wildwhale

Enterprise Account Executive

VP of sales FIRST interview..

Hey WR!

I've got a FIRST round interview for a series A company and the FIRST interview is with the VP of sales (30ish people at the company) but they have very impressive funding for this stage and have some good clients.

while im going to spend a good chunk of time knowing the product, as well as their investors etc with this one.... one thing im struggling with (probably imposter syndrome after a RIF) is being confident in telling my story.

I've moved quick in sales (joined tech sales after a career switch - did sdr for 2 months cause i pushed that if i hit certain kpi's they try me for Bdr. fastest promo from Bdr to ae in company, did ae for a year then poached to another company where i was top ae + team lead in smb/mm then after a year & 9 months i joined a diff company as an Enterprise AE but RIF happened just under a year later).

Problem is I'm finding (and probably some interview fatigue with a hella competitive market), I'm having a hard time explaining MY STORY or 'tell me about yourself' in a non-generic way that communicates I'm an executer (with a VP at this stage company I believe this is going to be top of mind). .. while this is a very broad question I know- I'm open to any feedback on best way to express this and stand out as an authority as well (funny how you can be successful in selling other peoples products but doubt your explanation of yourself).

Also, if anyone has any key questoins they'd ask to the VP in this case to try and keep it as if I'm also in the position of running this as a discovery I'm open to it/approaches.

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17 comments

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oldcloser

Arsonist

12

💀

Why did you rise so quickly? If you had to guess, What is it about you that management finds promotable? How is it that you’ve been able to ascend faster than just about anyone? Not looking for an answer here. But if you can answer those questions honestly, to yourself, in private, out loud, with conviction, you’ll find your story and your voice.

We tend to try to compose these self-elevator pitches with the prospect (hiring manager) in mind. That totally clouds the authenticity. Like- I’m gonna tell you who I am as I believe you’d like to hear it. Not helpful. It might be more difficult this time because of the HM title. Let that shit go. He’s a human looking to be impressed by a human.

You’ve moved up quickly because-
Talent
Results
Leadership qualities
Character

If it isn’t one of those, it’s something else that matters. Figure it out. Say it out loud. Then tell the HM. Then get the job.

wildwhale

Member

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Thank you. You make good points. Getting lost in what they want to hear when i need to take some internal thought into this .

oldcloser

Arsonist

2

💀

They ain’t gonna believe it til you do.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

They want to hear from you. There are some great points in these responses. You’ve got this. Congratulations!

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

2

🐺

Can’t beat that advice. Keep it human and honest

KingFlavor

Executive

2

Account Exectutive

LFG dude! Good luck on the interview - you will absolutely crush it.

Answering the “tell me about yourself” question is sometimes the hardest one to answer. But the best answers are delivered succinctly and with confidence.

If you’re able to explain the reasoning for each jump as well as a learning from each progression you made, the VP will appreciate your story even more. Share how you’ve grown with each role and how this next one is exactly what you are looking for in your sales career.

Be yourself, consistently emphasize that you want this role throughout each step of the interview, close on next steps and you’ll nail it.

wildwhale

Member

2

Enterprise Account Executive

thanks, i appreciate it. Could also just be overthinking it. Good call out and maybe the time to express this angle of being an executor comes more from me weaving in stories at each “role” .. ps - “the lfg and you got this” sentiment from the WR defs gives a boost when youre in these types of processes so thanks lol

FoodForSales

Politicker

2

AE

"tell me about yourself" or some variation is typically the first questions asked. You better get your story right on it or the interview is over in the first 2 min.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

2

Sales Rep

I like to end with "Is there anything I didnt ask you were prepared to talk about"

JustGonnaSendIt

Politicker

2

Burn Towns, Get Money

An important starting point is your 'why'

Why did you switch to Sales? Why are you interested in sales?

Answer those two, and the rest is a timeline of you actualizing the path to your why.

Maybe your why has changed over the course of time. That's okay too. What it is now is the starting point. How it has changed, and how that has driven you in different directions, is the story you tell.

Incidentally this is also one of the best questions to throw back to the interviewer. What is their personal 'why' and what is their 'why' for this specific company and role.

Beazy

2

Enterprise rep

Been around enterprise softwre 15 yrs, RIfed, PIPed, rep of year, sometimes all in this same year, and my takeaway there’s no shame or need for crazy pride in any of it. First, little known secret is a large part of your success has to do with timing and territory. Another with talent. And yet another with career navigation. You can’t take too much blame for your success or failure and thus shouldn’t worry about your story beyond the ‘here’s why I did what I did what I think made me more successful than then next person, and as expected it sometimes did/not work’. Try to be you and authentic. That’s what people want after all. That’s the part I’d over index in. Is understanding who/what you’re about, not explaining your career high/low lights. Fwiw. Much love.

wildwhale

Member

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Great advice, thanks for the input from a well seasoned person like yourself 🙌🏼🤛🏼

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

It’s pretty easy to develop a “tell me about yourself” script. Basically summarize your resume in less than a minute and tell them why they’d be idiots to pass you up.

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

Good luck!

wildwhale

Member

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Thank you everyone for your input - much appreciated and useful. I’ve worked on my story and have it pretty down pat now. Additionally - that initial conversation went well, moved along throughout a few more of the interviews so we shall see! <br>Biggest thing I’ve taken from the comments is story for each - quick and simple and highlights performance or “the rif” and making it super concise until repeated enough it comes naturally & confident.
When i didn’t have it down pat - i found that that’s when they would dig into questions. Since delivering it succinctly & confidently - not too many questions

007SlsRep

Personal Narrative

0

Sales Director

As many have said, be yourself, and have confidence. I would answer the "tell me about yourself" in a similar way as others describe, but the additional thing is to reference your past as a gateway to the future. Sell your value in how you can use your past to propel you in the future, be direct, to the point, and relate it all to the role and the success you will bring.

GreenLeader

Contributor

0

Director of Inside Sales

When I ask someone to tell me about themselves, what I'm doing is asking them to sell me a product with which they are intimately familiar. Because it's going to be my job to make you intimately familiar with my product, and I want to get a feel for how you're going to pitch it when you get there.

So practice. Figure out exactly what you want to say, then pitch yourself to your spouse, your SO, your roommate, your mom, your dad, your pet. Do it until there isn't a single "uhh," "umm," or "y'know" in it. Practice it until it's smooth as silk, engaging, and interesting.

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