We get the call at least twice per quarter: "This job isn’t what I thought." It’s a familiar refrain, one that echoes the initial culture shock many sales professionals experience when they step into a new role. Maybe the company isn’t what you expected, or perhaps the leadership style is a far cry from what you’re used to. Whatever the reason, it’s tempting to throw in the towel early on. But before you make any hasty decisions, let’s talk about why sticking it out for 12 months—4 seasons, 1 year—might be the best move you ever make.

Starting a new sales role can be exciting, but it’s not without its challenges. The first few months might feel like you’ve landed in a different world altogether. Maybe your new manager’s leadership style is a complete 180 from what you were used to—where you once had an easygoing, approachable leader, you now find yourself reporting to someone who’s tough as nails, possibly even abrasive. Or perhaps the reverse is true, and you’re adjusting to a more laid-back approach when you’ve always thrived under pressure.

Then there’s the company itself. During the interview process, everything might have seemed perfect. But now that you’re in the thick of it, you’re starting to see cracks. Product development isn’t as agile as you were led to believe. Customer service might be struggling. Finance? Well, let’s just say the numbers don’t always add up as cleanly as you’d hoped. These realizations can be jarring, and it’s easy to wonder if you made the right choice.

But here’s the truth: no company has it all together. Every organization is a group of people doing their best to hold things together. Sometimes the problems are hidden beneath the surface, and sometimes they’re right out in the open. It’s easy to get spooked by this reality, especially in those first few months when you’re still finding your footing.

At SalesFirst Recruiting, we often tell candidates, "You’re probably right, but stick it out anyway." The challenges you’re noticing now? They’re real, and they’re there. But here’s the thing—you may not have seen the problems at your last company, but I guarantee you, they were there too. Every company has its own set of issues. The difference now is that you’re in the process of learning how to navigate these new waters.

It’s crucial to give yourself—and your new role—a full year before making any judgments. Why a year? Because it takes that long to truly understand the challenges, the dynamics, and the opportunities within a company. In those first 12 months, you’ll experience all the seasons—both literally and figuratively. You’ll see the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

And who knows? By sticking it out, you might discover that you’re the hero this company needs. The one who sees the problems clearly and knows how to fix them. But you’ll never get to that point if you bail too soon. We tell our candidates, "I can all but guarantee you that if you stay for a year at a minimum, you will take something from this experience and bring it with you for the next position." Or better yet, "Stick around, get promoted, and fix it!"

So, when you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, remind yourself that this is just part of the process. Give it a year. Stick it out through the culture shock, the surprises, and the challenges. You might just find that the role—and the company—are exactly what you were looking for all along.

-Adam