Application Guide

How to Apply for Sales Development Representative, Market Development

at Planet

🏢 About Planet

Planet is a unique Earth-imaging company that operates the largest constellation of satellites, capturing daily imagery of the entire planet. This data empowers governments, researchers, and businesses to monitor environmental changes, optimize agriculture, and respond to disasters, making a tangible impact on global stewardship.

About This Role

As a Sales Development Representative in Market Development, you'll be the pioneer exploring new markets and uncovering high-value opportunities for Planet's satellite data solutions. You'll conduct deep research, execute strategic outreach, and analyze early-stage data to shape Planet's expansion into new segments.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day starts with reviewing new market intelligence and prioritizing accounts based on potential impact. You'll spend time on LinkedIn and industry reports to map out key players, then craft personalized emails and make cold calls. Afternoon might involve analyzing response data to refine your approach and collaborating with the marketing team on targeting strategies.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For

  • You have 3+ years in sales development or a research-heavy role, ideally in a technical field like geospatial, SaaS, or data analytics.
  • You are a research maestro: you can identify key decision-makers in unfamiliar markets and map out account structures using tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
  • You thrive on outbound prospecting, comfortable with cold calls and personalized emails, and can pivot your pitch based on industry insights.
  • You are data-curious, able to analyze early-stage signals to assess market potential and recommend sales or partnership channels.

📝 Tips for Applying to Planet

1

Highlight any experience with Earth-imaging, satellite data, or environmental tech in your resume and cover letter; even adjacent fields like GIS or remote sensing are a plus.

2

Quantify your outbound success: e.g., 'Generated 50+ qualified leads per month via multi-channel outreach' or 'Increased pipeline by 30% through targeted account mapping.'

3

Showcase your research skills by mentioning specific tools you've used (Salesforce, Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo) and how you've used them to uncover business needs.

4

Tailor your application to Planet's mission: mention your passion for environmental stewardship or how you've used data to drive positive impact in previous roles.

5

Include a brief example of a market you've explored or a new segment you've opened, even if it was in a different industry, to demonstrate your exploratory mindset.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your ability to conduct deep-dive research and translate findings into actionable outreach strategies.', "Connect your experience to Planet's mission: talk about how you've used data to solve problems or drive change, similar to how Planet's imagery enables stewardship.", 'Highlight your comfort with ambiguity and early-stage market exploration, as this role involves unverified markets.', "Mention specific tools (CRM, sales engagement platforms) and how you've used them to streamline prospecting and track results."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand Planet's product suite: Dove, SkySat, and the analytics platform (e.g., Planet Insights). Know how different industries use their data.
  • → Review recent press releases or blog posts about Planet's market expansions or partnerships (e.g., with agriculture or defense sectors).
  • → Check Planet's investors and competitors (e.g., Maxar, Airbus) to understand their positioning in the Earth-imaging market.
  • → Explore Planet's impact stories: how customers use their data for environmental monitoring, disaster response, or supply chain transparency.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach researching a new market like agriculture or forestry for Planet's satellite data? Walk us through your process.
2 Describe a time you identified a key decision-maker in a company and successfully engaged them. What channels did you use?
3 How do you prioritize which accounts to target when given a broad market segment?
4 Tell us about a time you analyzed early-stage data to determine if a market was worth pursuing. What metrics did you use?
5 How would you tailor your outreach for a technical audience (e.g., geospatial analysts) vs. a business audience (e.g., sustainability officers)?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention satellite data or Planet's mission; it will stand out for the wrong reasons.
  • Avoid being too salesy without substance; this role values research and insight over sheer volume of calls.
  • Don't neglect to show your analytical side. Even if you're from a sales background, highlight your ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations.

📅 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 Planet!

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