MCP

Sales Director

6 rounds of interviews…6!

for a basic management position. Not Director, not VP, not exec, just manager. One level above IC. No case studies, but still 6 interviews, and lots of redundant questions.

I've done 7 before, 3 with the President, including a case study, but not for a relatively basic job that you could replace quickly. That's how I see it, the more replaceable, the fewer the interviews required.

Good news is it sounds like I'm 3/3 with 3 more to go this week. They seem to really like what I have to say and what I'm about relative to the role and I like what I've heard so far, which is good because I'm holding out for the right gig this time.

🏙 Corporate Experiences

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

☁️ Software Tech

40 comments

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InQ5WeTrust

Arsonist

No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL

Long interview processes are becoming the norm not the exception now.

Last round of jobs I applied for I was doing 4-6 just for an SDR role.

Job I'm doing now though I got referred into and had an offer after a 20 min chat with the CEO

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

4-6 for SDR is crazy, but I think companies are protecting against another Great Resignation and really want people who will stay without a lot of trouble. Referrals help because you’re being vouched for. My last 2 jobs, neither of which worked out were quick interviews & offers, but that actually scares me at this point. I just want to find a medium.

nemix

Politicker

SDR

New to tech I was doing 3-4 every place I was looking at. Kind of absurd for a position being highly churned

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

This seems a little much.

Boudreaux

Politicker

Regional Manager

I did seven for my latest gig and in six of them, all anyone wanted to discuss is why I would want to leave the previous job.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

How flat is the org structure?

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

They have about 5K people. It’s the hiring manager, a peer for the role in another territory, hiring manager’s peer, hiring manager’s boss, his peer and HR.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

Ask for the job. When I became c-suite I was in interview 7 it ended and I said, “so are you going to make me an offer?” and they looked at each other and said, “yeah!”
I was determined to get an answer and stop wasting my time.

pizzasavage

Contributor

Account Executive, Partner/Client Success

Savageeeeee

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

VP of Sales

Slap your dick on the table and ask if they’re gonna hire you. Great litmus test.
.
Asked a CEO this once back in the day, and he came back and one-upped me and said “I like you, but I’m not sure if you’re good enough yet. We’ll see after the next round.” They did end up hiring me, but I knew I wanted to work there after that conversation.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

SaaS Eater

I just had 5 convos with the company I moved to and I was asked to join by the VP of Sales. It was informal but still a lot for a role where they wanted me. This just seems to be the norm now.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

That sounds… excessive.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Sounds like a grind, but you’re also interviewing them, so I’m glad you’re liking what you hear so far.

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

Yes, and actually, this is the first in a long time I’ve had the chance to do so and I think that’s one of the things that’s getting me to like them.
I also recently had an interview with a CEO where it was a one way grilling and he cut me off during each response. I walked out of that one for more reasons than I care to list.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You listed one very good reason right there that would be enough reason to walk away.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

No. of interviews are not always directly proportional to the position 🙂

Things redundant for us might not be for them, though I feel you bro.

You'll nail it. Good luck!

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

Thanks, I appreciate it! I guess they just want to make sure I’d really fit in, but it feels like meeting the friends and family before even going on a date.

ragnarlothbrok

Politicker

Key account manager

6..... wow, I have always thought anything over 3 is overkill but keep going! sounds like youre on your way

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

Thanks! I hope to be able to give positive news to the folks here soon.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

I’ve never done more than 1… I don’t know if Im patient enough to make it through 6. Kudos to you for sticking with it, and glad you’re liking what you hear from them also!

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

VP of Sales

Never ever done more than 1 round? That’s crazy. People must really like you.
.
I’ve done as many as 5 including a proper interrogation with an executive search recruiter. It was annoying, but the process didn’t really FEEL excessively drawn out. I hate jumping through hoops but I won’t hire a senior manager without confidence they can keep up, so I didn’t mind them vetting me properly. 6 just sounds like a lot, esp for the seniority referenced. I guess it comes down to how long and how strenuous each round is.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

I think it’s more likely I’m settling for roles that aren’t challenging enough for me! I’m trying to change that now, actually. ☺️

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

VP of Sales

Well, good on you then. Everyone at their own pace.

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

This is new to me as well, usually 2-3, but I need the right fit at this point as the last few haven’t been. One was a homecoming of sorts so my guard was down but it ended up reminding me why we broke up in the first place.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Unfortunately Long interview cycles are everywhere now. Last 3 companies that interviewed me for an IC role had 4-7 rounds before any offer is made. The commpany I just joined had 3 rounds but they wanted me so they expedited the process a little bit.

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

Lots of people are railing against them (mostly 3rd party recruiters with an agenda to place and get paid) but again, it’s about me finding the right place. I wasn’t referred in, I don’t have that kind of network, but it’s moving right along. I’ll be glad when the week is over, though.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Yes, I actually don’t mind a longer interview cycle. Reason being is that it’s likely you’ll work at the company for 1+ years, I certainly want to make sure I’m a fit along with them prior to an offer being made.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

At least it sounds like you weren't given any "homework".

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

Not this time…not yet, anyway.

SaaSMaster

Politicker

Strategic Partnerships Manager

I’ve heard of a large company in my area doing six interviews across 3 days so it’s pretty grueling but if you make it through then they’re confident in your abilities

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

Yep, that’s what I’m keeping in mind. So many don’t make it through the first round.

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

I didn't end up completing the process because I accepted an offer from an ex employer but I was recently involved in an 8 round process for an AE roll. I made it as far as round 7 when I accepted the other offer.

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

In hindsight I'm glad it was so long because I ended up accepting an offer at a place I know I will be super happy. But had it not been for such a long process, in the event they shot me an offer, I would have ended up going with them. Before I jumped ship they mentioned I was one of the top candidates.

Mobi85

Politicker

Regional Sales Manager

6 seems like a crazy amount and I hope that the 6 that are occurring are fairly quick turnarounds between interviews. I would imagine it would be 1 interview per week, so 6 weeks of going through the process.

MCP

Valued Contributor

Sales Director

They are. I had 2 last week, and will have 4 this week and the recruiter got to me in just a couple of hours, so it’s been quick and they need to fill the role this month to give the new person time to ramp and jump right into Q1

Upper_Class_SaaS

Politicker

Account Executive

Yea that is A LOT... keep us posted on how it goes

Mjollnir

Politicker

Account Executive

damn sounds like google, does guys are so up their own ass

socialselling

Sales Enablement

Yup, it's happened to me in my last couple of roles, and always happens with healthcare companies, at least to me. I guess it's just...how it is now?

queencloud

Old School Bravo

Partner Sales Manager

I'm starting to see this more and more as we're in the period of "The Great Resignation", companies are being more selective with the employees they are hiring because they want to vet you out and make sure you don't quit. I'm not particularly condoning it, but it makes sense. If employees are being picky and setting the rules, the company wants to make sure they get the right person before bending over backwards on their rules/pay/benefits etc.

I do, however, recommend a referral into the company to speak on your behalf. I have found it typically speeds up the process. And as usual, ALWAYS BE CLOSING, in every round.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

I hate when companies do this to people. So unnecessary and so time consuming! I only have so many "doctors appointments" I can go to for these damn interviews...

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MCP

6 rounds of interviews…6!

40 comments

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