interviewing for BDR as AE - need help! Thank you!
Hello! Currently an account exec for software company. I am interviewing at a new company and now I am unsure of what to do. The new role is a BDR rep on the marketing team - hired to bridge the gap between sales and marketing- but still requires lots of prospect calls and emails, just unsure of exactly what that will look like. I am hoping to get more out of the position ( and will get clarity during next interview) to learn more about marketing and actually become VALUABLE to the company.
I am over my AE role right now- and feel like i am stuck in groundhogs day. and i am provided with very limited growth potential and it is a do or die sales mentality. i have zero time for prof dev or projects because it is only about hitting a sale.
my questions..
-is it a down grade to move from AE to BDR?
-my current OTE is around $110, this role OTE is $80-85 + some bonus but they were unsure what that was yet because the position is still new/flexible. it is a really awesome start up that I really believe in the product, so I am sure there is lots of room for growth/not all about compensation
-it seems the role would be less stressful and not so quota based (which is really what I want) but I just fear they will change the role to be strictly cold call and set up appointments for sales even though its on marketing
-any one in BDR with tips to negotiate my salary and expectations?
- thoughts? am I discrediting myself by taking this role?
Elyse Shermer
279
10/28/20 at 3:33PM UTC
I agree with the above, First , if the new opportunity offers you growth and something different , even though it starts with a lower package, it is not a down grade. Plus you may break even or make more once you hit bonuses etc. Second, As a Sales Professional, all of my jobs incudes some % of NBD. I would clarify how much is New Bus Dev and how much is Account Mgmt. Some sales positions there is NO Acct Mgmt as the company shifts the account to an entirely different dept. I wouldn't like that. Clarify that even though its NBD, does it include Acct Mgmt and that you manage the accounts that you bring in too.
Evelyn LivantAssociate Software Engineer - Remote
471
10/28/20 at 2:36PM UTC
Sometimes less is more! If the new position gains you the job advancement you want but the position pays less, that shouldn't reflect badly on you. I was giving serious thought to a lower paying position in order to expand my skills. In the long term, I would have been more marketable. My husband took a lower paying position for awhile because there weren't too many jobs available and it didn't have long-term consequences. He is making more than ever now.
Paulla FetzekTeacher, Lighting Expert, & Office Professional
3.09k
10/28/20 at 1:05PM UTC
Congratulations on the prospect first of all! If you're happy with the new role, with the company, and believe the job will overall be a better fit for you - then I don't consider the move downgrading or discrediting.
However, I would certainly get clarification from them regarding your concerns. I work for a sales/marketing company - and when I applied, the [then] VP noted it was a heavy sales position. I don't like Sales at all, and wouldn't have bothered to come in for an interview if this were the case. However, I was a bit perplexed as the job description (on Monster) didn't reflect that aspect.
During my interview at one point I commented something like, "This position is a mix of account management and customer service, not so much pure sales." The woman interviewing me [if hired, she'd be my boss] affirmed that I was correct.
I was offered the job. Though reserved by the comments from the VP, I accepted. That was nearly 18 years ago. My job has never been sales oriented much to my relief. Yes, there are sales aspects - it's a sales/marketing firm after all. But these aspects are ones that I've learned to accept and build off of.
Bobbie Lloyd
163
10/27/20 at 11PM UTC
Hi Anonymous, I am reading the the new leader's 100-day action plan which has a prescription for assessing if a job is worth it.
Additionally, I like start ups myself because you do a bit of everything or what ever is necessary and since you know how to do the sales, I think that would make you more confident in doing the job. Titles don't mean much if you are out of a job and need the experience or the income (my opinion).
