Application Guide

How to Apply for Sales Development Representative - State, Local & Education (SLED)

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leader in streamlining integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations transparently communicate their climate impact and compliance. Their platform is trusted by thousands of enterprises, and they are committed to innovation and sustainability. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven company that values transparency and environmental stewardship.

About This Role

As an SDR focused on the SLED market, you will partner with Account Executives to develop engagement strategies for state, local, and education accounts. Your high-volume prospecting and lead qualification will directly drive revenue goals and expand Workiva's footprint in the public sector. This role is critical for building pipeline and enabling organizations to meet their reporting needs.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day starts with reviewing a list of target accounts and prioritizing outreach. You spend the morning making cold calls and sending personalized emails to SLED contacts. After lunch, you attend a meeting with your Account Executive to align on strategy and hand off qualified leads. You update Salesforce with all activities and end the day researching upcoming RFPs or events in your territory.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Workiva

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • Experienced in SLED prospecting: You have prior success selling into or prospecting within state, local, or education markets, understanding their unique procurement cycles and decision-making processes.
  • High-volume outbound pro: You thrive on cold-calling, email, and social outreach, consistently hitting activity metrics and generating qualified leads.
  • Salesforce savvy: You are proficient in Salesforce CRM for tracking activities, managing leads, and reporting, ensuring seamless handoffs to Account Executives.
  • Excellent communicator: You possess strong verbal and written skills to craft compelling outreach messages and engage SLED stakeholders effectively.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Highlight any SLED experience prominently in your resume and cover letter, using specific examples like deals closed or relationships built in the public sector.

2

Quantify your prospecting success: include metrics like number of calls per day, meetings set, or pipeline generated to demonstrate your high-volume capability.

3

Mention Salesforce proficiency explicitly, and if you have certifications or advanced skills, list them.

4

Tailor your cover letter to show understanding of Workiva's ESG focus and how SLED entities can benefit from transparent reporting.

5

Research Workiva's recent SLED wins or case studies and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express passion for sustainability and how Workiva's mission aligns with your values.", "Detail your SLED experience, including specific agencies or districts you've worked with and the challenges you solved.", 'Demonstrate your ability to execute high-volume outbound strategies with concrete examples of targets and results.', "Explain why you're excited about remote work and how you stay productive and self-motivated."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand Workiva's core product: the Wdesk platform for integrated reporting, especially its ESG module.
  • → Review recent news or press releases about Workiva's SLED contracts or partnerships.
  • → Explore the SLED market's challenges in ESG reporting and compliance to speak knowledgeably.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Workiva's company culture and values, particularly around sustainability and innovation.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach prospecting into a new SLED territory with no existing relationships?
2 Describe a time you turned a cold lead into a qualified opportunity; what steps did you take?
3 How do you prioritize accounts and activities when managing a large list of targets?
4 What do you know about Workiva's ESG reporting platform and its relevance to SLED customers?
5 How do you use Salesforce to track your daily activities and measure success?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning SLED or ESG experience.
  • Overlooking the importance of high-volume outreach; don't pitch yourself as a low-volume strategic seller.
  • Not demonstrating Salesforce proficiency; failing to mention CRM skills can be a dealbreaker.

📅 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!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →