Sales is a thrilling career. In what other field can you get paid to build relationships, help others, problem solve, enjoy healthy competition, and make loads of money?
But the truth is, not all sales jobs are created equal. Some sales positions (or managers or colleagues) will drain you mentally and emotionally — to the point that you’ve had enough.
In fact, I’ve seen this in companies big and small. Sales people grumbling and complaining. Talking behind their boss’ back. Slacking on the job to the point of “quiet quitting.” And the list goes on.
And there are plenty of other reasons why your sales job could be driving you insane. Low pay, long hours, little-to-know sales enablement, and the list goes on.
So if you’re miserable, it’s time to start looking for something else. You deserve better for yourself.
But… before you spread your wings and fly, you have to consider some things…
Cost/benefit Analysis: How Bad is It?
You have to weigh the pros and cons before you pack up your desk. Are you just getting an itch for something new and exciting? Or is there a toxic employee or manager who’s pushing you out? These are two completely different motives.
If you stay… there’s an opportunity cost!
If you try to “stick it out,” you could be missing out on a higher-paying sales job. You could also be missing out on personal and professional growth, upward mobility, and other things by sticking around.
If you leave… the grass might *not* be greener on the other side.
On the other side of the “opportunity cost” coin you have the grass-isn’t-greener phenomenon. In other words, you could leave and find that you’re equally as unhappy (or worse) at a new company.
I recommend listing out, in side-by-side columns, the things you love and hate about your current role. Be sure to include the monetary aspects of your sales job (comp & commission, bonuses, quality of leads, etc.). But don’t forget about the non-tangibles like company culture, work relationships, work/life balance, etc.
Work/life Balance
Since I mentioned work/life balance, let’s discuss this real quick.
I personally don’t believe in work/life balance for top producers. Look, if you don’t want to be a top producer, then you can have all the balance you want. But if you want to be in the 1% of deal-closers and money-makers, then you have to obsess about sales.
You have to be the first person to pick up the phones in the morning, and the last person to hang ‘em up at night. You’ll read sales books on the weekends, attend sales training and take sales courses, and constantly strive to better yourself.
Remember the greats like Ronaldo and Lebron. They are always (always!) training when everyone else is getting their “work/life” balance in. Just something to keep in mind.
When to Leave Your Sales Job
- Constant stress and burnout. If you’re doing everything to manage your stress (prayer, meditation, breath work, exercise, eating healthy, vacations, etc.) but you’re still feeling the grind, it’s time to leave.
- Toxic company culture. If your boss or colleagues are verbally abusive to you, or if there’s constant micro-management or fear-based leadership, it’s time to leave.
- You’re not making enough money. Look, money is a huge driver for forward momentum and success. If you want to reach your potential in life, it helps to have a healthy comp plan that lines up with your financial goals. If you don’t have that, it’s time to leave.
- You’re not learning or growing. Every good sales job should offer enough challenge and growth opportunities to keep you engaged and making forward progress. If yours isn’t, and/or you’re falling behind on the latest sales trends, then it’s time to leave.
- You’re not making a positive impact. You can also think of this as making a difference or helping people. If you aren’t leaving companies or individuals better than you found them, then maybe it’s time to leave for a sales job that you truly believe in. You might even make a negative impact on the world if you’re selling a product that’s not in-line with your philosophy (big tobacco, for instance).
When NOT to Leave Your Sales Job
- You’re not happy. This is a tricky one, but if you’re not happy in your sales job, it could be due to several non-work related factors. And you wouldn’t want to quit over something that could be fixed with simple lifestyle changes (better sleep, better diet, dopamine detox, etc.). Try to get to the root of your unhappiness before quitting the job that pays your bills.
- You had a run-in with your boss. Work relationships can get sticky at times, and everyone deals with conflict here and there. But if it’s only happened once or twice — with your sales manager or a coworker — it probably isn’t grounds to quit your job. However, if there’s a pattern of mis-alignment and conflict or hostility, then you should get out.
- You haven’t talked to your boss. If you haven’t had a heart-to-heart with your boss, then you should before you pack your bags. Sometimes with the stress of fast-paced sales leadership positions, managers can be blind to things like employee unhappiness or workplace tension. Set up a meeting, lay it all on the table, and hash it out. You’d be surprised how far an honest conversation can take you.
- You haven’t talked to your mentor. You do have a mentor, right? If not, you must get one asap — no matter if you’re an SDR, an AE, or VP of Sales. Now is the time to seek their guidance and wisdom!
Lay the Groundwork
OK – if you’ve made the decision to leave your sales job, do these things before handing in your two-week notice.
- Get clarity on what’s next. Are you an entrepreneur at heart and want to strike out on your own? Go for it! Or maybe you’re a company man (or woman). Either way, know your strengths and play to them.
- Job hunt! This one should go without saying, but it’s important to get a “lay of the land” of the sales industry. Who’s hiring? What are they paying? Where do the opportunities lie? Don’t go into this blindly. Do the research beforehand and get some irons in the fire before resigning. You can thank me later.
- Network like crazy. If you’re in sales you know the importance of networking. But even outside of sales, networking and building relationships will make or break you. Reach out to contacts, ask for introductions, go to industry events, get active on LinkedIn, etc.
- Sharpen your negotiation chops. If you’re about to offer a new position, you have negotiation power to get a better comp and commission plan. Know your worth! I recommend buying a one-year subscription to Masterclass and taking the Masterclass course on negotiating. It’s a game-changer.
Finally, be sure to stay resilient and adapt to the new opportunities that come your way. Because new opportunites WILL come your way. Guaranteed.
Until next time…
Johnny-Lee Reinoso