oldcloser profile picture
oldcloser profile picture

oldcloser

💀

Arsonist
Politicker
Big Shot
+11

Deep in interview process for a regional management spot.

Solid org. $5B rev. Not a startup. Weird for me. The seat is vacant. Previous occupant gone- obviously. I've avoided the "what happened to that dude" question. Feels like I really should know the answer. I think I know everything else I need to in order to make the call if offered. Poked at it back channel. No idea. 

Can I ask this in a final interview or is this topic as taboo as I think?

🤝 Interviewing/Offer
21

37 comments

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CadenceCombat
Tycoon
5
Account Executive
In my experience, companies with good culture appreciate being challenged and a certain level of scrutiny from the applicant means they aren’t just looking for a job but the right job.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always well received but why work for an org with such thin skin?
I say ask away. If they give you a BS answer, that can be just as telling.
nolaydowns
Good Citizen
4
SAE
Good question. I have asked a similar question at the end of the 3rd (and final) interview for an account exec position, which I eventually left 6 months later after realizing most of their AE’s left due to target increase without pay increase.

“What has frustrated you about people who have held this position in the past?”

He answered: “People who don’t realize the opportunity they have in front of them.”

I literally wrote this down in my notes after.

It’s was for a 90k Salary and 160k OTE with a book of business, and no outside prospecting.
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
What a peeiggg
nolaydowns
Good Citizen
2
SAE
Total loser.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
4
Sales Director
Love the question you already asked. Sounds like the person just didn’t give effort.

I’d maybe add something like…

“If you could only have this position do 3 things exceptionally, what would they be? And on the flip side, what are 3 things you’d love to see them avoid doing?”
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
safe route... agreed. Gotta ask in some way.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
2
Sales Director
Definitely a weird fine line to it.

Get the sense they’d tell you what happened? I can appreciate transparency. Maybe they’d lay it all out for ya 😂
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
I'm gonna sniff as close to the edge as I can.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
3
Sales Director
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
A little booperoni and cheese, if you will.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
That’s a question I always end up asking in the hiring manager round. Were they totally shit? Did they burn out? Better offer? Shitty manager?
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
I heard he had an affinity for the ladies in the office. And hey, who could blame him?! Check out these hotties! Confirm? Come on, you can tell me.

Should work
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Sweet baby Jesus 🤣
4
Head of Growth
Always ask! I've never viewed it as taboo - it's you doing your due diligence. Shows me you would also ask tough questions to uncover risk with potential customers as well. It's all in the framing. "What led to the departure of the last employee in this role? I'd like to understand what they did well and what could have been improved to better understand your expectations."
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
Well crafted. Stealing it. I’m not accepting the offer, if it shows, without an answer. 👍
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I love this perspective. Thanks for chiming in from the exec side!
wardoggus
3
Area VP of Sales
Definitely ask. The answers will surprise you often and give you a good read on the employer too.
Justatitle
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
Wouldn't ask if I were you, it's not like it's the assistant to the regional manager position...
oldcloser
Arsonist
0
💀
Dammit- trusted voice gotta show up with that.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
What does you guys say?
And can you reach out to the previous person and ask them about it? You might get more of an honest answer than you want.
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
I hit him on LI. Still has his mug on the role... which says he was poofed. No reply.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
Do you know who that person was? If so, could always backdoor to them via LinkedIn to get the info
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
Yeah, crickets. I’m just going to ask
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
If that's an issue for them, big red flag imo
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
Bizarre. I didn't even have to ask. They came direct with it. He was shitty at recruiting and made lousy hires. tahdah!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
You've got the answers you need. I'm just coming here to provide moral support and wish you good luck!
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
Thanks Bunny. Chat today. Interview prep has been extensive. Final prep includes NyQuil and Oxycodone. Ya know. Don’t wanna seem too excited.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Woof. Risky.
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
"Sneek&Peek"
So,I overheard that your company's promotional cycle is pretty nice and fast,it looks like to be the case with the former dude too,right:)
Then hear what they say!
oldcloser
Arsonist
0
💀
Max, what are we gonna do with you?
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
Not sure:)
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
Absolutely. What happened. What can you expect. What does success look like over the next 90, 180, 1year and beyond?
oldcloser
Arsonist
0
💀
yep, they came out with it. Dude hired garbage.
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Sounds like you have to ask.
General answer....it was some BS. It will happen to you. Ask HR direct for a one on one discussion. Maybe sign an NDA for that convo and see if they will be direct with you?

Don't forget. Once you get an offer, they'll want to keep you on the hook. So that could be a good time to ask as well???
chef
Fire Starter
1
Manager, Enterprise Sales
Totally fair question. Be a miss not to ask.
ventox35
Politicker
1
Sales Leader
100% ask it. And probe deep into it. Ask the hard questions. If they can't answer the blunt, challenging questions, that shows me a lack of willingness to accept someone who will challenge their thinking.
pirate
Big Shot
0
🦜☠️ Account Executive
I think it is a reasonable question to ask about what happened to the predecessor

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