I had an outside recruiter reach out to me for an associate surgical sales role. I had a great call with her and feel like I left being super confident that I’d get an interview after asking where I stand with other candidates, what they’re looking for, etc. I asked her if I could reach out to the senior rep for the company she’s working with. She said not yet and to wait until the interview process.

So I didn’t reach out to the senior rep, but I found the person who was the associate rep and moved up, which opened the role for the associate position (aka who I would be working under). I requested to connect on LinkedIn and didn’t get anywhere with it. After a few days, I found her Instagram and sent a “I don’t want this to be overstepping, but want to congratulate you on your promotion and also ask if I can meet at one of your sites and ask a few questions about the role over some coffee or a phone call if that’s better”.

Was this a god awful idea?? I feel like I would appreciate the hustle if someone did that with me. But now I’m worried that it might have been unprofessional.

Has anyone held a Business Development or GTM role at a company in the crypto space?

A friend recommended I apply to 2 roles at a blockchain company he’s at but other than buying crypto once in a while and reading up on it I’m not familiar how BD/GTM works in the crypto industry.

If anyone’s got experience in crypto please share! Thanks

It looks like my employer might have tampered with a shared spreadsheet we have (shared between accounting and me) that shows when clients pay their bills (which governs my commission payout).

I have a client who was contracted to pay in December, and the spreadsheet (which was edited today, a Sunday, by accounting, and which now has its history hidden from me) now says they didn't pay until January, which would delay my payout.

Anyone have any experience with this? Am I just a babe in the woods, and this stuff happens all the time? Or is this, like, next level illegal?

Curious how work in sales is in NZ. I saw quite a few open AE positions when I briefly searched but I’m seeing elsewhere that jobs are hard to come by in NZ? (in general - not sales specific). Are sales jobs also hard to land in NZ right now?

My husband is entertaining a job over there so we are potentially immigrating and I’m trying to understand if it would be grim or okay for me.

Context/experience is 13 years in SaaS + tech

Also related/unrelated - none of the sale jobs post their salaries/OTE? Any thoughts on that or how to get that info?

I am 27y been working in tech sales for 3 years.

Started with a staffing/consulting firm, for 7 months before being recruited to one of the big boys in the industry. Have been doing long and complex sales cycles with TCVs of 500,000-1m+. Consistently over quota two years in a row upwards of 186% so a top performer.

I’m remote, the org has a strong RTO policy now but only reason they can’t let me go is because of being a top performer.

Increasingly feeling the pressure as new leadership has changed the sales management into top down micromanagement based on activity.

My approach to my territory has always been lean on activity and only targeting qualified buyers, and every other rep I’ve talked to that exceeds quota takes this same approach.

With this new pressure on metrics and activity instead of quality of leads and qualified buyers, I see a dim future ahead being nagged for lack of meeting metrics despite proving my approach is the correct way to close business.

The only lifeline I have at this point to stay remote is to move into our large enterprise BU. I’m now contemplating leaving if I can’t pull that off, and so leveraging my network to apply as many places as possible.

Should I just keep my head down and bust my ass to show “activity” or should I have a come to Jesus moment with my VP and tell him that I can either close business for him or I can make his little metrics, but I CANT do both?

Dear Company Leadership,

I get that the company must grow, and I get that the shareholders and owners need to be satisfied. Yes, I see that the entire company is behind plan, and that 80% or more of the reps are, too. Sure, the economy is blah blah blah whatever.

Just understand that, when the economy picks ups again, and the recruiters start hammering my inbox again, offers from other companies will start looking all the more attractive.

I am not putting this here because I think that you don't understand this.

Just don't pretend like you're stupid and bitch about "high turnover" and "we need to do more to increase retention" during next years town hall meeting.

Best,
Your Salesguy

I am weighing 2 offers for sales roles. I am making a career pivot.

Would you take a Hubspot BDR role (49k base, 71k OTE) or a Costar Sales Associate II role (65k base, 130k OTE)

The Hubspot role would be remote.

The costar role would be working for Homes.com on a traditional sales floor (gongs and all) and relocating to Richmond.

I'm at a Canadian company out in Montreal with 90% of customers out in USA.

Idk what to expect. Feels like the pandemic all over again.

As you are all aware, Trump has launched 25% Tarrifs on Canada and Mexico, with retaliation measures from both parties as well.

This will likely lead to higher inflation, job losses, economic uncertainty, higher prices etc, at least at the beginning.

What are your thoughts on the industries where sales are going to be the most impacted? What industries do you think are going to be thriving?

Just want to make sure I understand every angle here, let me know if I'm missing anything. I work for 🇺🇸 tech hardware company and 🇨🇦 is my territory.

Is 🇨🇦 adding tariffs to ALL things coming in from 🇺🇸 or just certain things?

As I understand it, since many of my customers can expect lower revenue due to their exports now being more expensive for their customers, they (my customers) will have less discretionary money to spend on my product.

As well, with the uncertainty of everything, spending and project could be slowed or delayed across all industries until confidence in the economic state for the next while is restored.

Am I missing anything? I want to make sure I can fully articulate this to my leadership team.

I joined a tech company as a BDM. I was told it would be more of a strategic role finding new opportunities and partnerships for lead generation efforts. Once I got my feet wet, my Manager said they would hire maybe 1-2 BDRs and I would manage them and keep growing the team.

One year later, I am just doing all the email and cold calling outreach.

No managing of BDRs, no strategic partnerships or relationships. I feel like I am just a glorified BDR doing some marketing stuff on the side.

The money is ok and the company is growing rapidly, so I keep getting promised "opportunities," but the way this role has been going, I feel it just may be empty promises again. I have expressed to my manager (in a nice way) I felt like I have been bait and switched into this role.

Anyone else still cold calling and doing BDR duties in a BDM role? Also, the Account Executives do ZERO outreach. Not even emails, nothing. I am expected to bring them meetings as my main job priority.

Not sure where to go from here since I've already expressed my concern to management. Is this normal for a BDM to basically just be a higher scale BDR/SDR?

I have got to the point in my career as an IC in enterprise managed services that I need to hand off the admin processes. These are antiquated processes that could very easily be solved with an investment in the right ERP but PE is going to PE. Anyone leveraging virtual assistants that has changed the game for them? I need one to take on the manual data entry for my sales orders and contracts would be appreciated. Could lead into sending out and following up on leads or prospects that have gone quiet. Thanks.

Hey guys! I started a sales job for an outsourcing shop that does staff augmentation and software delivery. I’m getting meetings for software delivery. However, I’m not getting any luck with staff augmentation. Anyone recommend any tips or advice?

I’m interviewing with Grainger for an Account Manager role.
Any tips on being prepared or questions they’ll ask?

Got into sales after college going door to door and loved talking to people. Moved into insurance and just feeling burnt out. Sick of telemarketing and don’t really feel like my job matters. Maybe it’s all the cold-calling instead of face to face but - Should I just keep pushing? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Or should I switch to a different career? I have my licenses for P&C insurance and life insurance. I could get my series licenses. Or do any of you gents have ideas or suggestions for a young lad like me?

Started in food sales for a major distributor. Came from the chef world. First sales job. Training is great. Was in a conversation with a business developer for my company and he mentioned my old rep I used to use. He is our competitor. I was good friends with this guy and called him later that day and just filled him in on how the job was going etc. it was really basic catch up call. Apparently my friend called my business developer after to just tell him we spoke and that he was lucky to have me. My business developer called me and chewed me out and told me to never speak to a competitor. Did I massively fuck up? I’m a couple weeks in and don’t want a target on my back but he told me this guy is now calling all his accounts and is going to shore them up.

I really love this job and think I can be good at it but man this scared me and just makes me think I am fucked up so bad.

I am someone with 3 years of saas experience and continue to apply to roles and I do happen to get a lot of interviews for the entry development positions and some executive positions. Every time I do always get to the last interview for them just to say we found someone better it really feels like a waste of time and energy. I do need to find somewhere new and can't seem to find what I am looking for. I always go for the close and they never give me any objections so it’s extremely annoying.

Any thoughts on why I get to the last step but not chosen?

So despite being the top Enterprise AE at my company for the last few years, I struggle with fashion and could use some advice. I'd love any recommendations from other EAE's and/or those selling to other C-suite Fortune 500 companies.

I have a trusted colleague who gave me some feedback that I should step up my dress game so I can look the part of the person who I've become... basically trying to dress 25% better than my peers and prospects. My typical wardrobe is company polo (or general golf polo), slim cut jeans, bigger soled running shoes (for comfort for trade shows and such) and my Rolex. There's nothing wrong the fit per se, but I get my colleague's point from an image perspective.

My boss generally wears a button up, sports jacket, and nicer sneakers for onsites. My prospects are generally in company polos with jeans.

Does anyone have recommendations for brands for males for button ups and nicer sneakers?

I always hit quota and get along with everyone at my firm…except my manager. He’s a micromanager that wants to control my day and deals. I always voice my opinion and say I’m gonna do things my way and when I miss quota we can talk. The thing is I hit quota every quarter. I get shouted out in all hands, directors love me. But day-to-day the bad blood I have with my direct manager makes me hate this place

Jumped into SaaS AE role (a bit niche of a market) right out of school several years ago, early stage start-up, and really lucked out to have seemed to find a good position. Top performer every year, ~420% quota during last measurement period (and yea you dont have to ask, my quota went up substantially after this one, highest QA ever) next best rep hit 90%. Promotions regularly during tenure and feel confident about quota attainment every quarter, I hit pretty much a minimum of 120% quota attainment / year , with a minimum of a 50% increase in quota every measurement period, to overachieve it again (sometimes luck, sometimes timing, typically a lot of grit). Company culture also great.

Sounds great and all, and it is. But, (due to being green to the market at the time of accepting the role) the pay is just well below market rate. Initially accepted the role out of school at <100k OTE. After several promotions OTE about 150k (With a low base about 70k).. Personally, i make over 200k because I aggressively overachieve with accellerators. but, that quota is always increasing, and that attainment, in knowing my own territory, will not keep up at some point (carrying capacity is getting more and more near).

The bad:

• Low base pay
• No equity / RSU's/ Stock options nada, while being responsible for about 35% of the companies total growth over tenure. Company has grown substantially since starting.
• Growth as an IC seems to be landing stagnant as of now.
• Only one real logo on my resume.
• Most friends in the company have been fired. Feels very dull.
• No inbound, alll prospecting is done by AE, after a few years that gets very tiring. My inspiration to make a cold call is at an all time low.

The good:

• Due to the impact made in this company, I have about 4-6 inbound recruiters on LI a week... having that amount and level of QA attracts pretty much everyone, inside and outside of my direct industry.
• I make a major impact in my company, love the product, and have more than 1000% autonomy. its fantastic.
• Workload: Very relaxed.

In having all of these inbounds in LI, I take regular interviews (mostly for networking... and the offers all exceed my current role substantially. 300 (150/150 splits, +RSU's), 250 (60/40 splits, + options). But, I am hesitant, 300 TC sounds great until you get put on a PIP in 4 months and fired..

What are your thoughts? Am I being overly complacent sticking around? Or, should a run this until the faucet truly runs dry?

I am going to try and be vague but as detailed as possible so as not to give myself away.

I have been in the workforce for over 15 years doing all different types of jobs for large publicly traded companies and smaller ones.

I have a well known certification and some expertise in some areas. I have recently joined a small company I guess you could call it a start up in a sales role.

I have never been pure sales in my career before and now have a quota which I’m not really sure what it means if I don’t hit that. After being with the company for a short time, I feel the product/service we are selling is a great idea but doesn’t really exist or work yet and the best way I can describe it is that we are in a bit of a Theranos situation although not at the fraud stage yet lol. I know it sounds bad but I am hoping that in a year we will have a better product/service, the nature of the work is AI.

I am not sure what I am asking here. I am wondering what to do. If the product worked I feel like this would be a great job but it seems like it’s just not there yet and I’m not sure it will ever get there. Is this normal for early stage startups? Should I stick around to find out? I feel like I was sold a bit of a lie on the job and I feel it will be impossible to hit quota. We are basically farming out the work that the AI is supposed to be doing.

I want this job to work but I also don’t really care if it doesn’t. I have savings and a safety net but I would like meaningful work that pays well so I’m trying to stick it out.

Besides the product not working my biggest issue is the CEO works around the clock which is fine and I get that they need to do that but I think they expect me to as well even though during interview I told them I need work life balance. I am ok with working long hours but not every day of the week.

Just looking for some advice.

Do discounts devalue a product, or are they essential for closing deals in a competitive market? What’s your approach to handling discount requests?

We have SDRs, BDRs, and AE at my enterprise. In my opinion, an SDR can jump straight into AE, assuming they've hit quota and want that career progression.

Having to follow the path: SDR > BDR > AE Feels like it's there only to lengthen the time it takes to become an AE.

This is my first sales job, but prior to this I’ve read up on sales as much as I could and the things they teach here seem very different then a lot of stuff I’ve read online. The job is B2C which obviously is very different from B2B, but the company preaches this very high pressure way to do sales where they try to avoid all words that resemble a choice to be made for the customer.

The job is to book appointments for solar panel consultations, when they show up at the appointment I get paid. They gave me a script that basically says we’re doing this for everyone and now it’s your turn, but made so that it doesn’t “technically” say that, since they are not allowed to. There have been a few people where I could be a little consultative etc to sell them, but 99% either hate me for the script (can’t really blame them) or just agree since they might think it’s mandatory.

My question to more experienced people in the field is whether or not this is normal? Are the people I’m working for wrong for doing this, because it is very different from what I expected. I mostly read and tried to learn B2B stuff since that seems to be where the most skilled people are, but even then I was surprised this is how some B2C companies operate. If someone has worked at a similar position before going into a more advanced sales position where more skill is required, I would like to ask you whether or not this kind of job helped you in your current position or If I’m wasting time being here?

Does anyone here have experience in a channel sales role where the focus is building and maintaining distributor relationships?

Recently stepped into a role of this sort and I’m just about out of the training period. Would greatly appreciate your perspective & advice.

Large company but fairly small and unknown in my region so there will be an emphasis on brand awareness as well. Would love to hear some success stories and tips on how I can get myself on a good track to be successful

Thank you

Title is the question -- I've been an enterprise sales rep for a few years, not having much fun. Last company was great but PE got ahold of us and ruined things, leadership got a payout and then started making big changes. This role is whatever, it's not a fun sale and the company has some good people but the aggregate does not equal anything great. no one is making crazy money unless there's a breach, and that's like winning the lottery. extremely long deal cycles (multiple years); my direct manager is good, but our VP of sales is a total liar/plays games/very flippant/caustic personality - gambler that's just trying to make a quick buck and move on and i can already see long-term problems forming like lack of implementation. Reference calls keep blowing up, he's one of those "you're not driving urgency (with huge enterprise customers that have all the leverage and don't need the product)/if I was a rep i'd be crushing it right now" types, they've fired consecutive #1 sellers and the product is not the quick sale/market fit they claimed - no loyalty, high pressure "playbook" sale and I've put in a lot of time and energy and effort building the brand with not much to show for it.

i started in cyber as a practitioner in commercial cybersecurity with related military experience. I read that material handler/toyota MH specifically was a good brand. DId my research, followed the local companies, connected with sales leaders and started prospecting them. Once a sales position opened up I jumped on it!!! Had my first interview this week which seemed to go well, then went to the shop I'd be working at and introduced myself to the branch manager and team and he showed me around. I'm pumped tbh.

I would love to sell something that actually generates revenue instead of yet another nice to have startup's security stuff protecting some small slice of the tech stack. Kind of burned out on cyber, I'm interviewing at a premier cyber place as well, but if i'm being really it's not as exciting as equipment sales seems, and the money seems as good or possibly better.

Has anyone made the move, or is anyone in heavy equipment/construction sales that can give any advice? I want to crush my next interview. I am hungry, motivated, driven, great at follow up, eager to learn/quick learner... I also like to do construction/DIY/handyman stuff on the side so it seems like a fun way to turn a passion into a job. Just sptiballing, hoping to hear any experiences!!

I just got accepted a job to be a recruiter, leaving my previous job of cellular sales, there is a commission element, but the pay and work environment just seems way better. My only concern is that idk if it will count as sales experience for potential future employers if I ever change paths, does anyone have any experience in knowing if it does or does not really count for someone hiring in let's say the high tech field?

I’m in a selling manager (“player coach”) position and in just a few years it’s gone from great vibes, closed deals, and letting us run our business, to being berated like children on area calls, being required to come onsite so they can watch us dial, and multiple check-ins (with homework) per week. I get it’s been a rough past few months financially for the company, but those of us with brains and (no offense) not fresh out of college are more than done. Great reps are dropping like flies and leadership seems to not care one bit.

I’d like to take my tech expertise to get into cyber, but most companies seem to want experience in cyber, and I’m not sure I want to make a backwards move from leadership. And I’ve been putting my LI Nav license to good use “prospecting” recruiters and sales managers, but just seeing the groups thoughts

For anyone work for US company for Canadian customers, how are you doing with the possible tariff implementation?

I have over 7 years in tech sales but took a 2 year hiatus to automate my business. Now looking to get back into sales but would like it to be remote. Is it going to be insanely challenging to find a remote sales job? Does anyone have recommendations for finding one?