What’s a normal sales interview process

I'll start off by saying that I haven't job hopped a ton and got my previous jobs through my network. As a result I haven't been through some of the gruelling interview proccesss I've read about on here and Reddit. So what's really normal?

I've read about 3 rounds of interviews, a role playing session then a chat with an executive just for a job. I kind of think that's ridiculous but maybe I'm naive. I guess I don't know how high level the jobs are but if it was for like 60k base and 120 OTE I don't even know if I'd bother.

So, anecdotally what has been most peoples experience in terms of interview process?

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

1. Call with Recruiter
2. Call with Hiring Manager
3. Assessment
4. Assessment Review w/ Hiring Manager
5. Closing call with Executive (only if offer is to be extended)

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Depends on the industry and depends on the company.

it took 3 months with my last firm, almost 5 months with my new one, others wanted to sign me in 2 weeks.

in my previous career it was a single phone call or meeting 🤷‍♀️

figjam

Opinionated

Enterprise Sales Executive

My two most recent experiences:
1. Call with hiring manager
2. Call or two with HR
3. Call with the next level up of management
4. "Round Robin" of 3-4 people: hiring manager and management again, potential peers, other managers you would work with (Solution Consultants) and folks like Sales Ops or Marketing
5. Final Presentation/role play with any/everyone above and more
6. Offer/No Offer

Can go into more detail if you would like but hope this helps - it is grueling, it is time consuming and at times you may need to just tap out or play hardball, and challenge their process: this can help you a lot or hurt you a lot...ill leave it at that

cw95

Politicker

Head of SDR

I hear lots about having to 'do a cold call' in front of people, I'm unsure if this is a common thing.

myself and friends in sales roles simply had the whole 'Tell me about yourself' kinda interview. I imagine with bigger companies it's the process of 3/4 interviews.

As @Incognito said, it depends. Smaller companies may offer you the job after the first interview but equally, have a corporate mind and put you through the rounds.

eman

Politicker

Account Executive

3 steps: 1. HR Phone Screen 2. Interview with manager 3. Interview with VP. Offer

Champ24

Opinionated

Sales Director

For our AE roles (small company) we do:1: phone screen2: in person interview with VP Sales 3: in person interview with CEOUsually takes about 2-3 weeks

Senior Account Executive

@StringerBell the game the same, just got mo' fierce