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patatas

Sales Development Representative

Valued Contributor
Contributor
Fire Starter

Should I care they are hiring younger people?

I work as an SDR for an early stage startup. I used to run my own company, but besides that sales experience (which wasnt b2b tech sales) my experience in B2B SaaS sales is limited to the company I currently work for. Still, I have closing experience.

I've only been here for 6 months, but no one has reached quota (which is a prerequisite for promotion)

I just found out they are hiring a new AE who is way younger. I dont really know if this is a petty or dumb question to ask, but the fact that I believe I could be an AE in other conditions (with market adjusted quita expectations) this makes me feel insecure.  

Thoughts/suggestions?
🧠 Advice
🎯 Career Development
🚀 Career Goals
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21 comment

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poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
11
☕️
You’re always going to see a young prodigy come in and close faster and more often than you. It’s simply the way of the trade. Don’t let age trigger bias, and don’t compare yourself to someone who is on a different trajectory.

Focus on hitting your quota and making the move. If you can’t hit numbers despite all efforts, move on.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
super solid advice!
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
not comparing yourself to someone else who is on a different trajectory is such a key part of this response, it applies to everyone, not comparing to young people but the same for those a similar age.
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
4
Account Executive
This is one of the things about tech companies, they hire people with non-tech experience who could be AEs, but then stick them in entry level SDR jobs to prove themselves. And a lot of times these folks get their foot in the door to the industry and leave for an AE job 6-8 months after they were hired.

Not sure how to fix it, because there's a good reason they operate this way. You don't want to risk paying someone a $75-100k base salary only for them (or you) to figure out software sales isn't a good fit. I think this is one of the reasons so many tech companies avoid hiring career switchers.

Anyway, I was kind of in a similar situation as you when I was an SDR. I was older, experienced in sales. The AE they hired (same time as I was hired) was older than I was by about a decade, but for whatever reason wasn't very proactive in anything he did. I had to conduct discovery calls and demos, and he really only wanted to be involved when the prospect was ready to sign a contract. Eventually I got tired of it and figured I might as well go externally and be an AE somewhere.

It's entirely plausible that you're ready to be an AE. The trick (especially in today's market) is to sell yourself to a hiring manager and convince them that you're ready.
patatas
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Development Representative
So.. heres the thing that really kills me. I had an offer to be an AE at another company when I decided to go for SDR role at this company. And I did it for 3 reasons (one, I liked the company team and product better), second base salary was basically the same and third they offered a “clear path to promotion”<br><br>And I still believe the company is going places so thats why I’m hesitant to consider moving to another company just to do a role switch.
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
I mean, if you like the company, and they are at least nominally committed to your professional development, then stay and see where things go.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Are you going to be able to break through and meet that quota? You mention nobody's meeting it, and it sounds like you think it's unattainable, but is there a chance?
patatas
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Development Representative
I think they are going to have to change it. Our head of sales mentioned it briefly, but its not confirmed yet
RandyLahey
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Sadly this is entirely out of your control. Best way to counter this is to leverage your experience to outperform.

Good luck.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Eventually everyone will be younger than you. But there is probably a good reason why that person is being hired on as an AE. I would try to discover that.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Exactly. Make friends. You catch more flies with honey.
fidelcashflow
Catalyst
1
Account Executive
I'm confused. You said your only b2b experience is your current SDR role. How do you have closing experience?
patatas
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Development Representative
By leading the sales team at my own company, where we developed software for small businesses (mobile apps and web apps
Tailor made) for a little over a year.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
Its something that will happen, even more we age. Best to accept it.

However, I would have conversations on quota attainment and making sure you can get to your end goal both career wise and financially.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
1
Sales Director
Don't take it personally. There's only so much you can control.

Your race is you versus you. Know your metrics. X number of calls = X number of opportunities = X number of deals.

Control the controllable.

I have a feeling MOST sales people are missing quota right now, myself included.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
This is very common, I would try to give my best and bring those numbers frequently during my 1-1 and share my goals I have for next 6 months and how they can help me reach there
oldcloser
Arsonist
0
💀
The younger hire has nothing to do with you. But I get the trigger. Blinders on. Stay YOUR course.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
It's about skills not age imo
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
You shouldn’t care but it’s understandable if you do
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
It happens, recommend you to focus on the task at hand I believe you could hit your quota and get promoted one day.

For the other fella, he has a target to meet as well, they'll only keep him if he's adding and removing him if he isn't, unless he personally knows the CEO, lol!

Much of luck.
Juancallclose
Catalyst
0
Director
I think it's normal to feel how you feel. Happens in all lines of work, but especially sales. You'll be fine. Give it time.

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