What to do next?

Sales Rep

Ideally get an AE role, but that might be a lot harder to do given the current environment.
I would always recommend using your network when finding a new role. Are there any co-workers who recently made the switch you can reach out to and see if they can refer you?

I definitely have people in my network that can refer me!
I'm scared about going to an org that won't give me the proper training I need.
Would you recommend aiming for ENT companies 1000+?

Kosta_Konfucius

Sales Rep

Thats why connecting with them and you can hear about the training, realistic OTE, stuff like that

Thank you for the insight

drtendo

Enterprise Account Executive

Are you sure you're not conflating 'proper training' with confidence?

You could have a whole bunch of training from the most nourishing company in the world, but without realising your value as an SDR (I.e. understanding that you deserve to be in the room with prospects and customers and that you have something valuable to say, and that you earned a place there) you'll still feel underprepared and 'under trained'.

If it's a confidence thing, it's a longer road and something more personal (honestly - it took me getting an undeserved promotion into a lucky patch to realise I could do it), but if it's really about training, then i guess that needs to be top of mind when thinking about going somewhere else.

TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

if you can get an AE role that should be your best move.

DO NOT start over as an SDR somewhere else. you need to get that closing experience so your career can actually take off.

If you need to get better on the phone there are a TON of resources out there that you can follow

Pachacuti

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

2 years and you feel like you aren’t trained? I don’t get it. Honestly I don’t.

Tech is always a sink or swim scenario. That won’t change if you move companies.

Getting better on the phones is just a matter of developing a good script and self discipline.

If you’re happy where you’re at. Stay.

If there is no opportunity for advancement, start looking. Don’t apply for other SDR jobs.

2 years is plenty of experience to move into an AE job, if that’s the route you want to go.

I can’t tell you what you should do but you need to have confidence in yourself. It’s hard to help people who don’t believe in themselves.

Confidence, that's the #1 thing I struggle with, thanks for the real talk.
I have learned a lot, I do down play it.

detectivegibbles

Sales Director

Because of the environment, you may struggle to land something that pays the same (or more).

Have you had the conversations with your leadership about growth opportunities?

I'd highly recommend getting in front of them and asking for their vision of you at the company is. Get that feedback and go from there.

Yeah, I'm seeing that now, our company isn't doing too well, and has done a round of layoffs.
I survived due to seniority and productivity; I've been an advocate for myself, but it hasn't gone anywhere.
Most of the time just stalling and wait, with no concrete answers from leadership.
Which I get, if the business dies then how are we going to promote people, just feels like I'm knocking my head on a wall.

BTQ

SDR

If you want to get better at cold calling you need to listen to them and see what you’re doing wrong.

Tap your manager and ask for feedback on a 1on1

BTQ

SDR

Sorry I realized I kinda majored in the minor of your post but use this time to look for greener pastures.
But remember even if you land an AE role cold calling isn't going away if you want to be successful

Sunbunny31

Sr Sales Executive

If I'm reading this right, you're still employed, and have the luxury of time to see where you can go.
I'd start with what Det.Gibbles says about talking to leadership where you are as a starting point to see where you stand.
Networking is always a good idea, as Kosta points out.
See what's out there - no harm in starting a job search and interviewing. Practice is key, and if you struggle on the phones, you're going to want lots of practice for interviews.
Also, maybe you can start a separate thread about your challenges on the phone. There are a lot of seasoned vets here who can give you some tips on improving that practice so that you are more confident in your capabilities on that front.
Finally, a lot of us here were self-taught. Don't let that stop you.

RandyLahey

Account Manager

I guess my first suggestion is:
- Are you still learning? Or are you feeling a dreary sense of complacency settle in?

I moved too early into an AE role (sounds crazy) and immediately got burnt out. There is value in patience, especially if you are surrounded by really solid AEs to learn from.
Is this the case? how is the AE team?

Right now we're working out a comp/org restructure, so I've been in limbo, I think the feeling of "what am I getting out of the end" of this is getting to me.
I thought I'd become an AE here, but it's not working out, so it's demotivating.
Relationships with the AE have been a spectrum, I've gotten to work on different verticals and across different territories.
Some are always willing to help, some just sue me as their lackey.
At the end of the day, I do my best to learn from everyone and ask questions when I need help, but I'm not always 100% sure if what they say is going to work...
I.E. super long blocky cold emails...

AE is where it's at.

Sr. Account Executive

DO NOT START AGAIN! Same shit different place. Do not be an sdr again.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

What is stopping you from being promoted to AE at your current company?

Lack of faith in the feedback they give me - my fault
No growth structure in place, no SDRs have made the jump to AE on my team

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

So why can’t you be the first?

I'm scared to shake the status quo, I've never done something like that, I feel like it's easier to try to jump

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Scared to shake the status quo? You're either being sarcastic or you're scared shitless that you might actually need to try hard to make the next move.
S/BDRs that raise to AE are able to ramp faster, are often more successful, etc, because they understand the sales cycle better than a fresh AE hire.
You either want to bust ass and do something that no one else is, or you want an easy route to what you think is a success. Your choice.

Appreciate the insight PBC, there's things I could be more proactive with

Maximas

Executive

Senior Sales Executive

I recommend you to stay for now for that decent comp.
And for the lack of training problem I urge to you to ask for training and refresh sessions if possible, give it let's say extra 1 year more to see if things changed, if not jump the ship.

Best of luck!

thanks Max, I do have it pretty good compared to SDRs, don't think it would hurt to hold out a bit longer

Maximas

Executive

Senior Sales Executive

Certainly 👍

RedLightning

Customer Success/ Sales / GTM Recruiter

Mid-Market AE

It never hurts to understand what roles are available externally. You will most likely have an easier time as an AE at your current company rather than an external opportunity because you would only need to learn how to run deal cycles and close rather than learn that AND a new product AND a new customer type ETC.

As for the promotion, make it known you'd like to move up. Looking at other comments, it seems like you've tried that and have been shot down. Figure out exactly why you are not making them jump and round out those weaknesses.

For cold calling, you need to just get more at bats and understand what your prospects inherently care about/common problems they have and QUICKLY probe around there. Find people on your team who are good at cold calling and shadow them.

I was in a similar spot with cold calling when I first started out and I would take 5 of my good cold calls and 5 of my bad ones each week and listen to them every Friday - making a list of the pros and cons.

As for training, people help people who help themselves. Start helping yourself and you may find that training and mentoring starts to come your way.

An AE role would be ideal. However, good luck getting a company to take a chance on you. I recommend reconnecting with former colleagues and/ sales leaders. Also, finding a mentor never hurts! Good luck!

VFG

Good Citizen

SDR

With a $70k base + a reasonable variable, you’re making more money than 90% of SMB AE’s. I’d think twice about jumping ship to a new environment as a first time AE without some serious due diligence. I made a similar mistake.

If it were me, I’d look at the timeframe for an internal AE promotion. If it was longer than 6 months, I would text every AE I know and try and network my way into somewhere with a great training program and high quota attainment.

I DEFINITELY, would NOT start over as an SDR at another company. May as well just restart your career at that point.

Do you mean a network to get insight into other SDR programs that has good training and a quick promotion path?

Or straight into the fire as AE?

bigperm

Good Citizen

Account Executive

If your company is struggling, then you’re exposing your early AE career to greater risk. You know the pipe at your current gig, so proceed with caution. <br><br>Maybe find a successful startup in your space (maybe a competitor) that can give you some room to grow into a closing role. You’ll be a lot more valuable and won’t be starting over since you know the space. However, since you have seniority, you’ll weather the storm at your current gig as long as your performing.

Awesome insight, thanks so much bigperm!

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

No offense but if you’re terrible on phones how have you been an SDR for 2 years?

BDR (Business Development Rep)

LI/Emails gets me my meetings booked

lol and luck

Key words..terrible on the phones?? Get out of sales and find something you love doing every day! Phones are for savages

montham757

See what else is out there Tech definitely seems like a bloodbath. Investor and economy putting pressure on CEO and VP’s

goose