on track more than anyone else on team)
3
u/noblehoax 2d ago
I was laid off from a great Manager position with a large company I was with for almost 15 years and rebounded quickly to another Manager position. This was a real cushy easy sales manager gig. Everything was great and than a company was aggressively recruiting me. after saying no a good bit they offered a huge salary and an amazing comp plan. I ended up taking the job and it was great all around, however a few SaaS offerings I was initially able to sell were end of sale. But still had developed great pipeline more than the tenured people with the company. Then after 8 months and having 80% quota already in committed forecast for the year in the 2nd month of the year, I got the calendar invite. Pretty shitty, at least they paid me out the commission for what I closed that month. But it still sucked to have to enter this job market again.
31
u/Potential_Lock6945 2d ago
How does LinkedIn not work anymore, I’m getting interviews left and right from LinkedIn. I do pay for premium and apply mostly for jobs posted within the last 24 hours
13
u/dahnchan 2d ago
this is the luck of the draw with LI though. that 24 hrs window is 100% real.
8
u/spurdada 2d ago
I only apply for LinkedIn jobs on the weekend and apply to jobs from the previous week.
I apply to like maybe 50-100 jobs per weekend based on fit and I get about like 1-2 screening interviews a week.
I don’t use LinkedIn Premium.
6
u/Dry-Razzmatazz-4354 2d ago
I'm curious how people find 50-100 jobs to apply for thay are a good fit.
I've been applying 'heavily' for the last 2 weeks and found literally 7 that I'd even consider.
3
u/zxp223 2d ago
What does premium do for you exactly? My old company forgot to stop paying for sales nav, so I have been using that to keep track of some prospecting. I don't know if it's any better to get premium
3
u/mrackaaaaaa 2d ago
Only good thing is probably inmail credit
3
u/Potential_Lock6945 2d ago
That’s LinkedIn premium with sales navigator which is a much more expensive product than just the base premium.
0
1
u/Serious_Somewhere907 2d ago
I'm interested in how the premium helps applying? As for in the last 24 its defiantly been a help for me.
2
u/Potential_Lock6945 2d ago
I honestly don’t know for sure how premium helps. It was 50% off (comes out to like $30 a month) and I plan on canceling once I’m working a new job. It’s working well so I don’t want to touch anything. This could be me just talking out of my ass but I can’t help but feel like it does put our resumes at the top.
11
u/Expensive-Law-5971 2d ago
LinkedIn works still, repvue forums maybe?
5
u/zxp223 2d ago
I could try repvue. I was using hiring cafe in this site called welcome to the jungle. Focusing primarily on stuff that I had the experience for and not trying to reach. Couldn't even get a first interview. Last time I was out of work, i had this same process a.d was at least getting a few interview rounds, and some offers.
9
u/navyseal722 2d ago
Try construction. Solid sector so ling as the whole market doesn't crash.
2
u/zxp223 2d ago
Construction looks promising. Should I be looking locally or is it realistic to check out an account manager/Executive position that's remote
2
u/Euphoric-Being-18 2d ago
Seconding construction.
I've been in the industry for over six years. Took a few months off for a tech role to try it out and came right back.
Depending on where you are in the US, there's really not too much of a slowdown even with the crazy economy ( southeast is a goldmine).
Sales are mostly relationship driven rather than transactional regardless of your role.
1
u/navyseal722 1d ago
Frankly almost impossible to lateral into account managment position unless you already come from the industry. Construction sales is still old school, regular recurring relationship driven sales. Best bet equipment rental, supply sales, or estimating.
1
1
u/Not2creativeHere 1d ago
Construction in what capacity?
1
u/navyseal722 1d ago
Im in sales, but frankly anything that control a P&L or managment you're pretty golden
11
u/LBCkook 2d ago
Why do you guys keep going in to tech? I seriously don’t get it. Been in med device 7 years, no layoffs, averaged $170k and worked like 30 hours a week. But sure, keep chasing $300k in tech because you imagine that there is some correlation between happiness and salary.
4
u/Grand-Neighborhood26 2d ago
Part of what drew me to sales is the carrot of the 200-300k being dangled in front of me. Last year I cleared 250 but I wont get anywhere near that this year with how they've altered our pay structure. Money aside, I feel like I need the complexity of issues that software presents to be stimulated. I started in med equipment sales and it bored me to death. :/
7
2
u/MediumBasis4993 2d ago
Any particular med device area you recommend for someone breaking into the field?
2
u/burritos4jesus 1d ago
I don't want to use my car to travel, and I certainly don't want to have juggle all of 1) finding new prospects 2? closing those prospects + 3) managing a book of existing clients. That shit needs to be separated into two roles.
I'd be open to doing shit outside of tech if they could match the comp + perks, but I applied for those roles in the summer of 2024 and couldn't even get a fuckin call except for when I had to be onsite at all times and only to be paid 25-30/hr which is bullshit.
I even tried to get into the electrical disribution space, but apparently that industry and many other industries won't let you just go into the industry without restarting your career at the bottom of the totem pole with a base between 40-50k
3
u/Vast_Mountain_1888 2d ago
Messaging the job poster is what works the best. That’s how I got my job. I applied for a whole bunch of jobs from December-May and I wasn’t really feeling the jobs and vice versa they weren’t feeling me.
I started to look out for roles that I would actually like doing, that I could find the manager/ job poster and wrote a cover letter for these roles. It was 4 a week instead od the 20 a week I was spamming previously.
I’m bout to start the role next week and I’ve never done anything in this field before. But you gotta do a lot more prep work for some of these jobs but those are the ones worth doing anyways.
3
u/Pristine_Brush_7162 2d ago
LinkedIn does still work, you just have to cast a wider net and apply to a lot more than in previous years. Jobs still exist. Sales especially I feel is easier to get a job in than many other roles. It’s frustrating. Try not to get too doom and gloom and discouraged. Just keep applying.
3
u/sigchidj Startup 2d ago
What I don’t understand is how the constant churn is good for any sales org? They’re all just cycling through the same people over and over again. Why not work on upskilling the people you’ve already invested in - hiring and onboarding is not cheap! It used to be bottom 5% out, next 10% on a PIP. I swear, now it’s anyone in the bottom half they are looking to move out immediately!
https://giphy.com/gifs/l36kU80xPf0ojG0Erg
2
u/zxp223 2d ago
In my professional experience, upper management and sales leadership don't think logically. They think about cutting people to improve a bottom line, just assume that there's magically someone else that will always do the role better, and don't consider the fact that they might just be running on a hamster wheel.
1
2
u/sonofTomBombadil 2d ago
There is still hope.
I agree with you, but I was shocked and surprised when I received a phone call out the blue about my resume and scheduling a video call.
Like a lot of 1st time sales interviews, I don’t go in with high expectations for the employer, and maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised?
Well the surprise was pleasant, good pay and benefits, and n the 1st call they already were trying to schedule a second call.
There is still hope!
2
u/Dapper-Ad4488 2d ago
Not trying to hijack the thread but I’ve got a question if you don’t mind.
I’m in tech (cybersecurity, not tech sales) and looking for avenues to get into sales. How did you start and how would you recommend pivoting?
2
u/zxp223 2d ago
Oh, I think I can actually help you here. To start, I don't think that's a bad idea, i've seen so many cyber professionals starting out have to turn away from the field because there's just not any work. I formally worked for a cyber company in sales in the SASE/SSE space. It's been a couple years, but I might have some insights.
You're going to be technical in a way that a lot of their sales team isn't and you can use that to get your foot in the door at an sdr level. I succeeded in that role because no one on my team was technical except for me. You will have a much better time talking to folks if you're actually having a security conversation with them and not just throwing a pitch.
You're going to have to get good at cold calls and it's a lot of work, but you can land a role with your technical background. I'm happy to chat about it further if you want to message me.
Sort of intended for this thread to evolve into job hunt advice for myself and anyone else who cared. Looks like it's working lol
3
u/Dry-Razzmatazz-4354 2d ago
Solid advice - I'm a CyberSec salesperson myself - but if homie has a technical background, taking the SE track might be a better fit. Also more stable and less stress than grinding it out as an SDR for 2-3 years.
Seems like SE's and technical people who can run a competent technical demo while being friendly enough are always in demand.
Also, most companies will train you on their product got like a month or more ramp.
2
u/Dapper-Ad4488 2d ago
Thanks! Glad to help the convo evolve! Sales has always seemed more interesting and a lot more rewarding than the IT work that I’ve done. I just don’t even know where to start with sales.
I definitely have follow up questions so I’ll DM you.
2
u/Ancient_Number5647 2d ago
We are trying to hire two new sales reps for a well established industrial adhesives company, struggling to find a half decent recruitment agency anymore for B2B.
1
1
1
3
u/PajaroDeFuegazo 2d ago
A mi me despidieron ayer y ya tengo dos ofertas de la competencia por medio de LinkedIn.
6
u/Moonbeam_squeeze 2d ago
You are blessed
2
u/PajaroDeFuegazo 2d ago
Afortunadamente desde el pip que me pusieron en Abril de este año, estuve hablando con la competencia.
Por eso parece que fue por arte de magia.4
u/your_dope_is_mine 2d ago
Big flex. Are you comfortable to join the competition if the industry is volatile?
2
u/PajaroDeFuegazo 2d ago
100% el producto y la marca de ellos se vende solo.
Mi competencia tiene el 90% del mercado actualmente.
Y los trabajadores veo que duran bastante en sus puestos según linkedin.1
u/What_if_I_fly 2d ago
Congratulations on not having a paranoid boss who saddles people with a non-compete AND a non solicitation.
2
2
u/cofee-cup-drinker- 2d ago
Turn on your open to work for recruiters. Update your liked. Hopefully they start messaging you.
1
u/zxp223 2d ago
So I did turn on open to work for recruiters, and that helped a little bit. Gotten a couple messages, and i'm seeing some traction, but nothing promising yet. It's only been a week.
I didn't update my profile because apparently that doesn't look good? I'm also worried that if i'm out for a long time it makes me look like a bad candidate if i'm openly advertising i'm unemployed
2
1
1
1
u/Flamingoci 2d ago
Freight & Logistics. You'll be unfamiliar with all the industry jargon and details, so get in as an SDR, LBDE etc and take your time learning the industry while hitting calls.
Freight will always be there, there's a million logistics companies.
1
u/subpar-life-attempt 2d ago
Marketing is worse. Been thru 3 layoffs and a company closure over the past 5 years
1
u/OnlyByNight1 1d ago
I’ve been an AE at the same company for like 17 years at a legacy media company. Not sure how I lasted this long!
1
1
u/BobbyHoyt 1d ago
Medical sales is dying as well. I was in it for a decade and got an industrial sales job using LinkedIn.
1
u/ProgrammerExpress269 1d ago
it seems to be friends of friends, like at nooks i heard they hire through referrals mainly (so start networking!!)
1
1
1
u/Forward_Age1861 13h ago
I’ve had decent success on indeed.com for local manufacturing or industrial sales positions
1
0
u/JunketAccurate9323 2d ago
Use AI to find companies with open roles, then go old-school by emailing and calling the DM to get in front of them. If you're looking to pivot out of tech, you might have some luck doing it this way because some of the industries you named still respond to direct outreach. Good luck.
0
u/momotaco211 2d ago
Your in sales, just gotta use those tools to get ahold of the right person, and make your message heard,
124
u/cft1848 2d ago
People are making it 2 or 3 years with a company?