Exam Preparation Details

Purpose:  The SDS Certification Exam will test you to determine if you have the knowledge and skills to perform a Sales Development Specialist role.  This includes positions such as Business Development Representatives (BDR) and Sales Development Representatives (SDR).  This training program will help prepare you for the exam and includes one opportunity to take the exam.

Training Program Overview:  The training program includes 30 AI Training Chat Prompts to teach you the knowledge and skills needed to pass the SDS Certification Exam.  Passing the exam indicates that you are very well qualified to interview for an SDS role.

What are AI Training Chat Prompts?  AI chat applications like ChatGPT are structured like chats.  A chat prompt is the text that you can input to activate the AI application to train you on a specific topic.  We use  two types of training prompts.  Knowledge Training Prompts are designed to help you acquire the knowledge that you need for the exam and the role.  Skills Training Prompts are designed to help you build the interactive skills that you need.  

Knowledge Training Prompts:  These prompts direct the AI application to structure the training using the following basic format:

• Break the instruction into 150-200 word sections

• Instruct on a section

• Pause for questions

• Test for retention of key concepts in this section

• Repeat with next section

• Overall test for retention on the topic

Skills Training Prompts:  These prompts build on what you have learned in the associated knowledge sections and give you the opportunity to build the skills to execute important interactive components of the SDS roles.   These are role plays in which you play the role of a BDR and the AI agent plays the prospect.    For best results,  we recommend that you do the role plays on your phone in order to engage vocally with the AI agent.

Role Playing:  In the role plays, you will be playing the role of a BDR for CareerDash attempting to secure appointments for the CareerDash CEO to meet with the Director of Talent Acquisition, Terry Johnson,. 

ChatGPT Plus Account:  We have developed and tested these prompts on the paid version of ChatGPT called ChatGPT Plus.  You must create an account and  choose the paid option (approximately $20 per month).  This platform will be very helpful for you during the exam preparation and the job pursuit process.  You need the paid version to execute the role plays with voice interaction.  You cannot use the training GPTs unless you have ChatGPT Plus.

Training Topics:

1. The Role of a Sales Development Specialist (Knowledge)

• Definition and responsibilities of an SDS

• Key differences between BDRs, SDRs, and Account Executives

• Importance of SDSs in the sales funnel and company growth

2. Prospecting and Lead Generation (Knowledge)

• Identifying target markets and ideal customer profiles (ICPs)

• Tools and techniques for finding prospects including LinkedIn

• Developing and maintaining a healthy sales pipeline

• Researching prospects effectively

3. Crafting and Delivering Effective Outreach (Knowledge and Skills)

• Writing compelling emails and crafting impactful messages

• Techniques for cold calling and voicemail strategies

• Introductory prospecting role play

• Basic prospecting role play

• Social selling: Engaging with prospects via social media

• Personalization and timing in outreach (Cadence)

4. Building Rapport and Qualifying Leads (Knowledge and Skills)

• Techniques to build trust and establish rapport with prospects

• Trust and rapport building role play

• Investigating to uncover pain points

• Investigating pain points role play

• Qualification frameworks (e.g., BANT, CHAMP, or MEDDIC)

• Qualifying role play

• Identifying when to pass leads to Account Executives

5. Handling Objections and Rejection (Knowledge and Skills)

• Anticipating common objections and how to respond effectively

• Demonstrating empathy in sales conversations

• Asking questions to clarify concerns

• Objection Handling role play

• Strategies for staying resilient and motivated after rejection

6. Leveraging Tools and Technology (Knowledge)

• Overview of key sales tools: CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), automation platforms, and prospecting tools

• Data tracking and analytics for performance improvement

• Time management and productivity tools for BDRs

7. Measuring Success and Continuous Improvement (Knowledge)

• Key metrics for BDRs: Activity levels, conversion rates, pipeline contribution

• Improving performance when metrics indicate an issue

Bundled Exam: The SDS Certification Exam is bundled with the preparation training. You have the opportunity to take the exam one time.

Cost: $299