Advice recent grad in sales

[robdlarue]

I graduated from UC Santa Barbara in June with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in technology entrepreneurship. Halfway through school realized my passion was entrepreneurship so I threw the plans of med school out the window. I was highly involved with the startup community in SB, and was president of the Entrepreneurs Association. I took a job at Oracle in sales 2 weeks after graduation. Out of 500 new hires, I was chosen for a division called Eloqua along with 2 others. This is Oracle's marketing automation platform and a much more "small company feel" (only 400 employees in Eloqua)- but I am essentially just doing lead gen and qualification. I don't know exactly what I want to do yet, but I am pretty sure I want to go back to a startup eventually or start my own company. There are definitely pros and cons. We are getting trained very well.. I have sandler sales training, vorsight sales training, Salesforce CRM, Eloqua, Oracle Fusion CRM, and I am learning the modern marketing and sales industry. Plus with all the prospecting, I am learning how to talk to customers and really provide a consultative sales approach and learn to listen instead of just overloading people with features and benefits. I think these are valuable skills that I would not be learning in school. On the other hand I feel like I am a nobody in a huge company doing the ***** work- cold calling. They said we will be promoted in a year to a full sales rep. I would love to hear some advice from experienced business people out there. What's it like to climb the corporate latter? Or if you could go back would you start your own business instead? Do you think this is a good starting point or should I be back in school or at a startup? I am thinking about going back to get my MBA. Just as insurance, and to collaborate with motivated students and professors on new venture projects. That is also in the back of my head.

 

[CTLION]



I graduated from UC Santa Barbara in June with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in technology entrepreneurship. Halfway through school realized my passion was entrepreneurship so I threw the plans of med school out the window. I was highly involved with the startup community in SB, and was president of the Entrepreneurs Association. I took a job at Oracle in sales 2 weeks after graduation. Out of 500 new hires, I was chosen for a division called Eloqua along with 2 others. This is Oracle's marketing automation platform and a much more "small company feel" (only 400 employees in Eloqua)- but I am essentially just doing lead gen and qualification. I don't know exactly what I want to do yet, but I am pretty sure I want to go back to a startup eventually or start my own company. There are definitely pros and cons. We are getting trained very well.. I have sandler sales training, vorsight sales training, Salesforce CRM, Eloqua, Oracle Fusion CRM, and I am learning the modern marketing and sales industry. Plus with all the prospecting, I am learning how to talk to customers and really provide a consultative sales approach and learn to listen instead of just overloading people with features and benefits. I think these are valuable skills that I would not be learning in school. On the other hand I feel like I am a nobody in a huge company doing the ***** work- cold calling. They said we will be promoted in a year to a full sales rep. I would love to hear some advice from experienced business people out there. What's it like to climb the corporate latter? Or if you could go back would you start your own business instead? Do you think this is a good starting point or should I be back in school or at a startup? I am thinking about going back to get my MBA. Just as insurance, and to collaborate with motivated students and professors on new venture projects. That is also in the back of my head.

Assuming you don't start up your own business, what is your end game? What is your final destination career wise? Sales person, VP of Sales, President/CEO? Knowing that answer helps you make the next decision.

If you want to be a rep you have to ask for it. Take a stand, make a case and sell yourself. Tell the powers that be why they are losing money not having you in the field.
My first real job was a medical sales rep job. I had zero experience and was interviewing against 3 finalists with 50 years of combined experience. I won the job because I demanded it. Within 5 years I was VP of Sales at the age of 28 and I was the youngest person in the company.

My point is not to brag, my point is that people don't hand you things you have to take them. You have to sell yourself, your abilities and your upside. I don't suck up, but I do share value.

Finally in sales winning is everything..it has to be an itch that can't be scratched to be the best you have to hear no, but translate it to "no for now" assuming the sale will be made, it's just a matter of time.

I wish you the best in all you endeavors.

 

[robdlarue]

Thank you so much for the words!