ventox35

Sales Leader

Valued Contributor

Silver Bullet for a job

Scenario: i interviewed with this startup company for a VP of Sales spot a couple months ago. They wanted someone with more industry experience than me, but said they still wanted to bring me on later on.

Fair enough.

But i noticed they haven't hired someone yet. My take is no one with industry skins on the wall wants to risk their reputation on said startup.

I've since reached out a couple times to the exec I met with. I've done a ton of prep work for the position. 30 60 90 day plan, a high level sales plan, a 6 month revenue roadmap. I guaranteed i've been more prepared and genuinely believe I'm the strongest fit. I even sent a few "market research" emails to prospects (without using the company name, to gauge interest levels)

Looking for a silver bullet strategy to take it over the finish line. Email is really my only channel, the company is in norway (they need someone to introduce the product to the USA).

How can I position myself as the right choice despite a lack of specific industry experience? How can I push myself across the finish line? Any examples of how you've landed a job in a similar fashion would be helpful

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11

28 comments

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DataCorrupter

Politicker

6

Account Executive

Maybe this is too negative, but sometimes you just gotta let people hang themselves with the rope they've been given. Sounds like you're prepared (and went above and beyond), so if they don't bite, let the CEO hang himself with the rope of "industry experience." Usually poor decision making is an indicator of poor decision making in the future, so maybe you dodge a bullet on this one.

ventox35

Politicker

2

Sales Leader

Interesting angle thank you.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

5

Bravado's Resident Asshole

There is no silver bullet better than being yourself.

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

Yeah otherwise they expect you to be someone else. That’s not sustainable

BTQ

Politicker

5

Account Manager

The fact they haven't found someone yet should be a red flag.

ventox35

Politicker

2

Sales Leader

My takeaway is 1. yes huge red flag2. they aren't looking hard enough or being too picky
I know the PMF is there. Because they have a parent company that sells to mid market and enterprise. this company spun off to service SMB. there are some challenges working with SMB, but the parent company rakes it in. And the SMB unit is having huge success in europe.
I don't really see red flags.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

5

☕️

Commit to finding a mentor in the industry to work with. They may even help you find one or pair you with a board member.

ventox35

Politicker

5

Sales Leader

All your caffeine makes you wise. this is a great idea

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

7

☕️

It also makes me poop. We all win.

oldcloser

Arsonist

4

💀

Chiming in for support.

HVACexpert

Politicker

3

sales engineer

Chiming in for pooping or being wise?

oldcloser

Arsonist

4

💀

I support any reference to bowel diversity, evacuation, and inclusion in the WR.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

Don't mind me I'm just to to upvote this entire conversation.

braintank

Politicker

4

Enterprise Account Executive

Are they responding to your advances?

ventox35

Politicker

2

Sales Leader

"Thank you for the thoughtful message. We'd love to have you later on be part of the sales team once we have the VP in place."
Funny thing is they pivoted after my first interview to wanting someone with industry experience, after originally telling me I was the frontrunner. But they can't find someone!

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Time to move on

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

After reading through all you've done and your responses to the questions from the group, I think you stop for now. Let them keep trying to get that perfect candidate for a while. You've given it the best try, given them a lot of good reasons to consider you, and you've given them lots to think about, including some research and a plan. They know you are interested. Unless you stumble across something earthshaking in the meantime, I'd let this sit for a bit.

ventox35

Politicker

2

Sales Leader

but i don't want to do that i'm impatient and would like a job now plz.
yeah you're probably right. let it marinate for now, if i really made a strong enough impression, they'll crawl back to me.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Meanwhile, keep looking, right?
edit - I completely understand the lack of patience. I prefer to just get on with it as well.

ventox35

Politicker

2

Sales Leader

always looking. grind dont stop

Pachacuti

Politicker

3

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I have been in your shoes. I know exactly what you're thinking and going through. MY advice - let it go. They don't want you for whatever reason. Don't take it personally. They just don't want you. So don't put any more energy or thought into it.

ventox35

Politicker

1

Sales Leader

As good as your advice is i don't like it because you didn't tell me what i want to hear, but what i need to hear. how dare you

2

Retired Sales Professional

You can only control the controllable. Unfortunately there is no silver bullet. Your next step is to show the additional work you have done along with a review of your plan 30-60-90 and include how your prospects will be a great fit to the service they provide.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

2

Sales Rep

Have you tried to back channel and connect with a current AE. Ideally someone who also came in with non industry experience. Find out how they ramped up and include it in your approach

ventox35

Politicker

1

Sales Leader

i back channeled with the sales manager who manages the europe market. good idea though!

GTMLeader

Good Citizen

1

GTM Leader

As you wrote, they want to introduce the product to the US.

Is there marketing support for the US? With not knowing what is in your plans, there is a lot that goes into introducing a new product. If you are looking for a “silver bullet”, without knowing of the details, you need to present a Product Launch with a comprehensive Go To Market plan. That should elevate your status.

Best of luck!

ventox35

Politicker

0

Sales Leader

their marketing is on point. i've presented a sales plan. i probably could have been more thorough in the go to market aspect of my plan

HVACexpert

Politicker

1

sales engineer

They probably think the industry experience will help shorten the ramp up period to being solvent in the US as a division, and maybe increase brand awareness faster. They could be right, but one thing I’ve seen is if their expectations differ from what people with industry experience are telling them those people could be backing out.
Also dealing with a management team out of US could pose its own challenges.
I agree with others this is probably a red flag, if they come back to you great, if not, don’t get hung up.

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