fidelcashflow

Account Executive

Valued Contributor

Brutal interview processes...

Rant + need some positive vibes.

I thought I would be getting an offer today after completing reference checks last week but no. This "sync" today was them letting me know that I'm an awesome candidate and my references had nothing but amazing things to say about me but that they will now make the final decision between myself and a few other candidates. 😑I am very confused how they will even make the decision at this point with multiple people that passed references.

They are an awesome company but have really stretched this thing out. I have been so patient and was assuming the final answer would be last week. Is this common for sales leaders/companies to do? I have never not gotten an offer after references in my career. Also, if I don't get the job, now I have to use my references again? That is bizarre to me. These are not my buddies, these are senior leaders that I worked hard and long with to earn them as references. Now I have to go back and ask for more?

Really at a loss here because I have no clue what they are going to base their decision on. Vibes? Personality? Come on. The interview process has been grueling and not landing this is going to suck.

I know I sound like a little B right now but I just need to get this off of my chest. This community has been really good to me and I appreciate every comment, reply etc. You all have helped me through a lot and I just need some positive energy.

🗣 Interviewing

😋 Job Searching

19

38 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

7

🦊

The bigger they are the more hoops there are to jump through. Your frustrations are valid bb ❤🦊

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

1

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Funny enough, I find that start-ups at the series A/B cusp are the hardest. The established companies have their 3-4 rounds, but it is fiery well laid out and established. The fintechs/start-ups are another beast of 2 screens, a couple in person/technical, and a case. Then it base still be another round to speak with the CEO and every person who touches the role.

oldcloser

Arsonist

6

💀

Homie- ain’t nothing more centering than a good WR rant. The relatable stories that come from the community can be reaffirming also. Only thing is this: nobody has a “we’re not sure yet” story to match this massive mound of horseturd anecdote of post-reference check candidate abuse. 3 more words: fuck them. Sorry.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

1

Account Executive

i really want/need this so for now I gotta work with it. I just don't get how the decision is going to be made at this point. Maybe they will weigh out pros/cons but if any of us have cons, why would we have gotten this far?

oldcloser

Arsonist

0

💀

They’ll never tell you. It is 100% out of your hands. You got something to pray to? Maybe the best route at this point. You ran the race. Seems like you crossed the finish line. Just no trophy. I think it’s fucking cruel.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

0

Account Executive

I have no divine beings to pray to. Have you ever done anything like this?

oldcloser

Arsonist

0

💀

What, prayed? Not my thing. I’ve heard it works 🤷🏻‍♂️.

oldcloser

Arsonist

0

💀

I feel for you, man. You’ve got a couple of plays from here, but none that I think will work. Wouldn’t recommend telling them you’ve got a competing offer. That might make the decision easier for them. You could threaten to whine publicly about a shitty candidate experience. Don’t think that ever got anyone a job either.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

1

Account Executive

I was asking if you have ever put multiple people through reference checks.

I've been told to use the offer thing but I'm with you, I don't want to put fake pressure on them. Wouldn't feel right. I did have a competing offer before but it expired because I thought I was getting this. I agree again on your 2nd point.

My pain here is that like you said, I can't do anything about it. Even though I am technically still competing at this point, I don't even have the opportunity to compete.

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

Ahh- answer, no. When hiring 1, I check references on 1. If they check out they get an offer. If they don’t, I move to choice 2. If hiring for multiple roles, same applies. If one falls out, there’s a bench. I’ve never been in a spot to weigh the value of one candidates references against another.

I mean, the candidate checks the boxes, and passes background check, and has good references, game over. They win. How it should be, I believe.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

1

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

I have never seen a reference check without a written offer, even unofficial). Sounds like either you are the back-up, there are multiple people that are going to get a job, or the position is on a temp hold due to some reason and they are looking to get it back and need to stall.

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

This holds up, yes. Still nothing OP. An do about it.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

2

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Agreed. But gives some context to their hoping/praying.

oldcloser

Arsonist

0

💀

✅

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

0

Account Executive

That is what I thought pretty much.
Your concept is par for the course.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

1

Account Executive

It is hard to determine why exactly. I know for sure there are not multiple people getting a job. Totally understand being the backup but normally the backup is just waiting for a yes or no. I am assuming people don't get rejected until the #1 accepts the offer. To me, I would never push someone to references if I was waiting for my #1 choice to go through.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

4

Director, Revenue Enablement

The job market is complete shit, companies know it and make the hoops more plentiful and ridiculous. Not because they want to, but more because they can in hopes of seeing the next best thing around the turn.

Don’t sweat your references. If they have your back why would they turn it on you if you called on them again.

Diablo

Politicker

3

Sr. AE

By when will they make a decision? I have never heard of rejection after doing reference checks. Not sure if they are even hiring anymore, but looks like you will have to find another way. Feel you and loads of luck 🍀

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

1

Account Executive

They said before the week ends. You and me both. They are definitely hiring. For the life of me I don't understand the concept.

GDO

Politicker

3

BDM

I had 9 rounds a few months ago. After that they felt they needed someone with more experience. Really?!

I get your frustrations

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

0

Rolling 20's all day

That’s bullshit

2

Baker

good rant
and good luck interviewing!

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

1

Director of Revenue

This rant right on track and fully justified. 99% of interview/hiring processes are garbage and string people along for months before they make a decision.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

Rant away, friend. This is a load of BS.
Reference checks should be the final step to confirm/finalize an offer. This is a waste of everyone's time.

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

I'm going through the interview process at one place, and I met with the agency recruiter, then had a call with their internal recruiter, then the hiring manager for 45 minutes chat/role play. He tells me next steps are a 90 minute conversation with their CRO, then another 90 minutes with their CFO, then if everyone is onboard there will be a final presentation after which there would be an offer if they want me. He also mentioned that they had two candidates already at the final stage, and a dozen referral candidates from existing employees, which made it seem like it might be some time (or never) before an actual offer comes in. All for a $60k base/$120k OTE job. Which, yes, is higher paying than my current job, but it still seems pretty onerous.

ChumpChange

Politicker

1

Channel Manager

As a vote in the hiring process for new candidates, I can tell you that the process is long and arduous to get to the offer stage. Some companies have their final candidates do the final interview/exercise before they get to the decision-making council. Be patient and if you need guidance, message the HR team for the next steps.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

0

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

If you can't rant in the WR, where can you rant?
So sorry - hope you get positive news soon.

Hitthabricks

Executive

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Sorry to hear. Recently went through something similar.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

0

Account Executive

Oooof. You went through references and still didn't get the job?

Hitthabricks

Executive

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Didn’t get that far but went through 6 rounds. Then waited three weeks with no answers. Then was told they went with someone else.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

0

Account Executive

Ahhh. Feel your pain but that's very different 😅

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

References before a job offer has been given? F that!

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

0

Rolling 20's all day

I feel your pain! Stay strong and just keep applying to other places. Just like sales itself, it can be a numbers game.
If your accomplishments and references are legit you will find the right place! You got this 👍🏻

0

Retired Sales Professional

Your not out of the running yet. Continue to be patient, the best positions in a company usually takes a while. Learn all you can from this process. I know that may sound 🌽 but it's true, this will not be the great position you will see in your career.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

0

Sales Rep

All I think is why would a company call your references if they were not going to offer you, its seems like such a waste of time to do it for many candidates

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

0

Account Executive

You're telling me. Major waste of time to call so many references. Also, at that point, how are you still so unsure?

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

0

Sales Rep

I mean it takes time to call references, and why call a reference when you know you arent going to offer them.

fidelcashflow

Catalyst

0

Account Executive

Well according to them it's not "we know he's not getting it". It's that they do this stage for multiple people which is beyond me.

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