How do you know if you are ready to become an AE?

So I know that usually great BDRs just get promoted to AEs within their company. But what if you want to change company? Do you start again as a BDR and climb the ladder or can you apply to be an AE? How do you know if you have what it takes?

🚀 Career Goals
🤘 Personal Growth
14
CoorsKing
WR Officer
6
Retired King of the Coors Knights
1) Does it feel like your soul has been sucked out of your body?
2) Do you like making cold calls?
3) Can you successfully run discovery and identify pain?
4) Are you coachable and can take feedback and apply it to your process?

If yes to the above, go for it. If applying for an AE role as a BDR, you will really need to sell your experience and showcase you can run a full cycle. 

Best of luck! There are some fantastic interview prep threads on here as well. 
Nairobi
Politicker
1
AE
Got it, thanks! Seems like I have 1,3 and 4 but ummm I need to work on that #2 haha 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
6
☕️
@GeneralCorp will appear in your mirror and tell you "you are ready grasshopper". You'll turn around to try and ask him "for what?"...but he's already vanished. That's how you'll know.
GeneralCorp
Notable Contributor
9
General of The War Room
Some of y'all need to clean your rooms. 

But for real, it's a case by case thing. Some BDRs leave their company and make a lateral move into another BDR role. I would strongly advise against that. Move to another company if you can also move UP. If your current company has explicitly said we wont be promoting you and you're welcome to remain a BDR as long as you want, then bail. But still try for an AE job.

As for the question: How do you know if you have what it takes? Short answer is: you have what it takes. But like any skill it takes practice and willingness to suck for a while. Sales is more of a mental game than anything else. The iron-willed prevail.
Nairobi
Politicker
0
AE
Well, that was quick! I didn't get the 1:1 mirror treatment but it's okay 😪

Thanks for the advice, it's helpful! 
CoorsKing
WR Officer
4
Retired King of the Coors Knights
It happened for you too??
Nairobi
Politicker
1
AE
Well, I'll be waiting for his appearance then. Hope it will be soon! 
Rallier
Politicker
5
SDR Manager and Consultant
I may be in the minority here but I don't know why anyone would ever admit they aren't ready for AE. Like yeah maybe you're not ready, but the best way to learn is doing it
CoorsKing
WR Officer
5
Retired King of the Coors Knights
My experience is it boils down to imposter syndrome most of the time, and people go on to crush it. Most of us did not go to school to be a rep, we all learned on the job!
Rallier
Politicker
5
SDR Manager and Consultant
100%. Imposter syndrome is real. But I'd rather have imposter syndrome as an AE than continue cold calling people as an SDR
Nairobi
Politicker
4
AE
Exactly why I asked, I'm getting bored of this BDR life.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
The only way to know if you can take a punch is to hop in the ring and get hit!
Nairobi
Politicker
1
AE
Right, I guess I was more thinking like are there some things that I need to fully master before becoming an AE. I do agree with the best way to learn is by doing it, that's what I've been doing all my life.
surfingsalesman
0
SDR
Could not agree with this more. Currently been an SDR for 1.5 years now and banging on the door for an AE role for the last 9 months. I feel like I'm absolutely ready for the next step.
softwaresails
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
You can apply to be an AE if you only have SDR experience but typically it’s easier to get the AE experience at the company you are currently working at first. 
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I may be in the minority here but I don't know why anyone would ever admit they aren't ready for AE. Like yeah maybe you're not ready, but the best way to learn is doing it
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
My experience is it boils down to imposter syndrome most of the time, and people go on to crush it.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
From what I’ve heard, it’s better to go from SDR to AE at your company because you have pipeline and processes. At another company, it’s like starting a new school and skipping two grades. It all depends on your preference though.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
I may be in the minority here but I don't know why anyone would ever admit they aren't ready for AE. Like yeah maybe you're not ready, but the best way to learn is doing it
nashvillesales
Fire Starter
0
Director of Business Development
You may not be “ready” to be an AE but you can absolutely pull it off. It’s a skill that can be quickly learned if you apply yourself and are open to feedback.
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