champchamp

Certified Savage

Acclaimed Answer

Interview advice SDR Manager // AE role

Savages,

I am here once again asking for your help. This week I have an interview coming up.

It is with the CRO of a 350-employee company. I was referred for this role by their Director of Sales.

He referred me for an AE position but they don't have any AE openings at the time, so, he spoke with the CRO and suggested I join as SDR Manager and then transition to AE in a few months.

The interview is tricky because now I have to sell myself as a great candidate both for an AE and SDR Manager role. Any advice?

For more context, I have about 1.5 years of SDR experience, 1-year experience in sales outside SaaS, closing short sales cycle sales (2K-10K consulting packages, 1-4 week sales cycles) I'm also a boxer, and have also been an MMA Coach, so I am planning to leverage this by saying that I have led teams/groups, have discipline, etc. but wanted further advice if possible.

Also, in your experience, how often are referrals hired? I know they got good numbers but would like to hear what y'all have seen.

🎈 Mentorship

🗣 Interviewing

5

19 comments

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braintank

Politicker

4

Enterprise Account Executive

Do you want to be an SDR manager or an AE? Very different roles...

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

I want to be an AE but they didn't have AE openings so I was referred for the SDR Manager position.

The Director of Sales spoke with the CRO and suggested him to hire me as an SDR Manager and then move me to AE as AE roles open up.

Which is why I need to sell myself as a good candidate for both roles.

funcoupons

WR Officer

3

👑

Don’t take it. You’ll get stuck as an SDR manager.

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Sell yourself as an AE if that's what you want. I'm always wary of promises of promotion. 6 months becomes 12, which becomes 24. Next thing you know you're a 50 year old SDR manager who can't escape.

braintank

Politicker

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Listen to the queen 👑👑👑

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

You're MMA. Just handle it. 😉

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

So... Flying knee to the head if I don't get hired?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

And wear a gopro for our viewing pleasure.

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

Hahaha will make sure to do so and will personally send it to you once we get the DM feature lol (:

Pachacuti

Politicker

3

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Assuming you want the job - you are really selling yourself as a fit for their company... so are you? Only you know that.

After that, the CRO should be asking himself "can this guy help a bunch of struggling SDRs?" What's in it for the CRO NOW. Or is he going to say to himself "we're going to spend a bunch of time and resources on this guy and then he's going to want a different job and then we're stuck training up another person". Its a difficult position for the CRO.

Honestly, you'd be managing a bunch of people who view the golden ring as moving into AE positions themselves. They won't hire you just to promote you 6 months from now. Your only move 1-2 years from now will be to move to another company to get the AE job YOU want.

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

That could certainly be the case, I wouldn't mind being a manager for 6-18 months and I truly think I'd be really good at it. I'd just like to eventually go the AE route.

Pachacuti

Politicker

2

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Having mngt exp though never hurts.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Great point, I agree!

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

2

VP of Sales

Lol, idk why this question is so common. Best advice I can give is to use the search bar, but 2nd best is below…

These two roles are NOTHING alike. Everyone tries so hard to get out from being an SDR - and I get it - I did the same thing, but prospecting and cold calls are now literally the best part of my day, and I never get to do it. Greener grass I guess.

Consider SDR manager if you genuinely believe you want to be a leader and have real leadership qualities (NOT JUST FOR THE MONEY). If your heart is telling you you don’t have any of this, AND that you don’t truly want to learn it, skip on the role. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter. Salespeople are professional bullshitters. That means you are a bullshitter and the people you’ll be managing are bullshitters, and nobody will be happy with the outcome when they all learn that you don’t really want to be there. No amount of money will change this (trust me). This path leads to the whole manager > director > VP progression, which frankly is overrated and very boring to sit through, though the positions themselves can be quite fun.

Consider AE if you hate management as much as I do and you just want to kick ass for yourself and get paid. Bear in mind that being a closer will likely be your next 5-7 years of progression, so you better know you’re cut out for it before you start.

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

I mean, I know that AE is what I really want but wouldn't mind being an SDR Manager for 6-18 months. I have led people in sports in the past and truly found it fulfilling, I just know that AE is what I really want.

It basically worked out this way because my friend referred me to the company but since there were no AE roles he is looking to fit me in a role in the meantime so I can be part of the company and then move to AE later on. Which is why the Manager role is being discussed.

braintank

Politicker

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Leading people in sports is quite different from hiring and training a bunch of green SDRs

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

I know, but I don't have experience training a bunch of green SDRs so I have to find transferable skills/experience.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

2

Rolling 20's all day

Why are you considering this company if they don't have the job you want?

It is hard to move from SDR manager to AE at most places. You don't want to box yourself into a hole

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Because it's a great company in terms of product, revenue growth, salary, and how they're positioned in the market, the company overall is very solid.

Also because I'd have someone close in a leadership position (the friend that referred me), so, I think that would continue opening up opportunities for growth in the future.

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