BentoBri

Senior AE

Valued Contributor

Looking For Advice on Career Pivot

Hi All,

Just found this platform and love the conversations being discussed! Thanks for having me.

I am a financial planner by trade who had inbound sales experience early in my career along with a variety of different experiences across the high-net-worth advisory space. Most recently I lead sales at a fintech startup that is in its seed stage. Having been here for a little under a year, I have realized that I may not be the right fit for the job nor do I believe the company will succeed.

My question is this and please be honest: Not having 2-3+years of direct sales experience (for example, SDR etc) do you think it's reasonable I can land an account executive position at a fintech company? I have 7+ years of work experience at reputable investment & banking firms in addition to a year experience "leading" sales at a fintech startup. My current position is 100% base and I have never truly been in a role that had a quota. While the job posts are intimidating in their requirements (superstars who have demonstrated far exceeding their sales quotas for over 3 years), is it reasonable to think I have a chance at an AE job based on my unorthodox sales experience?

Thanks!

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11 comments

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Thatsalesdude

Politicker

4

Account Executive

You wont really ever know until you shoot your shot. The worst thing that happens is you get rejected but if your going for a sales roll your gonna have to take that alot anyways.

BentoBri

Executive

1

Senior AE

Thank you. I will shoot my shot!

1nbatopshotfan

Politicker

1

Sales

Bet on yourself!

TheIncarceration

Politicker

1

SDR Manager

I've had a handful of friends who have similar unorthodox sales experience that have transitioned to AE roles in SaaS. They used various recruiting companies to help get their foot in the door. But ultimately I think it's a matter how well you're able to sell yourself

BentoBri

Executive

0

Senior AE

Love that. Would be a good next step to have preliminary conversations with recruiters!

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Not unorthodox at all! In general SaaS space these days is really good about see experience you have in sales and finding it transferable to running a SaaS sales cycle. The open-mindednesses is there, you just gotta make your move

Justatitle

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

Potentially yes, it’s all about if the company feels confident in your closing ability and relevant experience. You won’t know unless you try and my advice would be to connect with some reps or others who have similar experience to you and ask for a referral if they’re open to it.

BentoBri

Executive

0

Senior AE

Would you recommend using Bravado for that?

Justatitle

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

Probably be tough since everyone is anonymous, depends on if Sahil has contacts in fintech looking to hire

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