I am currently a Enterprise BDR at my company and I have been at my role for about one year. My first BDR/SDR role was for about 5 months so I have close to 1.5 years of experience total as a BDR/SDR. Recently I had an internal interview for a promotion to SMB AE at my current company and I did not get the promotion and also noticed they decided to hire someone who was overqualified(MM Rep). Am I stalling my career progression by staying in my current role as a BDR? I need to be an SMB AE soon but am hesitant to leave my company because our software is a market leader and sells very well. (SMB is one of our best performing segments). I may have an opportunity to to interview again for the promotion to SMB AE but decided that if I do not get it by Christmas time I may have to bounce. What would you do if you were me?
I'd suggest trying to get feedback on where you fell short as a candidate for the role. You mentioned that they hired a MM Rep... I'm assuming that they were a MM rep at another company? If so I'd push back a bit on your assumption that they're overqualified - especially if your product is a clear market leader. Segments can be very different across different orgs - so a MM rep at one company might be selling to the same customers as an SMB rep at your company. Regardless, it seems likely that what they value is closing experience... which presents a potential obstacle to you getting promoted into that role from a BDR role. Unless there's a way for you get get closing experience in that role? If you're a top performer in your current role, and your company is an industry leader, then hopefully they see your potential in an AE role and would want to retain you. I'd make your goals known to both your manager - and probably the AE leader as well if possible - and ask your management to work with you to put together a plan to get you into an AE role in the next 6-12 months. Part of that plan will be crushing your metrics in your current role - which should be ample motivation for your current manager. Good luck!
I’m sorry you didn’t get the job. The jump from SDR to AE is the hardest I’ve seen of all promotions but well worth it once you’re on the ladder. Did you get any feedback after the interview? Are you creating a plan with your manager on how to close the gaps that were identified in your skill set or experience? If yes + the SMB segment is truly doing well in a market leading company, then it sounds like you might have another shot soon. If no, then I’d advise to start looking/interviewing elsewhere. If for nothing else but practice because AE interviews can be hard to get through. Good luck!