Leaving a Job Early?

Any of you have a one year policy on changing roles in your company? I took a new role, and to be honest, I don't think it's the right fit for me. I was in our regional meeting and it was brought up that we need to hire a sales person by July. Our sales manager said if I can convince my boss to let me go, he'd be happy to have me.
I am a very technical person, but I thrive on human interaction and I get so little of it in my current role. I have always liked sales engagements and have always put off going into sales for fear of living on commission. Due to things happening in my life, I have adopted the philosophy that I only live once and I should go for it.
What I am specifically asking here is. What is the best way to discuss with your boss that you don't think the current role is for you and that you want to move into a different role. I'm not leaving the company, and the company existed without my role for a year so I don't think it would be devastating for me to transfer 5 months into my new role.
Thoughts?
I am a very technical person, but I thrive on human interaction and I get so little of it in my current role. I have always liked sales engagements and have always put off going into sales for fear of living on commission. Due to things happening in my life, I have adopted the philosophy that I only live once and I should go for it.
What I am specifically asking here is. What is the best way to discuss with your boss that you don't think the current role is for you and that you want to move into a different role. I'm not leaving the company, and the company existed without my role for a year so I don't think it would be devastating for me to transfer 5 months into my new role.
Thoughts?
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Connect with me on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipzito
Comments
Scabbing is highly discouraged in my company. I heard about the new role, and told the new sales manager I was interested. He said I would need to get a waiver from my current manager, but that if my current one approved he'd be happy to have me. Internal requests don't really happen in my company.
Plus I am in a corporate salary position and this would be a regional sales position.
Connect with me on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipzito
One thing I will say, try not to make your situation seem negative by saying things like the job is boring or you're just not interested. Instead, point out things like your goals and what your strengths are and why you feel this new opportunity would be a right fit for you and you should be alright.
Twitter: Andrey_Po
You were brought in for a specific position I don't think they will let you go. There is so much risk with a move like this, not to sound like a downer but........
What's your current role, anything to do with engagements or sales? Do you have any sales experience? IMO Sales is a position you just don't walk into at least at high level sales role. I've seen engineers go into pre sales roles, but a pure sales roles is not going to happen unless you climb that ladder.
I recently applied for a sales position within my company. Formally interviewed and went to the hiring manager internally. We had a really good conversation, I even gave him an out saying I had light industry experience. <Crickets> My current boss and I were talking and he asked were I was at on that position. He was probably posturing, either way it's all good. I told him they didn't contact me or set up an interview. He basically said they were bad at following up.
So be it...... *** My point it was completely swept under the rug.
The good news is after months of managing upward to my boss I am going to transition into a project manager. He said 80% PM and 20% analytics. I write great reports so they don't want to lose that.
You've already crossed the hurdle in socializing the concept with the hiring manager. My suggestion is that when speaking with your manager, I would not necessarily position that the current position isn't right for you. Make it a conversation about what you can contribute most to your company. The conversation ought to be about where in the company you can contribute most value and you think that there is a gap in sales and you can fill it. Sales brings revenue into the company and if you can help make the company more successful than your current manager can be the hero by helping with the top-line.
Also - along with that approach, you could suggest that perhaps it's more of a part-time assignment. And sales will get you out to understand more about the business and what prospective customers want - that experience will only make you better at your current job.
I wish you well. I hope you go for it.
Just for the record, OP I think you should pursue your goals, but realistically you are a long shot in this role given the information you have provided.
I wish you the best.
After all - if the OP wants to be in sales, the first huddle is selling the concept
Too funny! I get what you are saying though. The mitigate potential risk of look disgruntled with your position if you spin it that way it merely makes it look like you are a team player or attempting to be. So if the transition doesn't take place you still have a solid relationship with your boss and he thinks you at least somewhat like the position.
Just for the record I have tried this before several times and it has never worked. Now what has happened shortly after (~1 year) is that they ended up change my role within that department. Like now I am a BA but will be moving on into a PM role. This is where my heart is and honestly where my natural skills lay. Like you Phil I love interaction and engaging people. While there is no way in hell they are going to put me on the sales team