Pros
I've been with Gartner for six months and it's been everything I hoped for and more. I have to make a clarification that a LOT of the reviews on here are from very junior (entry-level) sales folks who have the title "Account Manager". That is the entry-level SMB inside-sales role in Florida and that is much more "sink or swim". I would take all of those reviews with a grain of salt if you are an experienced sales person applying for the Account Executive, Senior AE, or Business Development roles. Those are for sales people with 5-10 years experience minimum and that's the role I am in. Top 10 PROS: 1. Great base pay and high earning potential (higher than I was getting in my prior two management level roles). 2. Flexible schedule - I work remotely from home and spend time out with my clients and make my own schedule. 3. Work with great companies as clients 4. Gartner is very well respected in the IT/tech industry 5. You only have 10-15 accounts ($1-2 Million book of business) and you get the time to focus on them. Sometimes this feels like limited opportunity but once the job got busy I understand that this is all an AE can really handle given the scope of the IT departments at large clients. 5. The company is doing exceptionally well. Double-digit growth for years which is a much happier place to be than a company that is struggling to get by. 6. Not crazy over expenses - they understand this is important for sales. We run events, take clients to lunch, etc and all expenses get approved. 7. Upward mobility - I've seen AE's already get promoted and given the constant growth of the company they are on the look out for their next leaders. 8. Global company so chance of moving or changing roles if you do well. 9. Professional, nice people. I have worked for some real jerks and everyone I meet at Gartner treats you with respect and is really friendly and helpful. Its that type of culture that has been very encouraging. 10. Training and support - the training is intense and long but its because they are investing in you. There is a lot of continued help as well. Everyone is willing to walk you through things like how to put together contracts or what's included in particular services. 11. Bonus Pro - Lots of people make their number and make winner's circle. NO LIMIT on who goes to Winner's circle as long as you hit 130% of your quota.
Cons
CONS: Being close to the HQ in Stamford, CT is generally a pro but we are required to go there every Monday for team meetings and its a bit of trek from Manhattan. I was thinking I would know what I was doing after 6 weeks of training but I still had so much to learn. That is the reality of this AE role especially if you don't have an IT background. I learn one new thing (or 5 things) every day. It's taking me upwards of six months to finally have the feeling that I know what I'm doing. It can also take awhile to get your first sale as they are big and you have to get to know your clients so no commissions for awhile was a bummer but then you can make your number off a couple good size deals.