nashvillesales profile picture
nashvillesales profile picture

nashvillesales

Director of Business Development

Fire Starter
Contributor

3 months and 150 applications later

I have put out over 150 applications for AE, SAE, and Enterprise AE positions. I have 5 years of proven quota-carrying, full sales-cycle positions (always exceeding quota). I also have 5+ years of Business Development experience including leadership roles.


I have had many first, second, and third interviews. I'm getting held up in the 3rd interview phase. When asking for feedback I am hearing "we decided to go with someone with more experience".


Is the job market THAT bad right now that people are taking jobs they're over-qualified for and pushing out someone like myself? How is it that every sales job that pays around 100b/200ote+ has hundreds of applicants and I am not being given a shot? I know my way around an interview and can schmooze with the best of them.


What is with this job market right now? Anyone experiencing similar road-blocks?

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antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
6
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I have not seen that myself, but damn. I wish you the best and that someone else can help you with perspective.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I'm very sorry to hear this. I've seen a few similar posts recently about others encountering the same responses.

I wonder if a lot of the positions are posted externally, but they are hiring internal candidates, and simply using a boilerplate rejection.

It sounds like you are doing everything you are supposed to.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Since hiring is a lot more competitive from an applicant's perspective, this is slowly becoming more the norm.

I would think about asking for advice, not feedback, in interviews once you get the "we decided to go with someone with more experience" line. B/c this is the easiest line to say where they don't give much details.

Asking for advice is more asking for help which people are more willing to do and go into more detail.
nashvillesales
Fire Starter
3
Director of Business Development
Thank you this is helpful. I just emailed back 3 jobs (where I finished the interview process) and received a rejection. Let's see what advice they have for me!
Filth
Politicker
3
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Keep us updated on this, I'm curious if they A.)actually respond and B.) what level of detail they'll give you.
jefe
Arsonist
4
🍁
This sounds crazy. Damn.. No clue what advice to give, but I hope it gets better.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Keep moving forward. Also, have you considered relocating?
nashvillesales
Fire Starter
3
Director of Business Development
I have not. I have a new baby and really love Nashville. I'm searching for remote work. Seems most positions are accommodating that.
Filth
Politicker
4
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Might wanna see if w/e industry your from can translate to logistics - Nashville is a huge hub for brokers and carriers from tech saavy to caveman like. Just an idea!
TheIncarceration
Politicker
1
SDR Manager
We're seeing a little bit of that on our end. I've been seeing more people apply for roles that they're overqualified for
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
I haven’t experienced it, but I’m less inclined to go thru the process and interview as I’ve heard similar stories over and over. We should connect.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
I have been there....countless applications, interviews, coming in 2nd, etc. Its rough and I can commiserate. It can be devastating to your self worth and sense of self. And no one understands UNLESS they have been there before.

2 bits of advice -
(1) keep at it. A journey of 1000 miles begins with a step. Each resume, interview, etc. gets your one step closer to what you're looking for. So don't stop.
(2) perhaps try a different approach. Maybe be bold where you have been timid or vice versa. Change something - try a different resume format, or something else different to see what happens.
I_eat_SaaS
Contributor
0
Account Executive
Feedback I’d provide is find the companies you are interested in, start reaching out to individuals at the company and networking. Treat them to a virtual coffee and say you’ve been interested in the company. Would love to pick their brain about their experience. Then, as a follow up send them a thank you. Touch base again and then ask if they’d be a referral for you
KendallRoy
Politicker
0
AM
Seen this a fair bit. A guy with Enterprise experience joined our Mid-Market team after being very obviously let go from his prior company after 8 months. People are desperate and companies are capitalising on it. Complete 180 from the hiring environment at the start of the year

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