BlueJays2591

Federal Business Dev Director

Reasonable Expectations for Interviewees

My company has a slightly long interview process for BDR roles and the last step requires a decent amount of research to be done on pretty complex SaaS solutions. The expectation is that the candidate shows that they understand what we do and can even utilize use cases in a mock sales pitch. This is done after several rounds of tests and interviews. Is this a reasonable expectation or are we requiring too much from candidates?

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

As someone who has built out the assessment process for a few roles, I think you're overloading the candidate.

The BDR should know who you are, what you do, and who you do it for/with. They should be able to articulate the basic value prop, and perhaps know how to role-play a cold call to a potential prospect to book a meeting. Beyond that, you're asking them to almost do AE-level work at the BDR level. That's too much if you ask me.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

It's basically a role play intro meeting. I try to look past it if they don't know everything about us because to be honest I don't even know everything about us.

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

Shit for a BDR role? Bet anything a ton of good candidates have been like, "fuck this" and looked somewhere else (and probably got hired)

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

Not really. Most of our BDR candidates are AEs/AMs from other industries looking to get into SaaS and this is a foot in the door. We pay well above market average. We have had one person say its too much and went elsewhere, but it was a BDR from a start up going out of business.

BmajoR

Arsonist

Account Executive

Way too much for entry level role.

sir

Executive

SDR

From the POV of an interviewee, some guy I interviewed with was adamant that I explain his incredibly complex product to him (without any context into his industry and clients that he works with) that has maybe 3 paragraphs of information on his website (need to fill out one of those questionnaires to learn more). Long story short, they're still looking for people and, according to their company's LinkedIn page, they haven't found any new hires yet. (It's been a couple months)

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

And they won't if they don't change.

sellingsellssold

Politicker

SDR

If it is for an entry level position that is too much but anyone with experience in sales should be able to do this, yes it’s annoying and hard work but this shows if someone really wants to work there or not

justatopproducer

Politicker

VP OF SALES -US

Im starting to disagree with this more and more. When you’re busy being at the top in your current role and company you dont have time to mess around with make believe mock stuff like that for an interview… unless its a higher position, more money, freedom or something you must have that youre not getting where you are then if you do interview and spend the appropriate time to ace that interview you would cut into your job youre being paid to do in my experience. Id much rather them spring it on you at the interview and say boom lets see you work through this.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

That makes sense. Not a bad idea. It's not super extensive, but more extensive than I would like as a BDR. But our BDRs are paid well above market average so it kinda pans out I guess

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

You're requiring too much from candidates. Have them present on something but your hiring is gonna be slow, painful and unlikely to yield significant results.

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

I like this. Have the candidate present on anything. Like why Justin Fields shouldn't start week 1 and Andy Dalton should begin the season as the starter. If they can build a case around this then they can sell your stuff...

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

To be clear, Justin Fields should absolutely be the week 1 starter for the Bears.

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

I know, right?

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

I think he's the best QB in that draft and is gonna be a fucking stud.

GreenSide

Politicker

Sales manager

Seems a bit much for an entry-level BDR role.

I can only guess what your definition of "decent amount of research" means, but this makes me wonder about the quality of your product and sales training.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

Quality of product is very high. Sales training is so-so.

FattySnacks

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

If I was a BDR I would run the other way

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

I would too if they pay wasn't very good for a BDR. Most get close to or clear 6 figures their first year.

ragnarlothbrok

Politicker

Key account manager

honestly, I loath some of the extreme stages of the interview process these days. 2-3 stages max or I'm out, to go beyond that I would have to really really want the job.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

We have basically a litmus test that takes 5 minutes and then 2 stages of interviews. 1st stage is with me and it's very minimal, more to see if they can hold a conversation and then 1 with the mock call.

ragnarlothbrok

Politicker

Key account manager

Sounds a fair process then, much better than most

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

In this job market? Sounds dumb. Supply seems limited and demand is through the roof. Someone asks me to endure a lengthy process for what seems like an entry level job and I'm out. Can't believe they don't see this.

Unless they are the 800 lb gorilla in the industry. Then they can do what they want and I'm the idiot.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

I would say 400 lb gorilla.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

Let them sell you high level something they are comfortable with. SaaS especially complex is not SDR work, we dont paint the picture we hang the canvas and get the brushes ready, then the Solution Engineer seals the deal, wait i mean the AE ;)

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

lol of course. AEs always seal the deal with zero help!

FromaBlankPerspective

Politicker

District Manager

Yes, especially in this market.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

Maybe that should be done after the hire? We have a pretty extensive two week training process that is like drinking from a firehose. Multiple tests, lots of homework, but it works and they're being paid for their time.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

I would love to do that but I would have to run the training and with a team of 15, I couldn't dedicate that amount of time to it, which is unfortunate.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

have you tried recreational drug use?

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

I try recreational drugs once or twice a day.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

For medicinal usage

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

Oh of course. It's all medicinal.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

Shit for a BDR role? Bet anything a ton of good candidates have been like, "fuck this" and looked somewhere else (and probably got hired)

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

The BDR should know who you are, what you do, and who you do it for/with. They should be able to articulate the basic value prop, and perhaps know how to role-play a cold call to a potential prospect to book a meeting.

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

Shit for a BDR role? Bet anything a ton of good candidates have been like, "fuck this" and looked somewhere else (and probably got hired)

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BlueJays2591

Reasonable Expectations for Interviewees

36 comments

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