"You should apply for BDR role instead"

I'm in between jobs or will be in few weeks after my resignation period ends... I used to be an AE but then accepted kind of glorified BDR role which since turned sour.


I've had good success with interviews but 3-4 companies said I should apply for the BDR role instead. This has happened with big tech. I'm not opposed to BDR role, I've done and it's so fun and at the center of it all but it's not what I applied for.


I don't get why since I have 2+ years of full sales cycle experience, good references and experience. It has happened during the first interview with hiring manager.


I don't think I'm doing that bad... I hope ๐Ÿ˜… Can this be an interview trick to test my motivation to join the company? Or how I handle an objection? Or how do I overcome this question? Or maybe they already hired someone for the position? Should I even bother is the question.


I've also applied for BDR roles at companies who had no openings for AE and they tell me I'm over qualified and could do better๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ


Any experiences to share? What have you focused on/avoided in this kind of interview situation?

๐Ÿง  Advice
๐Ÿค Interviewing/Offer
17
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
๐ŸฆŠ
There seems to be a disconnect of you explaining your AE role and them understanding you're an AE.ย 
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Agreed. I suspect their answer isn't coming across well.
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
This was my first thought. Sounds like they are getting the impression that you are looking for BDR roles but unaware of the difference in titles.
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Yeah I think I need to get it across better, thanks!
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
We're here to help!
MCP
Valued Contributor
3
Sales Director
Seems they didnโ€™t feel confident in your AE skills, however that came through. Do you have great win stories to share that display your process and how what you did specifically led to the win? Thatโ€™s what you should talk about to answer their questions. Itโ€™s like a college essay, you need evidence to back up your responses & stand out.
If they say BDR, confidently state that youโ€™ve successfully navigated that role and are ready for your next challenge. Then ask them why they feel that way so you can effectively handle the objection with evidence.
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Yeah good tip, thank you!
SalesSage
Valued Contributor
1
National Account Manager
I think a thorough win story with complete timeline details at the ready is key.ย ย 
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
How are you explaining your move from AE to "glorified BDR"?ย ย 
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Not well enough I think and need to improve there, thanks!
Beans
Big Shot
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Where are you based? We're hiring aggressively remote across the US/Canada.

Happy to kick ya a referral.
pirate
Big Shot
1
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Sadly right across this little pond of Atlantic Ocean. Appreciate the gesture either way!ย 
Beans
Big Shot
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Weโ€™ve got an Amsterdam office, and our EU team mostly works remote.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
All good points here, but also a thought:ย  some companies will start reps with fewer years of experience as a BDR to get started, with a goal of promoting to AE in time.ย The idea is that the new rep learns the company and product in that role first and then moves up.ย  ย Is that possibly happening with some of these companies?ย ย 
funcoupons
WR Officer
4
๐Ÿ‘‘
My thought exactly. If you're applying at a hot company, expect to have to start from the bottom as a BDR unless you have very impressive experience and numbers to back it up. At companies with complex products and sales processes, unless you come from a very similar competitor you'd be absolutely lost trying to be an AE from day one.ย 
pirate
Big Shot
1
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Great point, I think that could be the case because companies have been very big. Thanks ๐Ÿ˜Š
LordBusiness
Politicker
2
Chief Revenue Officer
Id agree with some of the above, your missing showing your value somewhere as an AE, but the interviewers like you enough to start you out at a lower risk entry point. Orโ€ฆ.they just have more of a need for SDRs
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Agree with MCP, you got to work on your resume and make it from AE perspective.ย 

Speak to the hiring managers about your achievements, your competencies that you're really good at, your goal to be an AE and how your can help the org grow if given a chanceย 
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Good points, thank you!
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
All the best!
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
I think it would be so hard going to a bdr role after doing the AE role...just my opinion lol
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
I get you! Just hearing people say that crushes my soul a little.

Then again... Do I even have a soul anymore ๐Ÿ˜‚
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
hahaha. Facts. But i think it would be more annoying cuz you get paid less, and then you already would essentially know how to work the deal and wanna do it and make sure they are on top of it..essentially you are going from being in control of your own paycheck to letting others control it.
SaaSniper
Tycoon
1
Enterprise Account Executive
The hiring managers will see you fitting into a certain place of the org based on the skill set they THINK you have, and where they ASSUME Youโ€™ll be valuable, resumes and references are bullshit, no one puts any bad stuff on there or aligns any bad references.
An interview is more selling yourself. Had you went in with an idea of a territory plan (like know the geo based on job listing), potential accounts you could break them into based on your network, and let that thing swing a bit (confidence), Iโ€™d bet the convo would be different. Interview themโ€ฆtake control, we do it on prospecting calls, your interview is no different than another deal youโ€™re trying to close.
If youโ€™re dead set on being an AE and theyโ€™re not having it, keep movingโ€ฆif you believe in the product, trust the founders (whatโ€™s their history/track record), trust the sales leaders (new managers, proven managers, take companies public, etc) then get in the door in whatever role you can and prove yourself to get where you want.
Control the process, be confident, and youโ€™ll find the right spot
pirate
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Yeah good points about controlling the interview rather than being dragged to a direction I don't want and I think that's been happening.
HoosierDaddy
Valued Contributor
1
SDR
Ok but can we talk about the BDR role you had that was fun? Never heard of such a unicorn
pirate
Big Shot
1
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
We had a great brave leader whom we devoted our lives to, people worked in awful conditions, they targeted people with low self esteem... What can I say, I miss the cult life ๐Ÿ™
HoosierDaddy
Valued Contributor
0
SDR
Blind devotion is a hell of a drug
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