ventox35

Sales Leader

Valued Contributor

Was this the wrong move to get a job?

Been interviewing with a company for a couple months.

The CCO submitted a budget to the rest of the execs that included hiring me. Cool!

After I got word of that, crickets. So I've reached out multiple times to CCO for updates. Can't get a transparent answer. The ole "we're in a holding pattern" nonsense.

So I finally decided to email the CEO, who was the first person at the company I met. He likes me too. I simply asked for his perspective on what trigger events need to happen in order for them to hire me. I figured, hey, go to the very top, see what the holdup is.

CCO texts me today "Please do not email [CEO's name]. I make the hiring decisions." Either CEO was pissed off about that email, or he was like "what the heck are you doing, hire this person!" CCO though is clearly pissed.

How do you interpret this situation?

Interpret this exec speak:

Attached poll

This was a misstep. Never go over their heads. This was a shrewd move. CCO is butthurt and has an ego. Employer red flag Both a misstep, and this exec team is too sensitive Other - explain in the comments

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

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20

22 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

8

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

With the limited perspective you provided, it sounds like you have the job but need to wait through the corporate approval processes. The COO may make hiring decisions, but someone else approves his budget to hire.

This is a great lesson - never expect an email you send to stay only with the person who sent it. Once you hit send, it becomes public domain.

jefe

Arsonist

5

🍁

REALLY important lesson.

Hope the cost of learning it wasn't too high.

5

Founding BDR

Never really took this perspective when emailing, but I should. Good point

ventox35

Politicker

3

Sales Leader

good point, thanks. i tend to forget that

goose

Politicker

0

Sales Executive

I was always told to type an email and imagine it being entered into evidence in a courtroom before you click send. Over the top? Sure. But the same point...

oldcloser

Arsonist

7

💀

I don’t hate this move if it moves South to North. Recruiter to HM, Director to VP, etc. But C-suite to C-suite is dangerous. Your CCO is your contact. These guys are in meetings all week together- probably date each other’s wives. FWIW, the slope from CEO to CXX is not steep.

On the other hand, if CCO has sales in his blood, he gets why you sent the email. If it were me, I wouldn’t disqualify you for it, but I might feel obligated to give you a little shit. Hopefully, that’s all you’re dealing with.

ventox35

Politicker

3

Sales Leader

fair enough. have i mentioned how much i hate exec to exec politics and ego jousting?

oldcloser

Arsonist

5

💀

My girl is bigger than your girl... yeah.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

6

Director of Sales NA

It’s a power thing. CCO is a little bitch. You met and interviewed with CEO it’s fine to reach out. You jumped the gun in my opinion that’s all.

Justatitle

Big Shot

4

Account Executive

I don't hate the move and it should show you aren't afraid to get what is needed done. In response to the CCO I'd recommend reaching out and asking for forgiveness instead of permission also stating that it comes with the territory of sales that you want to not let things waver because that is how deals die.

ventox35

Politicker

2

Sales Leader

That's pretty much what I did. Apologized for how that could have been perceived and explained my reasoning.

4

Founding BDR

I don’t think you did anything wrong but then again, I don’t have experience with this kinda thing. OC made a good point that it gets weird once you get to C-Levels. From my perspective, a person seeking a sales role shouldn’t be penalized for seeking out some more answers to their questions.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

All good comments here. Your move was defensible - and it’s a sales move.

Hope you get to post you got the job.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

You live and you learn.

QWhiz

Big Shot

1

Founding AE / ex-SDR

Brave move! Exactly what you’d want to do as a salesperson with prospects. However, I wouldn’t have done it. You might think they might be thinking “that’s the kind of salesperson we need”. Yes. But when it comes to bruising their ego / jumping over their head - I’d try to not go there. Having said all of that - I wouldn’t be surprised if you still get the role.

JavierCake

Fire Starter

1

Account Executive

I’ve done the same thing, though not to C-suite to C-suite. Didn’t get the role though my read then (and now) is that they themselves jumped the gun by telling you that they had budget to hire you.

Something happened internally and the landscape suddenly changed, they just didn’t have the balls to fess up.

But your move wasn’t out of the ordinary for legendary Sales peeps so brush this one off. On to the next.

1

Senior Director of Sales

The CCO/COO thinks that you went over his head which they don't like at all - if he is giving you the holding pattern answer then maybe the job is On-Hold or he is jerking you around until you vanish. The CEO (even though you met him) probably thinks you Did Not follow the chain of command and how dare you call/email at his CEO level as that decision happens below him (but if this job is dead for you don't have much to lose). Good Luck anyway!

ventox35

Politicker

0

Sales Leader

i just wanted a straight answer, and went down the route I thought could give that to me. is that too hard to give to candidates? C-level dynamics are so weird and annoying. but gotta play the game

jayblankenship

Old School Bravo

1

SVP, Revenue Strategy & Operations

There's not a lot of room to be this sensitive in the c-suite in my opinion. It'd be nice to know if the CEO ever replied to you.

ventox35

Politicker

0

Sales Leader

CEO never replied @jayblankenship

0

Founder

You don’t wanna work there. Good move.

0

Senior Billing Specialist

wow

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