Leaving sales - where to go?

[8potdave]

I graduated from uni in 2004 with a Business Management degree and since then have been pigeon-holed into working in a sales environment. Jobs were hard to find, I fell into sales and have just stuck with it ever since, selling everything from electricity, to cars, to windows, to IT equipment to insurance! I would consider myself an average salesperson, I hit target consistently and normally over achieve but I'm never the 'top guy'. I have to work hard at it - a lot harder than some of the naturals.

I like the buzz of the sale but I must admit it is all getting a bit tiresome now. The place I am working started off as a nice place but as it's grown it's dramatically turning into a call centre and as a 30 year old I feel a little old for it all. I would like to move out of sales now but I have built my life around the good money and can't afford to take a huge pay cut. The problem is I know nothing else really and wouldn't know where to start. A good friend of mine works as a unit operator in a power station and does quite well out of it. They are recruiting now and I am considering applying. The predictable wage, reduced pressure, and complete change of career really appeal and there is longevity in it but I don't know how successful my application will be having had no experience.

I would ultimately like to be self employed one day, possibly with a trade but again wouldn't know where to start.

Has anyone left a sales job and ventured into something else, if so how did you do it? It seems that most salesmen move on to becoming sales managers which is not something I want to do either, managing a load of salespeople will be much more stressful than what I do now!

Vague I know, but literally anything suggested will be looked into (within reason).

[8potdave]

rog007 said:

You find yourself in a not unfamiliar place that many orhers have found themselves in too. Many will drift in to something, many will take a leap of faith and some will take a more considered approach with a plan of action. Much of this is determined by your appetite for risk. If you enjoy the thrill of the unknown, you'll take a leap of faith. If you're only a little risk averse, you'll take the considered approach. If you hate risk, then you'll more than likely end up staying where you are.

If you know your appetite for risk, then your next step becomes a whole lot easier. If you're a risk taker, then good luck and do let us know where you end up. If you're risk averse, then have a good chat with you're boss and attempt to make the best of where you are. If you're willing to take a little risk and want to analyse your options, then good luck with that too. This last one is what I do, so happy to take a PM if that would add any value. Good luck!

I wouldn't say I'm risk averse but I have so many financial commitments that it would be pure stupidity to go into something without a little bit of security at least. There's not really any room for progression where I am now, it is an extremely sales focused environment and it's a struggle to get a conversation going about anything else. I would need to leave the company to make any type of career change.

mikees said:

How about different sales? In IT services or consulting? Then move to account management which in my world is full scale P&L general management, in effect running your own bit if the business.

Very satisfying and lucrative.

I'm not one by the way. I'm general management but will prob do an account job for the fun at some point.

I've done a little IT sales, but ultimately sales is sales. While you're doing well you can do as your like, have a bad month and it's all forgotten and everything is your fault. It is a little tiring after a while. Consulting would be interesting though but I am not qualified or experienced enough in anything to consult.

[8potdave]

croakey said:

Very similar position to myself...

I'm also at a lost end as to where i want to go or indeed do

How did you get on if I may ask?

I am still in the same situation really, mainly scouring the sites for alternatives but again am being drawn to sales because of the requirements and salary. Even other sales jobs aren't offering the package I have already but being miserable is a large price to pay!