Becoming a Successful BDR Without Experience: Lessons from Niek Remkes

Being good at selling is such a valuable asset to have for the rest of your career. Sales teaches you to become a problem solver and advisor, and not be scared to strike up a one-on-one conversation with a stranger.

We recently sat down with Niek Remkes to hear about his inspiring journey from a university graduate with no prior sales experience to becoming a successful BDR. Along the way, he shattered some misconceptions about sales, mastered new skills, and even started his own company!

Niek has come a long way, here's his story.

View our upcoming sales trainings

From PPE Graduate to BDR: How Niek Started His Sales Career

After earning a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) at VU Amsterdam, Niek wasn’t initially aiming for a sales role. "When I thought about sales, I imagined door-to-door pitches or cold calls," he shares. But when The Linq Group’s HR Manager reached out via LinkedIn, his perspective began to shift.

Niek joined The Linq Group’s BDR Outsourcing Program, which paired him with an IT consultancy company. "At first, I had no idea what I was getting into," he admits. "But the tailored training made all the difference. I learned about the specific product, the industry, and even real-life sales techniques before stepping into the role."

Breaking Down Misconceptions About Sales

Sales is not just about cold calls or pushing products. It’s about understanding the problem your prospect has and figuring out how to be part of their solution.

For Niek, the art of sales lies in meaningful conversations: "It’s about finding small ways to connect, whether it’s mentioning a shared interest or noticing something on their LinkedIn profile." Even cold calling, a staple of BDR life, turned out to be less daunting than expected. "I thought it would be repetitive and stale," he says, "but every organization is different. You have to stay sharp and adapt to each conversation."

The Skills That Make a Great BDR

When asked about the skills that helped him succeed, Niek emphasizes the importance of listening. "It’s really about the art of having a good conversation. It can’t be one-sided," he says. "You have to build a connection before even mentioning your product."

Sign up for our B2B sales newsletter 📬

This approach served him well during mock sales calls in the hiring process. "During my first interview, I jumped into pitching too quickly," Niek recalls. "But I got great feedback, and by my next call, I had a better understanding of how to structure a real conversation."

The Value of Sales Skills Beyond the Job

Sales skills are invaluable, even outside of sales roles. They teach you how to approach people, uncover problems, and offer solutions. These are skills that apply to consulting, entrepreneurship, and more.

He credits his time in sales with helping him step confidently into his current venture: a startup called INIT, a social app for hostel travelers in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. "The ability to talk to people, understand their needs, and build relationships has been critical," he says.

A Look Back at The Linq Group’s BDR Program

Niek highlights the tailored training as one of the program’s key strengths. "The training was specific to the company I was working with, so I felt confident from day one," he says. He also appreciated the supportive environment:

When I had a bad call, I didn’t get criticized—I got a high five and encouragement to learn from it.

View our upcoming sales trainings

This combination of practical skills and a positive atmosphere prepared him to handle real-life sales scenarios. "You can read all the books you want about sales," Niek reflects, "but nothing compares to actual experience."

Where Is Niek Now?

Today, Niek is working full-time on his startup, INIT, alongside five friends. "It’s been exciting and challenging to build something from the ground up," he shares. "We’re partnering with hostels to help travelers connect and share experiences."

Looking back, Niek is grateful for his sales journey. "The Linq Group’s program gave me the tools I needed to succeed," he says.

Sales isn’t just a job—it’s a skillset that will benefit me for the rest of my career.