M
M

miguelnelson

Business Development Representative

Contributor
Fire Starter
Member

Quitting for a 3rd BDR position, advice?

Got laid off after a year of successful BDR experience and then landed at the wrong company.


Been there for 4 months and nearly every BDR is far from quota due to poor product/market fit.


Searching for new BDR jobs but ultimately want to be an AE as soon as I can and feels tough having to "start over". Will likely receive a entry-level BDR offer from a large company with steady quota attainment, but it'd be another full year to promotion, possibly more. The pay is also below the industry average, which sucks because I want to start traveling.


I'd appreciate any advice on what to do/focus on. :)

🚀 Career Goals
9

20 comments

Sort by:
Pachacuti
Politicker
8
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
What I’d do - only apply to AE jobs.

It may take longer, but it’s 100% guaranteed to not land you a BDR job.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
haha this is very sound logic!
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
2
Bravado's Resident Asshole
very logical and sound approach. 9/10 dentists would recommend.
Arzola
Valued Contributor
2
Business administration
100% agree
miguelnelson
Contributor
1
Business Development Representative
i like this approach. that is a good point lol
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Might be worth searching for SMB AE roles, send messages out to all the past recruiters and ask for AE opportunities.

Never hurts to try to get an interview for AE also as you search for BDR
miguelnelson
Contributor
1
Business Development Representative
i was just going through my email for some past recruiters. good call thanks!
jefe
Arsonist
4
🍁
I have to agree with @Pachacutiand @Kosta_Konfucius- apply to (SMB) AE roles.

Have clear examples of your success ready - you'll have to prove why you're worth the gamble.
miguelnelson
Contributor
1
Business Development Representative
Okay got it, thanks!
Diablo
Politicker
3
Sr. AE
What actions have you taken so far to become an AE apart from waiting in the same company?
miguelnelson
Contributor
0
Business Development Representative
Not really any, haven't applied to any AE positions tbh

Curious what actions might be take-able :)
Diablo
Politicker
3
Sr. AE
I would start applying for the AE roles viz. SMB. I’d also learn a bit more about what AE’s do (good contents in Bravado Academy) and network with AEs or hiring manager so that I can speak their language.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
+1 for the academy - great content in there and should get you on the right path.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Have you interviewed for any AE jobs?
miguelnelson
Contributor
0
Business Development Representative
I have not yet. With the economy the way that it is right now, it seems even the good BDR positions have over 200 applicants and are only hiring for 1 or 2 positions.

Seems like a long shot to get a decent AE position with my experience, ya know?
VFG
Good Citizen
1
SDR
Best advice I can give is to focus on landing at the right company with the right management. An SMB AE role is great, but don’t sacrifice a great company in exchange for title. I’ve been there and done that. It doesn’t matter what your title is if nobody is making money.

Very rarely should you consider small companies at this stage in your career. Find an established company, search them up on repvue, and make a list of those ones with scores higher than 85. Getting in as a BDR with a company like that with a clear promotion path to AE within 12 months will be well worth it.
miguelnelson
Contributor
0
Business Development Representative
I appreciate it. That all sounds really logical to me and definitely makes sense.

I just feel this urgency to get out of grunt work/have more solid pay as i think a lot of BDR's do
VFG
Good Citizen
0
SDR
I felt the exact same way. The truth is though that as a BDR at a well established company, you will be MORE respected than as an AE at some no-name startup where nobody is hitting quota. You’ll likely make more money too.

Play the long game. I promise it works out.
WhoDey
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
Don't pigeon hole yourself into a BDR role. Find a company that will value your experience and dues paid as a BDR and give you a shot as an AE.
Armageddon
Opinionated
0
Enterprise Account Executive
this is a tough one.. I always face palm when I see a BDR 6 months in the role re-set the clock and jump for another BDR job, but it sounds like your case is a little out of your control.

My advice, if theres a path to promotion to AE at your current job just stick it out and get the promo before looking elsewhere. If there isn't a path or its just simply not worth it, then be very selective in your interview process...

Only take an SDR job at a proven company that is known to promote from within.

Apply to AE jobs, but be careful not to go to another sinking ship just because they give you an AE title. Then you will find yourself right back to where your started and you will have 3 <1 year jobs on your resume in a row, which is not a good look...

Related posts

7

In search of a job, my experience passing by Canonical (Ubuntu)

Discussion
☁️
🤝
10
6

Job Search? BLEEK Otta experience?

Question
😋
📳
☁️
6
Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.
Apple Store logo
Products
The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U
Company
About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty
Contact
Press Careers
© 2024 Bravado Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Legal and Privacy Center Sales Jobs
If you are hired as a contract sales rep by a Bravado customer, we may ask you to prove access to the employee email account provided to you by that customer. This data will be shared with customers to track your sales productivity; customers can use this data to confirm you meet the minimum activity requirements to pay out your ramp stipend and commission.