LondisMan

What's it like to be in B2B SaaS Sales?

What's it like to be an AE in B2B SaaS?

What's the compensation like?

Do you enjoy the job?

Do you think it is an underrated profession from an earnings perspective?

If you start out as an SDR/BDR, how easy is it to grow into an AE role?

What has your career trajectory looked like?

What do you think the future holds?

Context:

Currently and SDR abroad. Probably will be forced to come back to India soon. Trying to understand if I should stay in sales or consider a different career.

I'm a top performer and would have had a good shot of moving into an AE role internally if it weren't for visa issues.

Current compensation: ~80LPA

1mo ago

Spartan

Stealth1mo

No matter what you do, in india the salaries are shit. I was also in saas sales in London. My base was 40 and ote was 20. I was in a 50-50 prospecting and closing role. Just came back to India because I couldn't get sponsorship.
It's very very difficult right now. Most jobs don't pay anywhere near 40 lpa also.

I'm thinking of taking a pay cut right now.

Also, in india, AEs are required to prospect. Not just close.

I'm thinking of pivoting to product or ops roles. After interviewing in some companies in india, i realised that the kind of target they expect and, the salary they offer don't really match.

You'll be working for peanuts here.

LondisMan

Rubrik1mo

Fair, I've got a Bachelor's degree in computer science from a Russel group uni in the UK. Was a good programmer before I decided to get into sales.

If I end up in India, do you think I should just take some time out, study DSA again and aim for SWE roles?

Spartan

Stealth1mo

Yeah man, in india, only developers, and engineers make shit loads of money. Customer facing roles don't even pay half of what these guys make.
Definitely aim for swe roles.
You can't do sales for too long also. I was speaking to a top sales guy the other day and, he said you can't keep carrying a quota for the rest of your life. That guy has been battling anxiety for years now. Because, if he doesn't meet his quota for 2 straight quarters, he's fucked. I can't even imagine living with that level of anxiety and shit. Tech guys don't have to deal with all this nonsense. It's much easier for them and more money also.