I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Toast Inc in May 2023
Interview
Initial 15 minute phone screening with recruiter, followed by 45 minute phone interview with hiring manager consisting of mainly standard behavioral interview questions. This was followed by a 1.5 hour video interview that consisted of presenting a prospecting plan for my market and researching a restaurant that would be a great fit for Toast and creating a verbal pitch of the Toast Go handheld for the restaurant. This was followed by another 45 minute video interview with the hiring manager and the regional VP. I was asked follow up questions on my presentation and challenged to handle a few standard objections.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is your biggest professional failure? When is the last time you received critical feedback and what did you do with that feedback? Describe a time you disagreed with your manager's decision.
The interview process consisted of four rounds: a recruiter screen, a hiring manager interview, a mock sales exercise, and a final interview. Overall, the process was well organized and professional.
I invested a significant amount of time preparing because this was a role I genuinely wanted. Unfortunately, I was not selected to move forward to the third round. Based on my experience, I believe my limited direct sales background was the primary factor, although the feedback process was respectful and transparent throughout.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
Describe how the quota was set up from your last job, and at what percentage you hit your quota?
I did an initial phone screen for an AE role. The recruiter showed up a few minutes late but I didn't think much of it. We had a nice conversation and they mentioned they'd like to move me forward. I didn't hear anything for a week or so when they reached out saying they had been swamped and would schedule me shortly. They reached out a 2nd time saying the internal schedule was busy but they'd get something on the calendar soon. Then I received an auto rejection. Not a great experience, it just made the company look extremely unorganized.
First I do appreciate the fact that they got back to me and gave me a “no” instead of ghosting, but the compliments will end there.
The first round with the recruiter was fantastic. She said I sounded like a great fit and was excited to pass me to the next round. Fast forward to that next round and I could tell right away the sales manager had zero interest in talking to me. The most monotone voice, didn’t show interest in my prior experience, asked some questions that i didn’t think were relevant. She definitely was just there to check the box. Not long after I got the rejection email.
understand it’s part of the game but i followed all the interview prep provided to me and it seemed like no matter what I wasn’t moving past that second round.