EspressoMaxi profile picture
EspressoMaxi profile picture

EspressoMaxi

Director of BD

Valued Contributor
Contributor
Fire Starter

welp, I was just laid-off while interviewing. Here is what happened:

I started a hybrid SDR/AE role back in June. Things were going amazing! I crossed over into the tech industry, which I have tons of interest in. Big bump in pay with the potential to close "large enterprise deals" and move up! I was on top of the world and ready to crush it


Well, I was just let go...(scroll to the bottom if you want my question without the entertaining horror story)


I posted here earlier about the insanity I experienced since starting...


The TLDR is my former sales manager had the team pumping out tons of BS volume into our CRM. We were expected to add 20 net new companies a day, 2-3 contacts at those companies. Tasking/Follow-ups at 24 hours, 3 day, 1 week, 2 weeks - before moving on


Literally, everyone on my team was underwater in tasking to keep up with the 20 net new parameters. Tons of untouched leads in the CRM we couldn't touch. Mind you I am in tech but there is a limitation to quality opportunities that we can source that would actually be a fit. The rest of the team put up bs stats by adding terrible prospects and not really doing all the actual outreach - my sales manager either knew and didn't care (because it helped performance on paper), or was just really dumb. Everyone pretended like it was not an issue while my manager doubled down on how easy it should be. In very careful convos, I learned that nobody on the team actually agreed, but didn't want to question it. Out of the 5 of us (manager included), there was only 1 real top performer, who only closed specific types of deals reserved for them to work exclusively with the manager.


Upper leadership calling for high-quality deals only, did not mix well with outreach expectations.


My real outreach and work started in late July / early August. Here are some stats and details:


  • Approximately 15 net new companies added daily (1700 companies in total)
  • Approximately 30 net new contacts added daily (3100 contacts in total)
  • Approx $1.20MM pipeline, with only $35,000 actually closing.
  • 37 deals, only 13 closing with 1 being a decent size
  • 600K TCV deal that was supposed to close this month, but was pushed to Feb
  • 500K TCV in negotiation / under feasibility review

At least 5 deals that I could think of that were of good size and fit but fell through because of failing product or support issues killing momentum in testing. I brought this up to my sales manager in a professional way, providing solution-based alternatives I wanted to discuss...never went anywhere with him, literally left me unread while proceeding to call for more CRM stats. Massively siloed departments, making it hard to know who to approach in confidence.


I am a self-starter, with the ability to work autonomously, but was micromanaged when convenient for him. Asking me to open up deals after calls that didn't seem like high probability or even medium for that matter, but then asking me to move them forward, or for status, etc.


For the sake of anonymity, I can't be too detailed, but 7ish people were let go last month (marketing and developer roles), and 2 security hacks since joining, one costing double-digit millions..


I saw the red flags and started interviewing. I am now in the middle of the interview process with 2 potentials and am so worried that it will hurt me. No severance, no warning, just "sorry it was about the bottom line."


This is the first time I was ever let go in my entire life. I can't stomach the idea of not being upfront about my employment status, but I am asking if anyone can provide advice.


Question:


Do I tell the current ops about this, and do I disclose this to future ones if I need to continue applying? How should I present my performance and handle the reason for being unemployed?

๐Ÿ™ Mental Wellness
๐Ÿฆพ Hardware Tech
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Hiring
34

25 comments

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Sunbunny31
Politicker
9
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
At least for the ones you're in progress with, there's no need to say anything at all at the moment. Focus on the positives of why you want to join the companies with which you are interviewing, and what you'll bring to them. One of those is the level of care and attention you pay to the ICP. :)

Thank goodness you started the process of finding a new job already. You're ahead of the game.
EspressoMaxi
Valued Contributor
0
Director of BD
Yea makes sense. But letโ€™s say I jump into another round and the interviewer says โ€œso, tell me about what you do at XYZ Coโ€ would you disclose that the circumstance changed at that point or just push through it?
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
โ€œHereโ€™s what the job entails, success in these areas, etcโ€.

Unless they point blank ask if youโ€™re still there, I wouldnโ€™t volunteer it at this stage. Even if they ask when you can start, you can say you have some flexibility and could start soon.

I wouldnโ€™t volunteer the info, but I wouldnโ€™t dodge a direct question either. Be prepared with an answer, be comfortable and confident if youโ€™re asked. Just state that after you started the interview process, the company had another round of layoffs and despite your good practices and approach to sales, you were let go. You can also say that since you were already looking for the next opportunity and are excited at the possibility at the company youโ€™re talking to, it means you could start even sooner, and thatโ€™s a benefit.
Lambda
Tycoon
5
Sales Consultant
I think its a personal decision,

I have been dealing with some similar items

worked in crypto for all of 2022 and after the FTX scandel, scams galore etc i dont want to include it in my conversations but i dont want a blank for a whole year

just speak your truth and that will always be the best imo
EspressoMaxi
Valued Contributor
2
Director of BD
So would you only bring it up if asked in another interview session?
CorporateStiff
Executive
1
Account Executive
That's what I would do. I tend to not volunteer any extra info during interviews unless it's specifically asked for. What the new employer doesn't ask about should be left alone, IMO.

If asked about it I'd have a practiced and sensible response ready. Something like, "due to company-wide financial challenges (or whatever problem caused the layoffs), X% of the company (or sales teams) were laid off at the end of 2022, while I was interviewing for this roles, and because they knew I was considering alternate employment, I was included in the layoffs."

I had a manager at my last job who was a terrible micromanager too. While interviewing for my current role, I admitted that she was difficult to work with and why ('due to personality clashes'), but remained respectful and professional. Being in control of your emotions and very even about things like this can help you show that you have the growth mindset that they are looking for and that resilience, which is critical for sales reps to have.

I hope this helps! Cheers.
Justatitle
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
Ok, I was let go Friday but I knew it was happening 3 weeks ago and have been aggressively interviewing elsewhere, at each one I have been up front and transparent as to why I was in the market and the financial state of my company is why I was laid off. They have all got past this with no questions and with the craziness happening layoffs donโ€™t get looked at as they used to. My advice to you is to do what you feel is best however it has worked well for me to tell them my status
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
2
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
So, Okta. Yeah, it happens. I would not bring it up unless asked. When you interview, focus on strengths and show pipeline growth or close numbers (% of OTE or growth) depending on how long you were there.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
Why okta? They've been doing well?
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
They had a couple of security issues/hacks recently. I also know that they over hired and need to right size due to missing top line.
EspressoMaxi
Valued Contributor
0
Director of BD
oh, no I didn't work at Okta.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
You can pretend youโ€™re still employed for a couple months as you job hunt. But if you get to the point where youโ€™re telling people you were laid off, itโ€™s not a bad thing since you can just blame it on the economy. People wonโ€™t question it too deeply.

They will want to know your results and metrics. Have a solid story to tell them which does NOT paint anyone too negatively. You can say your results were on par or higher than then the rest of your team.

Good luck in your job hunt!
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
So i think you need to figure out a solid talk track. If this was me, i would not mention i was laid off unless asked.
But i would talk about how that company had insane metrics and it was all geared towards quantity over quality.
Then mention you it became clear to you that this is not how you work and you find success when you donโ€™t have to be chasing stupid metrics.

I would also mention that you had decided you were going to leave before they laid you off.
activity
Politicker
1
VP, Business Development
The truth is always the best route. You sleep better and when itโ€™s the right opportunity, the new employer will not care.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
Given the results of a recent pole, I would not disclose it. Of course, don't lie. But you don't need to tell them everything.

This makes you look more in-demand, but also have flexibility for negotiating.

As far as performance, I like to include rank if the number looks good or quota. If not saying those, I would include total revenue or average deal size
londoniscoldandwet
Opinionated
1
SDR
I've been laid off multiple times for economic reasons. I'm always transparent and bring my numbers, and what I would've done differently in each situation. When interviewing, I ask questions to ascertain if the same is likely to happen to me again, such as "What are the KPIs, how important are they, which is most important to you?"
RandyLahey
Politicker
1
Account Manager
Sorry to hear about this. Be honest with your interviewers, focus on the positives and do not sound bitter. You got this!
RckChlkG33k
Big Shot
0
AE (Account Executive)
Layoffs have become more common thing in the past two years. I don't think it will reflect poorly on you if you're transparent about being let go.

Talk about what's important to you and how you see that in the companies you want to work with. Don't go into details about the last company unless they really work it out of you, but then they get their reward with a juicy story and probably like you more in the long run anyway.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
0
Sales Director
First off, sorry to hear. It's a rough thing to go through.

Having been recently let go due to cuts, it's hard to process and wrap your head around.

Props to you for being ahead of the crowd. I don't think disclosing is necessary unless it helps validate any sort of value.

Was there a specific campaign, project, initiative, etc. you were working on at time of being let go you could speak into?

That may be the only reason to bring it up.

Keep on grinding. 1% better every day.
SolarQ
0
Solar Advisor
Have you looked into any Solar Sales positions?
RelationshipMaker
Opinionated
0
Head of Sales
Yes, let them know that you've been let go and you're now interviewing with other companies. This should hopefully make you more attractive to them.

If it's not a performance-based thing, being let go is an unfortunately common occurrence and recruiters will have seen it many, many times before.

I feel your pain, when it happened to me I felt awful and gut-punched. Time heals it (it may not seem so now) and putting it out there is not only cathartic but honest and will be appreciated.

Good luck with the interviews!
Sales_Yoda
0
Sales Leader
Be honest if asked. If you and the new company are a good fit, they wonโ€™t care.
HardRockfan1
Member
0
Regional Director of Sales
You donโ€™t owe them any explanation unless they directly ask you that question. Why? Because thatโ€™s loyalty and thatโ€™s a two way street. Companies today have very little of that. Our economic challenges are causing layoffs and RIFs all across the board so donโ€™t feel like this is the end of the world. I have 9 year to a company and went to 2 presidents clubs and then they promoted me and two years later RIFโ€™d me unceremoniously. So keep pushing forward and good luck!!
Rimj
Good Citizen
0
Director - Ecommerce Sales
I agree with many others here on the state if the state with current rounds of layoffs, especially in many SaaS/ecommerce/fintech businesses.

As long as you are able to professionally identify that your previous employer had a round of cuts, it should not negatively impact you.

In fact I have many peers that were able to post on LinkedIn โ€œunfortunately I was a part of recent cuts at company X, not at all tied to performance etc) I am open for work in X types of roles and proficient in Y types of industries. And quickly find opportunities that they would not have identified if they were not openly looking.

As for disclosure to existing opportunities, I would play that by ear in the context of the conversation. I imagine it would play in your favor (as long as there is no negative references etc)

Sorry for the current circumstances ans wish you the best.

seth1065
0
NAM
Agree with the group, the ones your interviewing with do not tell them, let that process play out and see if you get one of those jobs, good luck

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