jsmitty32 profile picture
jsmitty32 profile picture

jsmitty32

Sales Representative

Personal Narrative

Looking for help

what's good everyone. I'm trying to get into tech sales. I've been a B2C solar consultant for the last three years. I don't want to start out in an SDR or BDR role. I can close deals I absolutely hate cold calling. 
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🤝 Interviewing/Offer
☁️ Software Tech
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ADudeBeingAGuy
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Had some friends that went from solar B2C to HCM/Payroll software companies. Such as ADP/Paychex etc. Payroll software sucks, selling it sucks, but you’ll skip the SDR role and after a year or two you can bounce into a more traditional AE role elsewhere.
realname
Valued Contributor
1
Grocery Clerk
I just applied to a payroll company — should I maybe hold out for a different opportunity?

I’m seeking my first sales role, and the payroll gig seemed like a decent place to start as an SDR

I’d really prefer to sell something along the lines of Buffer, Hootsuite, Canva, Mailchimp, or Asana, since I have a lot of hands-on experience actually using that type of software.

I’m in a decent job / finance situation right now, so I can afford to wait a good while. Would I be better off waiting for an SaaS role?
ADudeBeingAGuy
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Man, this would be a really awesome time for the WR to have freaking DM’s so we could chat about this.

It really depends on several things. Where you’re at in your career, what company specifically you’re referring to, etc.

I’ll be broad and say in my experience working as a full cycle sales rep for companies like ADP/Paychex/Paylocity/Paycom etc is a good way to jump in, grind it out for a year or two then move on. Particularly if you’re making a career pivot or just starting out. These companies don’t usually have traditional SDR’s - and more so rely on a channel GTM strategy in which you call into banks, CPAs, etc to get referrals to very small SMBs in your territory.

So, it depends.
Gasty
Notable Contributor
3
War Room Community Manager
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DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
Lol too true. We should have a counter for how many of these get posted a week. 
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Don't expect to ever not cold call.  Your funnel is your responsibility.  Not every organization has SDRs and not every SDR group can consistently send over leads.  I have seen AE's fired because they won't pick up the phone themselves.  If you said during an interview you won't make a cold call, I would show you the door.

I can understand some burn out after being a door to door solar sales guy.  Its a tough gig, but can be financially rewarding.

Focus on your soft skills (persistence, follow through, pipeline building, etc.) and your accomplishments.  And if you don't want a SDR role - don't apply for one.
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
Hate to break it to you, but you're gonna have to do some cold calling.
BostonHound
Opinionated
0
Enterprise BDR
SDR/BDR is basically an internship before becoming an AE… short term to cut your teeth in sales. Can probably bypass but you really do learn a lot in messaging, product knowledge, and how the SAAS world operates.

Can probably find a smaller company that can get you right to AE but I’d make sure you’re confident in their training before signing, not doing yourself any favors if your thrown to the wolves selling SAAS to businesses especially in this market.
CatMom
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Are you sure being an AE is what you want? Fastest path (like @ADudeBeingAGuy mentioned) is going the payroll sales route 🤢 and you still gotta cold call your ass off but do it for a year and maybe you can get something somewhere else as a non cold calling AE. Orrr maybe look into being an account manager or CSM instead. 
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
Find a recruiter that believes in your ability.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
Did you fill out out a profile on the jobs tab?

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