At Salesforce, our sellers act as strategic partners to the world’s most admired brands, rewriting the playbook on how businesses connect with their customers. Today, with AI at the forefront, our platform is more powerful than ever. So, what does it take to become a top seller at the world’s #1 AI CRM?
The journey begins with our foundational roles: the Sales Development Representative Apprentice (SDRA) and the Sales Development Representative (SDR), both of which serve as entry points on the path to becoming an Account Executive. The SDRA is a shorter-duration apprenticeship program designed to build foundational sales skills, focusing on process efficiency and pioneering collaboration with our Agentforce AI technology. The SDR is where you own the pipeline, master high-volume lead qualification, and make a direct, measurable impact on our multi-million-dollar revenue goals. Choose the path that aligns with your experience and ambition to accelerate your career in enterprise sales.
The following details are specific to our program structure in the AMER (United States and Canada) region.
In the era of AI, Sales is evolving, and we are leading the charge. We’re seeking ambitious individuals to join a team where cutting-edge AI meets human connection to drive real impact. Ready to develop your skills at the world’s most innovative CRM? Read on to see how you can make your mark.
Which is the right role for you?
The Sales Development Representative Apprentice (SDRA) at Salesforce is an exciting entry point for those eager to build a strong foundation in the SMB market. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience in lead qualification and the sales cycle, supporting the growth of our world-class SDR organization while developing the skills to launch your career.
But you won’t just be learning — you will be making history. You will be part of the first team at Salesforce to have AI Agents working alongside you to manage thousands of leads, giving you a front-row seat to the future of sales. As part of this dynamic team, you’ll contribute to generating new business opportunities and develop essential skills that prepare you to advance into a full Sales Development Role. This role is designed to to equip you with expert knowledge in Salesforce solutions, customer profiling, and strategic engagement — all while collaborating closely with experienced SDRs and Sales Executives to drive measurable impact.
Core Goals of a Sales Development Representative Apprentice
- Help streamline SDR team processes for greater efficiency.
- Qualify inbound leads from campaigns, events, and web traffic using Customer 360.
- Work with SDRs and Sales Executives to spark interest and book discovery meetings.
- Research SMB accounts to identify key contacts and tailor outreach.
- Use Salesforce CRM to track prospects and ensure timely follow-up.
- Run meetings with leads booked through Agentforce.
The Sales Development Represenative (SDR) is a core, quota-carrying position that serves as your launchpad to becoming an Account Executive. Standing at the forefront of the company, you will leverage our data and unified platform to turn high-volume leads into a pipeline worth millions.
In this fast-paced role, you won’t just drive revenue—you will master the modern art of selling. Empowered by the very AI tools we sell, you will prioritize and qualify opportunities with precision, directly fueling Salesforce’s growth while accelerating your own career.
Core Goals of a Sales Development Representative
- Effectively prioritize, organize, and call a high volume of inbound leads.
- Utilize AI tools to enhance the inbound sales process.
- Develop foundational knowledge of Salesforce products and business acumen.
- Navigate challenging sales call scenarios.
- Grow your sales career with coaching, mentoring, and feedback.
- Collaborate with team members to ensure a seamless hand—off of qualified leads and contribute to meeting monthly and quarterly revenue goals.
Who are we looking for?
You possess the following:
- Demonstrates a clear, long-term interest in a sales career with a competitive spirit and drive for results.
- Consistently takes ownership of tasks and outcomes, showing a high level of accountability to drive success.
- Exhibits resilience and grit by maintaining a positive attitude, determination, and perseverance in the face of challenges.
- Is resourceful and takes initiative, enjoying the process of learning and adapting in a fast-paced sales environment.
- Maintains focus on long-term goals, pushing through obstacles with tenacity and a strong sense of purpose.
- Demonstrates strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively to manage time and resources efficiently.
Interview Preparation and Tips
- Embrace the Salesforce Vision: Research Salesforce’s core values, customer-first commitment, and strategic focus on Data, AI, and the Agentic Enterprise. Demonstrate your understanding of process logic and systematic thinking —essential skills for working effectively with AI and intelligent agents.
- Showcase Sales Competencies Through Storytelling (STAR Method): Prepare compelling STAR method answers for behavioral questions that highlight key sales competencies: metrics-driven action, accountability, resilience, systematic problem-solving, and growth through feedback.
- Present as a Consultative Professional: Ensure your professional presence (both digital and in-person) is polished and persuasive. Close the interview by asking high-quality, strategic questions that clarify the role’s responsibilities, key metrics, and the team’s challenges, demonstrating genuine curiosity and business acumen.
For a full breakdown on the Futureforce recruiting process, including how to master competency-based interviews (like the STAR method), use AI for preparation, and navigate every stage from resume to job offer, check out our comprehensive guide here.
Ready to take the next step?
Check out our open SDRA and SDR roles below!
Frequently Asked Questions
The SDRA (Sales Development Representative Apprentice) is a shorter-duration program designed to build foundational sales skills, focusing on process efficiency. The SDR (Sales Development Representative) is the core, quota-owning position where you master high-volume lead qualification, own the pipeline, and make a direct, measurable impact on revenue goals. Both are starting points to launch your sales career at Salesforce. Both the SDR-A and SDR are full-time roles.
The SDRA program is typically a 3–5 month apprenticeship designed to build skills before advancing. The SDR role is typically 12–14 months in duration, serving as the foundational, quota-carrying role that directly prepares you for career progression in the sales organization. These timelines can vary based on individual performance and business needs.
The full sales career path is SDRA → SDR → BDR → AE. The ultimate goal is to become an Account Executive (AE).
Both roles require a strong interest in a sales career. The best fit depends on your prior experience:
- SDRA: Candidates with strong attributes like resourcefulness, organization, and some related professional experience are often a great fit for the SDRA, which is designed to build foundational sales skills. Some related sales experience is preferred.
- SDR: Candidates who possess direct sales experience (either post-graduation or from a significant internship) are ideal for the SDR role, as it is a quota-carrying position requiring immediate execution.
