BitcoinAddict

AE

How do you mentally get yourself back in the job hunt after late stage interviews/almost offers fall apart?

For me, it is not even the rejection that weighs in but it is the fact that I have gone late stage with a couple of companies, had managers become my major champions, but had a senior higher-up completely kill the process. It has happened twice and I have posted about it both times on here.

First time.

Get through role play, hiring manager loves me and is a big fan, and then there is the final call with VP set up to be a final call. VP comes on, says it will not be the final call, disregards the agenda (sharing 30-60-90 day plan), and just uses the call to gaslight and grill me. Nasty dude.

Second time.

Recent one. Get through interviews, rock the role-play, and win the team over. Two sales managers, a sales director, and CSO sing my praises. However, all offers need to be vetted by CEO and he says "But he hasn't been at his job for 3 years like we would want in a candidate".

More likely than not, this will move to a non-offer but even if I got the offer at this point, I am not sure I would want to work for the company.

How does one mentally recover from this?

My savings are running low, runway is being depleted, and I feel like here I am having to start the interview process all over again. Like I am trying to pick myself up but this stuff is just so deflating when it happens at such a late stage.

How do you mentally recover from this?

☁️ Software Tech

9

17 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

8

☕️

Have you considered a therapist?

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

8

☕️

Downvote me. Ignore my advice. Bitch and moan.

I work with a therapist and have for 7 years. We work on my mindset and performance execution. It was immensely helpful when I was laid off 3 times in the same year.

Run all you want, but you’re not doing all you can to take care of yourself and control your outcomes.

Oh, and don’t be afraid to get a job outside of sales before you’re out of money. Money stress is worse when you see the end of the road.

BitcoinAddict

Executive

-3

AE

It is one thing to tell someone to get a therapist in a way to talk down to them, it is something else to cry about a downvote by double replying. Clearly therapy didn't work out for you, seek a better therapist.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

3

☕️

You’re a waste of energy. Good luck with the search.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

4

Bad MFer

@BitcoinAddict When have you known @poweredbycaffeine to not be sincere in his advice???

It was an honest question and not a slight. 15-20 years ago that would have been someone questioning your manhood. This is a different world we live in, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with going and seeing a therapist.

🙋‍♂️ I see one and have been for a few years. There is no shame in this. Depression is real. Self doubt is real. Sometimes what you need is to talk to someone who isn't just propping up your ego.

I got laid off 2 weeks ago. That shit puts a ton of stress on my family. Talking to a therapists allows me to clear my head and focus without putting that burden on my loved ones.

In all seriousness... have you considered a therapist?

jefe

Arsonist

4

🍁

I'm with @poweredbycaffeine & @Revenue_Rambo . Getting a therapist changed my life. I think everyone would benefit from talking to one. Salespeople even more so.

Frankly, I'm a little surprised by your visceral reaction to to solid advice, @BitcoinAddict . I've been following along and rooting for you. You've hit some serious snags, and aren't in the best place mentally. (I say this from a place of caring and respect)

I know that mental health care is often hard to access, but hope NHS is better than OHIP.

You should seriously consider this route, my friend.

Pachacuti

Politicker

7

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

How do you deal with the inherent rejection in Sales? It’s basically the same principle. You pick yourself up and move forward. Don’t take it personally, even though that is hard. And trust there’s a better place for you.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Don’t stop the process when you’re moving forward. It’s exactly like sales in that you need to keep filling the pipeline. Hopefully you have some potential employers in earlier stages so that you really aren’t starting from scratch. Your process is not over until you’ve signed that letter and your butt is in that seat.

And pbc is right, there’s zero shame in getting a non-sales job to keep the money coming in.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

Hell I happily did it. Wore cute lil scrubs to work too.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I’m a damned good food server. May I never have to do that again…but I will if needs must.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

2

War Room Community Manager

We understand, it must be tough. But Hey!! It's exactly like sales, isn't it? You come close to closing a big deal and then they don't get approvals from higher ups. You coming that far shows that you got caliber, it's just that you're not getting the right fit. Have you tried becoming an SDR though? And keep applying? If you think it'll be a step down, then don't add it to your resume and keep applying, no?

I bet many companies are hiring SDRs. To recover from it mentally, I think getting a decent job, would calm the storm now. So, it's not about looking for mental peace but use that anger to be more aggressive and be done with it. No?

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

2

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Treat it as a QB or Pitcher. Get your mind off of it! You have to distract yourself a little from it and get in the zone for the calls. AlsoX find yourself a “catcher” who can fix your head when you are not sure. We all have that friend/colleague who does this.

And remember - shit luck happens. You got this!

medhardwaredr

Politicker

1

Director of Sales NA

Gym goes a long way. Utilize your support structure as well to keep the spirits up! It’s a tough market so try and be patient. Work the hunt like it’s a job!

MRK47

Tycoon

0

VP of International Sales

There is no 1 size fits all or silver bullet. The only thing you can control is having a repeatable process and jumping right back on the horse.
You got to the final stage with latest role via a recruiter....leverage that relationship (likely they'll be engaged for similar roles), check out their connections (likely other similar recruiters and reach out to them proactively).
The company you interviewed with....who else is in similar space....connect with hiring managers of those companies (or review other job listings to see if using a recruiter)
Continue all the other usual efforts (engage on LI content to raise your active status to recruiters)....set yourself mini-targets.....connect / engage with content of key personas at target companies (1hr per day), review job listings (1hr), research retained search firms and connect (1hr), go back to applications where you did not progress and see who got the role...do they promote themselves differently / can you better optimize your profile to match..spend free time now, crafting your interview flow for when you get the next one..practice your pitch, answers to likely questions and so on.
And take regular breaks…..soul destroying to sit in front of screen all day following rejections…..and agree with others…talk it out….whether therapy, significant other, close friend group etc….sometimes a good cleanse / pity party helps. Happy to have a no-judgement chat if you want to air frustrations…..I’m in a similar situation so can empathize.

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

In the same boat, all I try to do is think about today and give my best knowing something will work out. All the best, it tough but you all will be well soon.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

0

ERP Sales

"It only takes one" only takes one place to be the perfect spot then its all worth it

thisdoesntexist

Executive

0

Sales Consultant

Are you only applying for jobs you actually want? Your second example sounded like you don’t even want the job. There are wants and needs, so get your must have criteria in a list and then the ideal criteria. Read these two lists out loud to yourself daily, and post it where you can see it easily when you wake up each morning. Stay focused on your goal, its the only way, and don’t let your dominant thoughts be about what you don’t want, or harbor any hatred toward people that may have screwed you in the past. I also endorse and support the use of therapists, health practitioners, counsellors, spiritual guides and life coaches in all their forms to help with all of this. Wishing you all the best outcomes possible and every success!

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