Steve Laner profile picture
Steve Laner profile picture

Steve Laner

Senior Account Executive at Unknown

Ancillary to my prior post

I know the job market is tight, I get it. I've got extensive govtech experience as well as F500 sales experience. But, I'm not getting very far on the job front. I job-scanned my resume, good keywords, 85+ score.....crickets. How prevalent is ageism (I have extensive experience, 25+ years)? How important is a cover letter since ATS is the recruiter's tool? New deodorant?

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16 comments

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punishedlad
Tycoon
6
Business Development Team Lead
I'm not sure it's so much ageism as it might be your price tag. That much experience under your belt, plus your job history might make people think they can't afford you.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
3
Sales Rep
I would spend more time networking with your past team to see if they are hiring, if they are at a company you like, than perfecting a cover letter
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
Are you gunning through linkedin? If so, are you seeing "application viewed?"
0
Senior Account Executive
Yes, on some. That and the "thanks but no thanks" canned recruiter email.
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
Yeah, normal. When you get the "viewed" reply, you know your app is getting through. "Downloaded" is supposed to mean something also. I see that as a time to attack. fwiw. Good luck brother. I'm in a similar boat.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
3
Retired Choirboy🪕
.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Throwback
Fenderbaum
Politicker
1
Retired Choirboy🪕
I do recall.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
It’s a very tough market. What’s your network telling you?
0
Senior Account Executive
Same, it is tough....
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
2
Enterprise AE
Cover letter is a waste a time. Go directly to the hiring manager or to a rep at the companies you're looking at. For the hiring manager, soft pitch yourself and get fast tracked. for a rep ask for a referral 99% of companies offer a referral bonus to people who refer someone in, it's a win-win.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
2
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
It is all about network once you get a decent pint of experience. You can go in and kick out a Director or VP, so it depends on what you are selling and to whom. I have seen older is better for leadership and high level enterprise roles
Maximas
Tycoon
2
Senior Sales Executive
Networking is the keyword,cover letter is never crucial,as to me referral is the best way all the time by getting someone else's voice supporting you!
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Personally, I think a Cover Letter is NOT a waste of time. Its a way to introduce yourself and separate yourself from the "Apply Now" tire kickers.

That said, I think its only really valuable when you send a resume directly to a hiring manager. And it can't be too lengthy, or they won't read it. So it doesn't need to play to the ATS, just to the HM.

On your resume, do you list ALL your experience? That may play against you. I'd go 20 years, max. Any more plays into an unspoken bias against "those with experience". So if its more than 20 years, in your Professional Summary I'd say "20+ years experience in _____", not 25.

And a cover letter doesn't need to be rewritten for easy application. You can create a template which can be easily modified in 2-3min.
1
Senior Account Executive
Yes, resume is "shortened" for last 20 years. I used to do a templated cover letter, I'll dig it up.
CPTAmerica
Opinionated
1
President/CRO
Not saying it’s the problem you’re facing but I can tell you ageism is 100% real, especially in tech.

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