Can a sales job work with a family

ben_m_g

I've worked in engineering for 13 years, and by all accounts I have done pretty well (for the area / my qualifications.)
I'm a senior engineer in my late 20's, pay is high 30s, but I hate my job. (As do most people in the department).

My boss' behaviour is incredulous, today I have had a 30 minute solid telling off, because one of my guys used the wrong colour in a pie chart and didn't underline something in his report.

Worse, is that the company rumour mill is constantly alive with redundancy / short comings / firing. All denied by management but it makes for a constant concern about having a job this time next year.



The problem is that engineering jobs are scarce locally. I have looked at other roles, things like teaching, pre sales, logistics etc. But I really don't know what jobs would suit me. starting from the bottom again would be tough, as the only earner.

Last year I turned down a sales job working the whole of the UK, speaking with them, they haven't approached any one else and they are still looking.
The thought of being across the country when my wife needs me is chilling, our first LO was a handful at times and I had to nip out of work on more than one occasion to help.

So sales and commuting are neither ideal. But I need a change.

TLDR version:

What jobs are there for engineers? (I would want to be earning at least 30k.)

Are there any sales guys / girls that have done the same? Can it work / any advice?

asajj

I have seen plenty of people working in different cities and seeing their wives/kids at the weekend and while it was difficult, it didn't ruin their family.
You can't have everything sometimes.
I don't know where you live or what sort of engineering jobs depend on many other things.

I'm not sure whether you have been with the same employer over the last 13 years but if this is the case and you "think" there might be redundancies coming out, you may as well stay and get your redundancy pay.
This way you can even take a bit of break from working and spend time with family.

djohnst

I work in sales covering clients all over the UK and yes it works but it will depend on the culture of the organisation. I have enormous flexibility to work where and when I want within reason and that makes an enormous difference - There can be mornings where I've left the house at silly o clock to get to a meeting, but equally times when I'll take a few hours off in the afternoon to take my daughter to an activity.


Technology also helps a lot - I do so much more business on the phone and via video/conference call these days which cuts down the amount of time away from home. Again this will depend on the nature of the organisation you're selling for, and your relationship with customers - i.e. small number of clients you can build a strong working relationship with vs. driving round visiting new customers every day.


And of course, the main reason people get into sales tends to be money. I've made my peace with the fact that I will be pressured, and will work some silly hours in exchange for a very healthy reward at the end of the month. This aspect may or may not swing it for you.

ben_m_g

My main concern is that I have been lied to before about taking a role, my position now is nothing like the advertised role, company performance, culture, progression all fabricated.

The new company seem pretty flexible, but to be honest i'm not really sure where the line is, what I can really ask for.

duchy

If you have an engineering background that is practical rather than theoretical perhaps moving into post 16 vocational training might interest you working for a local college working with students post 16 ?

Frankly if you have a job that allows you to pop home when your wife can't cope with a child -and it is something you have felt the need to do -a job working away from home doesn't sound suitable for your family. Most women don't ask their husbands to come home from work except in times of dire emergency like hospitization-and most employers wouldn't tolerate it outside of that kind of emergency so it sounds like neither you or your wife would do well if you worked away as you are quite reliant on each other. Nothing wrong with that - every family dynamic is different but you need to be honest what is and isn't workable for you both.

DKLS

ben_m_g wrote: »

What jobs are there for engineers? (I would want to be earning at least 30k.)

Would seem sensible to look for engineering related how about:

BBC Engineering Project Manager

Engineering Sales

Engineering Trainer

Keep searching on sites like Indeed and play around with job titles and see if anything takes your fancy and is a match for your skill set.

bamgbost

Sounds like u may work @ a consultancy or so Ben. - working on Projects?
Have u consider manufacturing engineering? Improvements Engineering? etc

You will hopefully be settled somewhere in one location. So win-win

Caroline_a

I work in a high-tec environment where some of the sales people have previously been engineers. The problem is that for the most part they do not have the skillset needed for sales, and I have to say that for the most part the ones I have seen have been poor salespeople, consequentially their numbers are low and they are usually the first to go when cuts are made.

Sales isn't for everyone - and can be very unstable.

ben_m_g

Caroline_a wrote: »

I work in a high-tec environment where some of the sales people have previously been engineers. The problem is that for the most part they do not have the skillset needed for sales, and I have to say that for the most part the ones I have seen have been poor salespeople, consequentially their numbers are low and they are usually the first to go when cuts are made.

Sales isn't for everyone - and can be very unstable.

This of course is another concern, I have had at least some exposure to sales (although indirectly) I found the job to be gruelling but to be honest very easy.
One of the reasons I left the job was that I was bored, I felt that I was getting paid to do nothing, (well apart from put up with idiots on the phone).

However this will be working alone, responsible for targets and a completely different ball game.

Last month I chatted with one of the guys responsible for hiring the position, he pretty much eluded to the fact that the job is mine if I wanted it still.
I will call him tonight and try to understand just how hard it will be to hit the first year target, honestly I have no idea if this is the right step and it really worries me that I will be making the right step.

Caroline_a

Hmm... If he's responsible for filling the role he will be selling it to you - "targets are a doddle... etc". You need to find out how many people hit and exceeded their targets last year, how leads are generated (will you be expected to cold call, or are there internal sales teams who will hand the leads to you), what training you will get (sales as well as product), and whether it is ongoing, or just a one-off.

Also try to find out the staff turnover in that role for the past year - always a good indicator! Working alone sounds a great idea initially, but can be a lonely place to be after a while.

ben_m_g

Yes he is really trying to sell the role to me, from the past he has proven trustworthy, but some of his assurances need more probing.

As far as work history, the role is taking over some of his duties, the justification is that it is an emerging area and warrants another person.

Yes there will be cold calling (sigh) but the position was sold to me that this was a soft sell, with the majority of work coming from existing customers. When asked, they expect to meet with 3 customers a day, (is that pretty typical?)

Targets seem ok (I think) year 1, half of last years target with full pay 0 commission) year 2, higher target lower pay more commission, same for year 3 and 4.
I will need to check but the best year they had, matches the target for year 4.