34, feeling stuck in SaaS sales despite strong performance. Do I keep pushing for AE, move into partnerships, or rethink my career?
TL;DR: I'm 34, based in the UK, with around 10 years of previous financial services experience, including B2C sales and closing roles in mortgage and protection advice. I moved into SaaS a couple of years ago and am now an enterprise SDR. I've consistently exceeded target, been a top performer and earned President's Club, but I'm struggling to progress.
I've missed out on an internal SDR management role and recently reached the final round for an external SMB AE position recently, only to lose out to someone with around a year of B2B closing experience.
I understand the gap, but I'm frustrated that my previous closing experience and strong SaaS performance aren't enough to get me over the line.
With limited internal progression prospects following a major merger, I'm considering pursuing external AE roles, exploring an internal move into partnerships, or looking at other commercial roles.
I have a family and ambitious financial goals, so I want to make the right long-term move rather than spend another year stuck as an SDR.
What would you do in my position? Push hard for that first AE role, explore partnerships as an alternative career path, or take a different approach altogether?