AEs.. How long did it take you in your previous position (BDR, AM, etc.) to get to a closing role?

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39
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
The first BDR to AE transition (10 years ago) took nearly 2 years from day 1 to promotion. Complex enterprise product that was kind of controlled by the old dogs of sales. Our company built out a MM function and product offering, which opened up several sales roles. 
CoorsKing
WR Officer
4
Retired King of the Coors Knights
SDR to AE took just short of 2 years I think.
BmajoR
Arsonist
4
Account Executive
I got promoted to AE after 6 months of being a BDR. To be fair, I held sales roles previously in different industries and I knew what I wanted/how to get their and I joined a high growth company for that reason. I think its fair to guess it would have taken me 12-18 months at a larger company. 
ColdCallFartBoy
Celebrated Contributor
5
Business Development Representative
I am coming up on a full year of sales experience at two different companies, and I really just want to be a closer. The BDR grind is worth it in the end it seems like.
BmajoR
Arsonist
2
Account Executive
It is 100% worth it. Aside from the money, the skills you develop in a closing roll are valuable and can be used in nearly every facet of life. Plus, the thrill of the hunt and winning accounts is a drug of its own. 
SidFarkus
Politicker
3
Corporate Sales Account Executive
Mine took exactly a year and half. Waited to apply until quality territory opened up.
GDO
Politicker
3
BDM
1year and a few months
CharmingSalesGal
Politicker
3
Account Executive
SDR to AE took about 8 months. Thankfully, it was a lot of right time, right place for me- the company was small and growing quickly so I got a lot of exposure and experience in a short amount of time.

My next goal is Sr. AE in which I'm on track for in about 6 months- excited for higher quota and more responsibilities to grow the company!
ColdCallFartBoy
Celebrated Contributor
6
Business Development Representative
That's awesome @CharmingSalesGal ! A lot of sales opportunities are right time right place even as an SDR/BDR trying to set outbound meetings. 


Happy that you've been able to grow and succeed quickly!
CharmingSalesGal
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Thank you! I switched companies in February and was really struggling between a bigger, more established company where I could get more experience that hiring teams seemed to want and a smaller company where I can get experience and exposure quickly to advance my career.

Given where I'm at in life, the latter is what I went with and I could not be happier to see what's next!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I'm the oddity that's always been in a closing role.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Mine took exactly a year and half.
Thesamiam13x
Celebrated Contributor
0
Sales
13 month from BDR to inside sales which is the same as an AE i believe???? 
TheRealGMoney
Arsonist
0
Sales and Business Development Manager
7 months at an Enterprise Company. Keep hitting your number and put time on sales managers' calendars to meet them and talk about your goals/what you need to do to get to that closing role. It doesn't hurt to also shadow with the AEs and learn about their day to day, they might put in a good word for you too. 
ThomasRCallahanIII
Politicker
0
Enterprise Account Executive
1 year. Had to move out to move up.
payton_pritchard
Executive
0
RSM
SDR to AE for me took 9 months for an internal promotion. To be fair I got pretty lucky and realistically around 1.5 years seems like a realistic timeline to expect if you're doing all the right things
newsalesguy14
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Just over 2 years (I think 2 years + 2 months) of the BDR lifestyle. Went to enterprise BDR after a year and a half of my BDR tenure, and then after around 8 months I went to SMB AE where I am now! (about 8 months into that role)
countingmyinterest
Politicker
0
Account Executive
About 20ish months at my last organization. Simple product. Was technically offered the role 15 months in, but didn't have headcount until 18 months in and they started me at that next quarter. 
revenuegenerator
Praised Answer
0
Sales Management
It took me 9 months (way back when). 1 quarter ramp, 2 quarters sustained, over quota performance.

That's usually what management looks for. Sustained quota attainment, or over quota performance over time (multiple quarters).
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
0
ISR
Each have a piece of my heart.
Error32
Politicker
0
ISR
Chick-Fil-A is a delicacy, chipotle is just for simp bottom feeders
SportsSalesGuy
Tycoon
0
Enterprise Account Executive
2 years but I was a bit lucky and way in over my skis for sure when it happened to be completely honest.
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
Day 1 of first sales job. Full cycle sales. Enterprise and SMB level accounts.
11

How long does it take to move from an AE role to a sales manager role?

Question
4
19
Members only

AEs: How did you get your first AE role?

Question
38
10

Would you take a BDR manager role?

Question
11
Is taking a BDR manager role vs inside sales a career killer?
33% Yes - it adds 0 to your resume if you have no closing experience
67% No - being a manager of any sort is a positive thing
129 people voted