A very large saas company just rejected me for having my own startup while in college.....
Has this happened to anybody else?
Rejected from a job for being too entrepreneurial
16
CuriousFox
WR Officer
10
🦊
Maybe they were scared you'd take over.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Legit concern.
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
7
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
I'm going to go out on a limb my dude/dudette, and say there was most likely another reason, but for some reason, they chose not to say it.
If this is the real reason, that's fucking wild.
If this is the real reason, that's fucking wild.
braintank
Politicker
7
Enterprise Account Executive
Agreed. They're being shady. If you're feeling froggy I'd call them out with some candid feedback to HR.
Otherwise, their loss. Probably avoided a crappy culture if this is how they behave during hiring.
Otherwise, their loss. Probably avoided a crappy culture if this is how they behave during hiring.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
1
BDR Intern
The recruiter clearly stated to me this was the reason. They thought I would not be committed to the program. My hiring manager says my resume was amazing. I also answered the technical question about the software and he stated that was the best answer I have ever received.
braintank
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
Are you still operating this startup?
Was it ethically dubious??
Was it ethically dubious??
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
3
BDR Intern
Yes, no we are operating in a great industry and are backed by my university
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
So you still have the company?
If so, they most likely feel you will have constraints on your attention and time, based on running a company. They would wonder what your priorities would be.
But, overall...amazing, and I'm impressed. Congratulations on your success.
If so, they most likely feel you will have constraints on your attention and time, based on running a company. They would wonder what your priorities would be.
But, overall...amazing, and I'm impressed. Congratulations on your success.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
2
BDR Intern
@braintank
Yes, they thought It was going to be a distraction. Maybe I did not explain enough that I’m willing to leave my startup once my job starts. The recruiter also stated that I should not lie next time about my company but keep it lowkey (don’t emphasis)
I have done million dollar deals at a very young age
Yes, they thought It was going to be a distraction. Maybe I did not explain enough that I’m willing to leave my startup once my job starts. The recruiter also stated that I should not lie next time about my company but keep it lowkey (don’t emphasis)
I have done million dollar deals at a very young age
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
👑
This begs the question: why do you even want another job? It sounds like you’re doing well with your startup.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
Applying for roles long in the future. I just can’t say where our startup could be in the future. Anything could happen and I don’t want to end up without a job. Obviously the goal would be raise money to pay myself a salary
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
These roles start in 6 months or so
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Somehow I think you are going to be just fine. You're way ahead of the game, to be honest, and with your attitude, I can't imagine you'll find yourself stuck.
Rox
0
Head of Sales
I think that is exactly the reason.
They didn't decline you because you HAD a startup. They declined you because you still have a startup.
If you truthfully think there was confusion around your desire to be employed and to close out the startup, I'd follow up with a short friendly message to the hiring manager. Explain that, but please don't be aggressive, rude, or demanding.
Just a simple:
Hi there,
So and so let me know I that you were not going to be moving forward with me because of my startup business. I realized I may have not communicated this clearly; but my intent is to wind that business down as I move into a full time career post graduation.
I really enjoyed meeting with you and am excited about what your company is doing. It would be unfortunate to have been declined the opportunity to work with your and your team because of a simple misunderstanding around me trying to work on my company while employed at yours - that definitely is not the case!
If there were other reasons your team decided to not move forward with me, I'd genuinely appreciate the feedback.
Thanks again for your time.
They didn't decline you because you HAD a startup. They declined you because you still have a startup.
If you truthfully think there was confusion around your desire to be employed and to close out the startup, I'd follow up with a short friendly message to the hiring manager. Explain that, but please don't be aggressive, rude, or demanding.
Just a simple:
Hi there,
So and so let me know I that you were not going to be moving forward with me because of my startup business. I realized I may have not communicated this clearly; but my intent is to wind that business down as I move into a full time career post graduation.
I really enjoyed meeting with you and am excited about what your company is doing. It would be unfortunate to have been declined the opportunity to work with your and your team because of a simple misunderstanding around me trying to work on my company while employed at yours - that definitely is not the case!
If there were other reasons your team decided to not move forward with me, I'd genuinely appreciate the feedback.
Thanks again for your time.
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Gotcha. Well they're probably worried the startup will be a "distraction". Go take that thing public and acquire the company you interviewed at and make them rue the day!
MCP
Valued Contributor
1
Sales Director
I’m not interested in people who own a business on the side, because their 9-5 is actually their side gig, especially working from home. I need someone focused on growing this business, not theirs. Don’t come here for the bennies and give me 50%. I’ve dealt with that. It’s not fun. Managed his ass out.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
2
BDR Intern
I understand that. If I took the job I would not work at my startup because my co-founder wants full time founders. Maybe I did not express it well
Beans
Big Shot
1
Enterprise Account Executive
That's wild, they should love that.
Is there more context to the type of company?
Is there more context to the type of company?
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
2
BDR Intern
Large company over 100k employees. You know the name
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
It is weird they state the company looks for entrepreneurial types and innovators etc
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
yeahhhhhh, they didn't not hire you for being too entrepreneurial. It was something else
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
More so conflict of interest they thought
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
Maybe, time management and where your passion lies could have been a concern.
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
I don’t think that was the real reason. You probably just weren’t a fit for the company for some reason they didn’t want to give. Happens. Move on.
SaaSyBee
Politicker
0
Founder
Maybe they want people who will commit only to them and not do their own thing? I mean this is a weird thing for them to do either way, but that's my guess.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
braintank
Politicker
0
Enterprise Account Executive
For the love of God don't leave your successful bootstrapped startup for Oracle.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
Not oracle
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
1
BDR Intern
I have changed my mind on my career after thinking it through. I love software sales but if my company fails I don’t think I will go into the space. I’m planning on attending a top law school and opening a firm focusing on emerging technologies. Therefore it will feed my itch because I can read about say AI developments all day. I know people hate on law school but it gives me a great skill set to go out on my own.
braintank
Politicker
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Wait, why not focus on running your startup? I'm confused...
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
1
BDR Intern
That is my backup plan if my startup fails. I just don’t know what could happen a competitor could wipe us out or anything next week. We don’t have a moat around our company yet.
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
2
BDR Intern
I'm still going all in on my startup until it fails or I exit.
Balloons4baboons
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
I think the only solution is for you to make a LI post about your experience and turn it around on them. Be sure to talk about how you're just built different and some companies can't recognize that. Bonus points for #riseandgrind.
All jokes aside, that's really shitty of them. They may have a genuine concern that your ambitions may grow beyond the role and maybe they felt either threatened or like you'd be on the lookout to move on from them. You probably dodged a bullet either way though. And congrats on the startup and its continued success!
All jokes aside, that's really shitty of them. They may have a genuine concern that your ambitions may grow beyond the role and maybe they felt either threatened or like you'd be on the lookout to move on from them. You probably dodged a bullet either way though. And congrats on the startup and its continued success!
Anoncloser
Valued Contributor
0
BDR Intern
Lol, not trying to burn any bridges. I understand it is all business. I would rather have them told me that my interview or experience was not sufficient. It just felt like I was being punished for my ambition. I’m taking it as a compliment and thank you!
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
hahaha nice! for SURE sounds like it was a bad fit.
if that is their concern. they prob suck in so many different ways
if that is their concern. they prob suck in so many different ways
JaySaastby
Politicker
0
Account Executive
This is pretty ridiculous. My company loved that I had a side hustle, which I mentioned to every manager in my interview process. It helps to stand out and shows my Ambition. My side hustle also doesn’t interfere with my 9-5 so that could be a different story if it did.
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35 comments