Discussion
Well I need some advice as I am in a bit of a rut.
For the last 12 years I have been working in sales, started of working in IT sales for a small IT reseller and then moved into sales for the public sector with a lot of success.
6 Months ago I got made redundant, but I managed to find another job, where I am currently working.
However I am not particularly happy here and starting to question whether I want to stay in sales or want to try something else?
Issue I have is I don’t know what to do; all my experience has been in sales.
I like IT but not been in a technical sales role for nearly 10 years now so out of the loop on the tech side of things. I did think about technical pre sales, but lack of experience is my biggest concern.
Any one been in a similar situation and have any advice?
Well the obvious first- if you lack the skills (or whatever) to do the sort of job you would like to do, then you either have to acquire those skills or think of something else to do that appeals to you, and for which you either have or can acquire the necessary skills.
So, what other skills do you have, and which jobs would they make you suitable for, and do you fancy any of them?
Have you thought about starting something of your own?
So, what other skills do you have, and which jobs would they make you suitable for, and do you fancy any of them?
Have you thought about starting something of your own?
Some good advice there. And you find yourself in a not unusual situation, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. The trick is to determine your current competencies, and you will have many, and then attempt to map them across to other roles in new industries that you have an interest in. This is not difficult, but takes a little time and is usually best done with a little expert outside help in order to help you see beyond the now and the emotion. PM me if it's something you'd like assistance with. Good luck!
Thanks for the replies.
What other skills do I have, well I fell into sales when i was 18 and have now been in sales for the last 13 years, so all of my skill sets are within sales. Out of the 13 years I have been in sales, about 9 have been spent working with public sector.
I would love to start something myself, but the problem is coming up with that unique idea and then having the balls to drop everything and go for it, i suppose the advantage I have got is that I have no kids to support.
I just don’t know where to go from here
What other skills do I have, well I fell into sales when i was 18 and have now been in sales for the last 13 years, so all of my skill sets are within sales. Out of the 13 years I have been in sales, about 9 have been spent working with public sector.
I would love to start something myself, but the problem is coming up with that unique idea and then having the balls to drop everything and go for it, i suppose the advantage I have got is that I have no kids to support.
I just don’t know where to go from here
Moving on from Sales roles and finding a more defined career path is often difficult for a number of reasons.
Sales people tend to lack detailed technical skills or have much in the way of proveable qualifications, which many other “corporate disciplines” do have – such as legal, procurement, finance, HR etc.
Also, if you are good, they are well paid roles so any move usualy involves a haircut.
My advice always remains, if you don’t like sales get out early – or prepare yourself by reading up on Willy Loman.
Two obvious routes out are into management, move to a role where you have a team, become a great motivator and man manager, take an MBA and focus on building your ability to achieve corporate goals by influencing others. I.E. the management skill set.
Or you could move to a relationship management role, so the sale is already made, but you look after the ongoing account management, Farmer not a Hunter. These exist in many of the larger firms (HP, Fujitsu, Cisco) This removes some of the target pressure, but not all as often these roles will have upselling or revenue targets.
Finally you go for a complete shift, we may involve paying for some intial retraining. Have you thought about changing sides and going into Procurement ? Kind of Sales in reverse.
Sales people tend to lack detailed technical skills or have much in the way of proveable qualifications, which many other “corporate disciplines” do have – such as legal, procurement, finance, HR etc.
Also, if you are good, they are well paid roles so any move usualy involves a haircut.
My advice always remains, if you don’t like sales get out early – or prepare yourself by reading up on Willy Loman.
Two obvious routes out are into management, move to a role where you have a team, become a great motivator and man manager, take an MBA and focus on building your ability to achieve corporate goals by influencing others. I.E. the management skill set.
Or you could move to a relationship management role, so the sale is already made, but you look after the ongoing account management, Farmer not a Hunter. These exist in many of the larger firms (HP, Fujitsu, Cisco) This removes some of the target pressure, but not all as often these roles will have upselling or revenue targets.
Finally you go for a complete shift, we may involve paying for some intial retraining. Have you thought about changing sides and going into Procurement ? Kind of Sales in reverse.
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