Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Account Executive
What account executives actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an account executive?
Review the pipeline and plan the day’s priorities. From there, the day usually includes prospect and qualify leads, run discovery calls and demos, and write proposals and quotes. Most work full-time, with extra hours at the end of quarters.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an account executive working full time.
- Review the pipeline and plan the day’s priorities.
- Make prospecting calls and send personalized emails.
- Run a discovery call with a potential client.
- Demo the product to a buying committee.
- Write a proposal and pricing.
- Negotiate terms with a prospect’s procurement team.
- Update CRM notes and forecast.
Where account executives work
Account executives work in offices or remotely, on phones and video calls, with some travel for field sales roles.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time, with extra hours at the end of quarters.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Prospect and qualify leads
- Run discovery calls and demos
- Write proposals and quotes
- Negotiate and close deals
- Manage a pipeline in CRM
- Grow existing accounts
- Hit monthly and quarterly quotas
Tools you’ll use every day
- CRM systems such as Salesforce or HubSpot
- Sales engagement tools
- Video meeting software
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Proposal and e-signature tools
- Email and calendars
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High earning potential
- Remote-friendly roles
- No degree required for many jobs
- Clear career ladder
What’s hard
- Quota pressure
- Rejection
- Income can vary
- End-of-quarter crunch
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like talking with people
- I’m motivated by goals
- I can handle rejection
- I like solving business problems
- I want high earning potential
- I can stay organized with many deals
Not sure? Take the free Account Executive fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect customer data
- Follow honest sales practices
- Manage stress and set boundaries
- Travel safely for field sales