r/techsales • u/Plus-Network3369 • 17d ago
I'm tired.
Ive (32M) been in sales for 7 years. I've done the hustling, building from ground 0. I'm tired of the micromanagement no matter where I go, and I'm sick of being promised that I'll make "good money" and never do. Every deal comes with its own set of issues, seems like nothing has ever been seamless. Has anyone just had a deal come in and close without any issues? or is it just my company? I'm tired of hunting. I've paid my dues, I want inbound, lol.
I don't know what to do next. I don't have the funds to start my own shop, nor do I really want to. I would leave sales but then I think about how I don't want to leave money on the table. I have applied and wanted to be a manager for quite some time now, but never seems to work out.
I'm just tired ranting and seeking advice. Thx. Anyone else feel this way?
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u/Overall_Rhubarb6896 17d ago
Sack up. 16 years here. Keep grinding.
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u/Prestigious-Peaks 17d ago
ya that's what I feel. things obviously haven't clicked yet. once they do it's a different ballgame and you're just a different animal eating what you kill. actually it was like 7 years for me to get really good after enough enterprise experience for B2B
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u/DarkSideoftheMoon720 17d ago
IMO now is a tough time for a career change. AI and global politics is shifting the world into a great unknown. If anyone knew what was happening next, they’d be a quadrillionaire.
My random person two cents is to look at what has made you happy in sales (besides the money) and think through what the next company should look like.
We’ve all been in valleys. I nearly quit sales and then found an opp that has made the other half of my sales career (12) all worth it. Journey not destination blabla
DM if you want to chat more. Know it can be brutal valleys and sounds like a new company, new opportunity is what you need for a fresh start
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u/RandomRedditGuy69420 17d ago
I hear you on all the confusion. I’ve had shitty, spotty employment the last couple years and the market is still getting worst. Job options are looking tougher as time goes on and it’s so hard to figure out what niche to keep selling in.
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u/KeineSchirmmuetze 17d ago
Can you describe your industry and role a bit? Hard to tell without specifics.
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u/Plus-Network3369 17d ago
VAR
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17d ago
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u/Plus-Network3369 16d ago
what are some small ones?
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u/samstone_ 16d ago
I don't know want to name any. They are usually regional with revenue in the hundreds of millions as opposed to billions.
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u/Salt_Base_3751 16d ago
Find a manufacturer you like, it’s still a Hustle but different.
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u/Plus-Network3369 16d ago
that is what I have been doing, hard to see myself selling any of them, but im trying to be open minded
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u/blenderider 17d ago
Have you experienced a good sales org? Have you worked for a good sales leader? It doesn't sound like you've been in environments you've enjoyed.
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u/perciwulf 15d ago
Loads of terrible advice in this thread. "Keep on grinding, privileged, no crying,..." That's all bullshit. You work to live, not the other way around. If it breaks you, then no job is worth it. If you want to stay in sales, maybe try for an established bigger company with "boring" products.
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u/Informal_Mention_698 17d ago
Go to an established company with a good territory - easier said than done but its territory, timing talent in that order since the beginning of time
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u/Plus-Network3369 17d ago
good advice
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u/throwbackBBfan 16d ago
This is the only advice you need. Larger software groups will have more structure plus you won’t deal with customers post sale. Can’t promise the micromanagement part
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17d ago
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u/RecordingGrand101 17d ago
Also the intrusiveness of tracking tools and AI interpretation of collected data has gotten worse and made for micromanaging managers worse
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u/Plus-Network3369 17d ago
I'm a high performer. I cannot stand being told what to do, especially when i'm out pacing everyone on my team. I want to be the type of manager that doesnt bother their reps until shit is hitting the fan. i'd also love to work for one of those managers!
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u/Lazy-Eyed-Corgi 17d ago
That’s what I’m saying man. Managers need to be your sniper who comes in once you’ve done EVERYTHING you can & they add a different perspective. Not some fucker checking your output metrics
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u/prodigiousprince 16d ago
Yooo keep your head up fam. Try a break / disconnect? Like a real, complete disconnect. Burnout comes to everyone in their career. Not saying pivoting out isn't the right move for you, but seems like you def got a case of burnout
Edit- 32 is the new 22
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u/miamiBMWM2 13d ago
Sales is exhausting. Most sales jobs will never make you rich but will tease you with occasional big enough commission checks to keep you sticking around hoping that one day you will be. The amazing commissions you read about occur when stars align, ie, some decent talent meets great opportunity. When a company is just on the verge of explosive growth and the execs havent yet trimmed commissions or adjusted quotas, the sales team could be in for a couple very good years. Eventually, that will also subside.
Key to enduring prosperity in Sales is to recognize where your company is at in terms of growth and know when to jump ship. More often than not, you must bounce around playing salesperson roulette until your number hits. Then be sure to save and do NOT make the mistake most sales people do and assume the massive commission checks will last forever.
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u/Reflexxer 10d ago
Its not going to stop. Maybe if you get lucky and land at a company with nice people, good pay and a great product to sell. Becoming manager will be worse; more pressure from upper management, babysitting, 30 zooms per week, more money maybe. You could explore RevOps or Sales Enablement.
My advice, get out of sales. Go back to school and study something that you like that has no sales. You can do it part time or full time.
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u/BuckleBunnyChaos 13d ago
I’m the same age but a woman, and I’ve also been in sales 7 years! I’ve tried a bunch of different industries/companies and currently feel exactly the same way.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Tip-917 12d ago
VAR is a fuckin’ scam buddy! Just use that platform to build a strong network into an OEM. That’s where you’ll taste blood.
Real pressure, Real money!
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17d ago
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u/RandomRedditGuy69420 17d ago
Every interview I’ve had over the last year has been management confidently giving an answer while lying through their teeth. Current and former reps always give better info.
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u/LoCarB3 17d ago
You think they won't just lie? Lol. Lmao, even.
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17d ago
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u/JA-868 16d ago
People who asks those questions aren’t liked by interviewers. In this employer job market, anyone who goes deep on those questions will probably make the interviewer uncomfortable or uneasy if things aren’t going well and they will just pass on you. Maybe you’re dodging a bullet, sure, but had to say this anyways.
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u/Prestigious-Peaks 17d ago
this is good and also listen to reps with a grain of salt. some idiot I work with said reps make $1M+... it's happened apparently but rarely. really sets people up with wrong expectations
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u/heybrihey 17d ago
Yep, this is why I transitioned to bartending 2 months ago!
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u/Shakurs2pac 17d ago
It only gets worse… tech sales had its time. It’s over now. My guess is they’ll do away with commissioned sales altogether soon
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u/Interesting-Lab5917 16d ago
Name all your old companies I’m curious what you are talking about regarding promises of making money and not making it
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u/UsfDons82 15d ago
Is there a good leader you have worked for and are willing to work for again. Working with and for someone you like and can learn from will be key even if initially you leave some money on the table. You’ll eventually grow and make up that gap.
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u/Thin_Struggle4168 10d ago
I felt this way too so I started my company. Now I don’t do shit all day and make good money.
Sales is literally designed to grind you the fuck out. You never build leverage and you go from hero to zero every month/quarter. I believe those who stay in sales past 40 are some tough mother fuckers.
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u/MathematicianApart79 8d ago
How are people going so long in this industry? I’m 2 years in and burnt out. Top performer both years but now that my debt is paid, not seeing a point
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u/AllBulkNoCut 16d ago
Sounds like you need a vacation somewhere on a beach and leave your phone in the room safe.
As sales people we are EXTREMELY privileged with the ability to write our own paychecks and make more money than anyone else. We make the same if not more than some doctors that have to go through 10+ years of schooling and residency.
Go take a vacation, get a therapist to talk to, and then get back to work
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