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waterjugsales
Politicker
6
Account Executive @ Funemployed
Tough market to break into. There probably is a good story there for your family member to tell in interviews. Chasing a dream out in a LA can mean different things, some people go out there and work their ass off and others see it as an extended form of college and not growing up.

If itโ€™s the latter, get a B2C sales job or something customer service related and then apply. Bar tenders, server ice industry workers Iโ€™ve seen make the pivot. They are hungry and want to get out of the hellscape that can be the hospitality industry
Armageddon
Opinionated
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Very true, he went out to work his ass off but it just isn't panning out unfortunately. At one company he was cold calling people who had previously been victims of viral assault videos (remember when that was a thing???) seeing if they would be willing to share their story on a true crime docuseries... I mean if that isn't BDR work I dont know what it is. lol

In his current role he is networking at film festivals trying to find up and coming scripts that are looking for production, which is also a form of sales its own right. All about how you market yourself.
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
๐Ÿ’€
That's a solid parallel! He's got experience.
Beans
Big Shot
5
Enterprise Account Executive
You literally have to BDR your way into a BDR role now, do everything you'd do to book an interview like you would an account.
Sucks, but simply applying just isn't it anymore.
BigShrimpin
Catalyst
4
Account executive
wish this wasnt true but its on the money, used to be a role you could just get a walk on for but now even getting to the try outs is hard
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
๐Ÿ’€
Enter the Junior BDR role. Pre-entry level. $10k/$10k OTE. It's coming.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
5
Sales Director
Apply. Network. Get creative with how you apply and network.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
๐ŸฆŠ
Rinse. Repeat.
Gasty
Notable Contributor
4
War Room Community Manager
These days many โ€œinfluencersโ€ are running courses for SDRs. Like a quick 4 week course and they help the individuals with jobs then. I think that can be good to check out.

Also, try luck. SDR jobs in startups can also be checked out, often they need quick learners and not extremely experienced folks.
Gasty
Notable Contributor
3
War Room Community Manager
Apply everywhere and network. You never know.
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Do they have any connections? Do you?

For someone with zero relevant experience it's gonna be tough.

They'll need to either network like hell, or take whatever offers they get and notch some experience.
jefe
Arsonist
3
๐Ÿ
Best way to break in is with a resume attached to a brick through the window.

But yea... it's hard without experience. I can't believe sales is now one of the gigs where you need experience to get experience.

He should try to cut some teeth in B2C if he can't find anything.
Goomba
Opinionated
2
Director
https://x.com/hypersalesman/status/1772474905226850395?s=46&t=V0hDuxzV50GlcHGH07FnAA

This is the best guide youโ€™ll ever get.
Armageddon
Opinionated
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Thanks!
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
2
Account Executive
Networking as others have said. But bear in mind networking is like going to the gym. You're not gonna get ripped after going for a week. It's highly unlikely you'll reach out to 10 people and get a job, it's something you're gonna have to keep at and eventually something will pan out.

B2C can be helpful, working as a teller at a bank (assuming those jobs still exist), working for an insurance agent, stuff like that can be basic sales entry points. But yeah it's tough to break into (and it already was hard enough). A few months back I spoke with a recruiter who specialized in cybersecurity sales and companies he worked with were all looking for SDRs with 2-3 years of cybersecurity SDR experience. I don't know how easily they were filling their positions, but it's fairly unique to find experienced successful SDRs with industry-specific experience who also don't want to move up to AE, or AM or whatever.
Armageddon
Opinionated
0
Enterprise Account Executive
2-3 years of experience! Yeeeesh
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
I know vp of sales in nyc who almost exclusively hires BDRs/SDRs that are failed actresses/actors to work in his org. Most of the time saying prior SDR/BDR experience is a formality and not a hard blocker
Armageddon
Opinionated
1
Enterprise Account Executive
good to know! thanks
Armageddon
Opinionated
2
Enterprise Account Executive
At one company he worked for he was cold calling people who had previously been victims of viral assault videos (remember when that was a thing???) seeing if they would be willing to share their story on a true crime docuseries... I mean if that isn't some raw cold calling experience, I dont know what it is. lol.. "Hey random stranger, remember that truely awful thing that happened to you, do you want to relive the experience in front of a camera???"

In his current role he is networking at film festivals trying to find up and coming scripts that are looking for production, which is also a form of sales its own right. All about how you market yourself.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
You're right - he's already calling and pitching. Definitely has experience.
I'm thinking that the real reason companies are asking for prior experience is twofold: with the recent layoffs, they can afford to be more selective. And two: those with experience already are less likely to be overwhelmed by the role and drop out early. This way, they get someone who has a grasp of the grind and will get right to it.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Networking can you some reference. Itโ€™s tough but ๐Ÿ’ฏ possible
medhardwaredr
Opinionated
1
Director of Sales NA
Find a good company with a product you like and believe in. Get in! Even if itโ€™s the mail room get in, make it known where you want to end up and work hard at it.
Other than that networking is the way to go
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
Tech sales u to get something on the resume
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Maybe call center? Or any experience that is close to SDR, for example press and calling and getting journalists to attend or publish something. A lot of similar ones.

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