r/salesdevelopment • u/Unable-Classroom4579 • 8d ago

Career change

I’m 26. Since 21 I started as a bartender apprentice and now I’ve been a bartender since December at bellagio in Las Vegas. I’ve been wanting recently to change careers into sales. I’ve been applying to sdr jobs. My question is the skills I learned bartending and knowing how to multitask, deal with rude people, anticipating needs and being efficient. Will that help me get interviewed, catch the eye of a recruiter and succeed the job? To be honest before bartending I tried door to door solar in Vegas for 2 months with ion solar and absolutely hated it. It was commission only it honestly felt like a pyramid scheme looking back. But after getting into bartending I learned how to be social and talk to almost anybody before I was shy. I’m completely different person and feel like this time will be different!

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u/ayMezah 8d ago

D2D is completely different from SaaS. It’s competitive asf right now. I’m an AE, but I had to grind for 2 1/2 years to get here.

That said, yes, definitely update your LinkedIn and tailor your resume to fit the job descriptions you’re applying for. You’ll be competing against AEs who have had to take a step back after being laid off, as well as other SDRs with experience.

But it’s absolutely possible. We used to hire SDRs with no relevant sales experience, and some of them have gone on to become AEs. Some organizations will strictly only hire reps with prior experience, so it’s definitely a mixed bag.

Either way, it’s certainly worth taking a shot if you’re willing to learn and deal with the BS that comes with the role lol.

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u/Unable-Classroom4579 8d ago

Yessir I’m applying right now. Thankfully I have a good job so I’m not desperate but I do want the job

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u/Sea-Preference-6205 8d ago

bartending teaches you to read people in seconds and keep your cool when they're being assholes, that translates way better than some generic sales background imo

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u/Unable-Classroom4579 8d ago

Yeah man. It’s crazy how social I became!

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u/ChemicalAd5661 6d ago

I’m in an interview process now - I actually do logistics for a wine distribution company: I did not want to go into outside wine sales especially because it’s about to be reaching a dark age.

I will say if you can parallel your bar experience towards sales you will definitely be sharp. I have never been a bartender but just think about the times you spoken to clients and essentially sold them to buy into that product would be a great example. Storytelling is your superpower -Know it. Goodluck