Life after sales...
Discussion
I'm a PH regular posting under a different name just in case PH colleagues are reading this! So keep schtumm if you know who I am!
I've been in sales for about 15 years, IT for about 10, the big 40 ain't that far away and I'm starting to think that there might be more to life than this. In my career I've come across those superstars, the type that utterly thrive under pressure and always deliver, and there's the no hopers. In the middle there's always a big group in the who can do the job, and enjoy most of it,and are fairly reliable performers, who once in a while get lucky with the big customer, the big contract, the bluebird or the good relationship. They are well liked in their business, don't go all out super-selfish-mercenary are trusted by the client, and really enjoy building relationships across both and solving problems for all. That's probably me.
But the further up the career ladder you get, especially within IT, the more pressure is piled on, there is ceaseless pressure to commit to business that you know (and say) might be shaky, and when it's late or delayed of course it's all your fault. And there comes a time that you start to question what you are doing, about if knowing the fact that you've demonstrated an ROI of 18 months, or saved 0.7 pence per copy or made a few people redundant through the efficiencies you've been able to introduce to the client, is really giving you job satisfaction. Sure, it pays well, the wife and kids are ok and the holidays happen, but are you REALLY enjoying yourself?
And of course many people in even high flying sales jobs don't have many qualifications, at the end of the day it's about character and performance. So if you decide it's time for a change, you might need to do something NOW, before 40, as retraining after that, might be, shall we say, tricky.
I'm no saying I'm ready to give up the salary or the commission just yet, but out of interest, what other PHers who had had enough of sales do after it? Was the grass actually greener when you landed in the neighbouring field? What sort of other roles require the character of a sales person? Did you retrain and follow your dream? Or is it just as bad in other careers in terms of pressure, but without the commission cheque to make it bearable? And did you sleep better coming up to month end?
Thoughts please!
I've been in sales for about 15 years, IT for about 10, the big 40 ain't that far away and I'm starting to think that there might be more to life than this. In my career I've come across those superstars, the type that utterly thrive under pressure and always deliver, and there's the no hopers. In the middle there's always a big group in the who can do the job, and enjoy most of it,and are fairly reliable performers, who once in a while get lucky with the big customer, the big contract, the bluebird or the good relationship. They are well liked in their business, don't go all out super-selfish-mercenary are trusted by the client, and really enjoy building relationships across both and solving problems for all. That's probably me.
But the further up the career ladder you get, especially within IT, the more pressure is piled on, there is ceaseless pressure to commit to business that you know (and say) might be shaky, and when it's late or delayed of course it's all your fault. And there comes a time that you start to question what you are doing, about if knowing the fact that you've demonstrated an ROI of 18 months, or saved 0.7 pence per copy or made a few people redundant through the efficiencies you've been able to introduce to the client, is really giving you job satisfaction. Sure, it pays well, the wife and kids are ok and the holidays happen, but are you REALLY enjoying yourself?
And of course many people in even high flying sales jobs don't have many qualifications, at the end of the day it's about character and performance. So if you decide it's time for a change, you might need to do something NOW, before 40, as retraining after that, might be, shall we say, tricky.
I'm no saying I'm ready to give up the salary or the commission just yet, but out of interest, what other PHers who had had enough of sales do after it? Was the grass actually greener when you landed in the neighbouring field? What sort of other roles require the character of a sales person? Did you retrain and follow your dream? Or is it just as bad in other careers in terms of pressure, but without the commission cheque to make it bearable? And did you sleep better coming up to month end?
Thoughts please!
Your reflections and experiences, particularly around mid-life, are not uncommon. Whilst hearing of others' experiences will be interesting, and sometimes fun (and indeed possibly sad), it's hearing what your own conscience is saying that is the most important. You already know what it is telling you, so it's now a matter of conviction with a little support from friends, family and collegues along the way. Even a little professional help may be needed too.
You will have a whole heap of transferable skills that would be welcomed in a number of other industries; what is it that deep down you'd love to be doing? Identify 3 possibles then make a concious effort to research, network in those areas and begin crafting a well-written outcomes-based CV in preparation. Once you've done your research it will more than likely become obvious which option has the most viability. Once identified, carry on researching deeper and networking with a more targeted approach. You would then craft a CV with this trajectory in mind. Hope that helps a little. Good luck!
You will have a whole heap of transferable skills that would be welcomed in a number of other industries; what is it that deep down you'd love to be doing? Identify 3 possibles then make a concious effort to research, network in those areas and begin crafting a well-written outcomes-based CV in preparation. Once you've done your research it will more than likely become obvious which option has the most viability. Once identified, carry on researching deeper and networking with a more targeted approach. You would then craft a CV with this trajectory in mind. Hope that helps a little. Good luck!
I'm in the same position OP, though not as close to 40 as it seems you are. I've been in sales for 12+ years, never really set the world on fire with regards to my performance, I could probably do a lot better but I've realised I don't want to. I never wanted to be a sales person.. it just happened! I'm looking to get out of it myself and like you say, it's a little tricky with no specific qualifications that I can take to another non-sales based role without training or taking a course, just need to work out exactly what it is I want to do.. I very much like your reply though rog007.
I'm single with no kids and no mortgage, so to be honest I think Im just going to pack my backpack and go travelling again....
Interesting - I've had the similar experience but in reverse.... Also nearly 40, spent the last 20 years as a jack of all trades in IT - bit of development, bit of project management, bit of operations management - now feel I've finally found my niche specializing in IT (pre) sales....
For me it was a case of deciding whether I wanted to continue to climb the greasy ladder or move back into a role where there would be no sh~tty HR issues to deal with and with the opportunity to gain genuine satisfaction from delivering great demonstrations!
For me it was a case of deciding whether I wanted to continue to climb the greasy ladder or move back into a role where there would be no sh~tty HR issues to deal with and with the opportunity to gain genuine satisfaction from delivering great demonstrations!
Definitely agree with the "trapped by the lifestyle" bit. To make it worse, given the current price of housing in the South East, it's not necessarily even a particularly luxurious lifestyle with a wife and sprogs in tow!
Being just the other side of 40, and having worked for smallish IT companies all my career until 5 years ago, I am now starting to very much appreciate working for one of the biggest.
I'm not going to get stinking rich from share options or anything (I'm at least 4 generations too late for that!), and I'm not even going to do very well out of the company underestimating how rapidly it's going to grow next year, but on the other hand, and critical to this thread, there's lots of opportunity for me to move at some point into a less directly sales-focused role without having to take a massive salary cut. Possibly worth considering for the OP?
Being just the other side of 40, and having worked for smallish IT companies all my career until 5 years ago, I am now starting to very much appreciate working for one of the biggest.
I'm not going to get stinking rich from share options or anything (I'm at least 4 generations too late for that!), and I'm not even going to do very well out of the company underestimating how rapidly it's going to grow next year, but on the other hand, and critical to this thread, there's lots of opportunity for me to move at some point into a less directly sales-focused role without having to take a massive salary cut. Possibly worth considering for the OP?
I wish there was a more satisfactory answer to this. I've been thinking along the same lines recently.
I especially find myself envying the guys who can go off to a ship or oil rig for a month, and come back with a pocket full of cash and a bunch of free time to enjoy it. Unfortunately there's not much call for salesmen on an oil rig, and 10 years of sales and recruitment hasn't really given me any other useful skills!
Anyone who has successfully started a new career after a few years of sales?
I especially find myself envying the guys who can go off to a ship or oil rig for a month, and come back with a pocket full of cash and a bunch of free time to enjoy it. Unfortunately there's not much call for salesmen on an oil rig, and 10 years of sales and recruitment hasn't really given me any other useful skills!
Anyone who has successfully started a new career after a few years of sales?
I'm in sales as well, although not in IT, and what you are thinking hits us all, sometimes more often than we would like.
There are options, especially if you work for a larger organisation (although you often earn a lower but more steady wage).
Perhaps move into running big exisiting accounts where developing and nuturing credible relationships as an account manager is more valued than thrusting about finding and winning new business.
Moving into people management? I've seen a lot of our more mature sales guys freely admit they don't have the energy to keep driving 500 miles a day winning new business, but who are great with people, have a lot of valuable experience and who enjoy training and coaching the 'next generation' of youngsters. These guys, whilst not management, tend to be very highly regarded and well looked after by management.
A lot of us slip into the 'I don't have any real qualifications' trap. All I would say is that you have skills that are of huge value on the market. We often down-play our skills in Sales, but it will surprise you when you realise that there are simply not that many people out there who are confident with strangers, who can remain calm and rationale during negotiation, who can land difficult messages in a way that doesn't totally piss people off, who can communicate in a way that gets their point across so that others want to listen, who don't flinch when the buyer across the table throws their toys out of the pram, who can influence / close (ie gaining commitment from someone else to actually do something).
Reading your posts, it suggests that you are providing well for your family. I have friends who studied for years, really love their job 9-5, but outside of 9-5 are constantly stressed about money and feeling they are not delivering for their families due to their earnings / future potential. I guess all I am saying is, providing for one's own is an achievement that you may not want to brush to one side too easily.
At one point I considered merging my work with by hobby / passions. Decided not to in the end, but the thing that is really important to me is to really enjoy my hobbies - and not forget how I pay for them. Next time I'm at work thinking 'why the hell am I doing this s
te' I can quickly answer 'because you are taking your Caterham to the 'ring next month / taking the family away for Christmas which they will love / whatever whatever' and all of that happens becqasue you get up in the morning and do this job.
So sorry, no real answers, just some ramblings which may or may not be food for thought
There are options, especially if you work for a larger organisation (although you often earn a lower but more steady wage).
Perhaps move into running big exisiting accounts where developing and nuturing credible relationships as an account manager is more valued than thrusting about finding and winning new business.
Moving into people management? I've seen a lot of our more mature sales guys freely admit they don't have the energy to keep driving 500 miles a day winning new business, but who are great with people, have a lot of valuable experience and who enjoy training and coaching the 'next generation' of youngsters. These guys, whilst not management, tend to be very highly regarded and well looked after by management.
A lot of us slip into the 'I don't have any real qualifications' trap. All I would say is that you have skills that are of huge value on the market. We often down-play our skills in Sales, but it will surprise you when you realise that there are simply not that many people out there who are confident with strangers, who can remain calm and rationale during negotiation, who can land difficult messages in a way that doesn't totally piss people off, who can communicate in a way that gets their point across so that others want to listen, who don't flinch when the buyer across the table throws their toys out of the pram, who can influence / close (ie gaining commitment from someone else to actually do something).
Reading your posts, it suggests that you are providing well for your family. I have friends who studied for years, really love their job 9-5, but outside of 9-5 are constantly stressed about money and feeling they are not delivering for their families due to their earnings / future potential. I guess all I am saying is, providing for one's own is an achievement that you may not want to brush to one side too easily.
At one point I considered merging my work with by hobby / passions. Decided not to in the end, but the thing that is really important to me is to really enjoy my hobbies - and not forget how I pay for them. Next time I'm at work thinking 'why the hell am I doing this s
te' I can quickly answer 'because you are taking your Caterham to the 'ring next month / taking the family away for Christmas which they will love / whatever whatever' and all of that happens becqasue you get up in the morning and do this job.So sorry, no real answers, just some ramblings which may or may not be food for thought
I had a similar 'thing' this time last year after I was laid off from a company I'd put 7 years in to. Redundancy is a great time to re-assess, to think about what changes you can make, where your life is headed and all that stuff. It can lead to self doubt, depending on your headspace, or a chance to take a bit of cash and do something you've always wanted to.
I worked out the problem wasnt the job (IT sales), it was me. Struggles, pain, stress and a bit of hassle are all going to be present in any job if you let them. So is fun, enjoyment, success, having a life outside work and being progressive. Jobs often arent the problem, people are!
I worked out the problem wasnt the job (IT sales), it was me. Struggles, pain, stress and a bit of hassle are all going to be present in any job if you let them. So is fun, enjoyment, success, having a life outside work and being progressive. Jobs often arent the problem, people are!
To elaborate a bit further, and feel even more sorry for myself in a way, it's not the job itself that I dislike, it's the life that goes with it.
I actually do have the energy to chase new business. I've done Account Management but it's really not me. I'm quite happy to go chasing new clients, push through doors and get people's attention by hook or by crook.
It's the fact that I'm stuck living in a big city because I do executive search and there aren't many executives in the middle of nowhere. If I take a week off I'll come back to a blank month, and have to double my effort just to get back on course next month. If I take 2 weeks off then I'll be down on the quarter. And that's not done. I have to go around Bangkok in a suit and Thai, needing a shower by the time I get to the end of my street.
I find myself increasingly envious of guys who go to work on a ship or an oil rig, they put their head down for a month or whatever it is, don't spend any of their own money as their food and accommodation is provided, and then they come back for a month off, with a decent chunk of cash in their pockets, and no responsibilities until their next trip.
The month on might be a pain, but the month off should be something else. You could have a holiday of a lifetime 2 or 3 times a year, quality time with the family and months of doing what interests you.
Seeing my wife and baby every night and all weekend is great, and I would miss that, but at the same time quite often by the time I've finished work it's well into the evening, and the all too short weekend is mostly taken up with shopping and other essential stuff, which all conspires to mean that I don't actually have the time to do the things I really value or enjoy nearly as much as I would like.
I actually do have the energy to chase new business. I've done Account Management but it's really not me. I'm quite happy to go chasing new clients, push through doors and get people's attention by hook or by crook.
It's the fact that I'm stuck living in a big city because I do executive search and there aren't many executives in the middle of nowhere. If I take a week off I'll come back to a blank month, and have to double my effort just to get back on course next month. If I take 2 weeks off then I'll be down on the quarter. And that's not done. I have to go around Bangkok in a suit and Thai, needing a shower by the time I get to the end of my street.
I find myself increasingly envious of guys who go to work on a ship or an oil rig, they put their head down for a month or whatever it is, don't spend any of their own money as their food and accommodation is provided, and then they come back for a month off, with a decent chunk of cash in their pockets, and no responsibilities until their next trip.
The month on might be a pain, but the month off should be something else. You could have a holiday of a lifetime 2 or 3 times a year, quality time with the family and months of doing what interests you.
Seeing my wife and baby every night and all weekend is great, and I would miss that, but at the same time quite often by the time I've finished work it's well into the evening, and the all too short weekend is mostly taken up with shopping and other essential stuff, which all conspires to mean that I don't actually have the time to do the things I really value or enjoy nearly as much as I would like.
I've done this, was divisional sales director for a Novar subsidiary (now Honeywell) at 37, headhunted to similar position but HVAC at Invensys, great money, not to hard to be honest and good team under me but fook me it was soul destroying.
I knew this was coming and in 1999 I started thinking to have my own business at 40 no more driving everywhere etc no boss asking me why we are 2% up, 4% down etc no bloody forecasts that are half fictional crap but are demanded by purchasing / manufacturing.
I ran my own business alongside my day job and even had staff lol and just after my 42nd birthday I left a very well paid comfortable job to be a SME retailer.
I LOVE no commute, no fixed hours, no crap but I don't earn as much and even less recently but it will be ok, my quality of life is MUCH MUCH better and at 48 I'm cool with not being a captain of industry.
Would I o it again -yes - remember I didn't know we were heading for a global stfest but I would still do it again.
Pm me if I can help
I knew this was coming and in 1999 I started thinking to have my own business at 40 no more driving everywhere etc no boss asking me why we are 2% up, 4% down etc no bloody forecasts that are half fictional crap but are demanded by purchasing / manufacturing.
I ran my own business alongside my day job and even had staff lol and just after my 42nd birthday I left a very well paid comfortable job to be a SME retailer.
I LOVE no commute, no fixed hours, no crap but I don't earn as much and even less recently but it will be ok, my quality of life is MUCH MUCH better and at 48 I'm cool with not being a captain of industry.
Would I o it again -yes - remember I didn't know we were heading for a global s
tfest but I would still do it again.Pm me if I can help
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