For my latest job I have been in process with, I applied for the job of Sales Development Representative, for a Tech firm in Boise, Idaho. Applying for the job was easy, they had an application posted online, where I filled in my resume, and added all the required components. I added my refrences too, and made sure to reach out to them with messages saying they may be contacted by companies I have been applying to soon.
After submitting the application, I got a message from a recruiter at the company who saw my resume, and thought I may be a good fit. The call was very informative, as I had my hesitations for the role to begin with. I have been picky in a sense for the roles I apply and put effort into, because I want to work somewhere that appreciates my hard work, and compensates me fairly for it. It felt very nice to get information from the recruiter, that allowed me to come to my own conclusions to see if the job was going to be a good fit for me or not.
I then met with a sales manager at the specific Boise office that I was applying to. The vibe I got from them was terrific, and I got a great sense of culture that had been fostered. Something I realized I wanted to be apart of. The interest in me, and research they did to become familiar with me and my behaviors was what peaked my interest especially to this role. If the people around me seemed like they would be supportive, and allow me the path to make a strong career out of the current opportunity, then I was all in for it.
4 replies on “Week 1 – Blog Post: Job Application Experiences ”
Hey Grant, I really enjoyed hearing about your experience with the Sales Development Representative role! It’s great that you took the time to ensure the job would be a good fit for you in terms of both work culture and compensation. I agree that working somewhere that truly values your effort is key for long-term motivation. It’s also awesome how the recruiter gave you the info you needed to make an informed decision, and it sounds like the positive attitude from the sales manager and the company’s culture made a strong impact. Best of luck with the next steps — this sounds like a fantastic opportunity!
Hi Grant,
I appreciate your recent job application experience. It’s no surprise you’ve thought a lot about the work environment you want, and I respect that. With that said, I have a differing opinion on some things you mentioned, particularly your being choosy and hesitant when applying.
It is certainly important to hold yourself in respect and find a supportive workplace with fair compensation, but being too picky too early on sometimes deprives oneself of good growth opportunities. The hiring process requires thoughtfulness from the job seekers (Collins 11). Many roles, especially entry- and middle-management-level, are unlikely to check all the checkboxes right away, but could have useful experience, mentorship, or stepping stones that can lead to more desirable roles in the future.
As great as it felt when the recruiter and sales manager greeted you warmly and paid you special attention, beware not to get too carried away with first impressions. Recruiters script their calls and interviews to present the company in the best possible light (Collins 09). It’s always smart to dig a little deeper, ask hard questions about turnover, growth opportunities, or how they handle internal conflict, to ensure the culture aligns with your values.
I admire your confidence and intent. I believe that being open-minded, especially early in a professional’s career, can often take one down some unthought-of but rewarding pathways. It opens opportunities for you to pursue and sets you on the path to success.
Works Cited
Collins, Jim. Good to Great. Who, Not What. Random House, 2001, pp. 9–12.
Hi Shumin,
Thank you for the constructive feedback! A great perspective on asking deeper and more thoughtful questions into the company, to see if the sunshine and rainbows promised are real.
Best,
Grant
I really enjoyed reading about your process and how intentional you’ve been with finding the right fit. It’s refreshing to hear how much you value both fair compensation and a supportive, growth-oriented culture — those priorities are so important for building a meaningful career.
It sounds like you did a great job not only submitting a strong application, but also preparing your references and going into the conversations with clear expectations. I love that the recruiter gave you space to make your own decision instead of just trying to “sell” you on the role. And your meeting with the sales manager sounds like it validated your instincts even more — that sense of being valued and understood by a team really can make all the difference.
Wishing you the best as you move forward! It sounds like you’re making smart, thoughtful moves toward building the career you deserve.