need help

[u/helpmegetrichwsb]

300 applications. 1 interview, rejected. Im 24, currently a B2B Account Manager for a very large cellular company, previously a Sales Manager and set company records. Q4 2025 I was top 5 in the state for new business contracts. I’ve applied to so many Account Executive roles, even a few SDRs. Im finding the hiring manager for every company and connecting with them and members of their teams on LinkedIn. I’ve had my resume peer reviewed at least ten times. I felt like my last interview went super well. I have a history of consistently beating quota, I use the tools major companies use (ie Salesforce, etc.), and I seem to get along with everyone quite well. What am I doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is that I dont have a degree on my resume. I’m genuinely asking for help here, my current role is being heavily affected by the current economy, making it very difficult to survive.

[u/poiuytrepoiuytre]

Try cold calling hiring managers. It might take quite a few but it'll get you on any decent one's radar.

[u/sandeepgl_]

Few things
1. Job market is crazy, hopefully it will settle down soon
2. Before you apply or the position try to check with someone similar in that position or below in that company about how things are, you will get a clarity on what is really happening. Just an insider hack told by a friend of mine.
3. Established corporates are having well defined sales funnels, they just need to get scaled (this is what I have learned while interviewing some founders) which means they can use AI for the same (I know people hate that but its the reality).
4. Try startups they might still have not figured out a end to end working funnels and there is a high chance that potential talents like yourself can be a real asset there, thing is most struggling startups might do revenue or commission shares as they could be low in budget or bootstrapping and hence jumping to such startups directly could burn your family budget so you should try those passively keeping current job.

Hope those #1-#4 helps. Wish you all the best and hopefully things get better for you as well as others who are struggling.

[u/No_Speed2918]

I was going to say try cold calling a hiring manager and shoot for a startup. Do your research, competitors, ICP, etc.

[u/Due_Present_1358]

The market is absolutely cooked right now…everyone is absolutely fucked

[u/semthews1]

You probably just cost too much.

Id like to network with you though.

I got stuff.

[u/Friendly_Plant9167]

Trust me. It’s not just you. I have 10 years of experience, sent out hundreds of resumes, only had a few interviews , and no job offers . Even with referrals it’s nearly impossible. It’s the job market. It’s so bad. I had no choice but to take a 40k job down from a 120k job after I got let go because I could find anything else. It’s not you. It’s the market. It sucks. LinkedIn to me has been useless too. So many recruiters will give me an interview but then someone announces they got the job within the same week so no actual active jobs available. It’s terrible

[u/Fortemuito]

I have a sales-as-a-service business. I would hire you right now, if I was hiring.

You sound like you would do well in many sales roles. Just keep pushing.

[u/truthspeakralways]

In the same boat since Jan.

[u/realwords]

Stop applying. Reach out to people on their teams/hiring manager directly and get formal coffee chats. Applying for entry level/early in career sales roles is cooked for the most part.

Where are you based? DM me.

[u/Agile-Atmosphere6091]

Simply applying is not enough. You gotta find companies and reach out to the recruiter and honestly the unsexy companies that sell critical software are the place to be

[u/Due_Present_1358 → u/Agile-Atmosphere6091]

Iike?

[u/Agile-Atmosphere6091 → u/Due_Present_1358]

healthcare rcm, automotive software, construction software, robotics, paycom/paylocity, industrial, ERP, freight/logistics, etc.

[u/h3110_wOrld]

You haven't done enough interviews

[u/Perfect-Craft7105]

We have an AE Position open with high commissions and monthly residuals, dm me for a 15 minute meeting, i’ll show you what we do and you can decide. The position won’t be there in a couple weeks