CaptAhab

Enterprise AE

Explaining being let go

In the not so recent past, I was let go from my company for “performance issues”. While yes, I was not currently hitting quota, I was the #2 rep the previous two quarters for ARR even though I was still on ramp. The performer above me had been around for 3 yrs and finally closed a whale, essentially hitting his quota in one deal.

I was given a PIP, however with a 2 week time frame and extremely aggressive goal, prior to being let go. Management had changed during my tenure and despite giving me a great review a month prior, my direct manager chose not to speak and let the VP do the dirty work.

I’ve had great success in previous roles but this most recent has left me questioning things. How would you explain what you see as an unjust firing without sounding like you’re making excuses? Feels like I’m given the boot as son as the subject comes up.

Happy to provide more info as possible.

12

10 comments

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sales4lyf

Politicker

6

Business Development Manager

If you don't want to be completely up front and say you were let go, say that things just didn't work out, your values weren't aligned with theirs - no one done anything wrong it's just one of those things and they weren't right for you, you weren't right for them.

Mention how this experience has allowed you to be more critical of workplaces and really think about the type of company you would like to join, they love when you talk about how you've learnt and grown from the past!

Good luck!

LordBusiness

Politicker

3

Chief Revenue Officer

I would just be honest - there was a management change and the new regime was looking to "clean house". Anyone who would put a seller on a 2 week PIP after hitting goal previously is obviously looking to push that seller out - any leader you interview with who doesn't suck will see that, and likely understand.

tonysoprano

Big Shot

1

Sr. AE

This exact thing happened to last fall and this is almost verbatim to how i explained it. Like you said, leaders that don't suck understand that shit happens.

DaveGreen

Arsonist

2

Head of Sales

Just be honest about it and never never badmouth anyone, especially not to a potential next employer.

Explain what happened and that it didn't work out because of reason X, Y or Z. And most importantly add what you've learned.

Talking from a hiring perspective, if anyone is upfront and honest about whatever happened at their last gig, I don't care about it and will hire them if I feel like it's a good fit.

CaneWolf

Politicker

2

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

You work in sales. Being let go is pretty common. I think you explain the situation and emphasize that you were #2 while you were on ramp and the change in management cleaned house basically because they wanted their own people.

ThomasRCallahanIII

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

There's some good comments here but I was in a similar situation like you. Got to 85% of plan and was put on a PIP. In retrospect I'm glad I was because I was in a role that wasn't clearly defined with poor management on top. But I digress.

At the time I was let go so were about 20 other people from my team and it was during another major downturn in my industry. In subsequent interviews I've kept this explanation relatively short "At the time I left I was at 85% of plan but was let go with 20 others as part of a RIF due to the 2nd major industry downturn during my 4 years there. Up to that point I had survived biannual RIFs and it got to a point where, as folks in my industry would say, it was my turn."

GrindingSales

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I explained in my last job interview that I got hired for, that I was not at quota, had a full pipeline, lots of management turnover and no rep has ever hit quota in the history of the office and while I am also not hitting quota, I am the #2 sales rep at the moment and plan on striving to reach my goal as long as I'm there.

Beasthouse

Opinionated

1

Corporate trainer

my previous employers decided to change their rep interactions so we had some disagreements on how to execute which resulted in our differing opinions. I'm hoping to find a more supportive role that lines up with my own path. where do you guys stand on training your reps to succeed?

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

Tell them it was not a good fit for you because xxx

TheQueenofDiamonds

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Have the same challenge! I use: "it wasn't a good fit" and pause there. If they have any further questions, explain in a short version without giving excuses, just stick to the facts. If not - just keep at that shallow level. At the end of the day, you are not for everybody, right?

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