Has anyone found a new career after sales

[BethanyJ74]

Please help mumsnetters

I want to leave sales but don't know what to do next. I can bring a lot of knowledge of the NHS to a role but I dont want to work in the NHS. I like strategy and analysis too. I don't want to work in marketing per say. My degree was commerce.

If you left sales, what did you do? Do you have any ideas what I can do?

A friend of mine was unhappy in sales but earning a really good income. He's now a forest ranger and very happily on a fraction of the money and very satisfied.

Good he's found something that makes him happy.

I want to stay in business. I am interested in Mergers and Aquistions too.

I went into civil service, love it!

I found it impossible.
I fell into Sales by accident when I began my career and I was really good at it,enjoyed it and liked the money
After about 15 years I fancied a change but couldn’t get an interview, while I was getting regular headhunter calls for Sales jobs. I took a career break to have my dc and then ended up doing some freelance sales/training work for a contact which ended up with me starting my own consultantancy, which is what I still do. Most of my contracts are Sales related but some aren’t
Trying to change completely didn’t work for me but that could be because I had been doing it for too long or because I didn’t properly demonstrate that my skills were transferable on my applications.

I have done M&A, it’s largely sales

I'm about to go and work for a local authority. I don't want to give real details but let's say I'm currently in sales for a house builder and my new role will be in a team coordinating buildings maintenance. It's a pay cut but there are lots of career progression opportunities so hopefully worth it.

I went from Sales into Business Development in a specific field (payroll & HR) and got trained up in that field and now dept head.

Thanks everyone for the insights and experiences. Much appreciated.

Hopping I have the same fear about not being able to transfer my skills. Think I need to make a start sooner than later. At least sales give us the ability to be determined.

I’m sure you have lots of transferable skills, it’s just showing that on a CV when it’s all sales roles to date
One thing though, sales people are generally good at selling themselves so if you can get an interview chances are you will do very well
Good luck

Project planning. If you are good at analysis and strategy but can bring the people and negotiation skills you'll fly!