bigredseller

Enterprise SDR

Other than hitting quota, how do I get promoted from SDR to AE?

I've been an SDR for 2 years (2 companies, 1 year each) and want to be promoted to an AE role.

How long is too long to be an SDR?

Other than hitting quota, what are some extra things SDRs should be doing to get promoted?

What is the best way to network internally to show the leadership team we are serious about moving up?

Any other advice appreciated.

🚀 Career Goals

☁️ Software Tech

🤝 Networking

10 comments

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TheJohnDalyofSales

Valued Contributor

SDR Manger

I think the most important thing other than hitting quota is to sit in on your AE’s calls and follow the sales cycle. Find AE trainings and study up on them so as well as ask your AE what you need to know or work on to get to that next level. This will not only get you prepared to become and AE, but it will give you better knowledge of your product, the sales cycle, and even help you be a better SDR. Plus it looks good that you are taking that initiative to learn.

bigredseller

Enterprise SDR

Thanks for the insight. Do you ever participate in AE discovery calls? Just to ask a question or 2?

TheJohnDalyofSales

Valued Contributor

SDR Manger

Yes all the time!

Marketingpet

Politicker

Partner Manager

Find something you are good at that, or that is a team gap and become known as the guy/gal for that. That makes you stand out from your peers and you’ll get recognized for it. Plus it can lead to you leading trainings, mentoring others on that thing, which you can talk about in your interview.

You also want to consistently hit other metrics outside of quota, whatever those are. I.e. call volume, talk time, leads passed, percentage of leads flipped to stage 2, whatever is important to your org.

Soiboi

Politicker

Account Executive, EIAS/Compliance

For follow-up, I created the messaging for my team as an SDr and did a lot of the strategy for outbound for my team So I received the first promotion up when someone quit. I still create the messaging as an AE and it’s always helped me grow influence broadly at the orgs I’m at. Good point Marketingpet

Ras_Rebuttles

Contributor

Sales Consultant

If you’re ballsy enough just apply for AE jobs like crazy and you can land a role and make it a year and bounce to something better or ride it out📈

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Form strong relationships with your current AEs and they will train/guide you as if you are their own.

Solve problems. Reach out for help. Then send an email to your team and manager of the problem and how you solved it. Take the initiative.

Soiboi

Politicker

Account Executive, EIAS/Compliance

Opportunity lol alongside hitting your metrics.

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Arsonist

Account Executive

I second this. Sometimes its not that you are being looked over even though you are putting in the work, it's probably just because there isn't much room for current growth internally yet. As your company grows there will be more room for internal opportunity. Best thing to do is just make it known that you are looking to move up. It never hurts to voice that thought. It let's senior leadership know that you want to grow with them.

Goldleader

Fire Starter

Senior Sales Manager

Lots of AE shadowing, understanding what happens in the sales cycle after you've flipped the deal, building relationships with the managers of the team you want to work in. Those are a few I advise our XDR team to do.

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bigredseller

Other than hitting quota, how do I get promoted from SDR to AE?

10 comments

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