HappyGilmore

Account Executive - SMB

Self Awareness as a sales professional

For context, not going to name the organization but in a recent interview with a publicly traded company, their feedback for me was: "you don't have self awareness in any key areas to become a strong sales professional".

Does this mean I have no self awareness and am a complete fool? How do you show self awareness not just in interviews but as an overall sales professional as well?

P.S. shoutout to the interviewers at this org for eating mid interview

🧠 Advice

🎯 Career Development

🗣 Interviewing

20 comments

Sort by:

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

That is crazy to hear when that's their feedback while they ate during the interview. I think its safe to say you dodged a bullet for not getting the job there.No matter what, that is insane feedback to give. Its should be more advice to the candidate not trying to diminish their skills.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive - SMB

I totally agree, they didn't respond either when I asked specifically around the feedback piece post interview.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

So what'd you do?

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive - SMB

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. They asked a few questions around what would a coworker/spouse say about me, best/worst manager I’ve had, and what I would do as a ceo of my old company. I tried to answer them as honestly and open as I could

RedLightning

Politicker

Mid-Market AE

What was your answer to those questions?

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive - SMB

The CEO of my old company I'll be honest I threw a couple random things out there, but I was so caught off guard by it my mind was scrambling.

For what others would say about me, I tried to highlight traits I thought they would say that could apply directly to the role. Maybe they looked for something there that could be reflecting on where I could get better, but if that was the case, it wasn't asked within the questions itself.

RedLightning

Politicker

Mid-Market AE

Maybe being caught off guard is what stuck out to them. I'd like to help offer feedback, but I still don't understand the actual answers to those questions you were asked.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

Damn they were eating during the interview??? That’s insane. And that feedback is really not helpful unless they tell you exactly what areas they are thinking about

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Anybody eating during an interview and blithely telling someone else they have no self awareness is obtuse. If it was in a movie, nobody would believe it.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive - SMB

Not helpful feedback at all. Add into the fact one of the interviewers kept trying to ask questions when he had hit the mute button and overall it was a bad interview.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Sounds like you just aren’t a fit for their culture. You’re dodging a bullet.

I once interviewed for a job I REALLY wanted. Company was San Francisco based but I would have been remote.

Had 3 interviews before they flew me in. Interviewed for 4 hours including a lunch. I thought I killed it. But didn’t get the job.

Looking back I know I dodged a bullet. That company was being run by wanna be politicians and nut jobs. They are More concerned about separating trash into 5 different bins (literally) than actually getting work done.

To put it in context - I drive a truck that uses more gas just warming up then their little smart car uses in a week. I would not have lasted long there without going postal on nutty tree hugger.

So trust me - you dodged a bullet.

Blue_Turtle

Opinionated

sdr

We really do need to give a damn about the environment we’re destroying yet depend on for our survival. That said, some people get anal about the little things and ignore what’s right in front of them: in this case, running a profitable business.

Blue_Turtle

Opinionated

sdr

They were eating mid interview and made a comment of your self awareness? You dodged a bullet, they sound like assholes. Good luck on your hunt, you’ll find something for sure.

activity

Politicker

VP, Business Development

Wow, I'd love to hear more context.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive - SMB

Wish I had more context to share on the self awareness piece and what they thought didn't qualify me as a strong professional, but in their feedback they didn't provide any specific examples or areas of improvement.

Anker

Opinionated

SAE (Senior Account Executive)

That just sucks. That’s shit feedback if it doesn’t have any context.
I was interviewed in person and the manager had his feet on the desk and was deep into a box of chow mein.
I got the job, and this was a Fortune 200 company! (though this organization had just recently been acquired…he didn’t last long)
Anyway, it’s great that you’re asking for input here. That’s the first step.
I would say, get really clear on what people close to you would say about you. Ask them, then take it in and let yourself believe it. Or at least believe that they think these things about you. If you can say these things with strength and clarity in an interview, I believe it will show “self awareness.”

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive - SMB

Asked for more clear feedback, zero response

BrianTracysLoveChild

Fire Starter

Account Manager

Professional Sales is for me, a lot like goaltending in hockey. The coaches can't win without it, but they spend all their time on the PP and other systems. Sales is like black magic to some - and so there is some congnitive dissonance in leadership, HR, recruiting, etc.

This interviewer ate mid interview? LOL. Be the first to call the meeting quits..... <insert "ain't nobody got time for that" meme>

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

Keeping aside the fact that they were eating mid interview, I have learnt this the hard way - nothing, no feedback ever at all, is personal and needs to trickle down to 'how we are!'.

If someone says you are not self aware, it could have no truth to it at all; or it could have some truth to it too. But whatever it is, it is just in that setting. It need not trickle down to YOU as a person. Maybe you are really self aware in other fronts of your life.

I am learning to compartmentalise the right things, and leave be the rest. I used to take everything very personally and any sort of critical feedback would have me off the surface for a few days. I am learning to take it as words, reflect and see if it makes sense for me in an unbiased way.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

although it may have been a valid judgement it more so sounds like they made some BS up to tell you that you aren't moving forward in the interview process.