Lex

Palantir offer

Hi, I wondered if anyone has experience working at Palantir as Sales / BD? I received an offer from them for a BDR role (Im currently an AE in a small-mid company). Would you recommend go with Palantir’s BDR role and develop within the company?

I have another offer with a SaaS company for an AE role but targeting small businesses.

thank you for your advice!

☁️ Software Tech

🚀 Career Goals

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

27 comments

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fuzzy

Notable Contributor

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

Anytime I see a resume that goes from AE to BDR, I question how effective they were as AE’s. They could have been awesome but it’s not a good look. If I were the one downgrading, I’d be including a cover letter with a solid reason, like “I have a family and couldn’t meet travel requirements.” to at least try and cover my ass.

Lex

Contributor

Ahhh thanks for sharing your perspective!

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

i would almost NEVER recommend going from AE to a BDR/SDR role.

that is a backwards movement. I would stay at your current company until you can be an AE there if you really want to work there

Lex

Contributor

Thanks for commenting! Would you mind elaborate a bit more? Is it because it will look bad on the CV?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Yes. What's your response when hiring manager asks: why did you take a demotion?

Lex

Contributor

I said I'm interested in their tech and data intelligence industry in general. I'm looking for long term growth in the company. I presume when switching industries it's okay to take a step down?

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

sure!

your income potential is incredibly higher in an AE role than an SDR role.

Being an AE also opens more doors for you.

If you are an AE for a few years and decide you would want to be an account manager, or even a solutions consultant, or a manager, its much easier to make that jump when your an AE vs SDR.

Companies, and recruiters will make assumptions on your skill level if you are an SDR and you will be limited in what you can do.

Closing deals in Saas is very sought after and having that skill will be very beneficial,

This of course is assuming you WANT that.....if you want to be an SDR or an SDR manager your entire career than there is of course nothing wrong with that. but just know, it will be harder to get OUT of it in the future.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

I do not think there is a NEED to take a step down when you switch industries.

I was an AE in life sciences, then switched industries to marketing technology......still and AE.....then went back to life sciences and Im still an AE no need to take a demotion in pay or responsibility

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Palantir is black box of a company that is terrifyingly good at keeping information private, just an FYI.

And no, don’t go from AE to BDR.

Lex

Contributor

Do you think having Palantir on the CV won't add much value too?

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

I think it’ll be fine though you always have to consider politics and Thiel is a provocateur in that arena. People can’t explicitly fire and hire based on politics but at the same time, they absolutely do and find other reasons.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

For the most part people care about what you accomplished, not where you did it.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Why the hell would you take two steps back?

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Don’t do it. You’re putting too much faith in being able to get promoted to AE internally by taking this step backwards. You can do a lot of harm to your overall career trajectory this way.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

What’s your reasons for making a move?
Do you view moving from AE to SDR as a positive move due to the technology?

Lex

Contributor

yes, I'm attracted to its technology and interested to learn about the industry. And other reasons are:
1. they are currently ramping up their sales team (could mean more opportunities?)
2. the role is very focused on large enterprises and will be working with very experienced AE (20+ yrs sales experience/industry experts)
3. compensation wise better than my current company and better than some of the AE offers I've had
Tho I'm not sure about the exit plan, like if I hate the role and want to leave after 1 year, where next etc...

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

So many questions @Lex ...

What's the offer from palantir? What's your current OTE? What's the SMB AE role offer?

What do you mean by Palantir "ramping up their sales team"?

What's the upside of working under an experienced AE vs being an AE?

Lex

Contributor

Offer TC 120k+. current OTE (not worth mentioning).
they aim to hire 150+ salespeople and this only happened after the IPO. CEO wasn't keen on the idea of having a sales team before this ( https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-palantir-sales-ipo-20190107-story.html)

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

50/50 split on the 120k OTE?

That link didn't work but it looks like it's from 2019.

What made the CEO change their mind?

Lex

Contributor

Realised I haven't replied to your question - 'what's the upside of working under an experienced AE vs being an AE?'.

I'm new to the industry, so I see being a BDR is to have more time to learn about their product (quite technical to me!) and how to close large enterprise deals from an experienced AE.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

My 2 cents. You learn more about closing enterprise deals as an AE (even an SMB one) than as a BDR.

I'm in ENT sales. My BDR is amazing, but after the intro is made he bows out to go get more meetings.

Lex

Contributor

Thank you, I appreciate you sharing this! :) Do you see your BDR progressing to an AE role in the next year or so? If yes, would that be starting from SMB AE?

Palantir's BDR OTE is matching my other SaaS AE offer. So this makes me think if I can progress within Palantir there's a better upside (another reason why I'm torn between two offers).

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

My BDR is unique in that he's a lifelong BDR. That's all he's done and all he wants to do.

Typical BDR to AE ramp is 12-18 months. If you move to BDR at palantir you'll have to spend at least that much time before moving to AE. I don't know if palantir has an SMB focus, so you might get "trapped". You'll have to move to another firm to find an open SMB or Mid AE role, which is difficult.

In my opinion you're stacking the deck against yourself if your goal is to be ENT AE.

TreTime

Catalyst

Account Executive

As others say, your resume will take a huge hit stepping down ladder to SDR from AE.

Is timing for this immediate? If not, you could keep an eye out for AE postings that pop or connect with the hiring manager to voice your intent

Goomba

Opinionated

Director

I love Palantir as an investment, made solid money, but no don't do this to yourself.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

If you don’t want to look like your taking a step back I’d advise against a BDR role from AE.

Juancallclose

Catalyst

Director

Hoping you didn't go through with it. Stay an AE please

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Lex

Palantir offer

27 comments

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