I have an ...

Question

I have an upcoming simulated exercise as part of my final interview process at ZD. Does anyone have any tips on how to stand out in this process?

The brief is a customer looking to launch into a new market and having to scale customer service

Current Employee · Accepted Answer

Do not take it

Former Employee · Answer

This place is a dumpster fire. Run

Current Employee · Answer

If you’re smart you’ll cancel the final interview or just no show. Your mental health will thank you.

Current Employee · Answer

Don’t take it unless you’re desperate for a role. The juice has been squeezed out. Low attainment.

Former Employee · Answer

what they said

Former Employee · Answer

Why would anyone be interviewing at this company?

Current Employee · Answer

The brand’s reputation from its IPO and peak years is being leveraged as a market lure, but the reality is far different—less than 30% of reps are hitting quota, base salaries barely reach $100K, and there’s little effort to fix territory alignment, generate inbound lead flow, or provide meaningful career growth for Sales and BDR/SDR teams that aren’t constantly being laid off or reshuffled every 60 days. The truth? This is all about dressing up for an acquisition in the next 1-2 years, not the proclaimed second IPO by 2027—because, let’s be honest, who’s buying that?

Current Employee · Answer

It's a loaded question—the company has launched too many AI products too quickly, coupled with poorly integrated acquisitions, leaving clients confused and hesitant to adopt AI. The value proposition, use cases, and the familiar Zendesk experience have drastically shifted with the AI-driven go-to-market strategy.

Management is testing how much they can push the illusion that the hybrid role is sustainable when, in reality, it's nearly impossible to balance. Client Success is virtually nonexistent, while Sales is being saddled with even more responsibilities as BDR/SDR teams are cut and inbound lead flow dwindles. The real issues—the fundamental challenges of the role and the lack of a clear value proposition—are being deliberately obscured.

Ultimately, the company’s goal is to transition all sales roles to its expanding hub in Austin, TX, where lower base salaries and favorable tax incentives benefit them. Missing quota in your first quarter will likely lead to a performance improvement plan, setting the stage for a slow exit as they phase out higher-cost employees in coastal markets.

Current Employee · Answer

There is massive inequality in territories- especially in the Ent space. If you have a good patch with lots of existing customers you’ll do well most likely - if not it’s impossible to make money.

Less than 30% quota attainment in 2024 tells you all you need to know.

Current Employee · Answer

what is the simulated exercise? Demo walkthrough? A deck?

Current Employee · Answer

A lot of AEs at Zendesk, are bad hires who don't understand sales or rather fell into it. A lot of people who are criticising Zendesk here are also AEs who haven't hit their numbers consistently, or have been let go due to bad performance. If you know how to hunt, and hit your numbers, it's an amazing place to work at, and make money. They most definitely don't micromanage - unless you really drop the ball on revenue. I love it here. If you know how to sell, join in. If you can't, then this wont be the place for you.

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Anonymous Q&A

I have an upcoming simulated exercise as part of my final interview process at ZD. Does anyone have any tips on how to stand out in this process? The brief is a customer looking to launch into a new market and having to scale customer service