Is it remotely possible to go from BDR to Enterprise AE with only 1 year of experience?
If it is, what skills need to be developed?
BDR to Enterprise AE?
10
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
6
Enterprise AE
smells like a bdr that hit 200% of their number one month and is now questioning if they can run the entire org in here
CarlTheRinkMan
Contributor
5
Business Development Represent
100% 😂😂
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
4
Enterprise AE
@CarlTheRinkMan- stay humble, stay hungry. trust the process. don't be that BDR, trust me. Find a mentor who is an AE and learn from them while you don't have a $ quota over your head.
I respect the question as many of us have been in your seat & wanted to move up the ladder as fast as possible. Don't burn bridges along the way. The hardest part of sales is consistency.
I respect the question as many of us have been in your seat & wanted to move up the ladder as fast as possible. Don't burn bridges along the way. The hardest part of sales is consistency.
CarlTheRinkMan
Contributor
2
Business Development Represent
Much appreciated!
Link
Executive
0
Regional Sales Rep
I was this—in one interview I had for a BDR role with an AE interviewing me; he asked why I was going for a BDR position with AE experience.
I told him that was because the product, deal size and target audience were entirely different, I felt it wasn’t my beat move to come in as an AE and surely wouldn’t even be seriously considered with only having one year of experience as opposed to the volume in their talent pool…low and behold, they didn’t even follow up with me for that BDR role LOL
I told him that was because the product, deal size and target audience were entirely different, I felt it wasn’t my beat move to come in as an AE and surely wouldn’t even be seriously considered with only having one year of experience as opposed to the volume in their talent pool…low and behold, they didn’t even follow up with me for that BDR role LOL
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
Sales interview is about selling yourself. You shot yourself in the foot.
Link
Executive
0
Regional Sales Rep
Actually, on the contrary.
The interview went stellar. He and I connected on linkedin, he was planning on following up with me into the final round to let me bounce my presentation off of him.
My background was good, but they had other candidates with direct experience in cybersecurity for a couple of years.
They were hiring one candidate for the position.
He and I stay and touch though.
The interview went stellar. He and I connected on linkedin, he was planning on following up with me into the final round to let me bounce my presentation off of him.
My background was good, but they had other candidates with direct experience in cybersecurity for a couple of years.
They were hiring one candidate for the position.
He and I stay and touch though.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
Sure the interview went stellar, but you didn't get the position? So.. my point is.. Sales interview is about selling yourself. You shot yourself in the foot.
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
Very well put.
It's easy to get too big for one's britches after 12 months.
It's easy to get too big for one's britches after 12 months.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
5
Rolling 20's all day
1 year experience as a BDR?
I will say yes, but ONLY at a company who has no options and is willing to heavily overlook lack of experience.
If you have never been a closer, you CAN learn to be an enterprise AE but it will be incredibly difficult.
There is a reason it usually takes 5-7 years experience to work up to enterprise.
I will say yes, but ONLY at a company who has no options and is willing to heavily overlook lack of experience.
If you have never been a closer, you CAN learn to be an enterprise AE but it will be incredibly difficult.
There is a reason it usually takes 5-7 years experience to work up to enterprise.
braintank
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
You can -- but it'll be at a company desperate for people (bad sign) and you'll likely get your teeth kicked in and make no money.
Why you want to skip so many steps?
Why you want to skip so many steps?
Notmyrealname
Politicker
2
AE
Bonus question:
You're a BDR at a great org but they only sell to enterprise due to the nature of the product (value only present at scale). What's your next move?
You're a BDR at a great org but they only sell to enterprise due to the nature of the product (value only present at scale). What's your next move?
CarlTheRinkMan
Contributor
1
Business Development Represent
This is pretty much my situation which sparked the question.
AutoSmiler
Arsonist
1
Account Executive
I am in same boat. Would love the input here!
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Put in the work to get promoted internally...
or
Put in the work to move to SMB/Mid AE role at another org
or
Put in the work to move to SMB/Mid AE role at another org
AutoSmiler
Arsonist
0
Account Executive
but how would one put in the work if there is no room for promotion? Best to just bite the bullet and leave?
CarlTheRinkMan
Contributor
1
Business Development Represent
Not if the org is good/great. We probably stay patient, grind it out, and make the right relationships.
SaaSam
Politicker
4
Account Executive
It's a good way to set yourself up for disappointment and failure. It's the equivalent of going from high school JV football right into the NFL.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
This is a really good analogy.
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
I fancy myself a bit of an analogy expert.
braintank
Politicker
4
Enterprise Account Executive
Agreed. Likely outcome for both is pain, humiliation, and career setback
Gasty
Notable Contributor
3
War Room Community Manager
You can but you should not.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
I think that would be a REALLY tough move... You need to put some time in the AE trenches and develop your skills before most any company will take such a bet on you.
1 year as a BDR isn't much experience, and you probably won't make it through any initial screening.
1 year as a BDR isn't much experience, and you probably won't make it through any initial screening.
fidelcashflow
Catalyst
2
Account Executive
No. I have no clue why people are even trying to justify a yes. I will say that a place may hire you as an AE (tiny tiny shitty startup) and call it an Enterprise AE but you won't be an actual ent rep. You will be the BDR + AE. There is absolutely no reason to do this either. You are probably in your early 20's, relax. BDRs make chill money when you're that age.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I'm not going to say no because anything is possible, but it's not the norm.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
no.
I really dont think this is possible nor would I hire for it if i was a manger for that.
with ENT deals since they can be so large and so long everything has more impact. if you have never closed a deal before it wouldn't be fair for you as a rep or me as a manager to put the pressure and expectations on you that come with the ENT deals.
I really dont think this is possible nor would I hire for it if i was a manger for that.
with ENT deals since they can be so large and so long everything has more impact. if you have never closed a deal before it wouldn't be fair for you as a rep or me as a manager to put the pressure and expectations on you that come with the ENT deals.
BostonHound
Opinionated
0
Enterprise BDR
Would be a red flag honestly if that was even an option… deal cycles for a legitimate product at the enterprise level can be grueling and you’d probably be exposed pretty early on in the sales cycle as not having experience doing it.
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