Sales Development Representative Summer Internship (Hybrid)

Location: Arlington, Virginia Department: Internships

KnowBe4 empowers the modern workforce to make smarter security decisions every day. Trusted by more than 70,000 organizations worldwide, KnowBe4 is the pioneer of digital workforce security, securing both AI agents and humans. The KnowBe4 Platform provides attack simulation and training, collaboration security, and agent security powered by AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Defense Agents) and a proprietary Risk Score. The platform leverages 15-years of behavioral data to combat advanced threats including social engineering, prompt injection, and shadow AI. By securing humans and agents, KnowBe4 leads the industry in workforce trust and defense.

This position is a hybrid role open to candidates in the greater Washington DC area. This position will require the intern to work in our Arlington, VA office 4 days a week (Monday - Thursday).

Dates of Program: May 24th, 2027 - August 13, 2027 (12 weeks)

Application Dates: You should apply as soon as possible but understand that because of our large pool of applicants, the selection process can take a few weeks. We strive to create a diverse group of interns as we feel that it improves the overall internship experience.

Attention: This is a paid internship. Please note that the intern would be responsible for relocation (if needed) and lodging for the duration of the internship.

Internship Program Details: Join the best internship program around! Interns get unique insight into the minds of the CEO and senior executives during Ask Me Anything sessions. Interns will receive company training, onboarding, and professional development workshops to help transition into the workplace. Interns will also engage in team-building activities and awesome socials. For more information on the internship program, visit www.knowbe4.com/careers/internships.

As a Sales Development Representative Intern at KnowBe4, you’ll see business through the lens of the provider of the world's largest integrated new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform as you grow your knowledge of KnowBe4’s products, systems, business operations, and sales strategies. The sales development internship program will give aspiring sales professionals exposure to real strategies and techniques applied in a working sales organization.  The individuals selected will be exposed to real sales conversations and get hands-on experience effectively finding, cleaning and prospecting new accounts to become KnowBe4 customers. You will work alongside current SDRs and interface with the Account Executives you will deliver to.

Key Responsibilities

Map company structure and verify their information to find  workable accounts

Map and identify appropriate contacts from the workable accounts

Learn critical elements of prospecting conversations in preparation for qualification calls

Role-play to learn conversation best practices, mirroring, labeling, and objection-handling techniques

Conduct calls and emails to drive solid demo bookings

Schedule and hand-off demo ready lead to quota carrying Sales Representatives

Learn how to organize, clean, prospect, and maintain our CRM database

Shadow sales development representatives with prospective customers to grow in your conversation knowledge, understanding and skills

Listen to demos of sales calls from  Account Executives of varying levels of tenure

Work with cross-functional sales teams to understand the KnowBe4 business model better

Learning Objectives

Get a full understanding of the Sales Roadmap to Success

Get a solid understanding of the Information Technology industry and the importance of security awareness training within a prospect’s organization

Learn all critical elements of a solid sales prospecting process

Learn and complete a successful sales handoff from prospecting efforts

Apply negotiating skills effectively

Translate classroom experience into practical application during the internship

Internship Opportunities/Experiences

Attend all scheduled professional development events for the intern program

On-the-job training to learn the best business practices related to prospecting and sales

Time with inspiring sales leaders who are committed to providing ongoing training & mentoring

Training

Industry, KnowBe4 and Sales process training at the beginning of the internship

Learn key terms related to KnowBe4 and cybersecurity

Role-playing to learn conversation best practices, mirroring, labeling and objection-handling techniques

Learning best practice techniques for calling and emailing prospects

On-the-job training in key sales development steps and strong administrative disciplines

Learn time management and balance of workload

Minimum Qualifications

Strong Communication and Empathy

Confident and Positive

Resilient and Adaptable

Competitiveness and Tenacity

Collaborative Team Player

Good computer skills

Education

Must be a Junior or Senior candidate

Degree in Hospitality, Communications, Customer Service, Marketing or Business Management/Administration

Our Fantastic Benefits

We offer company-wide bonuses based on monthly sales targets, employee referral bonuses, adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement, certification reimbursement, and certification completion bonuses - all in a modern, high-tech, and fun work environment. For more details about our benefits in each office location, please visit www.knowbe4.com/careers/benefits.

Note: An applicant assessment and background check may be part of your hiring procedure.

Individuals seeking employment at KnowBe4 are considered without prejudice to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completi