moneymitch99

sdr

enterprise bdr laid off before AE promotion - what to do?

company did mass layoffs just as I was about to be promoted to AE

I have 20 months of BDR experience and have consistently exceeded target. I'm ready for the next step, but it's hard to land interviews for SMB AE given the competitive market.

any advice on what to do?

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23 comments

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Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Look for junior AE roles as they do exist and being a BDR for another 8 months might not be the worst option given the climate. We are human and we want gratification which I can identify with, however the hardest pill to swallow is humility sometimes

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I think you know your options: apply to bdr jobs or don’t. If you don’t want to be a bdr still then don’t apply to them. But remaining a bdr might be your foot into a great door.

Good luck!

Avon

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

Look at lower paying AE jobs. I made the tough choice to leave a 85k paying BDR role for an 80k AE role and within a year I had a new job making 120k. Short term L, but long term W

Nairobi

Politicker

Ah, I was in a similar position a few months back. I was a BDR for 17 months with great stats, but my company had zero AE openings until maybe Q4 2023... I tried to apply for an SMB AE, and even with great BDR stats, they all wanted closing experience... I was offered a Sr.BDR role at a startup with written confirmation that after a specific goal, I will be a Mid-Market AE, and I took it.

Your options:
1) Try to land an SMB AE role. With the current market, it will be hard but not impossible. It will take a while, so be patient.
2) Get another BDR role at a startup with a clear written promotion path to AE. With your experience, you can negotiate a higher base equivalent to an SMB AE in some places.-- if you are interested in the path, you will need to really vet your manager, team, and company so that you won't stay a BDR for another 20 months.

God123

Good Citizen

Sales

I’m in a similar position right now. 14 months as bdr and nothing until Q4 2023. How many months did this new company promise you until AE?

Nairobi

Politicker

It's actually not in months. It's a goal that after creating enough pipeline (after 30 opportunities), I'll be an AE so we are looking at about 6-8 months.

m22

Executive

Account Executive

+1 for the actionable advice from NairobiBravo

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Have you asked your leadership what the plan is?

I'd have to assume you're valued if you're exceeding targets and if AE position was discussed.

Discouragement is probably creeping in. Slam that door shut. Make it a goal to send out 5 applications a day.

Use the list from CorpBro provided to start applying to companies that are hiring.

Make sure in your resume you highlight milestones and achievements you hit.

Keep going.

moneymitch99

Fire Starter

sdr

besides presidents club + pipe build + quota attainment %, are there any other achievements you'd include?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Ugh dude I'm so sorry.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

Ahhh this sucks!! Sorry to hear this. I would keep applying to AE roles, put that you were laid off right before a promotion on your resume so recruiters see it

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Did you try applying as you mentioned you were about to be promoted? I agree market is rough and tough but there are companies still hiring. You might have to hustle a bit to get the AE role but depending upon your financial circumstances you can decide whether to grab a BDR role in the meantime while your search operation is ON. All the best !

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

best of luck with finding a new job. BDR will be the first stop unless you are good at painting pictures, but it is tough at this time.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

You can apply, but being laid off sucks for that continuity. I would try for more Enterprise BDR roles and MM/SMB AE roles as well.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Sorry this happened to you. I'd be applying to the best Ent BDR roles you can find in addition to SMB AE roles. It's entirely possible that you might end up needing to spend a little more time at BDR to get back on track, but you may find something really great.

When I think of all the posts I've seen over the past year that had to do with the difficulty landing a role as a BDR due to lack of experience, you're bringing something of value right away, which is your experience and your results.

Check back in with progress. Hopefully you can land something soon. If you didn't see it already, there's a list of companies still hiring that you might want to take a look at. Best of luck.

Sassy

Good Citizen

Platform Sales AE

If you live in the Bay Area, my company is looking for an enterprise BDR and there will be a pretty fast promotion track given our scaling. Let me know if you’re interested

God123

Good Citizen

Sales

Hey sassy I would be interested in this role, I am in the bay

szjones

Old School Bravo

Strategic Account Manager

1) EVERY company is struggling with top funnel, use the BDR experience to highlight how you can develop your own pipeline/territory.

2) it’s all about derisking the risk of going with you over another rep. What is your plan to ramp yourself for midfunnel and closing, or what scenarios can you speak to where you’ve demonstrated the skills needed for it? (Managed multiple stakeholders, built value, discovery, negotiation, etc.)

It’s not impossible to find an AE job with that much time as a BDR, but you have to demonstrate a strong “why you” over someone else.

moneymitch99

Fire Starter

sdr

Appreciate the insight

SDRMANDO

Valued Contributor

Principal

Become the best and highest paid BDR in the World!

justatopproducer

Politicker

VP OF SALES -US

I'd start my own business being a bdr.. you get to be your own boss and make more money.

Pickleschitz

Personal Narrative

Sr. AE

Message sales managers on linked in. If you’re used to prospecting anybody in their right mind would hire an ent BDR for an smb ae position

celestine

-4

accountant

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