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kobelover24

SDR (Sales Development Rep)

Good Citizen
Contributor
Fire Starter
+1

would you join a start up with no growth path to AE

It sounds harsh, but the reality is a company I interviewed with is hiring SDR's within the cybersecurity space. The hiring manager did tell me there is no clear path to AE since they have only been operating for one year, knowing this would you still join if giving the opportunity?

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💆‍♂ Mindset
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26 comments

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braintank
Politicker
8
Enterprise Account Executive
I would be hesitant to join a cybersecurity company that is <1 year old
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
No path to AE? That's fine with me if my OTE as a bdr is 150/150.
HVACexpert
Politicker
2
sales engineer
Why join a company so young in the first place?
kobelover24
Good Citizen
1
SDR (Sales Development Rep)
they look promising within the space so I was hoping for opportunity to open as they expand, doesn't look like it's worth it though.
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
What looks promising about them?
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
2
Sales Rep
No, unless its by far the best sdr role
Revenue_Rambo
Politicker
2
Director, Revenue Enablement
No clear path doesn’t mean there will be no path, but you have to understand that when they start hiring AEs they need people with the skills to fill the role. Most startups aren’t going to spend the time developing SDRs when there are 1000s of experienced AEs out on the streets right now.

Long story short…. Don’t be surprised when you get passed up for promotion for someone outside of the company.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
Absolutely not.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Entry level position at a new company with no established career path in a crowded space. No, sorry homie. Very risky.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
1
Enterprise AE
No. The whole point of joining a start up is to see career progression faster than the larger orgs.
kobelover24
Good Citizen
0
SDR (Sales Development Rep)
yeah it does feel like a gamble
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
gambling with terrible odds at that
DataCorrupter
Politicker
1
Account Executive
If things go well they'll need more AEs later. If you're doing well as an SDR, you will present a good option at AE.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I’d personally be really hesitant especially given how young the organization is
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
I did in 2021. I was having a hard time getting into the tech world and figured going straight to AE from banking wasn't going to happen (though I tried). They offered me more money than I'd ever made before ($65k base/$100k OTE) and obviously the chance to get relevant experience. In my case, it was a late stage startup, and a few months in I realized the reason they weren't looking to grow the sales team is they wanted to be acquired.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I'll take ain't no way for $500 Alex
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
Hiring SDRs is a dead model. Over and over we see the system fail and companies are figuring out that trying to get 20 something cold callers to set meetings with C level is a path to failure.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
hell no!
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
0
🐺
id be hesitant but it also depends on the salary if its comparable to an ae salary bc its gonna be harder to get meetings so the ote is probably unrealistic. but also if the company becomes big and you get equity it could be the best decision you've made. Id say just do research on their product and their competitors and see if it has a shot of becoming a big company in 5 years
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
0
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
I might. If it gives me good money - and good exposure - and good learnings, I would take whatever I can take, and switch companies when I feel I am ready to become an AE.
But again, like BrainTank mentioned, do some background search on what this company does, the credibility and everything that is linked with it.
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
No.
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
do you need a job?
kobelover24
Good Citizen
0
SDR (Sales Development Rep)
I’m looking for a better one
0
Retired Sales Professional
Experience!! Build it.
kobelover24
Good Citizen
0
SDR (Sales Development Rep)
I’ve built experience as an SDR now looking for an AE role to get the full sales cycle experience
0
Retired Sales Professional
If that's what it will take for you to be closer to what you to do (AE) then go for it. Nothing to loose everything to gain.

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