Sales Development Representative (West)

As a Sales Development Representative at Planful, you will engage in various responsibilities, primarily executing outbound activities using our tech stack and conducting phone discussions with prospects to identify and qualify opportunities. Your role also involves understanding the pain points of finance users, gathering requirements, and aligning our solutions with customer needs. Additionally, you'll partner with Account Executives to tailor your outreach and ensure every opportunity is well-documented and actionable.

Planful is looking for candidates who are either recent graduates or early-career professionals eager to dive into sales and business development. Key qualifications include strong written and verbal communication skills, a motivated hunter mentality, and meticulous attention to detail. Experience with Salesforce and Outreach is an advantage, but what’s most important is your passion for technology sales and your ability to adapt and excel in a remote work setting.

The Sales Development Representative position plays a crucial role in driving revenue growth at Planful by generating qualified leads and setting the stage for successful sales conversations. By meeting and exceeding quotas for qualified introductions to Account Executives, you not only contribute to pipeline growth but also help the team to better understand customer needs and provide tailored solutions, ultimately leading to increased sales.

Sales Development Representatives at Planful enjoy a wide range of benefits designed to enhance their work-life balance and professional development. These include generous PTO policies, volunteer days, and wellness initiatives. Furthermore, you’ll have access to mentorship programs, team offsites, and reimbursements for home office setups, internet, and cell phone costs, fostering a culture of support and growth within our remote environment.

The work culture at Planful is vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative for Sales Development Representatives. We believe in empowering our team members to bring their authentic selves to work while providing support through Employee Resource Groups and mentorship opportunities. Our commitment to a positive work environment is reflected in our initiatives such as team-specific outings, wellness days, and opportunities to dynamically engage with fellow colleagues, making it a rewarding place to build your career.

In preparing for an interview for the Sales Development Representative role at Planful, it's essential to articulate that this position focuses on engaging potential customers through outbound communication, qualifying their needs, and setting up meetings for the sales team. Highlight your understanding of the importance of making meaningful connections and providing value to both prospects and the company.

Addressing non-responsive prospects is crucial in sales. Discuss strategies like adjusting your outreach methods, such as changing your communication channel or personalizing your follow-up messages. Emphasize the importance of persistence while remaining respectful of the prospect's time, and showcase your ability to adapt your approach based on feedback and engagement.

To identify a qualified lead as a Sales Development Representative, I would consider various factors such as the prospect's industry, company size, and specific pain points related to financial performance. I would engage them in discussions to better understand their needs and assess whether our solutions can meet those. Establishing a strong correlation between what we offer and their challenges is key to qualifying them as a lead.

When asked why I want to work in sales within the tech industry, I would explain my passion for technology and how it transforms businesses. I enjoy the challenge of understanding complex solutions and communicating their value to potential customers. The ever-evolving nature of tech sales excites me, as it allows for continuous learning and the opportunity to significantly impact companies' efficiency and growth.

In response to this question, I would detail a specific instance where I faced a challenge, perhaps in a team project or while engaging with a difficult customer. Highlight the steps I took to analyze the problem, collaborate with others for insights, and ultimately find a solution, showcasing my problem-solving skills and resilience, which are vital in sales roles.

In managing multiple priorities as a Sales Development Representative, I utilize tools like calendars and task management applications to keep track of my responsibilities. I prioritize my tasks based on deadlines and importance, ensuring that I allocate dedicated time for prospect outreach while also updating CRM systems like Salesforce. Regular check-ins with my progress help maintain my organization and productivity.

My motivation to succeed in sales comes from a combination of personal goals and a drive to help others. I find it rewarding to provide solutions that genuinely benefit customers. Additionally, I thrive in environments with measurable goals, where achieving quotas and earning recognition fuels my competitive spirit and dedication to continuous improvement.

I would share an example from a previous team project where I collaborated to achieve a common goal, perhaps in an academic or internship context. I would emphasize my role in fostering open communication within the team, actively participating in brainstorming sessions, and helping to coordinate tasks. This experience demonstrates my teamwork skills, which align with Planful's collaborative culture.

In preparing for this question, I would highlight my research on Planful's financial performance management software, emphasizing how it assists businesses in streamlining planning, budgeting, and reporting processes. Discussing the impact on customer efficiency and accuracy, as well as mentioning notable clients, would demonstrate my understanding and interest in Planful's value proposition.

In addressing my career progression, I would express my eagerness to develop my skills as a Sales Development Representative at Planful, ideally progressing to an Account Executive role in the future. I would also mention my interest in continuous learning, seeking development opportunities within the company, and contributing to Planful's success while growing my career.