Tell us a bit about yourself and what you're up to now
I worked as a journalist before diving into SaaS sales 5 years ago during the pandemic. I enjoy reading classics and historical romance, my favourite hobby even though it's basic, is travelling. I also enjoy trying out new recipes I find online.
What was your journey into a career in Tech Sales
Before i got into tech I was a print and broadcast journalist. During the pandemic, I decided to polish up my LinkedIn and did some research about entry level roles in tech. At the time most companies were remote due to the pandemic, and it was the best time to get into tech. I applied to roles like BDA, SDR and BDR to get my foot in the door.
What would you say are the best things about working in Tech Sales
Tech and Tech sales teach you to be stress-resistant and it teaches some pretty good people skills. You learn how to be a better listener, and you learn so much all the time because tech is such a fast-moving industry. Just think about the impact ChatGPT and OpenAI had on our lives. It's pretty impressive. Working in sales helped me build more confidence, and it also allowed me to explore the world while I was working. I'm incredibly fortunate and grateful for that. Tech was there for me when the war in my home country Ukraine, started. I truly believe that working in tech provided me with a community and also gave me a way to help my family and become a caretaker for my elderly family members in Ukraine who couldn't or didn't move abroad. I don't think i would be able to help to the same degree if i didn't work in tech and for that, I will also be forever grateful. My grandparents are my everything. They were always there for me, and I am happy that I was and still am able to give back even a fraction of that.
What advice would you give to someone who is just about to start their career in sales
Don't be afraid to be the most curious person in the room. Ask questions often, and even if you think its irrelevan,t trust me it isn't. To this day I ask so many questions because if you don't ask you won't learn. If you're stressing about how to use the CRM or how to structure your day etc. take a second, take a breath, ask to shadow your colleagues and take it step by step. You won't be a genius at Salesforce CRM and reports straight away but you will learn all of that and before you know it, it'll be like second nature. What I advise doing is setting up as many zoom coffee chats as you can in your first week or two of onboarding. Introduce yourself to VP of sales or the head of your team, within your first weeks, you will have the most time to make an impression and to ask people in different departments whatever you're curious about. Then organise your desktop/ Chrome in a way that fits you and makes you productive - pin your email, CRM, and important resources so that they open every day when you log in. You got this!
Why did you decide to join Tangent as a Mentor and why should others join as Mentors too
I wanted to support people who may have been in a similar situation to myself. I didn't have a tech background but i really wanted to learn and break into the industry. I wanted to show people that they can do it and all you need is someone to give a second opinion on your resume or simply point you in the right direction in order for your career to take off. I really think that becoming a Tangent mentor is very rewarding. You get to connect with so many inspiring people who come from all over the world with a passion for taking control of their lives and their careers and taking a step into the crazy world of tech sales. I think, as people who have spent a few years in the industry already, it's almost our duty to share the knowledge and it's a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
Ready to make a difference?
A few hours a month, a lifetime of impact. Tangent connects you with aspiring Business Development Reps from socially diverse backgrounds for short-term mentoring and an employee referral.
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