Read this whole thing.
It all started 3 weeks ago. A recruiter from a fast-growing and highly awarded cyber security startup reaches out to me about becoming their SalesOps leader. I was hesitant at first, as I am in a good spot with my current company...but after reading about the team and the position in the market, I could not say no. Thus began the 8-hour recruiting process that ended in quite possibly the most perplexing turn of events I've experienced in my career. First interview: 10/29/21
When you're interviewing for management (non-exec) level roles within startups that have fewer than 100 employees, you tend to talk to a lot of stakeholders to ensure you are a culture and performance fit. I spoke with the CSO (3 times), VP of People, VP of BizOps, VP of Partnerships, Sr. Director of Marketing, and the Director of Sales and their brand new Head of Talent. Each call lasted 30-45 minutes and went through the typical work. I even produced a full document that outlined forecasting methodologies, comp plan structuring options, etc, to showcase my skill set. First red flag: I could hear the "screenshot sound" that macs make during my presentation, and even called out the CSO in a coy way with an "I don't mind sending this to you so you can have the whole thing".
Every call ended with mutual buy-in. I was buzzing to join this company after each conversation, and the feeling was clearly mutual when we ended up with a verbal offer to join the firm on 11/11/21. This is when the second red flag appeared: they didn't have the offer document ready, claiming that HR (located in Europe) would have to handle final approval. Usually the verbal is the precursor to hitting "send" on that offer email. Strange...
Fine, I get it, and again I am in a role now and am not in a rush. The document was to be in my inbox by this past Monday (11/15/21) at 9 am EST. Did not arrive, so I called up my recruiter. They said the CEO was taking his time on approval and would have it done by end of that day. They reconfirmed my salary AGAIN, which was the 3rd red flag. Why do we keep talking about my comp when we have gone over it 3-4 times already and its' been "in the budget" every time?
Nothing comes 11/15, 11/16, 11/17...but the CSO starts texting me that I am good and will need to be patient while the board meets on it. WHY IS THE BOARD INVOLVED?
Then yesterday comes around. At 9:30 I get a call from the CSO...I'm thinking it's to reaffirm the offer and get me excited. Nope. I hear this: "PBC, I love your background. It fits everything the US-based team needs, but the European team (execs) are asking us to shut the process down. They looked at your background again, and after chatting with the board, have decided that you made too many moves in your career and they feel you are going to be a liability. Thanks for teaching us about how we need to be better about the process and what requirements we have. Wish you all the best." and doesn't give me much time for rebuttal. We hang up, I rage scream into a pillow and have been stewing ever since.
So, here's my question to all of you. Should I send them a bill for my hourly consulting rate x 8 hours? They jerked me around for 3 weeks and then dumped me on the curb after they got all my IP...they owe me, right?
46 comments