Is it normal for a SaaS sales interview to be 6 stages?

I was recently approached by this San Fran based series B start up and had an initial convo with TA. Towards the end of the convo I asked what the interview process looks like and without any hesitation she says 6 stages, and starts talking about all the people I'm gonna have to meet and how each stage is 30 minutes with the last one being a task (mock discovery), to be frank I was surprised as I've never seen such a lengthy process for a mid market role. Savages, do you think this is common/normal? 
🗣 Interviewing
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
☁️ Software Tech
14
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
No that's not normal. That sounds like an indecisive company 🚩
Modro
Valued Contributor
1
Senior Account Executive
How? As in they don’t know what they’re looking for?
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
Obviously
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
5
☕️
So 4 hours of your time on active calls + research + follow up. Tell them you'd be happy to participate, but it'll cost them 1.25x your hourly rate if you are not offered a job.
Modro
Valued Contributor
1
Senior Account Executive
I’d love to propose this idea to them but I know they will just ignore me
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
The more people bring it up, the faster they'll stop their shit.
Modro
Valued Contributor
0
Senior Account Executive
True! But now lol the kids need to eat
Pachacuti
Politicker
5
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Not too unusual. Maybe 1-2 steps too long, but I have seen longer.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Normal, no. Are there some companies who do it , unfortunately yes
AnonEMouse
Praised Answer
4
VP of Revenue
I have noticed a trend of smaller companies that have been in business for shorter amounts of time having insanely long, tedious interview processes.

My theory is that for a lot of them, a really tough economy & not being a "need to have" product/service was mistaken for poor sales performance. They've done layoffs, terminations, etc. and are now wanting to be 1000% sure (no such thing) before they make offers.
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
"not being a "need to have" product/service was mistaken for poor sales performance" - This is so key.

The collective global panic attack lies here. Better follow up! More emails! 5 x 5, Phone, Email, Text. Yes. P.E.T your prospects! More metrics! Meanwhile, they ignore product market fit and freak out when consider a new salesperson.
Modro
Valued Contributor
1
Senior Account Executive
I’ve worked for 3 start ups, laid off of two of them.. I can confirm both had market fit problems which h not looked at instead was blamed on metrics
HVACexpert
Politicker
3
sales engineer
Sounds awful.
Modro
Valued Contributor
2
Senior Account Executive
I was kind of put off tbh especially that I’ve been through different interview processes the past 4 months. But I have to do it the kids need to eat
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
Good luck man, hope you get it.
Diablo
Politicker
3
Sr. AE
That’s not normal but there are some companies who do that.
Modro
Valued Contributor
0
Senior Account Executive
It’s a crazy process.. surely even the president doesn’t go through that many stages lol
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Sounds like you’re going to do it - hopefully it’s not as labor intensive as it sounds, and that the 30 minute rounds are meeting the team rather than completely grueling.
Modro
Valued Contributor
0
Senior Account Executive
Yeah I hope so too tbh, desperately need a role at the moment so don’t mind going through it all
Gasty
Notable Contributor
2
War Room Community Manager
Welcome to The Bachelor: SaaS Sales from Silicon Valley. Buckle up and get ready for the sixth round, er, the rose ceremony.

But seriously, you don't have to complete a marathon before finding employment just because it's San Fran based. You are not an endurance athlete; you are a professional.

Either they are really careful or they have been binge-watching reality TV. Be ready, and may the odds always be in your favour!
Modro
Valued Contributor
1
Senior Account Executive
Lol tell me all about it
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
It's not a good sign.

They are afraid to make a bad decision. They are afraid to make a hire. All it will take is someone to have 1 more year of experience than you do, or X years of XP in the specific vertical and they will want to talk to them and leave you hanging.

Let me guess. Those 6 people you meet. is the HM and VP sales involved? How many are not sales related? Did they give you the statement of, we want to see that you can work with the team nonsense?

It could be a waste of your time. It could not be.
If they want to do specific reference checks including all the interviews tell them to get fucked.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
Absolutely abnormal,I would only consider proceeding if my payout for both of my fixed and variable were pretty damn good!
0
Bus. Dev. Due.
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