AspiringAE

BDR

I'm stuck... How do I transition from BDR to AE?

I've spent the past 18 months working as a BDR at a relatively small SaaS company. During my time I've seen 6 other BDR's come and go (fired mostly) and I've stuck around, likely because I am the only one who consistently hits quota.

I've been told for the past 6 months that I will be moved to AE soon but based on management hiring new AE's and no BDR's it feels like I am just being dragged out. Any advice?

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18 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Have you asked why you're not getting the job and they're hiring others?

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

This. You need to find out what's going on and what you can. Then try and collaborate on a plan to make it happen for you.
Depending on how that conversation goes, you might need to look elsewhere.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Always get feedback! That’s a general rule in life

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Why should they promote you? You’re doing too good of a job as a bdr. Often to move up you have to move out.

An external jump from SDR-> AE is likely ?

Pachacuti

Politicker

-1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Only if you apply to just AE jobs.

iamtheone

Executive

Enterprise SDR

I tried this for many months as a pretty elite SDR. In this economy, I’d say it would be extremely difficult to make an external jump from SDR to AE. Not impossible, but you are competing against former AEs who have experience closing deals.

NeanderthalToNerd

Valued Contributor

Account Manager

1) Start interviewing at for AE roles at other companies you’d be interested in. Leverage an offer with your management.
2) Build an internal champion for yourself at your current company. Get a mentor and do anything you can to help them be successful and show you’re ready for the next step. I.e find what orgs they’d like to get into and make some extra calls on their behalf.
3) Do some self reflection on where you’re at. Are you 18 months out of college? That’s going to play against you if so. Find the reasons why they may doubt you’re ready and start figuring out how you can overcome those objections
4) Take on extra responsibility in your role. Show you’re hungry and want to learn

Go get it!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Yup. Interview for AE roles at other companies immediately. Sounds like they have no real plans of promoting you.

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

🐺

Start interviewing around and also ask your manager for a 3 month plan to get moved into an AE position to show some initiative

BTQ

Politicker

Account Manager

Yeah that's frustrating man, especially if they're bringing in new AEs.
I'm in a similar spot, been here north of 18 months. I got another job offer but I'm waiting on security clearance. So i'll know what I'm doing in the new year. But either way I hedged.
always be applying

Retired Sales Professional

In my opinion they are showing how much you are worth which is not much. You are hitting your goals and they are hiring new AE that's a sign that they don't value your accomplishments or you as valued employee. I agree with all that are saying start interviewing. Get to a company that values you, not pulls your chain.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

@AspiringAE : Tell us more about your direct manager? Are they accountable? Or spineless? Or somewhere in the middle?

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Don’t be an Aspire be THEspire

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Ask a direct question of what you are missing in order to be an AE
Make it a clear thing, so once you hit it, you can prove you are ready.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Be direct with your leadership about the path you want to take.

HealthyPipe

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Set up a call with your direct manager and the hiring sales manager. Come with a clear goal and be prepared to talk through why you should get promoted. In my experience though, if they're still hiring and interviewing external candidates, then they have no real plans for you. It could be that you need to create a bit of urgency, so if I were you, I'd set up that meeting and be super transparent that you're ready to move up and get solid answers on their timetable/path to interview.

Worf

Politicker

SDR

I had a similar experience in my previous place of employment. Two years of 100% OTE and instead of promoting myself (or even the top KPI performer), they hired 2 AEs who they had to let go of both less than a year later.

My advice: start searching for other roles. I exceeded my quota and enjoy BDR work, so I decided to shop around for Senior BDR/SDR roles where I have more leeway about my pipeline, leads, sources, etc.

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AspiringAE

I'm stuck... How do I transition from BDR to AE?

18 comments

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