How to Gain Skills and Learn Tools to Land High-Paying SDR Interviews

Jiya T. · 2026-03-22T09:42:03.278Z

Hey everyone, I am a SDR and I am looking to switch. But it is becoming really hard for me to get interviews from companies which actually pay above avg. So It would really mean alot if you guys could guide me what skills should I gain and what tools or automations should I learn to get interviews for high paying SDR roles. Any insights are appreciated!

Pat H.
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Are you performing above average?
Brecht D.
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I think if you want above avg pay one of the most important things is you'll need to become great at what you do but next to that I am starting to realize most of these opportunities come privately. Haven't been looking for work for a while since I was focused on my own business but I realize this now.
🙌1
Brecht D.
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Take a sales course, work on your social skills, make more calls - would be the tangible things you can do.
Jiya T.
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Pat H. Well currently I am working for a new cybersecurity startup and they are still understanding the ICP through my outreach so it is like a lot of hit and trial. I am putting in the work but if the product is new, you know how difficult it is in the beginning.
Jiya T.
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Brecht D. Agreed on becoming great I am trying my best. Could you elaborate what you mean by opportunities coming privately? Could you suggest an affordable sales course?
Pat H.
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How long have you been in the role?
Jiya T.
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8 months
Bittu M.
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Dm'ed.
Brecht D.
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I don't know the details because I'm mostly focused on my own business - but for example you can find people/businesses you would like to work with and keep following up with them.
Pat H.
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Stick in your seat and keep building your skillset. You're not getting good ops because you have low tenure.
Jiya T.
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Okay got it
Adrian G.
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Hey Jiya this is a really common spot to be in, especially at the 6–12 month mark, so you’re not alone. Right now, most SDR candidates say the same things (“I know HubSpot, I use Apollo, I make a lot of calls”). What I've witnessed actually gets interviews, especially for higher-paying roles, is showing how you think and improve, not just what tools you’ve touched. With ~8 months in seat, one way to stand out is to create a small work sample you can share with hiring managers. Take ~50 of your own calls/emails and build a 1-page outbound memo. Still learn the basics (CRM, sequencing tools, light AI for research), but package it like this “Here’s how I approach outreach, what I’ve learned, and how I’ve improved.” Hope this helps! Happy to clarify.
Jiya T.
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Hi Adrian, Thanks for replying. I agree with you and I have already made my outreach memo which includes the tones and my methods of outreach. I believe not being able to get the interviews is the main issue here. But still I am working on a few more things I got to know which I wasn't doing before. Hopefully I get it soon.
Adrian G.
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Hey Jiya that’s great. Since the problem is getting interviews, maybe try showing how you would do the job. Pick a few companies you want to work for, choose one of their target customers, and write a short outreach example. Then record a quick 1–2 minute video explaining your thinking and send it to the hiring manager. I've seen this work. Good luck.
Pat H.
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The issue still stands that 8 months at a startup, without astronomical results to point to, is not going to net top-tier roles. You can build your network and showcase your skills, but find a way to amplify your success in your seat as the real “show, don’t tell”.

How to Gain Skills and Learn Tools to Land High-Paying SDR Interviews

18 comments

How to Gain Skills and Learn Tools to Land High-Paying SDR Interviews

18 comments