markedclosedwon

Account Executive

Terminated right after probation

I left a cushy sales job for a small startup that seemed promising and was a step up in comp (base, OTE, equity). It was also a way to get back to a familiar industry that I started my sales career in. When I joined, they had 5 closed deals that were at heavily discounted subscriptions, they wanted me to sell it at 8x their previous price point. No ICP, no marketing content, no defined pain points.

Near the end of my probation period (3 mo) the CEO calls me to say that they're disappointed and want me to step up activity. While at the same time they're relaunching the product, changing pricing to match their original deals they had closed, and replacing the website because it wasn't designed to convert. Final nail was that the co-founders didn't want to be on demo meetings, said I should manage it solo. It's a complex piece of software for engineers.

Anyway, I got laid off 2-3 weeks after probation ended. They offered 2 weeks of pay and I took it. I have no ill will against them, but my problem is that it looks bad on my CV.

Should I remove the job from my LinkedIn?
How do I explain the 4 month stint to future employers?
Do I go back to my previous employer (left on good terms, door is open)?

24

30 comments

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braintank

Politicker

11

Enterprise Account Executive

1) Keep it on your resume and LinkedIn while you look for another gig. You control the narrative. For all your next employer knows you still work there.

2) Took a gamble on early stage company. Things aren't working out and you want something with more stability.

3) If it's an option why not.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

12

🦊

Grass ain't always greener. Also fuck those assholes.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

8

Sales Rep

I would keep it, you story is tried working for an early stage start up and it backfired. From working there is learned I value xyz in a company. I took a risk and it backfired

As far as going back to your company, seems like they under paid you so I wouldn’t

markedclosedwon

Big Shot

3

Account Executive

They were willing to offer a promotion, but I had turned it down. I guess I could go back and see if I can negotiate better comp.

GDO

Politicker

2

BDM

This is the answer!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

In a year or two, that stint is gone. If you have a good spot at your previous employer and you’d like to return, that’s a solid path. Downroad it will also show you as worthy of rehire.

markedclosedwon

Big Shot

3

Account Executive

Thanks, I appreciate the insight, especially on the re-hire angle.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It happens! We called it boomerang. Go and come back. Usually after longer stints elsewhere, but bringing back the skills and knowledge from the first time around.

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

3

🐺

I had something similar happen to me, except after abt 2 and a half months the company laid off all of sales and marketing bc they were 3 mil in the hole and making 1.5 mil in revenue and weren’t profitable. I don’t have that company on my LinkedIn or resume and when companies asked me what I did for 4 months I just say I joined a company it failed after 2 months I was on boarding and ramping the entire time so I didn’t do anything there and it’s not worth putting on my resume it was just bad timing. And move on

pirate

Big Shot

2

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Ask for your old job back and then keep looking and interviewing if you hate being back... Would you want to go back? Sorry this has to you. Terrible way to run a company

Diablo

Politicker

2

Sr. AE

Keep it on your resume, linkedin etc. until you find a new job; I wouldn’t speak about the termination unless being asked about it upfront.
If you liked your old company try and negotiate. It depends on your circumstances, if I needed financial support I would need something asap and I will take whatever comes my way with my search on in the background

Pachacuti

Politicker

2

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

1 - yes
2- switch to year to year, not month/year on your CV
3 - if you can, yes.

1

Retired Sales Professional

In my opinion I would go back work for previous employer. I have done it. But that's my opinion take it or leave it. By the way the company that let you go had flaws which they could not compensate for according to you letter. Move on and don't even think about. All the best.

markedclosedwon

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

Would love to know more about what your experience was like going back to your previous employer.

I think it would be easier if it was more than 12 months, but it's only been 3-4 months in my case.

2

Retired Sales Professional

It was like coming back home to a family with open arms. Everyone excepted me and I got back to work and fun. It felt really good and I new that I made the right decision.

2

Retired Sales Professional

Time dosn't have anything to do with it, if the door is open then then walk right back in.

Fenderbaum

Politicker

2

Retired Choirboy🪕

That's a good feeling to have everyone accept you on the return. 😏 @Sunbunny31

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Very true.

SalesPharaoh

Big Shot

1

Senior Account Executive

I'd keep it on my resume and linkedin until i find another job and update that on linkedin that you only worked for 4 months while in the resume i usually focus on things that are relvant to the job im going after.

lajefa

Good Citizen

1

Enterprise Account Executive

This happened to me. I ignored a few red flags during the hiring and negotiation process. It is not at all uncommon. Many startups are incredibly poorly run with people that haven't the slightest idea of what they're doing.
I would not go back to the old company. Keep the new company on your resume. These days short stints don't look odd. Just be honest when you interview (the product didn't have proper PMF). Likely they didn't want to pay you when they realized there were no miracles to be had. In fact they probably didn't want to pay you what you were worth in the first place.

1

Sales rep

just keep it...

TheHypnotist

Executive

1

Sales Manager

That kind of thing may raise questions in the mind of someone who reads your c.v. but a reasonable person will ASK those questions instead of jumping to conclusions. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Chep

WR Officer

1

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

It def helps that its a startup. Just be honest and note they did not have good product market fit and while you did everything you could startups fail

CareerInertia

Contributor

1

Sales Director

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but I was just let go by a company that head hunted me - 2 days before the probation ended.
I was provided no KPIs, no management, no review, no feedback - and was tasked with a really simple target of what should we do to double our sales for '24.
I intend to list that experience, once I have secured the next gig. Until then, safer to skip that story.
And since the door is open, I'd go back to the company I was previously working with unless if there's a real reason for me to not do so - which does not seem to be your case.
Rooting for you.

1

Relationship Officer

Keep it on your resume and LinkedIn while you look for another gig. You control the narrative. For all your next employer knows you still work there.

10XQLA

Politicker

1

Medical Sales Assassin

Bro, I feel your pain don't overthink it the company and it's leadership are uncertain about their cadence, not your fault and also EVERYONE has bullshit on their resume!!! Keep pushing.

K.GoldSales

Member

1

Account Executive

For sure- agree with the others. Keep it on your LinkedIn and resume. No one knows you don’t work there anymore while you search. If you go back to the previous role, you could absolutely remove it; but I don’t think that a short tenure in a role is that damning anymore, especially for those of us in the startup world. Everyone knows start ups are fast paced and fast to fire people to save their burn rate or go out of business. I don’t think hiring managers should see a red flag there unless it becomes a trend that could signify regular underperformance

0

thats great

0

i think, you should remove it!!

0

Keep the job on your resume. Given what the opportunity "should have been" no one can fault you for giving that a try. Just be prepared to explain to the next company that you're not a job jumper, continuing to look for the next thing. No one wants to hire someone if they perceive that you're going to bail. As for the previous company..........from experience, if you have the financial resources to find another job, do that. Remember, you left that company for a reason. Going back a 2nd time rarely works out.

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