You Hate Your New Sales Job. Now What?

If you've hit your forties yet and worked in Sales for your entire career, chances are you've had a job that didn't go so well.

But before you quit, a word of caution.

There is brown grass everywhere (see me up there with some)?

Green grass too, yes - but there isn't a single company that has it all.

At least once a day, I field a call or DM from someone that goes something like this:

"Jordana, can you help me? I just started this job a few weeks ago and I hate it. I feel like I was lied to about (insert problem: culture, targets, compensation, time on the road, product-market-fit, client base, leadership, state of the company etc...).

What do I do?"

PAUSE

This is not a great situation to be in, but it's not cause for panic. You always have a choice and it's about making the best one for you.

Personally, I was in this situation more than a handful of times. Thinking that I had asked every question that I should have during the interview process. That I did all of the research I possibly could have on the company and its leaders. That I was blindsided or duped.

The truth is that I missed signs every time. I wanted the opportunity so badly that I misinterpreted signals or convinced myself I would be different in this role. I lied during the interview process thinking I could learn what I needed to once I started. Or even worse, I told myself that this role might only be for a few months, but let's just 'see how it goes,' knowing full well it would end up a disaster.

I didn't bother to ask a single other person who had previously worked for the company for feedback or guidance. I didn't stop to think about what happens after the offer, after the first day, after the first paycheque - you know...when you really have to do the job and work at the company.

Enough of the past - what do you do now?

As a Recruiter, HR Consultant, Five-Time Sales Leader and constant work-in-progress - here are my top 4 tips.

1) Have you or can you speak to anyone at your company about your current state? IF yes, please do this. You might have misunderstood a situation or they could give you information that changes your perspective.

I once started a role with a packaging and label startup and 1 month in, I felt icky. The owner was unprofessional, I was supposed to leading not selling and I found out they were forging contracts. I knew I was out, but I spoke with the CTO and owner to address my concerns before leaving. Turns out, I was right about it being unethical and left.

2) Take a look at your current REALISTIC options. This might require writing things down or asking someone you trust or contacting a Recruiter for guidance.

If you leave, can you or would you go back to your old company? Can you afford to go a few months without a paycheque while you find something new? Do you have any other job prospects on the horizon?

If you stay, what can you change to make it more palatable? What are the good things about the role and company? How long could you 'hang in' for?

3) Assess the situation for toxicity. Is your current situation at work going to cause an immediate, permanent or damaging effect to your health or reputation? IF yes, I recommend leaving.

I started working with a Retail specific supply chain company years back that turned toxic quickly. The CEO who courted me for a year to work there, had me report into a COO that was going through a nasty divorce, and I was hearing too many details that weren't my concern or problem to solve for. He started taking his frustrations out on me and berating me and I was out.

4) Do a self-audit FIRST! How did you get into this situation? As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, sometimes we miss signs and other times, we are deceived. Nasty recruiters and hiring managers who lie to get us into these roles.

It may be a sudden change in the market. Decreased funding or staff exiting that is causing you to want to leave.

Whatever the case, we always have a choice and we can fix 'bad work' situations no matter what! A bad sales job isn't your destiny.

Like what you're reading? Join The hirequity Academy to learn How Recruiters and Hiring Managers FIND, VET and HIRE YOU. Find out what you need to do in your first 30 days of a new job with the 30-DAY Dealbreaker and learn gate-kept recruiter secrets!

The hirequity Academy