El_Duderino

Senior AE

Job Hunting - Is it me or this fucked up market?

Hello fellow sales savages - I need some help.

I got RIF'd in November from a venture-backed FinTech startup - was our top sales guy and closed about a $1 mil of a $3 mil ARR company's revenue in 2.5 years there. Not terrible, right?

Fast forward to now- still funemployed and I'm losing my shit. I got a couple of early offers from kinda shitty companies that I didn't take because I knew I could do better. Over the past couple of months, I have made it to the final rounds with some solid, brand-name tech companies -- but no offers.

I've got 8 years of sales experience, with about 5 of that being a full-cycle AE, and crushed my quota in all but one role.

So...is it me, or is it the market? Sound off below!

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42 comments

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BowtiedCocoon

Praised Answer

EAE

Don’t listen to people that blame recession for not finding a job - they’re coping HARD.

Who would turn down a rep with a proven record to bring more money than he costs? NO ONE.

Top performers are the prize. Companies with good products are the commodity.

If you’re struggling to get a job, its likely that you need to up your interview game. Im not sure at what point of the recruitment cycle you’re stuck so I’ll cover a few points of failure:

1) Can’t get a first interview — Either your CV is *weak* and doesn’t pass screen test at the top sales orgs OR you’re not applying to enough roles. Solution? Revamp your Cv (1 pager or NGMI) and farm referrals at your target companies to skip the line and get interview. Ps: cold call/email hiring manager

2) Can’t pass first call w/ recruiter? These guys are usually clowns and just ensure you’re not insane so you don’t waste the hiring manager’s time (its like gatekeepers). The gap between the person depicted on your CV is too big. Rehearse the basics (tell me about yourself, why sales, tell about a time, why do you want to join us etc)

3) Get dequeued after meeting hiring manager? You failed to show you knew what it took to hit the ground running and crush your number with little to no maintenance. Come at the interview as if you already had the job and bring with u 1) territory plan 2) list of potential account with DM info to show your hunting skills 3) An email sequence to book meeting 4) a call script to demonstrate closing skills. The HM will be on the floor and get all horny. EZ PEEZEE

4) Dequeued after final round with sales leader (VP/ Sr Dir etc). You failed to demonstrate executive presence and he’s not comfortable putting you in front of a large account to represent his company. Solution? Read 10k filing and speak to how the role your applying for fit in a larger corporate strategy (make the sales leader speak about himself and do not interrupt!)

You got this. Ur more than capable.

RelationshipMaker

Opinionated

Head of Sales

Great response, sound stuff,
The part where the HM gets on the floor and all horny, hilarious.

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

This was great feedback for mindset, thank you. Just got a verbal offer for almost double my last base in an industry I worked in prior to tech bc I revised my approach a bit. Not done yet, but close. So thank you for the kick in the ass

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

Usually 4. For public companies - yes I read their filings, know revenue guidance, last year’s numbers- all of it and ask about it.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Sorry man. It's the market. It's a national competition with all unemployed and currently employed tech sellers. Everyone's smashing apply now buttons. Wish I even had a solid suggestion on where to hunt. Just keep fighting, take one that doesn't deserve you and parlay it.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

It's the market definitely,your numbers are speaking for you already.
Recommend you trying to expand your network as you know as the more you're being referred more to the companies you wanna join the more chances you'll hit em soon,much of luck!

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

Enterprise Account Executive

The market. Companies getting cold feet to bring on new people with the future trends of the tech markets and sales rev continuing to trend downward in most segments. So they rather hire someone for cheaper and less experience because they are a cheaper investment. If it works out great ROI, if not they can dip.

For someone like you your experience and value is high or at least higher than what they want to pay considering the risk of the markets right now. Even though it would be a smart and calculated investment on there part to hire you. BUT, unfortunately, orgs are always more about saving profits than risking it to make more in times like these.

Its not you its them. You'll find the right fit! Good luck!

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

Suggestions on where to look? Hell I've been deep in the game at roles I'm overqualified for and still getting cooked.

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

Enterprise Account Executive

Maybe a series B org because they are trying to develop and grow at scale? SO they would want someone with your experience and value and willing to invest for that.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

The market is wild, however, it seems to be starting to turn its head. I'm seeing more postings of job openings from connections on Linkedin as opposed to another RIF.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

It’s fucked up.

How’s funemployment going?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

It truly is f'd it's insane.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Post after post here about the struggles people are having finding a new role - both inexperienced and those with more experience.

Check the posts by Gasty about who's hiring. CorpBro also manages a spreadsheet of companies that are hiring - maybe there are some gems on there you haven't yet connected with.

Some of those more brand-name tech companies may eventually work out - many have on-again, off-again hiring freezes depending on which way the market is wavering, so stay close with those hiring managers so you're top of mind when the freezes or slow downs are lifted.

Best of luck to you, it's definitely not you, but it is the market.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

As someone in the same boat, the market is definitely whack.

dbrooks

Old School Bravo

sales hunter

It's a f** up market. Particularly in tech.

Director of Marketing

Tech is going to be decimated now. You've got to move away and stay relevant.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I have nothing to add but wish you all the best!

Sales_or_die

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

If you feel like you are overqualified for some companies, or they don't seem like long-term fits, you might try to talk them into hiring you as a fractional employee. That way, you can dip fast if it's a trainwreck and test it out while making an income. Sounds better to tell employers you are working fractionally for some (a) companies than being unemployed, too. Who knows if anyone you interview for will be up for it, but is worth a try.

I also joined my current company after a RIF in November. Was going to wait it out, but my current VP of Sales was an old Head of Sales and recruited me. Looking back, I wish I had pitched a fractional role.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

It's tough out in these streets bro.

While it's redundant advice...keep grinding. Keep sharpening the sword. Keep applying. Something will eventually happen.

Throw as many feelers out to your network. You got this!

Senior Account Executive

I'm in a very similar position as you are. About the same experience, over quota for last few years, but I'm getting nowhere. I have had interviews and I am realizing I do need to up my interview game a bit. Any recs from anyone out there?

Trying to keep my head up as I've only been unemployed for about a month. But good luck to you!

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

Damn. We got this

thatdudewhoCloses

Fire Starter

Director of Strategic Accounts

looks like you are in Tampa? Lets link for a beer and see how I can helo man! best of luck

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

Yes - sent you a message.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

A good Recruiter just told me that nany Tech Companies now don't want to pay Recruiter's fees.. and that is a bad sign. I have several recruiters who have brought me good roles in years past, but now have brought me nothing for months.

cloudsecops

Member

Account Executive

Definitely the market. What patch to you cover?

andrewwmillerr

Personal Narrative

Sorry to hear about your troubles

I was let go from my new job after 6 weeks.

I find its in better shape now than in Jan?

ThoughtS?

RelationshipMaker

Opinionated

Head of Sales

Go tot the former employers competitor(s) and aligned companies and let them know you're on the market.

I was in a similar position some years ago and I took the shitty job to make ends meet. Aside from the money, it put me in a better mental state and I interviewed better.

All the stuff that you know that you should do, (network, improve your LI profile, comment on recruiter posts, practice interviews) they're all 1% but do them anyway.

Good luck, one day at a time.

GideonW

Executive

Client Engagement Manager

I hate to blame the market, but I have noticed a trend in the offers I’ve gotten this year vs. ones from last year. Overall the packages have been significantly less, and now salary/commission conversions are killing interviews…while having the same expectations last year and getting offers 30K-40K higher then I’m expecting today.

All that to say I think generally companies are being overly cautious about finances, certainly more than a year ago, and new hires are always more expensive.

IT_Seller

Enterprise Account Executive

It's the market. I'm going through a similar experience. 20 years (of kickin butt) in sales, and never had any problems looking for a new job. Until now. FWIW, the market seems to be coming back to life... hopefully a sign of a long-term trend. I'm in tech (cloud apps and hardware/software infrastructures), and I can tell that the IT innovation machine is still going strong. It's just that big tech has gotten a bit overzealous coming out of Covid, so the layoffs we observed in the last few months were basically a correction.

Senior Account Executive

I'm a 20 year vet in EdTech and L&D and after a layoff in January, I've been struggling to find something with organizations in my field. My area of expertise is flooded with organizations that are hiring, but I haven't had much success despite my industry experience and knowledge. So, I have to say it's the market in general. Maybe they are looking for younger people...maybe I'm over-qualified...maybe my experience is "threatening" to hiring managers...who knows. I've asked myself all the questions and yet I still rarely get past the 2nd round of interviews. All we can do is keep at it and eventually something will come up.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

I do see lots of Job posts looking for "2-8 years experience". So these companies may be looking to cut corners, not exceed tiny headcount budgets, and fill a slot cheap so they look like thay have a larger headcount.. Frankly, I'd be happy to show them that experience will achieve a quicker ramp-up, revenues, and less forced or unforced turnover.

SaaS_Slinge

Contributor

Head of Growth

Hang in there. I'm in the same boat. It's incredibly frustrating. Using the time to learn some additional skill and bake AI into my workflows.

N/A

Same here man.... its been 4 months, 800 + applications and about 15 interviews. I've gotten close but still.... nothing. I'm loosing my shit.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Dude, it's the market. Many companies are looking for that absolute perfect fit that will check every box and make them feel super special about all the times in their lives where they didn't.

This looks like interviews of 3, 4, 5 rounds, bullshit take home tests or projects, fake demos, roleplays, you name it.

All they want is someone that will call the people on the list and figure out how to get in touch with them and close deals. But that's not what they are focused on finding.

If you can afford it, go see the world and fughet bout it. If you need work history, ask a friend with a company if they are willing to back you and have it on your resume, or just flat out write "sabbatical" to explain the gap if you think it matters.

Once people rev back up they will be reaching out left and right all day.

Enterprise Architect

Its the market. and a corporate misconception and mis-application of supply and demand.

Director of Sales, North America

I hear you. I was the one who kept my company in business for the past 5 years. Only sales guy and bringing in $3M annually for 5 years straight. I was laid off in Feb. Have sent over a hundred applications and only 2 interviews. It's tough out there

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

Damn. You’ll be Gucci with those numbers tho

Director of Sales, North America

We shall see. Your search getting better?

El_Duderino

Executive

Senior AE

Yep. Expanded scope outside of tech and getting an offer tmrw about 2x my last base with a very strong comp plan. Dig in - plenty of good stuff out there

Director of Sales, North America

Right on. Hope all goes well

Muay Thai Kru/ Writer on Medium

People on here have negative attitudes

Physical Therapist Technician

Its the market not you. They are not showing you respect you deserve with those numbers!

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El_Duderino

Job Hunting - Is it me or this fucked up market?

42 comments

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