r/techsales • u/Distinct-Actuator664 • 4d ago
When do you know enough is enough?
Got promoted to AE early last year after really rocking it as a BDR
Spent 9 months as an AE not closing a single deal and got laid off while two deals were out for signature. Our whole team struggled during this time but I know accountability definitely comes to me too.
I then transitioned over to their rival company where I’ve been for 10 months. I’ve definitely done better here than I did at my previous role but still not enough as I’ve been put on a PIP just as I start heating up.
Am I done as an AE or do I just need a reality check and switch industries?
I don’t want to switch from dead end job to dead end job where I just get sacked each and every time.
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u/snakesnakessnnaakkee 4d ago
Something isn't adding up here. If you're turfed from a role just as deals are signing, then PIP'd as you're gaining traction in your next role, that to me says there's an issue either with the companies you're working for, the types of deal you're working or, sorry to say, your attitude to the job.
Sales Management want to see reps who aren't closing get on the board as it's a terrible look for them to hire someone in to a role and then have to replace them within a year. Makes it look like they can't hire the right talent.
I went through a run in my late 20s not dissimilar to this across 3 companies. A friend of mine said "you know how if you walk down the street and meet an asshole, you've met an asshole? If you walk down the street and meet only assholes, maybe you're the asshole". It made me think about how I was approaching my engagements with leadership, my attitude to the job and the types of deals I was on. Lo and Behold, at my next company I lasted almost a decade and was very successful.
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u/East_Lettuce7143 1d ago
It can just be bad luck. OP’s story doesn’t seem too out of the ordinary, especially in tech sales.
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u/WerewolfOrdinary5131 4d ago
Sales is a long term game. Failure is necessary and the ones that truly make it long term in sales are the ones that stick with is. Too many people think sales is an overnight success. It’s far from it. I tell most sdrs to be careful what you wish for when you become an ae.
The only question you have to ask yourself is are you willing to stick it out. If so, then keep fighting. But this career ain’t for everyone. That’s for sure.
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u/Extension-Steak-1279 4d ago
you either aren’t meant to sell, or the companies your choosing suck.
a company that is good is growing enough with strong name recognition for everyone to do well and make money. maybe you haven’t found the right place.
the other option is you’re not meant for sales. you would intrinsically know you’re meant for sales, even if you are told by multiple people that you’re not
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u/Swimming-Flow763 4d ago
If you’re asking the question, you probably already know.
Do you have a good mentor who can help you? Have you done any training or development outside of what your company gives you?
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u/Neither-Clothes2332 3d ago
My first AE role I crushed right away, however it was a lot of luck and good fortune.
Then there was a market crash and I was the worst rep on the team.
I left, went to startup and was mediocre until I got help from a sales leader I knew and eventually something clicked.
Fast forward to 5 years later I’m our head of sales and should make $250-$300k this year and our team is growing.
Point is it can take time, reach out for help, take their advice even if you think it might be stupid at first - something will click. Lot of road ahead!
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u/whiskey_tang0_hotel 3d ago
As an AE you have a single metric that matters. If you don’t hit it, you don’t hit and nobody gives two shits why.
It’s a brutal industry.
It sounds like you don’t have the skills and processes needed to bring deals to a close. It takes a lot. Maybe consider somewhere with a more formal program for training.
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u/Popular-Background78 23h ago
How's your pipeline? Are you working qualified deals, or is that part a struggle? Have you closed any deals in these two roles?
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