Zeb

Regional Sales Manager

PiP Update It was all for nothing...

Hey all,

I put it out there on the War Room that I was on a PiP. I got a lot a really good feedback and helpful advise. Thanks all! It's turns out it was all for nothing.

Thursday, I got an invite on my calendar for a meeting in an hour. I check my email and I see a note from my boss, he says, "The sales director and HR just let me go. Good luck.". Ok wow!, bossman is gone. Pretty unexpected, he was manager of the year for 2020, but ok.

I get into the meeting. Zoom call. There's 30 of us on this call. Great! I figure, "I am safe. They just want to tell us Bossman is no longer here and we all report to the sales director." Ok I can live with that. "Thank you for your time here...Today is all your last day." "Wait, what?" Fired us all on a Zoom call. People from all types of groups too. Not just sales people. Wow! Who was I working for that could do that to people?

My question to the group...Now that I am applying for roles. Should I be honest about what happened? That I got laid off with a bunch of people all at once? Or do I "stretch it out" and tell potential hiring mangers that I survived the mass culling, but I don't want to work here anymore?

What is the best approach?

Is there a sigma for people, without a job, applying for jobs when they were laid off?

Attached poll

Be honest. Tell them you were laid off with 94 other people. They'll get it. Stretch it out. It's easier to get a job when you have a job. Something else?

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🤷‍♂ Poll

18

29 comments

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sahil

Notable Contributor

32

Deepak Chopra of Sales

While I agree that honesty is the best policy, I wouldn't make it clear on LNKD/resume that you are no longer working. (IE - I'd leave it as "Current")

While no hiring manager is gonna give a crap that you got laid off (in fact, your story is likely to get you some bonus sympathy cuz it's so shitty), there's a bunch of idiot screeners who will "lower" your resume if you aren't currently employed. Not saying it's right, but the world is as it is.

So tell them honestly, but don't lead with it is my advice.

MackTheKnife

WR Officer

13

Enterprise Account Executive

I cringe so hard when I see those "open to work" LinkedIn profiles.

Hire Date-Present is always the way to go, and then share your story once you have your foot in the door.

ThatsWhatSheSaid

Valued Contributor

5

Intergalactic Sales Director

Yes that's it! LinkedIn should remove the "open to work" option, its just sad.

CCP

Opinionated

0

VP, Business Development

I disagree and I work in recruitment/HR services. With COVID, good people have been let go in a lot of sectors. Pre-pandemic, I would've agreed. Not working/let go did equal red flag but that changed. You never know who else the company is interviewing and another candidate might contradict the story.

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

This is exactly the correct advice.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

0

Account Executive

Wow, glad I read this. Thanks @sahil

MSPSales

Politicker

11

Partner Development Manager

Mass firing on zoom.. talk about professional..

1 ) You deserve better than that

2 ) You will find company that’s better than that soon.

Be honest always. With that many people getting laid off they will think it’s not performance based.

dw you got this shit

Zeb

Opinionated

1

Regional Sales Manager

Thanks my man! I appreciate the pump!

funcoupons

WR Officer

10

👑

Honesty is the best policy here. Being part of a layoff with almost 100 people isn't going to reflect badly on you, whereas finding out someone lied will.

Zeb

Opinionated

0

Regional Sales Manager

Interesting point.

MSPSales

Politicker

1

Partner Development Manager

We rooting for you man!

Zeb

Opinionated

1

Regional Sales Manager

Thanks brother! Honestly it was a blessing. What type of org does that to people? During a pandemic! With little kids at home!

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Sadly, plenty of them. There are a ton of good companies hiring though.

salesnerd

WR Officer

4

Head of Growth

Wow, that sucks... but honestly, getting laid off is 1000x times better than getting fired for performance. Especially if you were laid off with a bunch of other folks and you can tell that story with proof.

Silver lining I suppose. Plus, now you have a great story to tell in a future War Room thread for 'worst way you lost your job' :)

DataIsTheNewOil

Good Citizen

2

Sr Mgr, Mid-Market Sales

Honesty for sure - nothing gets you removed from an interview cycle faster than getting caught lying about your resume.

Salespreuner

Big Shot

0

Regional Sales Director

Absolutely 💯

Archivist

Contributor

2

Sales Manager

I wouldn't talk about your PIP but a mass layoff actually puts you in a better position when job hunting. It speaks volumes about the company you worked for and the culture there.

Allowing you to focus on yourself and what you bring to the table.

All that being said you should now go out and start prospecting hiring managers rather than just mass blasting that beautiful resume of yours into every position on the market.

Go out and Slay King or Queen

Zeb

Opinionated

1

Regional Sales Manager

King. And thank you.

Salespreuner

Big Shot

0

Regional Sales Director

So very right. Makes sure that you were a part of such a culture too.
Preparation matters well as you said about Prospecting hiring managers

HypeWoman

Fire Starter

1

District Sales Manager

First off, I’m so sorry that happened to you! I hope they provided you all with severance of some sort since you were fired and didn’t quit. If not- that’s another conversation.

Second, definitely be honest. I wouldn’t necessarily say “yeah I was on a performance plan so it could have been my last month anyway”. Also apply for unemployment as you search for work. You can get paid as you search for jobs and it will be a lot less stressful with some money coming in.

Zeb

Opinionated

0

Regional Sales Manager

3 weeks paid. 1 week for every year you've been there + 2 weeks. BRUTUAL

RollOverBeethoven

Contributor

1

Commercial Director

Honesty. I think the idea that it's easier to get a job when you have a job is 100% true. But only because when you have a job, you're not second questioning every god damn thing you say in an Interview. Whereas when you have a job, your whole demeanour isn't as... well desperate. That shines through. Speaking from experience.

SalesHead

Opinionated

1

Enterprise AE

Open and honest is something I look for in candidates. Better to be genuine with your experience if it is brought up.

slaydie

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

Honesty for sure! So sorry to hear about what happened to you. I used to think layoff's were taboo until COVID and then my company went through 3 rounds of layoffs. Lots of good people were let go. It's been great to hear how understand recruiters/HM's have been while people have been interviewing.

I'm sure you've got your search handled but if you wanted to check out another way to find a sales job, Vettery would be something I recommend checking out. Best of luck to you!

beachNsales

Politicker

1

Sales Manager

Wouldnt add it to your resume, but in an interview I would be up front about it. Company downsized due to Covid.

Salespreuner

Big Shot

0

Regional Sales Director

In interviews - yes , I'd open up and say company had to rework on org structure and manpower
In Resume, I'd put it as presently working, to make sure to get onto the foot at interview chances

Hoopnip

Politicker

0

Commercial AE

Layoffs are normal. Enjoy the search and you will land in a better role..

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

0

AM

Same thing happened to me last month. It can happen to the best of us. I hope you found a great new role and are happier than ever :)

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

Truth.

Don't share information when no one has asked about it.

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