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gzkatt

Sales Rep

Fire Starter
Contributor

Is it possible to go straight to AE?

Hey everyone, I'm currently a software engineer with 2 years of experience and a year of experience as a digital marketer. if I wanted to get into tech sales, would I have a leg up in jumping straight into AE or would I still have to go through the ringer of  being a BDR. Are there are any courses/programs I could take to supplement my lack of direct sales experience. Would love to hear opinions on this, thanks!
🧠 Advice
🎯 Career Development
☁️ Software Tech
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braintank
Politicker
4
Enterprise Account Executive
Anything is possible, but why do you want to skip the ringer? You'll learn a hell of a lot more starting at a bdr than through some course. 
SaaSMaster
Politicker
1
Strategic Partnerships Manager
Would definitely echo this, it’s possible but you may feel unprepared potentially
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Fill out the profile on the jobs tab and see what you get matched up with. 
SaaSguy
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
You likely can skip being an SDR if you have a compelling story and technical knowledge in a specific field. I think being an SDR is a good idea to learn some fundamentals and see if this is the field for you. 



You did software engineering and then digital marketing and now you want to try sales, its possible its not for you either.
SaaSyBee
Politicker
2
Founder
A guy at my company started off his sales career as an AE, but it's super rare. Honestly, being a BDR will definitely give you more valuable experience. Closers should also know how to open.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
If i was a hiring manager I would be skeptical. 

My first thought would be you should try being a solutions engineer/ consultant first. 

This person is a product expert and runs the demos and plays a big role in the first half of the sales process. 

You would have a much easier chance at getting that. 

learning to demo a product well is a great skill to have and necessary for most AE roles. 
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
This actually is a great point.  SC/SE is a great step.
Gizmo
Politicker
2
AE
I know that at least at my company solutions architects are in extremely high demand. As a software engineer you could move into sales and will likely earn a higher salary than AE but with lower upside for commission while not having to worry about prospecting, deal reviews, and QBR bullshit. Solutions architects that my company have now started to move into AE rolls because they have the technical chops but also want the opportunity to earn that upside
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
I did, but SDR's weren't really a thing 'back in my day'

I say go for it though, you've got transferable skills.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
*wringer.

Not fun to go through.   Facing objections and learning the pitch and how to connect with a prospect are a valid part of the sales process, and might be key to getting a toe in the door, as well as finding out if sales as a career, but also something that you have to do every day, is right for you.   TennisandSales has a good point about checking out sales engineer - it's a technical sales role.  I know many AEs who started as SEs.   It might be something to consider.
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
1
Professional Day Ruiner
I started as an AE. I regret it now. I eventually stepped back into being a BDR because I felt like I lacked foundation. I also was having a hard time in interviews because the companies that will hire you straight out of the gate as an AE aren't generally the best resume building companies. I could be a lot further along in my career if I had decided to start out as a BDR instead of being an AE for several years the taking that step backwards. 
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Sure you can.  There is no regulated career path dictating you must be a SDR/BDR first.  Will your current company let you move over to Sales?  
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Potentially but you probably have to get into some specific SAAS for it to work. Software dev software would be my assumption 
IYNFYL
Politicker
0
Enterprise SaaS AE
I think it would be an easy transition as you understand how to navigate software which is a challenge most AEs have
JohnnyDamone
Opinionated
0
AE Inside Sales
How would you know how to sell?
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
Absolutely, might not be the best AE role but many do!

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