If you’re feeling burned out from hunting for a GTM job, let me just say: you’re not alone, and you’re not crazy for being over it.

The whole process is a damn mess right now. Sales, marketing, customer success, whatever, it’s all the same grind. You pour your heart into applications, psych yourself up for interviews, maybe even make it through a few rounds, only to get ghosted or dragged through an endless loop of “one more step.” It’s not just tiring. It feels straight-up disrespectful, and it’s sucking the life out of so many of us.

I’ve talked to a ton of people looking for GTM roles this year, from account executives to product marketers, and it’s the same story every time. “I’m doing everything right,” they say. “I’m tailoring my resume, nailing the interviews, following up, but it’s either radio silence or this never-ending process that goes nowhere.” I’ve watched seriously talented people, just give up. Not because they weren’t good enough, but because the system is broken and it’s beating them down.

Let’s talk about what’s going on. Companies are taking forever to hire. Roles that used to wrap up in a couple of weeks are now dragging on for a month, sometimes six weeks or more. I heard from one candidate who went through a 45-day process for a mid-level sales gig, meeting seven different people, only to get a vague “we’re going in another direction” email at the end - ya, ouch. No feedback, no explanation, nothing. Meanwhile, the best candidates aren’t waiting around. They’re snagging other offers or just walking away because they’re done with the nonsense.

Then there’s the ghosting, and it’s bad on both sides. Over 60% of candidates I’ve talked to say they’ve been ghosted after atleast one interview. You know the deal: you spend hours prepping, you show up, you think it went well, and then… nothing. Not even a courtesy email. But here’s the flip side: a ton of people are ghosting companies too. About 62% of candidates admit they’ve just stopped responding when the process feels like a circus. It’s like everyone’s fed up, and nobody’s playing nice anymore.

Job descriptions.. laughable at most orgs, half the time not even mentioning salary or what the role actually entails. You’re supposed to bring your A-game, but companies can’t be bothered to tell you what you’re signing up for. Feedback? Good luck. Most of the time, you get a canned rejection email, if you’re lucky. It’s like they expect you to perform at 110% while they half-ass their side of things.

The emotional toll is real too. Every time you get your hopes up, it’s like you’re putting a piece of yourself out there, and when it falls apart, it chips away at you. I talked to a guy who made it to the final round for a marketing role, did a full blown presentation, and then heard nothing for three weeks. When he finally followed up, they said they’d “paused hiring.” No heads-up, no apology. He told me he felt like an idiot for getting excited in the first place. That’s not on him. That’s on a system that treats people like they’re disposable.

So, what do you do when the job hunt feels like it’s designed to break you? Here’s what I’ve seen work, based on talking to folks who’ve made it through without losing their minds.

First, ask for the whole hiring process up front. How many steps are there? Who are you meeting? Is there a test or a project? If they can’t give you a straight answer, that’s a red flag. You don’t need to waste your energy on a company that’s already disorganized. These are the companies that will throw in three more steps just as you reach what you thought was the offer stage.

Second, protect your time like it’s gold. If they say it’s a three-step process and then it magically turns into six, or they keep rescheduling and dragging things out, you’re not being high-maintenance for bailing. You’re respecting yourself. You’re not just looking for a paycheck. You’re looking for a team that values your time and energy from the start.

Third, don’t automatically ditch a process just because there’s an extra step, You do have to have understanding to minor adjustments and also a skills test / case study. I know it sounds like a hassle, but sometimes showing what you can do is the fastest way to stand out and seal the deal. Just make sure it feels fair. If they’re asking for a 20-hour project for a junior role, that’s a hard pass.

Fourth, interview them right back. Ask tough questions about their process, their turnover, how they’re actually growing. If they dodge your questions or seem chaotic, trust that instinct. It’s a sneak peek into what working there will be like.

Finally, don’t be afraid to lean on your network. Reach out to people at companies you’re interested in. Not in a sleazy way, just a quick “hey, I saw you work at Salesforce, what’s it like?” You’d be surprised how much you can learn about a place before you even apply.

Here’s the bottom line: you’re not lazy or entitled for being fed up. You’re not wrong for expecting better than a six-week obstacle course that leaves you feeling like shit. If the hiring process is a mess, the job’s probably going to be a mess too. If they’re slow to respond now, they’ll be slow when you’re on the team. If they don’t respect your time during interviews, they won’t start once you’re on payroll.

Trust your gut. Set boundaries. And don’t be afraid to walk away when it feels like a waste of your energy. You deserve a job, and a process, that doesn’t make you feel like you’re begging for scraps. Keep going, but do it on your terms.

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