Application Guide

How to Apply for Sales Development Representative (Canada)

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leading SaaS company that simplifies integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations achieve transparency in climate impact and compliance. Its collaborative culture and focus on innovation make it an exciting place to drive meaningful change in sustainability and business reporting.

About This Role

As an SDR at Workiva, you'll be the first point of contact for prospects, using high-volume cold calling and outbound prospecting to generate interest in the Workiva Platform. This role is vital for building pipeline and directly impacts revenue growth, offering a fast-paced environment where your hunter mentality thrives.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day starts with reviewing a list of target accounts and researching key contacts. You then dive into high-volume cold calling (60-80 calls) and follow-up emails, aiming to spark interest in Workiva's platform. You collaborate with your Account Executive to refine engagement strategies and update CRM with qualified leads.

🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • Expert in outbound prospecting and cold calling, with a proven ability to make 60-80 calls per day
  • Skilled at quickly building rapport with executive-level decision makers and sparking curiosity
  • Data-driven and research-oriented, able to identify key contacts and critical account information
  • Collaborative team player who partners closely with Account Executives to drive engagement strategies

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Highlight your cold calling experience with specific metrics (e.g., number of calls per day, conversion rates, pipeline generated).

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize outbound prospecting skills, not just inbound lead handling.

3

Showcase your ability to research and target accounts by mentioning tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator or ZoomInfo.

4

Demonstrate knowledge of ESG and sustainability reporting trends, as Workiva focuses on this niche.

5

In your cover letter, mention your hunter mentality and excitement for being the first contact with prospects.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your expertise in high-volume cold calling and outbound prospecting with measurable results.', 'Your ability to quickly build rapport with C-level executives and generate curiosity.', 'Your collaborative approach to working with Account Executives to drive pipeline.', "Your passion for SaaS and understanding of Workiva's role in ESG reporting."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Understand Workiva's platform and how it integrates ESG reporting with financial reporting.
  • Read about Workiva's culture and values, especially collaboration and innovation.
  • Learn about the competitive landscape in ESG reporting (e.g., Salesforce Net Zero Cloud, Persefoni).
  • Check recent news about Workiva's growth, partnerships, or customer success stories.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your cold calling process and how you handle rejection.
2 How do you research a target account to identify key decision makers?
3 Give an example of a time you generated a qualified lead from outbound efforts.
4 How do you prioritize accounts and manage your daily call volume?
5 Why are you interested in ESG reporting and Workiva specifically?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on inbound leads instead of outbound prospecting skills.
  • Being vague about cold calling experience without specific metrics.
  • Not showing enthusiasm for sustainability or ESG topics, which are core to Workiva's mission.

📅 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 Workiva!