Application Guide
How to Apply for Sales Development Representative
at Workiva
🏢 About Workiva
Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline compliance with climate impact transparency. Their remote-first culture and focus on sustainability make them an attractive employer for those passionate about environmental responsibility and cutting-edge software solutions.
About This Role
As an SDR at Workiva, you'll be the frontline driver of revenue growth by prospecting into target accounts and generating qualified leads for Account Executives. This role is impactful because you directly contribute to expanding Workiva's client base in the high-growth ESG reporting market.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day starts by reviewing Salesforce for new leads and prioritizing outreach to target accounts. You spend the morning making cold calls and sending personalized emails, then follow up on responses and qualify leads for Account Executives. Afternoons involve CRM updates, team syncs, and refining prospecting strategies based on pipeline data.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For
- Experienced in cold-calling and social outreach with a proven track record in lead generation, ideally in B2B SaaS.
- Comfortable using Salesforce CRM for pipeline management and reporting; certification or strong hands-on experience preferred.
- Excellent communicator with the ability to articulate Workiva's value proposition in ESG reporting to C-level executives.
- Self-motivated and organized, capable of managing multiple accounts and meeting quarterly quotas in a remote environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva
Tailor your resume to highlight specific cold-calling and prospecting metrics (e.g., 'Generated 50+ qualified leads per quarter via cold outreach').
In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with ESG or sustainability trends to show alignment with Workiva's mission.
Demonstrate Salesforce proficiency by listing specific features used (e.g., dashboards, reports, lead scoring).
Research Workiva's recent press releases or case studies on ESG reporting to discuss in your interview.
Prepare a mock cold-call script or prospecting strategy for a target account in the ESG space to showcase your skills.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Highlight your experience in lead generation and cold-calling with concrete results.', "Express enthusiasm for Workiva's mission of simplifying ESG reporting for climate impact.", 'Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote setting and your proficiency with Salesforce.', "Mention any knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g., CSRD, SEC climate rules) that drive demand for Workiva's solutions."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Workiva's latest blog posts on ESG reporting trends and regulatory updates.
- → Understand the key features of Workiva's ESG platform (e.g., data collection, assurance readiness).
- → Review customer success stories or case studies on Workiva's website to see typical pain points.
- → Check recent news about Workiva's partnerships or product launches in the sustainability space.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter without mentioning ESG or Workiva's specific value proposition.
- Failing to provide quantifiable achievements in lead generation or cold-calling on your resume.
- Neglecting to research Workiva's competitors (e.g., Salesforce Net Zero Cloud, Persefoni) and how to position against them.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!