As a Sales Development Representative (SDR), you play a vital role in the growth of a business by connecting potential customers with the solutions the company offers. Your primary responsibility is to identify and engage prospective clients through outbound outreach, qualify their level of interest or fit, and schedule meetings for the sales team to move the conversation forward.
The day-to-day work of an SDR includes a mix of research, communication, and follow-up. You may reach out to leads via email, phone calls, LinkedIn, or other channels, depending on the company’s sales strategy. Success in this role requires strong written and verbal English communication skills, as you’ll often be the first impression a prospect has of the company.
This is not just about reading from a script—it’s about building rapport, asking the right questions, and understanding the prospect’s needs. A curious mindset, confidence, and the ability to handle rejection professionally are essential, as outbound sales is a high-volume, fast-paced environment. Your job is to spark interest, listen actively, and determine whether a lead is worth passing on to an Account Executive for a deeper sales conversation.
You’ll typically use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Pipedrive to manage your pipeline, track outreach, and follow up with prospects. You may also use tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, email automation platforms, or dialers to scale your efforts efficiently.
Typical responsibilities include:
Researching potential customers and building lead lists
Sending outreach emails or messages and making cold calls
Asking discovery questions to qualify leads
Scheduling meetings or product demos for the sales team
Logging activity in the CRM and maintaining clean, up-to-date records
Meeting or exceeding weekly and monthly performance goals
This position is ideal for individuals who are goal-oriented, resilient, and eager to grow within a sales or business development career path. Many professionals start in an SDR role and go on to become Account Executives, Customer Success Managers, or Marketing Specialists, depending on their interests and strengths.
Key skills and qualities for success include:
Strong English communication (spoken and written)
High energy, persistence, and ability to handle rejection
Confidence in initiating conversations and asking questions
Organizational skills and attention to detail
Familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) is a plus
Preferred but not required:
Prior experience in sales, customer service, or lead generation
Experience working with international clients or remote teams
Understanding of the sales process or marketing funnel