Career Progression: An Unexpected Challenge of Working at a Startup

Throughout my sales career, working at a startup had been on my list of priorities.? I love the idea of taking a business and helping it grow from the ground floor. I love wearing many hats, and jumping in where I am needed. I love knowing everyone’s name, and not being “just a number” of an employee.? The list of positives to working at a startup far outweigh the negatives, however recently I discovered a new challenge that I had never anticipated.

Career progression.

When working for a large, developed organization, it is clear to see the possibilities for career growth.? In SaaS sales, generally, it is very linear - sales development rep, account executive, sales manager, director level, VP level, C level - or some variation thereof.? There is a distinct path carved, generally clear expectations of how to get there, and little mystery in “what comes next”.

But at a startup - what does “career growth” look like when the future is unknown?? Or when new teams are popping up left and right? Or when you are the one and only salesperson?

This is a question that I have been pondering for the last 3-6 months as I look to my own future, and I am not sure that I have the answer… but here are some lessons that I have learned from seasoned startup leaders.

Lesson 1:? Amy Volas shared in a recent Thursday Night Sales meeting: Success does not have to be linear.? Take time to find what lights your fire.? Journal. Take notes. Look for themes of your interests and passions.? Just because you start in sales, doesn’t mean that you have to stay in sales. Determine the parts of your job that inspire you, and move into more specified arenas as you grow in your career.

Lesson 2: Christine Rogers shared advice that she has carried with her throughout her career: Focus more on what you want to learn next, than the title you want to earn next.? Your learning will develop into competency, and once you are competent, opportunities will present themselves.

Lesson 3: Jason Riedel and Megan Bowen recently discussed the importance of focusing on the journey, not the destination on Megan’s podcast, The Unwritten Playbook.? Oftentimes we are so concerned with our goal, that we forget about finding joy in all of the experiences we have to endure to get there.? Once we earn 6 figures, achieve a certain title, sign a big deal - more often than not, it’s never enough.? We always want more. ?It is critical to stop, learn, find joy at any stage of your journey so that happiness is a full-time ride, rather than simply a pit stop along the way.

Wherever you are in your career journey, I hope that you embrace your own role as the creator of your story. Success is not linear.? It is often a set of ups and downs - and as long as you continue to do the work - opportunities will come your way, regardless of the size of the organization you work for.??