Take job offer or wait for possible internal promotion?
25 y/o currently working as a BDR at a larger enterprise CX/software company (~2.5 years full-time in role). Company is now PE-backed and going through integration/restructuring changes after a major acquisition. There’s a possibility of an internal AE promotion opening in the next few months, but nothing guaranteed and I’d likely be competing against at least 2 other internal candidates.
At the same time, I have an external offer for an AE role at a smaller MSP/managed services/networking company. Comp looks solid, immediate AE title, more ownership, recurring revenue/residual commissions, and more of a consultative infrastructure/MSP sale.
Trying to think long-term career-wise, not emotionally.
Would you:
- stay at the larger/more recognizable enterprise software company and wait for the potential internal AE promotion
OR
- take the smaller company AE role now and start getting closing experience immediately?
Curious especially from people who:
- stayed too long waiting for internal promotion
- left for a smaller company
- work in MSP/VAR/infrastructure sales
- moved from BDR to AE externally
No sugarcoating please.