Bad Timing or Doing Something Wrong (Army MBA BDR)

Question

So after a stint in the army I got my MBA at a top school. Rather than a cushy operations job through an adopt-a-veteran program, I sucked it up and went the BDR route to get my foot in the door.

Became the top BDR (pure outbound + some discovery calls/demos) at a public company at 10 mos and have massively outgrown this role. The company missed last year and decided to consolidate territories for existing reps instead of promoting me - so I went on the hunt for an AE-SMB role.

Getting a lot of rejections before the first round. I realize it's a bad time, but I feel like a high energy hunter is something companies need right now.

Sales Approach

I've been told I have a very dominant style of selling, but I'm not a loud/extroverted person. Is there a specific vertical or type of company I should be looking at in this case? Specific persona?

Companies

Salesforce? Going to put some time into getting in there next. Should I bother with somewhere like Zoom post-pandemic? Should I try and go for big dogs like $CRM / $ZM or set my sights towards a startup?

*I should also say that I'm Canadian which definitely provides some more limitations*

**Thanks for your time, appreciate everything here. This place helped a lot with my transition.

Accepted Answer

So if your ultimate goal would be SFDC. I 100% recommend networking/prospecting your way in. There is a ERG called Vetforce for Veterans, do a search on LinkedIn I assume some put it on their linkedin.

Answer

@LordOfWaryou may have advice here 👀

Answer

Can you upload anonymous version of your resume for review.

Answer

End of year hiring can be tough so don’t get down on yourself quite yet. Have you looked at where ex-colleagues have gone? With your style, look for roles selling to CISO, CFO, CRO.

Answer

It’s great that you have identified the company you wanna join, as next steps I would connect with the hiring manager and try to hop on a quick coffee chat. Getting through application route is good but networking is that additional push that can speed up the process.

Answer

@jefeI’ll pass this over to you. Help your fellow Canadian, eh?

Answer

You might want to broaden your search (if you haven’t already) past the name brand big players and look at great smaller companies that are out there.  In this market, it’s definitely going to take persistence and patience.

Answer

Them telling you that you have a very dominant sales style is code for “you don’t listen”.

Answer

You have an MBA. I would check with your alumni association career services center. They may have good options for you to explore. Good luck

Answer

Can you just target small SaaS companies that sell into the government? Seems like an awesome path.

Answer

In the U.S. there are several recruiting firms that specialize in placing veterans into good jobs in Corporate America. Not sure if those exist in Canada, but it would be worth looking into. Most large companies recognize the value veterans bring to the workplace (discipline, integrity, work ethic, loyalty, sense of mission, etc.) and are looking to hire vets. Good luck!

xotcitl

Bad Timing or Doing Something Wrong (Army > MBA >BDR)

22 comments

xotcitl

Bad Timing or Doing Something Wrong (Army > MBA >BDR)

22 comments

Related posts

If you join a SaaS company and thrive at the beginning due to inbound leads and good SDR and then sales start going down due to a change of SDR and less inbounds, does that mean you’re not a competent sales person or does it mean it’s time to move on to another company?

Is the market going to shit or am I just bad at my job.

Bad BDR