ChickenDinner profile picture
ChickenDinner profile picture

ChickenDinner

Account Executive

Politicker
Executive
Valued Contributor
+6

AE settling for SDR role

I have right at 1 year of AE experience before I got laid off along with a big chunk of my team recently. It was been tough out there applying for AE roles and just having 1 year experience has been biting me in the butt.


I've come to the point that I would rather take an SDR role at a great company I'm talking to now rather than take an AE role at a sketchy unstable company with a questionable product.


I'm still in step 2 of interviewing for the AE role. Should I mention it while interviewing that if they don't want me for AE that I'm willing to take an SDR role? Or should I go all the way through and just apply like normal for an SDR role at the end if I don't get it?


My concern is that I don't want to present myself as not having confidence because I do, I'm just being realistic and coming up with a backup plan. And I don't want to give them an out either.


How should I approach it?

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13 comments

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FeelItInMyPlums
Valued Contributor
4
Sales Account Executive
Market is super weird right now, especially for people with multiple or short stops. I wouldn't recommend ever mentioning you'd be interested in being a SDR. If they turn you down for the role formally, that would be the right time to make that ask. I had 2 quick stops and was having trouble finding even recruiters willing to put me forward. Ended up taking a job in partner management to ride out the storm.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I agree. Don't offer something less just yet.

Have confidence that you're right for the AE role. Offering to work as an SDR at this stage might plant the seed that even you don't think you're right for the role OR that you're desperate. You don't want a whiff of either of those thoughts to cross their minds.

Now, should you get to the point where they do not offer you the AE role, that's when you could say "I've really enjoyed getting to know the company and would really like to work here. I'd like to ask if there are any other roles I might be suited for so that I can get this opportunity?"
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
yup, keep your cards close to your chest
SPT
Valued Contributor
0
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
Partner management is an awesome role 👏 😎 Nicely done!
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
sooo i would ALWAYS push for the AE role.

and if you dont get it fall back on the SDR role.

if you mention you are cool with the SDR role upfront i bet they will push your towards that and if it was me, id want to the AE experience
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Why do you want to do it. Dont let your desperation seen and visualize yourself having that AE role in your pocket without drawing negative conclusions. All the best !
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
No way. You'll come across as desperate.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
1 year isn’t all that much.

That said, if you can land an SDR role in the industry or company you want, that is a great foot in the door, especially if they have a solid path to promotion.

Alternatively, grab what you can get now but keep applying/interviewing till you get the job you really want.

Good luck!
SaaSguy
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Dont.
Thesamiam13x
Celebrated Contributor
1
Sales
I would say keep looking for the AE role, back tracking sucks unless you really dont mind being a SDR, I for one did not enjoy the SDR role.
Armageddon
Opinionated
1
Enterprise Account Executive
not a bad idea. Get in an be recognized as a stud from day 1. You know how to be an SDR and an SE, go show you are willing to grind, learn the product from the ground up and I guarantee you see a faster promotion path up the chain then someone who comes in and flounders as an AE for a year
bebop
Executive
1
Account Manager
The easy answer is don't give up on your perceived potential, but the right answer is probably buried in context.

Are you in a financial position where you could take 6mo to a year to find your footing as an SDR? I'm assuming it would be a significant pay cut.

It may be worth the investment of TIME to establish yourself at a company where you believe in their product, goals, values, etc. As long as you know its not going to start you back at 0 financially.
TheIncarceration
Politicker
0
SDR Manager
I wouldn't bring that up until you know for sure you aren't being offered the AE role

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