Neil Bhuiyan sits down with Emily Hunter, Account Manager at SciLeads, to explore what life after SDR can really look like.

Emily shares her career journey from studying international business to starting her professional life during the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually building a career in tech sales.

The conversation explores the transition from sales development into partnerships, sales roles and ultimately account management. Emily explains what the day-to-day life of an account manager actually looks like, how customer relationships evolve after the deal is signed, and why many professionals find fulfilment in long-term customer partnerships.

They also discuss imposter syndrome, mentorship, mental resilience, and how career paths in sales rarely follow a straight line.

For SDRs thinking about their next move, Emily offers practical advice on believing in your abilities, embracing new opportunities, and remembering that growth often happens outside your comfort zone.

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Key Takeaways

  • Career paths in sales are rarely linear and often evolve through multiple roles
  • Account managers combine customer success, consulting and commercial growth
  • Long-term customer relationships require empathy, adaptability and trust
  • Mentorship and supportive leadership can accelerate professional growth
  • Imposter syndrome is common even among successful sales professionals
  • Difficult customer conversations become easier with experience
  • COVID forced many professionals to rethink their career direction
  • Believing in yourself and staying open to opportunity creates long-term growth

Chapters & Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Introduction to the SDR DiscoCall Show
  • 00:01 – Meet Emily Hunter and her career journey
  • 02:35 – Personal passions and life outside of sales
  • 05:35 – From university to the start of her career
  • 06:57 – Early career challenges and learning experiences
  • 08:11 – The impact of COVID-19 on Emily’s role
  • 10:47 – Growth, resilience and adapting to change
  • 16:28 – Navigating the pandemic early in her career
  • 17:30 – Moving from SDR-style work into account management
  • 19:14 – Partnerships and collaborative selling
  • 21:03 – Transitioning into account management
  • 27:17 – The day-to-day role of an account manager
  • 34:05 – Navigating difficult customer conversations
  • 41:00 – Advice for aspiring account managers
  • 45:08 – Episode outro

Soundbites

  • “Think of us as the ZoomInfo for science.”
  • “Do something you enjoy, do something you love.”
  • “Believe in yourself and your abilities.”

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