How long to give it?
Discussion
I started a new job a few months back, moving from being a design engineer into more of a sales engineer role.
I wanted to step away from design a little and more into the commercial side of things.
The role was taken on the basis that the company will train me up and introduce me to the various aspects of the job.
The company and people are nice, if a little old fashioned, maybe 30 people tops, and I have all of a 2 mile commute.
BUT - I don't seem to be doing much. Everyone is very busy, and as a result I've found myself essentially working back in a design engineering role in order to cover a project that they can't fit in otherwise.
I've spoken to both my manager and director about it, and they've both conceded that my first few months haven't been how they intended and they'd have liked to have me working the sales side, but needs must. Equally I mentioned how there hasn't really been an onboarding process of sorts, so I still don't really know what the company does, something they have both agreed has been lapse.
I'm just wondering how long do I give it? I've raised my concerns, and they've been receiving to them, but when I see sales engineer roles elsewhere that look of interest and are more of a "true" sales role with higher salary, bonus, company car and so on, it has me thinking of just calling it quits and essentially writing off the last few months.
I wanted to step away from design a little and more into the commercial side of things.
The role was taken on the basis that the company will train me up and introduce me to the various aspects of the job.
The company and people are nice, if a little old fashioned, maybe 30 people tops, and I have all of a 2 mile commute.
BUT - I don't seem to be doing much. Everyone is very busy, and as a result I've found myself essentially working back in a design engineering role in order to cover a project that they can't fit in otherwise.
I've spoken to both my manager and director about it, and they've both conceded that my first few months haven't been how they intended and they'd have liked to have me working the sales side, but needs must. Equally I mentioned how there hasn't really been an onboarding process of sorts, so I still don't really know what the company does, something they have both agreed has been lapse.
I'm just wondering how long do I give it? I've raised my concerns, and they've been receiving to them, but when I see sales engineer roles elsewhere that look of interest and are more of a "true" sales role with higher salary, bonus, company car and so on, it has me thinking of just calling it quits and essentially writing off the last few months.
I'd personally give it at least 6 months. I started a new job at the beginning of January moving from consultancy to clientside and after a slow start am only now feel truly settled. These things take time. A small firm of only 30 or so will inevitably have its quirks but it gives you scope to really make a difference and to carve out a decent niche. You've raised your concerns so it's time to see what they do about it
If you’re certain you want a selling job, with daily/weekly call reporting and being held to targets that will generally go up by more than inflation every year then you should move. Selling isn’t for everybody that’s why the package should be significantly richer than an engineering role. No harm in leaving as soon as you have another role to go to. At interview you can tell them the truth and I guess that will be very much in your favour and make you more attractive to the new employer.
When did they last take anyone new on? If the company is full of people who have been there forever they probably won't have a decent onboarding and mentoring process.
If you've been there a couple of months and still don't quite know what they do it doesn't bode well. And you'll struggle to sell anything if you don't know what they make!
When they've got over the hump of delivering the current project will it quieten down and they find time for you or will it always be hectic?
Personally I'd be putting feelers out for a new job already but I've been burned too often. YMMV.
If you've been there a couple of months and still don't quite know what they do it doesn't bode well. And you'll struggle to sell anything if you don't know what they make!
When they've got over the hump of delivering the current project will it quieten down and they find time for you or will it always be hectic?
Personally I'd be putting feelers out for a new job already but I've been burned too often. YMMV.
CoupeKid said:
When did they last take anyone new on? If the company is full of people who have been there forever they probably won't have a decent onboarding and mentoring process.
That's a good point and one I'd not considered. Most people here (and my manager/director) have been here for most of their careers. Everyone here is older too. One guy has been here for over 50 years. They've taken a few (younger) people on fairly recently, though those are straight into design roles. I'm the only person in the company in this role, and happened to have joined at a bit of a hectic time.
I think I will give it another couple months and see where things are then..
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