Getting out of sales
Discussion
Afternoon all
I've been in sales ever since I left university and have built a good career out of it, with good success. Started out your basic grad, 60+ calls a day, passing the fruits up the tree. Now I'm working for a great company, have a couple of my former selves beavering away under me and am happy that I could continue making a good living until I retire.
Trouble is I'm bored. Bored of the constant pressure on numbers, feel like I'm just a drop in the ocean and not really making much of a difference to the world and how it turns. After 14 years in sales I'm ready for a change.
Paid for Class 1 HGV tuition a year ago but failed the Class 2 after clipping a curb, havent pursued it since. This is always something I've wanted to try, and with my job being the way it is I havent taken time off to have a resit. Eats away at me, not just the money spent already but the failure element and that I need to complete that challenge.
That aside I suppose my question is has anyone jumped off the sales gravy train into something more rewarding? How have your sales skills/experiences/strengths translated? Happy and accepting that I'll probably take a drop in take home and also lose the feeling that my efforts directly relate to reward (financially), but neither really bother me.
Any wild stories? Wife is very supportive as she has seen me coming in of an evening (before I start the animal husbandry) increasingly disheartened by it all of late.
Cheers all.
I've been in sales ever since I left university and have built a good career out of it, with good success. Started out your basic grad, 60+ calls a day, passing the fruits up the tree. Now I'm working for a great company, have a couple of my former selves beavering away under me and am happy that I could continue making a good living until I retire.
Trouble is I'm bored. Bored of the constant pressure on numbers, feel like I'm just a drop in the ocean and not really making much of a difference to the world and how it turns. After 14 years in sales I'm ready for a change.
Paid for Class 1 HGV tuition a year ago but failed the Class 2 after clipping a curb, havent pursued it since. This is always something I've wanted to try, and with my job being the way it is I havent taken time off to have a resit. Eats away at me, not just the money spent already but the failure element and that I need to complete that challenge.
That aside I suppose my question is has anyone jumped off the sales gravy train into something more rewarding? How have your sales skills/experiences/strengths translated? Happy and accepting that I'll probably take a drop in take home and also lose the feeling that my efforts directly relate to reward (financially), but neither really bother me.
Any wild stories? Wife is very supportive as she has seen me coming in of an evening (before I start the animal husbandry) increasingly disheartened by it all of late.
Cheers all.
Depending on the industry you're in I guess, but some of my IT Sales mates have moved sideways either in to Product Management or Pre Sales type roles away from some of the bulls
t that can come with sales roles. They found it less stressful, a bit more considered and overall better quality of life.
I looked at completely refocusing after a redundancy round but couldnt get the figures to add up to anything reasonable with taking what was a hobby (photography) into a full time paying career. I could find the fairly well paid work and earn some money but it wasnt regular enough and too bits n'sts to want to do it full time.
t that can come with sales roles. They found it less stressful, a bit more considered and overall better quality of life. I looked at completely refocusing after a redundancy round but couldnt get the figures to add up to anything reasonable with taking what was a hobby (photography) into a full time paying career. I could find the fairly well paid work and earn some money but it wasnt regular enough and too bits n's
ts to want to do it full time. Truck drivers today have it tough, what with foreign competition, working rules, limited contracts, agencies etc..and then easily in your lifetime we'll see autonomous vehicles (my mate has been a truck driver for 25 years)
Sideways moves feels a better option IMHO. Product/service marketing is far less stressful, and better paid - it uses a lot of your sales skills and experience. I honestly think a grounding in sales is one of the most useful and transferrable skills into higher incomes/self-employment/startups and driving a truck doesn't really leverage that.
My 2p.
Sideways moves feels a better option IMHO. Product/service marketing is far less stressful, and better paid - it uses a lot of your sales skills and experience. I honestly think a grounding in sales is one of the most useful and transferrable skills into higher incomes/self-employment/startups and driving a truck doesn't really leverage that.
My 2p.
Appreciating the comments all, many thanks.
There is a growing urge to sell up and go around the world with the old woman - seems like something we'd regret not doing on our deathbeds.
I'll send out a few applications perhaps for some pre sales stuff in-industry.
Anyone flipped the coin and gone into procurement?
There is a growing urge to sell up and go around the world with the old woman - seems like something we'd regret not doing on our deathbeds.
I'll send out a few applications perhaps for some pre sales stuff in-industry.
Anyone flipped the coin and gone into procurement?
FerdiZ28 said:
Appreciating the comments all, many thanks.
There is a growing urge to sell up and go around the world with the old woman - seems like something we'd regret not doing on our deathbeds.
I'll send out a few applications perhaps for some pre sales stuff in-industry.
Anyone flipped the coin and gone into procurement?
Looks like the majority of companies are looking for IPS qualifications as a minimum. Poxy buyers!There is a growing urge to sell up and go around the world with the old woman - seems like something we'd regret not doing on our deathbeds.
I'll send out a few applications perhaps for some pre sales stuff in-industry.
Anyone flipped the coin and gone into procurement?
In a similar position myself. Have been in the sales game for over 20 years at one level or another - much of this as an internal. Have a good working knowledge of most things in my field and a reasonably sound technical knowledge. I'm in my early 40s now and am sick of the constant pressure of targets etc. - am looking around for junior presales roles but most of the smaller companies that are recruiting just want to hire bums on seats that can bring in a book and bring them money straight away - trying to convince them of the merits of having somebody with the knowledge to spec up solutions and assist their sales guys to sell more is difficult, as it's a bit of a stab in the dark as to whether this will add enough value to cover the expense.
Through divorce I have learned to live within my means and have brought my debts down to a manageable level - I simply don't want to chase the money constantly any more. Just want a better work-life balance
In short - no idea where to go next!
Through divorce I have learned to live within my means and have brought my debts down to a manageable level - I simply don't want to chase the money constantly any more. Just want a better work-life balance
In short - no idea where to go next!
Might be barking up the wrong tree, but you mention 'rewarding' and 'making a difference'. I wonder if a move into the third sector might appeal? There are lots of Business Development, Relationship/Partnership Management and Ops Manager type roles, which would play to the skills you have.
Yes, you may still be in a target orientated role, but the difference being you are effectively raising money for a charity. Of course, charity is itself a big business now, so depends how you feel about that and the move from private > public etc. Just an idea!
charityjobs.co.uk and http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk/ if you want a browse
I haven't worked for a charity myself, but have done in the public sector, including in a later role doing a lot of senior recuitment, so would be happy to advise re applying and the transition if that's of any use.
Yes, you may still be in a target orientated role, but the difference being you are effectively raising money for a charity. Of course, charity is itself a big business now, so depends how you feel about that and the move from private > public etc. Just an idea!
charityjobs.co.uk and http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk/ if you want a browse
I haven't worked for a charity myself, but have done in the public sector, including in a later role doing a lot of senior recuitment, so would be happy to advise re applying and the transition if that's of any use.
FLGirl said:
Might be barking up the wrong tree, but you mention 'rewarding' and 'making a difference'. I wonder if a move into the third sector might appeal? There are lots of Business Development, Relationship/Partnership Management and Ops Manager type roles, which would play to the skills you have.
Yes, you may still be in a target orientated role, but the difference being you are effectively raising money for a charity. Of course, charity is itself a big business now, so depends how you feel about that and the move from private > public etc. Just an idea!
charityjobs.co.uk and http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk/ if you want a browse
I haven't worked for a charity myself, but have done in the public sector, including in a later role doing a lot of senior recuitment, so would be happy to advise re applying and the transition if that's of any use.
this might be a good idea. You'll be using your skills but making a difference. I would haave thought the charirt itself needs to be important to you. If you dont like animals, you wont be able to sell an animal charity!Yes, you may still be in a target orientated role, but the difference being you are effectively raising money for a charity. Of course, charity is itself a big business now, so depends how you feel about that and the move from private > public etc. Just an idea!
charityjobs.co.uk and http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk/ if you want a browse
I haven't worked for a charity myself, but have done in the public sector, including in a later role doing a lot of senior recuitment, so would be happy to advise re applying and the transition if that's of any use.
FerdiZ28 said:
Bored of the constant pressure on numbers, feel like I'm just a drop in the ocean and not really making much of a difference to the world and how it turns. After 14 years in sales I'm ready for a change.
With this view of your current role truck driving would drive you insane in about 6 months, constant pressure from dhead drivers and micro managing office staff, never getting home if you wan to earn decent money or if you want to be home every night doing a monotonous milk round for a supermarket, thats all before you try and get your head round the drivers CPC and driving hours crap.FerdiZ28 said:
Afternoon all
I've been in sales ever since I left university and have built a good career out of it, with good success. Started out your basic grad, 60+ calls a day, passing the fruits up the tree. Now I'm working for a great company, have a couple of my former selves beavering away under me and am happy that I could continue making a good living until I retire.
Trouble is I'm bored. Bored of the constant pressure on numbers, feel like I'm just a drop in the ocean and not really making much of a difference to the world and how it turns. After 14 years in sales I'm ready for a change.
Paid for Class 1 HGV tuition a year ago but failed the Class 2 after clipping a curb, havent pursued it since. This is always something I've wanted to try, and with my job being the way it is I havent taken time off to have a resit. Eats away at me, not just the money spent already but the failure element and that I need to complete that challenge.
That aside I suppose my question is has anyone jumped off the sales gravy train into something more rewarding? How have your sales skills/experiences/strengths translated? Happy and accepting that I'll probably take a drop in take home and also lose the feeling that my efforts directly relate to reward (financially), but neither really bother me.
Any wild stories? Wife is very supportive as she has seen me coming in of an evening (before I start the animal husbandry) increasingly disheartened by it all of late.
Cheers all.
I did sales for 22 years and it was very well paid. I did however always have a Plan B as I saw new graduates coming in and the 40-ish people getting nosed out. I didn't want that to happen to me.I've been in sales ever since I left university and have built a good career out of it, with good success. Started out your basic grad, 60+ calls a day, passing the fruits up the tree. Now I'm working for a great company, have a couple of my former selves beavering away under me and am happy that I could continue making a good living until I retire.
Trouble is I'm bored. Bored of the constant pressure on numbers, feel like I'm just a drop in the ocean and not really making much of a difference to the world and how it turns. After 14 years in sales I'm ready for a change.
Paid for Class 1 HGV tuition a year ago but failed the Class 2 after clipping a curb, havent pursued it since. This is always something I've wanted to try, and with my job being the way it is I havent taken time off to have a resit. Eats away at me, not just the money spent already but the failure element and that I need to complete that challenge.
That aside I suppose my question is has anyone jumped off the sales gravy train into something more rewarding? How have your sales skills/experiences/strengths translated? Happy and accepting that I'll probably take a drop in take home and also lose the feeling that my efforts directly relate to reward (financially), but neither really bother me.
Any wild stories? Wife is very supportive as she has seen me coming in of an evening (before I start the animal husbandry) increasingly disheartened by it all of late.
Cheers all.
I was always careful with my money and for two years before I left sales saved like a demon to give me enough money to take a year off to decide what else to do.
I set up an online business out of a hobby which brings in decent money for the hours put in but I had no social contact during the day so I started volunteering in an area of interest. Through that I got offered a full-time job which financially is 1/3 of what I earned in sales but personally much more rewarding plus I don't do all the evenings / weekends / flights that I used to do which I had become totally sick of.
The role I have is classed as an 'advisor' but its more promotion really and there are no targets (and hence no bonus). The hours are flexi-time and the area I cover is one City (where I live) so a walk in the park compared to what I did before - that's where the rep skills transferred, but reflected in the remuneration.
I haven't any children so not the same pressures but for me whilst I was in the sales job, I didn't have time to find anything different and it wasn't until I took a leap of faith that anything positive happened.
Not 100% relevant to your situation, but I worked in Sales upon leaving university and did so for almost a year. I was bored of it and hated going to work. I found something else for another few months and eventually landed what I ultimately wanted to do which was work on the railways, I have never been happier, especially as I'll end up earning a lot more than I ever would have in sales.
I manage a team of Pre Sales consultants, having spent a long time being in Pre Sales myself (Software).
I very rarely see people move from Sales to Pre sales in my industry, but plenty moving the other way, chasing the $$.
Mostly, I have to admit, they work out very well as sales people and play a more 'trusted advisor' role as they are seen to have credibility.
The move will be difficult unless you move to something you love or have a passion for (Charity maybe), commission checks are like crack... you'll always come back wanting more, especially if you were good / successful in the past.
I very rarely see people move from Sales to Pre sales in my industry, but plenty moving the other way, chasing the $$.
Mostly, I have to admit, they work out very well as sales people and play a more 'trusted advisor' role as they are seen to have credibility.
The move will be difficult unless you move to something you love or have a passion for (Charity maybe), commission checks are like crack... you'll always come back wanting more, especially if you were good / successful in the past.
I was in Sales for many years. I needed to get out of it as it was doing my head in and affecting my health. As it turned out I took voluntary redundancy which gave me enough to get by for a few months. I'd always wanted to do my HGV licence and this is what I did. I knew that jobs in the sales sector for the geographical area I was in were rarer than rocking horse poo and other sales people I knew were struggling to get jobs too so I used the HGV route as a plan 'B'.
I did my CPC and class 2 and got work straight away with a local firm, then a few months later I got my Class 1. I got another job within six weeks after passing my class 1 driving artics and 18 months later I got my present job driving car transporters which I thoroughly enjoy.
I tramp out all week and have 3 nights at home. The hours are long but I don't mind putting in the hours. My days can be frustrating but they are nowhere near as stressful as my sales role. My take home pay is actually better than my sales pay as I dont pay company car tax anymore. I don't get the big bonuses I used to but they were on the decline as the business I was in was declining.
I do have an itch to get back into sales and use my skills elsewhere, my wife says that I'm way too qualified to be a truck driver which I probably am but I do enjoy my job which is a huge bonus. The only downside is being away all week, I don't mind it but my wife would prefer me to be home more often.
I hope this helps.
Nige'
I did my CPC and class 2 and got work straight away with a local firm, then a few months later I got my Class 1. I got another job within six weeks after passing my class 1 driving artics and 18 months later I got my present job driving car transporters which I thoroughly enjoy.
I tramp out all week and have 3 nights at home. The hours are long but I don't mind putting in the hours. My days can be frustrating but they are nowhere near as stressful as my sales role. My take home pay is actually better than my sales pay as I dont pay company car tax anymore. I don't get the big bonuses I used to but they were on the decline as the business I was in was declining.
I do have an itch to get back into sales and use my skills elsewhere, my wife says that I'm way too qualified to be a truck driver which I probably am but I do enjoy my job which is a huge bonus. The only downside is being away all week, I don't mind it but my wife would prefer me to be home more often.
I hope this helps.
Nige'
I was in it for 20+ years. Business machines/telecoms/networks. Paid very nicely but recognise all the things you say. The perpetual feeling that you are only as good as your last month. Went in to sales management for a bit & ended in the wrong place at the wrong time, got made redundant. Ended up working for myself (effectively as a sales agent) scratching around selling b2b stuff. Made a reasonable living out of it but don't recommend it because there is no value in the business - you can't sell it on, its a dead end.
Started a completely different business a couple of years ago B to C. Much better & selling to end users is far easier
The thought of any sort of B2Bsales role now makes my skin crawl, I am done with it, I'd rather stack shelves in Tesco (and I sold 10s of £M of pounds worth of network services over 10 years or so with regular 6 figure incomes etc). Never again.
Started a completely different business a couple of years ago B to C. Much better & selling to end users is far easier
The thought of any sort of B2Bsales role now makes my skin crawl, I am done with it, I'd rather stack shelves in Tesco (and I sold 10s of £M of pounds worth of network services over 10 years or so with regular 6 figure incomes etc). Never again.
Like anything the grass always seems greener doing someone else's job.
I've just moved the other way, into a B2B sales job from Finance Management and while I am certainly in a honeymoon period at the moment, the change is as good as a rest as they say.
Finance or accounting = dull work, boring people, month-ends or reporting pressures, sitting behind a desk. For me, sales seems like a god-send as I'm no longer chained to a desk, have no month-end, and potentially my income has doubled.
Lots of people enjoy driving HGVs, like they would also enjoy being a mechanic, etc. but the long-term reality is not always there. That said, I strongly believe that people should look beyond their current 'career'and experience different things, it's what keeps us motivated. Good luck OP.
I've just moved the other way, into a B2B sales job from Finance Management and while I am certainly in a honeymoon period at the moment, the change is as good as a rest as they say.
Finance or accounting = dull work, boring people, month-ends or reporting pressures, sitting behind a desk. For me, sales seems like a god-send as I'm no longer chained to a desk, have no month-end, and potentially my income has doubled.
Lots of people enjoy driving HGVs, like they would also enjoy being a mechanic, etc. but the long-term reality is not always there. That said, I strongly believe that people should look beyond their current 'career'and experience different things, it's what keeps us motivated. Good luck OP.
Jefferson Steelflex said:
Like anything the grass always seems greener doing someone else's job.
I've just moved the other way, into a B2B sales job from Finance Management and while I am certainly in a honeymoon period at the moment, the change is as good as a rest as they say.
Finance or accounting = dull work, boring people, month-ends or reporting pressures, sitting behind a desk. For me, sales seems like a god-send as I'm no longer chained to a desk, have no month-end, and potentially my income has doubled.
Lots of people enjoy driving HGVs, like they would also enjoy being a mechanic, etc. but the long-term reality is not always there. That said, I strongly believe that people should look beyond their current 'career'and experience different things, it's what keeps us motivated. Good luck OP.
Wait till you've done it for a few months/years & missed your numbers a few times (because EVERYBODY does) I've just moved the other way, into a B2B sales job from Finance Management and while I am certainly in a honeymoon period at the moment, the change is as good as a rest as they say.
Finance or accounting = dull work, boring people, month-ends or reporting pressures, sitting behind a desk. For me, sales seems like a god-send as I'm no longer chained to a desk, have no month-end, and potentially my income has doubled.
Lots of people enjoy driving HGVs, like they would also enjoy being a mechanic, etc. but the long-term reality is not always there. That said, I strongly believe that people should look beyond their current 'career'and experience different things, it's what keeps us motivated. Good luck OP.
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