hotdawg

Manager

Jumping straight into AE role

I’ve worked in tech for about 10 years, and I’m currently a manager on a technical team. I really want to be a Sales rep. I want to move to an AE role and be a top performer, which I’m confident I can achieve with hard work.

BUT…I don’t have straight up “selling” experience. I’m very comfortable with closing conversations/handling objections because it’s a huge part of my current role. I’ve cold called for a few political campaigns in college but not during my tech tenure. I don’t want to BDR because of the pay drop - but I DO want a rock solid foundation of the basics. Should I just go hard for an AE role if I believe I can do it? Do I get a (BRIEF) side gig that involves cold calling to brush up? Would appreciate advice here.

📞 Cold Calling

🚀 Career Goals

🧠 Advice

15 comments

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jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Don't settle for SDR.

Agreeing with @Pachacuti, @SoccerandSales& @Kosta_Konfuciuson looking internal

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

You're best move would be to talk to your current company about a lateral move to Sales.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

100%! this is the path of least resistance. they HOPEFULLY will be open to working with you and maybe involve you more in the sales process at first and see if they can make a transition.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Agreed! Many companies would rather have you make a lateral move as compared to losing good employees. The company I currently work for actively encourages this.

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

I see no reason why you couldn't do it. I think the first step is to enquire about the change internally because it will be much harder to get traction for that change externally with no experience

hotdawg

Good Citizen

Manager

Thank you! I am networking internally and my goal is to transition into Sales at my current company. Thanks for your 2C on how I don’t need SDR given my experience. I want to be able to handle objections to them hiring me extremely well and impress them in the interview and/or during networking.

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

Wouldn't be bad to connect with a current rep and pick their brain as well. Best of luck, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

you do NOT need to be an SDR that would not help you be a better AE with the experience you have.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Are there any sales roles open in your current company?

CryptoPoor

Opinionated

Account Executive

I'm not sure what is your current company structure/product, but I think you may have more opportunities to move internally into a sales role.

Most companies would otherwise ask for 3-5 years of sales experience

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Look internally first, use your network.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

You already have all the possible options mentioned below so from my side - Good Luck !

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

Selling is 30% of the job.
If you are confident you can build relations, understand the market and product really well to sell within the gaps and even confident that you know how to drive conversations - you might as well nail. Go straight for an AE role, not for an SDR.

Talk to your manager, look for an IJP and shoot your shot.

GoldDigger

Fire Starter

Sales Rep

Filter for full cycle sales roles when you search.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Be like Shia and just do it.

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hotdawg

Jumping straight into AE role

15 comments

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