I'm near the end of my rope

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
12/04/2013 at 18:13 • Filed to: None

I just don't think I'm cut out to be a salesman. I mean I love my team, and selling software is a better job than most sales jobs. But it just takes everything I have every day. Why couldn't I just get a job at VW? I've half a mind just to start applying to every car hq in the US, regardless of state.

DISCUSSION (24)

ddavidn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 18:14

That doesn't sound like a terrible idea. What software do you sell? I like software.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > ddavidn
12/04/2013 at 18:31

I sell AppAssure. It's a SMB level backup and recovery software. I'm on the Managed Services team so I sell to companies that other companies outsource their IT to.

ddavidn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 18:32

Yeah, we used that stuff through Kaseya at my last company.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > ddavidn
12/04/2013 at 18:57

Did you work for an MSP or a Reseller? Usually RMM tools don't pop up that frequently in direct.

ddavidn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 18:58

I worked at an MSP.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > ddavidn
12/04/2013 at 19:25

Awesome! Since that's my vertical, I'm always trying to get info and contemplating starting one one day.

ddavidn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 19:26

MSP is the hardest IT work I've done. I learned more there than anywhere else, but it's not for me. Especially not with the low overhead operation we ran...

whoarder is tellurium > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 19:34

In my limited experience, auto manufacturers on the non-production side are quite picky. People from within are looked at first and selected first. Anything open externally is a miracle. Manufacturers prefer fancy college degrees to match the position too. :(

Also, even if you do get in, with restructuring always happening, some internal positions are limited and of course, projects/campaigns end. I'm victim of that.

Not saying you would be though.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > ddavidn
12/04/2013 at 19:50

I know that's true. I end up losing out on a lot of deals just simply out of price. I just had an idea on how we could have 4-5 guys all with a different specialties each serving a function. Kind of like an assembly line for services.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > whoarder is tellurium
12/04/2013 at 19:53

That's not promising. I just know that if given the chance, I could rock it.

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 20:15

What are you making a year right now, including commissions? Just curious so I can compare it to what the people make at my company. And so I can give you my opinion on whether you should leave or hold on a while longer.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Manuél Ferrari
12/04/2013 at 21:03

I'm making 35k a year now. No commission. There's a step program that would put me up to about 50 in a year and a half (if I do okay) and then commission actually comes with the promotion after that so like 2-2.5 years away.

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 21:07

Hmm. That seems really low for selling software, especially if you don't like your job.

But if you stay in the software industry you could make big money one day. Could you stay at your job while applying at other companies on the sly?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Manuél Ferrari
12/04/2013 at 21:13

That's actually the plan. And I'm sure if I start moving up, it would be worth it. Just right now, it's not.

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 21:17

Good luck!

I'm guessing the product you sell now is low margin because there are so many competitors. It seems like the money is in enterprise apps. The sales cycles are super long but commissions are huge because the sale amounts can be anywhere from a quarter million to millions.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Manuél Ferrari
12/04/2013 at 21:38

Unfortunately moving up to the enterprise solution would mean leaving the state for not even a sure thing.

Thanks man!

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 21:46

What state are you in now?

You're welcome. I hope it all goes well. I know sales is a pain in the ass to move up in. But if you stick with it you can end up making more than many doctors. It's a mix of hard work and luck...

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Manuél Ferrari
12/04/2013 at 21:54

I'm in VA currently

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 21:56

I would think there would be a decent amount of enterprise software companies there that sell to the gov. Big money in those deals!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Manuél Ferrari
12/04/2013 at 23:03

I know. And actually my team mates that got sorted into government sales are hitting their bumps already...

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/04/2013 at 23:16

I wonder how much money there is in software sales to the military ...

Stef Schrader > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/05/2013 at 01:33

Man, if I got hired by someone in the VW group, I would probably eat entire paychecks on Porsche parts.

Employee discount, awaaaaay!!!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Manuél Ferrari
12/05/2013 at 04:52

I imagine it would be a very narrow band of what they use and how much they need of it.

Manuél Ferrari > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/05/2013 at 14:20

True. All their really complex stuff is probably written in-house