Application Guide

How to Apply for Sales Development Representative

at Arbor

🏢 About Arbor

Arbor is an AI-powered platform that helps renters, homeowners, and small businesses pay less for electricity by aggregating users to unlock better pricing and automatically switching between rates. With over $20 million in funding and millions saved for users, Arbor is building an intelligent electricity platform to power an abundant electric future, making it a mission-driven company at the intersection of climate tech and AI.

About This Role

As the first Sales Development Representative focused on commercial accounts, you'll be the tip of the spear for Arbor's go-to-market strategy targeting small-to-medium businesses. You'll run cold outbound, manage existing accounts, and help shape the playbooks and processes that define how the company scales, making this a high-impact role with significant ownership.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day starts with reviewing a list of target small-to-medium businesses, researching each to tailor your outreach. You'll spend the morning on cold calls and emails, then follow up with warm leads in the afternoon. You'll also collaborate with the team to refine scripts and track metrics, with flexibility to work remotely.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Arbor Is Looking For

  • Experience in B2B sales or SDR roles, preferably in energy, SaaS, or a trust-driven industry where you've built credibility quickly.
  • Strong research skills to understand prospects' businesses and tailor outreach, with a knack for making complex topics (like energy rates) simple.
  • Comfortable with cold outbound (calls, emails, LinkedIn) and persistent yet empathetic in follow-ups.
  • Self-starter who thrives in a remote, fast-paced startup environment and is excited to build processes from scratch.

📝 Tips for Applying to Arbor

1

Mention any experience with energy markets, utilities, or sustainability in your resume/cover letter to show domain relevance.

2

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable outbound results (e.g., number of meetings set, pipeline generated) rather than just responsibilities.

3

Demonstrate research by referencing Arbor's specific value prop (e.g., AI-powered aggregation, automatic switching) in your application.

4

Showcase your ability to simplify complex topics—consider including a brief example of how you'd explain Arbor's platform to a small business owner.

5

If you've built or contributed to sales playbooks or processes, highlight that as it's a key aspect of this role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for sustainability and reducing energy costs for small businesses, aligning with Arbor's mission.", "Specific examples of cold outbound success and how you've developed scripts or processes.", 'Your ability to build trust quickly with commercial prospects, emphasizing active listening and problem-solving.', 'Excitement about being the first commercial SDR and helping shape the GTM strategy.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand Arbor's platform: how it aggregates users, switches rates, and optimizes usage in real-time.
  • → Read about the deregulated energy market and how small businesses can choose suppliers.
  • → Look into Arbor's investors and any recent news or funding announcements.
  • → Research common pain points for small businesses regarding energy costs (e.g., confusing bills, rate volatility).

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your cold outreach process for a small business—how do you research and personalize?
2 How would you explain Arbor's value proposition to a skeptical small business owner in 30 seconds?
3 Describe a time you had to build a sales process from scratch or improve an existing one.
4 How do you handle rejection and maintain persistence in outbound sales?
5 What do you know about the commercial energy market and current trends (e.g., AI data center demand)?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without referencing Arbor's specific mission or technology.
  • Overlooking the importance of trust-building in energy sales—avoid sounding pushy or transactional.
  • Not showing curiosity about the commercial energy space or failing to ask insightful questions in the interview.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Arbor!

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