I applied through a recruiter. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Gartner (Washington, DC) in May 2024
Interview
I was reached out by a recruiter. I was very transparent that while I was interested in Gartner, I was not interested in a traditional AE, but rather account management. Tho first recruiter assured me it was “more about nurturing current business” and was essentially an AM role…this was proven wrong again and again. The process that followed was very strange. I don’t carry a quota at my current role but they continually asked (and then referenced) a none existent quota I had. The second interview was with an another lead recruiter. Bunch of purposely confusing behavioral questions which were easy enough, but NOTHING related to what an AM would do. I was then moved ahead to the 3rd interview with a ANOTHER recruiter which included a mock discovery…again focus on new sales vs account management. The whole situation was so bizarre as they only asked me one question then jumped into the mock discovery. The LSA didn’t even know my title, my role, and CONTINUED to ask about quota which I didn’t have. 2.5 weeks based after that interview and I have heard radio silence. As many have said here, Gartner sales is about if you can do EXACTLY as they say. I wish I hadn’t wasted good time and effort for a position that was falsely advertised and for a process that didn’t care about me. I even had the backing for a senior leader throughout both in prep and in recommendation. Shameful experience.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Name a common objection and how you were able to overcome and win.
They have reached out to me for a job every year and I have interviewed with them 2 times and have never made it past the 1st interview. Confused why a recruiter reaches out to me anymore?
It was long and rigorous, often feeling extremely high pressure, with not a lot of constructive criticism. There are 5 rounds and each with a role-play. It's safe to say this is not an easy interview process. I'm not sure how they do their prospecting, but I was apparently a 'great fit' for the role - didn't show that enthusiasm during our calls.
Intensive - multiple rounds led by a recruiter. Expect 2 rounds of role play, around 4 rounds total. 2 with a recruiter, one with a lead skills expert and another panel with VPs and hiring managers.