altaboy

Solutions Engineer

Laid off from first SE role, advice?

Hi everyone! I graduated out of a SWE bootcamp and transitioned in Solutions Engineering role back in February of 2022. I landed my first SE role in march. Spent 8 months at the company with weekly check-ins and good feedback only to be met with a lay off in October. Market is looking tough. I only have 8 months of solid experience. Anyone have any recommendation on what to do next. I think the era of cold-emailing and LinkedIn applications is dead. I'm seeing maybe 5% of the traction I was seeing around this time last year and a lot of roles are looking for much more experience. What is the new meta for landing these roles?

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TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

I would first go the the competitors of the company you got laid off from.

Your experience, even 8 months, could be more valuable to them than others.

butwhy

Politicker

Solutions Engineer

Plus it feels rreeaalllly good to be petty against them later.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Oh, yes, yes it does.

punishedlad

Tycoon

Business Development Team Lead

I certainly don't think those days are "dead." We are just in a very much tightened labor market, especially in tech sales. Companies are being really choosy if they're hiring at all.
The same advice rings true that I always give:
- Keep your nose to the grindstone and don't give up. It is very likely going to be a slog.- Reach out directly to hiring managers/team leads that are overseeing the positions you're applying for. This definitely reduces the quantity of positions you'll apply to, but we're looking for quality here.- Back to the quality/quantity point, DON'T SPRAY AND PRAY. Only apply to positions you WANT to work in and pour your heart into the application process.
Obviously, work your personal network if you can.

butwhy

Politicker

Solutions Engineer

1 - Sign up for PreSales Collective immediately. Network, resource, job board, Slack.
2 - Buck yourself back up! YOU ARE A FUCKING UNICORN. This is a hard role, but once you are good, the world will continue to be your oyster.
3 - Remember there is more variance to the role today than before. You need to look for a variety of titles between Sales Engineer, Solutions Consultant, etc etc.
4 - Update your LinkedIn with all the buzzwords, and brag a little. The recruiters will come when things thaw a bit.

altaboy

Contributor

Solutions Engineer

Golden advice here.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Advice - Get out there and treat your job search like a sales pursuit. I know you weren't exactly trained in that, but job hunting is nearly the same as looking for a job.
One thing I'd do in addition to the other items here is reach back out to the bootcamp and see if there are employers listing jobs with them. They should be able to help a bit with job placement.
Going to a competitor of your previous employer is a great idea too.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Try to expand your network, apply via various recruitment sites and apps and try to communicate with the hiring managers directly with no mediators if you could that would surely help to land those role.
And I don't have to remind you to keep a perfect CV that do really reflect the Who U R and how you're considered the perfect fit for the offered roles!
Best of luck!

altaboy

Contributor

Solutions Engineer

Thank you max, solid points. I joined a couple slack channels and recruitment sites in the meantime. It's a bit difficult starting out the engagement, I feel like I'm a solicitor saying " HIRE ME NOW! " disguised as a " Hey nice to meet you, tell me more about your job " and they can see it. -Gotta stop overthinking

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

I see, just keep on trying bud.
btw solid points=an upvote 😅😉

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

No shame in looking for work. Set your LI to "open to work" and start looking.
There are links to companies looking for employees on this site - search and see what's out there.
Networking is going to be key - again, no shame in tapping those sources. We've all been there, and you never know who might know of a suitable opening. Tell everyone you're looking for your next opportunity; tell them your skill set and what you are eager to do.
Apply and reach out to hiring managers. SEs are still in demand; in every company I've worked in, there are never enough SEs. With persistence, I'm certain you'll find something.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

I'm sorry to hear about your recent layoff. It can be tough to navigate the job market, especially with limited experience. However, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of landing your next role:

1) Network: Although you mentioned that you think cold-emailing and LinkedIn applications are dead, networking can still be a powerful tool in the job search. Reach out to your former colleagues, classmates from your bootcamp, and other professionals in your field. Attend virtual events and conferences and participate in online communities related to your industry. Building relationships can help you learn about new job opportunities and get referrals, which can increase your chances of getting hired.

2)Work on your skills: Take advantage of the downtime to improve your skills and knowledge in your field. Take online courses, to show you are actively looking to better yourself. Not only will this make you a more competitive candidate, but it can also help you stay engaged and motivated during your job search

3) Copy/Paste from the job description and put it on your resume. Helps with the ATS thinking you are a better fit that others
Remember to stay positive and persistent in your job search. It may take some time, but with effort and patience, you'll find a role that's a good fit for you. Good luck!

altaboy

Contributor

Solutions Engineer

I just want to say, Thank you all for replying and being so positive and supportive. This is what I needed.

WheelofCheese

Opinionated

Sales Executive

You’ll land on your feet! My only advice is to shy away from being TOO critical of your former employer during the interview process. It can look unprofessional and might even be a bit of a cautionary warning to a prospective employer. Explain why you weren’t a good fit- but perhaps on a high level. Best of luck!!

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altaboy

Laid off from first SE role, advice?

14 comments

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