Future SDR here - recommendations on companies to apply for as someone with minimal sales experience

I just learnt about the SDR position very recently, so I'm taking a little bit of time to research everything. I'm going to start applying in about a month or so.


I know that I need to "prospect" companies to make sure there's actual growth potential since I want to become an AE/AM - I'm just asking to see if anyone has suggestions.


I def want something in tech, ideally with a product I can really believe in. I know that I want decent coaching in whatever position I end up in, so I can't see myself working at a startup.


Any recommendations of solid companies would be appreciated. Thanks all.

🚀 Career Goals
🤓 Sales Tech
11
SaaSam
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Depends on your background. You'll probably find it easier to land a job at a company that caters to an industry you have experience in considering you don't have SDR experience. 
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
0
Looking to become an SDR
I think my most relevant job experience is in promotional products. I was a project coordinator in my last position, but ended up upselling customers just because I was interested in it. Although, the company was hit really hard by COVID (massive layoffs) and will probably end up underwater soon.
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Start by considering any of the job specific software platforms you used, apply to those or similar companies and highlight your unique but valuable experience you have as an end user.
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
3
sales
Look in the mirror @TomSamuel. Do you like what you see? Add 30 lbs. how about now? Add grey hair. How about now? Add controlled substance hobbies. How about now? On top of that, add being treated like shit all day by the people you’re cold calling and being held accountable by an AE who’s done that and succeeded. And you’re fucking up his paycheck cause you’re not sending him good leads. How about now?

if you can live w that, you’ll probably be okay as an sdr.
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
1
Looking to become an SDR
Yeah, this doesn't bother me at all, lol. Not to mention I already did the whole "gain 30 lbs" thing
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
1
sales
Perfect. You’ve got a head start.
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
2
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Hearing good things about Gong
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
1
Looking to become an SDR
I'm looking into them now. I have heard about them but forgot to really look into them since I've been learning a lot in these past few weeks. Looks like they're hiring for an Enterprise SDR position in Atlanta... neat.

Appreciate it btw.
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
1
Looking to become an SDR
Haha are they that bad? Def missing somethin here.
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
3
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Lots of other companies out there. I *may* have been joking. 

If you search around this forum you’ll see what a lot of folks think of them. 
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
3
Looking to become an SDR
Lol yeah I did search a bit after this reply chain. Some newbie hazing is to be expected tho, no worries
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
3
Exec Director, Major Accounts
You’re going to fit in just fine. Welcome! 
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
2
Looking to become an SDR
Thank you lol. When I get my bearings in the field, I'll be sure to continue the tradition
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
5
☕️
Even if we didn't all have a distaste for Gong (for a variety of reasons), its' not somewhere I'd want to be right now. They are on the path of either long-term funding (Series F, G, H) OR they'll IPO soon. Either way, they are at a scale where bodies are bodies and no longer people who should be mentored and coached at the start of their career.

Check out www.angel.co and filter for sales roles there. I got my chops at a small startup, which provided tons of growth and connections that have served me well over the years.
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
0
Looking to become an SDR
Thanks for the suggestion, I'm signed up and looking. I have heard that it's not great for someone newer to sales to go with a startup since there wouldn't be much coaching. Although, it seems to have worked for you. And it's not like I want my hand held.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
Sure, if you join the wrong startup. During the interview process, ask great questions such as "If I were to join the company, what's the training program look like and how do you ensure my success?"
BillyHoyle
Tycoon
2
Senior Account Executive
I’ve heard it's pretty easy to get into some top tier orgs if you go through Sales Assembly’s Fast Start Program. I've seen SDR / BDR’s get placed at Sprout Social, LinkedIn, Zendesk, etc. from this. Pretty much every org that is involved with it is a great launchpad for S/BDRs
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
1
Looking to become an SDR
I'm currently taking a Coursera class with Salesforce/SVAcademy to get my feet wet. I think these certificates can help a bit. I haven't heard of this one but I will look into it, thank you for the suggestion.
BillyHoyle
Tycoon
2
Senior Account Executive
So Sales Assembly seems to be more of a network of scaling tech orgs, which makes it a great resource for job placement. Coursera seems like it’s more geared towards actually learning something lol.
TomSamuel
Good Citizen
1
Looking to become an SDR
Awesome, this is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Someone had previously suggested RepVue to me but it currently seems a little lacking.
SuperSaaSd
Executive
1
SDR
Honestly, find a vertical you like and apply. It's an easy gig when you believe in the product/service that you sell, not so much when you know your competitor's kick your ass.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Indentify the industry you want with. If its SaaS there is a website called as Aspireship where you can do a free certification course for SDR and many companies hire for an SDR role from there. See if that can be helpful for you.
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
If you want a true experience go for a start up - if you want a normal job go for a big company. A start up is a mixture of highs and lows and you’ll hate it and love it. Big company you’ll love it and hate it. Try it out man, then decide
Njanack
Good Citizen
0
SDR
Teleocommunications 
DoorMan4U
Good Citizen
0
Sales Trainee
@TomSamuel I'm getting back into the market too, I would love to hear how your experience has been since this post! 
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