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Ace3

BDR (Business Development Rep)

Contributor
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I want to be an AE

I've been a BDR for about a year now and really want to call the shots. I want to he able to close deals and learn the full sales cycle. 99% of AE jobs want closing experience. Where can I find AE jobs without the closing experience?
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shadrach
Personal Narrative
6
Account Executive
Is there not a natural progression from BDR to AE at your current company? If you crush your numbers as a BDR, you should have some equity in asking for a promotion or more work to progress to an AE. Also, ask to sit in on some calls with your AE's to learn their cadence.
Ace3
Contributor
0
BDR (Business Development Rep)
It just takes longer at my company with us being larger and not many AE positions. Then a lot of our DMs don’t want BDR they want people with closing experience too
shadrach
Personal Narrative
1
Account Executive
How long is "long?" If you're looking to move to an AE role at another company they may question why you haven't become one at your current one. Not impossible, just be ready for those questions. You should have some momentum where you are and I would use that.
Ace3
Contributor
1
BDR (Business Development Rep)
Around 1.5-2 years.
shadrach
Personal Narrative
3
Account Executive
That seems to be pretty standard. Asking to be involved on more calls with current AE's, take good notes, and recap with them to learn their process, ask your manager what goals you need to hit in order to get promoted, and meet those goals.

I'm not against switching companies to get a promotion, since I have done it. If you're at that 1.5-2 year mark and haven't made a move to AE, then it may be time to look elsewhere. Just be prepared to answer questions as to why you didn't move up.
coletrain
Politicker
0
Account Executive
That's not long, seems that's about average.

In the meantime, make it known this is your goal for 2023 and seek the help to get you there.
Ace3
Contributor
1
BDR (Business Development Rep)
Ahh gotcha. I just knew people getting moved in a few months to a year and being impatient. Thanks for that man!
coletrain
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Of course, also of note: there will always be comparisons to other people in metric driven roles.

The most important is comparing yourself to yourself and being better than your previous self over time
tightlines
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Yeah I'd try to fight for it at your current company
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
3
Sales Rep
I would start for SMB AE roles, thats the typical progression from BDR. At least in my opinion.

I would try internally since you can network with hiring managers with roles open.

I would also be putting rank and % KPI attainment to showcase you are hitting your goals, when looking externally
alonzoharris
Politicker
3
Partner Manager
There's a megathread on this https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/megathread-transition-from-sdr-to-ae
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
Internally will always be easier than to go externally. It can be difficult to wait, but when you are an SDR you can use extra time in the day to build your brand and set yourself up for success when the time comes to make the jump
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Can you get promoted at your current job?
Ace3
Contributor
0
BDR (Business Development Rep)
I can. Just impatient tbh. And not the largest fan of our industry too
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
Progressing at your current company is probably your best path - it'll be an uphill battle trying to prove you can close to someone you don't know when you've never done it before.

I agree with others that you should look SMB first, and probably at smaller/newer companies.
BostonHound
Opinionated
2
Enterprise BDR
Definitely easier to stick with current job if you like it and progress there. If** you find an AE role externally that has no need for closing experience that likely means theyr a startup and you’ll still be doing the SDR functions of cold calling and prospecting just closing too.

Probably not worth it unless you’re really itching to get out
Ace3
Contributor
1
BDR (Business Development Rep)
Makes sense. My company isnt a startup but our territory AEs still do a lot of cold calling and prospecting too
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
I would target SMB roles in a start up if I desperately become an AE. Reaching out to people directly in small companies is somewhat easy.
CryptoPoor
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
First time I applied for an AE role (was at customer service at that time) they accepted the interview but rejected me at the while offering me a BDR role. I took it and did the extra work to prove I was worth giving an AE role. First opening they had, I was promoted right away.

I know it could suck to wait for an opening, but most decent organizations will recognize talent from within.

Patience and show your worth. Make sure to hit all your KPI and sales target, if you do so, it becomes a question of when instead of if
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
If your natural progression at your current company is 1.5-2 years, you're really close. It's going to be much easier for you to be successful as an AE working at a company where you know the structure, the solution, etc, than it is to jump and then learn the full sales cycle in addition to having to learn the company structure, product, pricing, etc. It's far better for you to exercise a little patience and have a greater chance at success than getting disgruntled, looking for an external role, and finding out too late that you don't have the support you need, and have a very hard time.

At your current company, you can make your goals known, ask your manager for the best path to get there - e.g. how you can prepare, what you should be learning in addition to your own role, and the steps you need to take.

You can ask your AEs if you can shadow some of their calls, and afterward, follow up with a few questions about what you heard or want to know more about. This of course is providing that your manager is ok with the use of your time this way - though he or she should be, as knowing the next stage in the business is good for you in your current role anyway.
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
2
Officer of ♥️
Ask your manager what it will take for you to be an AE, talk to the ae manager about what it will take for you to be an AE. Then come back to us.

If theres no clear path. thats fucked.

If they stonewall you. might need to apply elsewhere straight for that AE position.

its a tough spot that I myself was in

That most SDR's get in because CEO's suck ass.

Best of luck
Chonkonaut
Valued Contributor
2
CSAM of Luke Warm Chowder
I work as an SDR/AE/AM at a late-stage startup. Do all of my prospecting myself, demos, as well as closing deals. My best advice is to connect with closers and get one to mentor you in your current organization. That's how I learned swiftly by putting my brain through the grinder.

However, if you really want to close that 2-year stint within 6 months, I'd recommend finding a good AE as your mentor.

Thankfully, when I started doing lead generation, my manager was a great closer, as well as a coach. Plus I was willing to receive critical feedback fast, and implement it accordingly.

That meant putting myself under the microscope by the C-suite. You have to make noise, and in small startups, and companies. The only way you can do that is by excelling at your KPIs(controllable).

Great leadership always knows when to step in and guide a star closer. They have an eye for talent, you just need to start making the right noise.

Leadership will soon follow through. That's how it's always done. Make enough noise. Implement feedback from leadership, and execute results with absolute precision.

Usually, SDRs/AEs never resort to making noise or taking those big risks early on in their career, because the fat paycheck they're receiving isn't worth it screwing their chances on a gamble.

But that's where they're wrong. Don't get comfy, never get complacent.

The gamble is the lifeblood of sales. My recommendation is to gamble your odds effectively.
Ace3
Contributor
1
BDR (Business Development Rep)
Really appreciate that feedback! Thank you!
Chonkonaut
Valued Contributor
1
CSAM of Luke Warm Chowder
Just be willing to fail forward, I know you'll do great! Godspeed!
carbonara
Executive
1
Account Executive
Honestly, I don’t think 1 year is enough for you to jump into an AE role. Trust me, it’s a different beast and I’ve transitioned into this role over 2.5 years and I’m the top performer across my company because of my killer SDR/BDR experience.

Spend 1-2 quarters shadowing AEs, and ask to handle and own a small deal all the way through that you sourced if possible.
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
1
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
Mostly companies look for a little more experience as a BDR than 1 year. So the best way is to really just start talking to your manager / AE manager in your company first. Take the pulse, and then go from there.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
1
Bravado's Resident Asshole
find a role within your company or just make a really compelling case for yourself.
KingSaaS
Good Citizen
1
VP of Sales
If there is no natural progression to AE within your org, walk. There are a ton of organizations that are consistently hiring quality BDRs. Eight good months after a quick ramp is a good rule of thumb.
BlueJays2591
Politicker
1
Federal Business Dev Director
Try your hardest to get promoted to AE within your current company. Easiest way. Don't want to start over with a new company.
SDM
Politicker
1
Sales development manager
Be with your AE and closely watch the journey of your accounts.. you'll see different challenges at different stage of the account. AE bleeds closing and if you want to be an AE bleed same.

I agree most AE jobs need closing exp. But if you have even watch the AE closely you will have better view at closing.

1 year is less but it doesn't mean you can't be an AE so participate
WhoDey
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
Of course they all WANT closing experience, but no one has closing experience until given their first job with closing responsibility. Every company takes a chance on folks without all the desired qualifications from time to time. You're job is to show them why you're worth taking a chance on...why you'll be a great closer, despite not yet being in a closing role. Go sell them on YOU!

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