maromillion

Mid-Market AE

Valued Contributor

One year of AE experience - find another AE role or go back to SDR?

Lucked out and got an AE role at a SAAS startup while still in college. Will be graduating soon and I am looking for a true entry-level SMB AE role ($50k-$65k base with double OTE). I’ll have around a year of experience closing primarily $5k deal sizes and occasionally up to $30k. I was an SDR for a few months before becoming an AE, and I actually liked being a technical cybersecurity SDR instead of being an AE in a less technical SAAS vertical with short deal cycles.

I want to jump ship without wasting my current year of closing experience, if possible.

I know that Darktrace (cybersecurity company) hires AEs directly out of college with only 0-1 year of closing experience. Glassdoor & Repvue says they are a burn-and-churn place, but they have a great training program for SAAS AEs. I would apply and network to get a role there, but they are hybrid and I prefer fully remote.

I prefer an SMB SAAS AE role with at least a month of training, but will become a highly technical SDR again if needed. What companies do you recommend I look into?

🎈 Mentorship

☁️ Software Tech

15

14 comments

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Avon

Politicker

7

Senior Account Executive

I would rather make 120 as an AE than 200k to be an SDR again. Thats how much I hated that role.

Fletch

Opinionated

3

Full-Time AE/Side-Hustle Owner

Take it from someone who made this mistake: Don’t go back to an SDR role. You’ll be bored and you’ll get frustrated with any AE who drops the ball on your work.

Beans

Big Shot

1

Enterprise Account Executive

I would never, ever take a step back unless it was from leadership back to IC.

Once you have that drop on your resume it simply reads you couldn't cut it.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Don't go back to SDR or BDR. Keep selling, and start applying for positions that suit you. You should be able to land something solid as an AE. Good luck.

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

Highly recommend to never go backwards, It looks bad and like you can't close.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

Never look back bruh.

FormerStartupJobHopper

Tycoon

0

AE

You can find a place to hire you as an AE with a year of experience even if you're young. I don't see why you should go back. Just stick it out at your current gig and be patient

SaaSguy

Tycoon

0

Account Executive

Keep selling - tons of great SaaS companies would hire an SMB AE with your experience.

techsales

Politicker

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Try HubSpot

mami

Tycoon

0

Account Executive

What did you like about being an SDR vs. being an AE?

Upper_Class_SaaS

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Yea DO NOT BACK TRACK lol take a lesser paying AE role

Derrbeahr

Good Citizen

0

DM

A little late, but my 2 cents. Don't jump ship unless there is a good reason. Sales training programs are generally shit and do not help you. You might learn about the companies product and value props, but actual skills are derived from watching high-performing reps, learning from mistakes, and examining your process (listen to your calls!)

Don't go back to being an SDR (even if it's a "foot in the door" type of thing). Everyone goes to a new role with thoughts of imposter syndrome, and "what ifs." Get more experience, and then pick and choose your next job.

As for roles, look for new startups. You have some experience, but they are also very gritty as they are trying to get sales up and running. You will learn. And you will learn quickly.

Skillen

0

Solutions Sales

Zoominfo is hiring AEs I can help if you'd like

cap

Opinionated

0

Enterprise Sales

Don’t take the step back bc you don’t know how long you’ll get stuck there

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