ventox35

Sales Leader

Politicker

Catalyst

Valued Contributor

Layoff fam, you too?

All my fellow layoff friends:

How long did it take you to land the next gig?

What trends are you noticing in the hiring process?

WHY IS THIS SO FREAKING HARD. I'm doing all of the things necessary outside of just sending in lame applications. Working with recruiters, sending direct messages, getting referrals, leaning on my network, etc. Absolutely nothing is working.

I'm looking in my experienced industry, looking outside of it, i know every job board that exists.

I have generated big time results, my resume reflects it. I'm good at sales. I'm a good manager/director.

Any advice for a sales director like me who is struggling?

👥 Hiring

👀 job search

😋 Job Searching

19 comments

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Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I was laid off last fall. It took me about 6 weeks to land a job, but one that was a step down from my last one (pay, type of customer, ability to advance, sales cycle, etc.). I'm in month 7 here and I've continued to look for work the entire time because I definitely don't see myself here long term (or even medium term).

I know people say the market has gotten better recently, but it doesn't seem that way to me. The first 6-12 weeks after I was laid off I was getting interviews pretty consistently. But now it's been 3 months since my last interview, and I've been fairly consistent in my job search in that time.

Advice? Unfortunately I have none. Dot com recession I was in middle school, and the 08-09 recession I was still in college. Uncharted waters for me.

AchillesOfAdTech

Valued Contributor

Account Director

Well, this is the thing, once you take a job, now the hiring managers may be seeing you as a "job hopper" who wants to get a new role after having stayed only 7 months. But what would the alternative be? Not get a job and burn through savings and be unemployed for 7 months? Well, they don't like that either.

It's a dangerous game.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Was laid off in June got my first offers last week. It was way more competitive than I have ever seen. Multiple rejections where I thought I was 100% getting the job.

I highly recommend connecting with recruiters especially the ones who posted the job description. They are the gate keeper to meeting hiring managers so get them on your side

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Uff sorry to hear about your struggles! Can you take a lower position for now, for example sales manager? Or Enterprise AE? I realize it's below your skills but it brings the money in. I've considered going back to BDR when looking for jobs.

ventox35

Politicker

Sales Leader

i could yes. it sure would be a hit to the wallet and ego!

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I took a 10k hit on base and junior position a year ago. Worked myself back up

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Sorry to hear that, haven’t been in that spot in the recent times but. Is it that you are not getting any calls for the first round?

ventox35

Politicker

Sales Leader

correct. have had a couple move to late rounds, but weren't a fit for me. i was being selective at first, but not so much lately

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

1) Stay positive. Sometimes that's hard, but negative energy carries into your interviews and meetings.
2) Keep filling the funnel no matter what. I had a job and it still took me 18 months and over 200 applications to find my latest gig. Biggest mistake I made was getting confident and hitting pause on the application process. Multiple times I got to final interview stage, only to be denied. Allowing my pipeline to get thin each time probably set me back months.
3) Don't forget the War Room has got your back.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

That we do!

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

It's nothing more than Corporate America taking advantage.
For example, 08-09 recession started to see a massive uptick in requirements, from education to 3 - 5 years experience.

We are now seeing the same and consistent thing. The major difference being we also have a battle raging against WFH and progressive movements that benefit the majority v the minority.

It's not that the job market is harder, it's that companies have intentionally made the attainability of a job to be more difficult in an effort to stymie the exodus towards better roles.

The question is..... how do you make them want you?

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

How long has it been?

ventox35

Politicker

Sales Leader

almost 4 months @CPTAmerica

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

Ok, I know it feels like it but that's really not too bad. I believe the average is about 6 months right now. I know it sucks but stay positive. You WILL find something soon and when you look back what felt like eternity will soon look like no time at all. Keep doing what you're doing and trust the process. Also, make sure you are taking care of you while you have the extra time. Good luck!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Its rough. I have had a couple extended out-of-a-job periods in my life and I questioned everything you questioned above. The only answer - just keep at it. Seriously. Just keep at it like a sales job and you will find a good job.
One lesson I learned is to not tie my worth to my job. A job is fleeting and in the control of other people. My self-worth is within MY control. Just because I have a job or don't have a job doesn't have anything to do with my personal self worth.
Now you may need to look at other titles. Sales Director can mean so many things based on the company, etc. And it appears you REALLY want to be managing people. Those gigs are even harder to come by.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Sorry for the sit!I would strongly recommend to reach hiring managers directly if possible,enhance your network with people you know that they could get you a good recommendation chance and keep on applying to raise your chances to get contacted and finally just make sure to have a solid resume!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

In a management role it's going to be more challenging right now because so many ICs were laid off it's probably hard to justify more management that isn't necessarily responsible for driving a number.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'm sorry friend. Please accept some fox love ❤🦊

Director of Revenue Enablement

I was in between gigs for 3 months. Decisions are slower but it was also during holiday break.

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ventox35

Layoff fam, you too?

19 comments

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