Employers invest time and money into finding the right new hires, so early-stage retention is a major performance indicator. If multiple new hires are leaving within the first six months, there is probably more going on than just a poor fit. From the other side of the table, applying for jobs can be tedious and stressful, and applicants are most often looking for a workplace that aligns with their goals and provides long-term opportunities to grow.
Denny Sun was looking for that room to grow when he met Embroker. During the interview process he met numerous team members with similar energy and drive, and in his words, saw “the vast opportunities to grow within the company and make an impact.” Knowing that he had found a company that could meet his goals, Denny was able to communicate what he wanted in a job and how his skills aligned with the role. Now a sales account executive at Embroker, Denny is “constantly learning something new” from daily interactions with clients, insurance markets and “ambitious team members.”
For Taylor Kraus, it was the alignment between personal and professional goals that brought her to The RealReal. “The opportunity to view and help sell extraordinary luxury items, as well as keep the environment more eco-friendly,” she said, was what led her to apply. As countless studies have shown, employee satisfaction improves when daily work matches personal values — after landing the job as an account luxury manager at The RealReal, Taylor echoed this sentiment. “The best part is how much fun I have while making our consignors money in the process,” she said.
If done well, the interview process gives both employer and applicant enough information to make hiring and job acceptance a mutually beneficial decision. For those seeking stories of happy new hires, we rounded up six local sales reps to hear how they set themselves apart in their applications, and what they’ve enjoyed about working with their new teams.
What attracted you to apply for a role at Embroker?
After working in the insurance industry for a few years in various capacities, I wanted to be involved in something new, modern, and exciting. Sales at an upcoming technology and insurance start-up grabbed my attention, and I took my chance.
Immediately, I was attracted to Embroker’s mission to impact the insurance world and tackle the many inefficiencies plaguing our industry. During the interview process, I met with many talented and like-minded team members, and I saw vast opportunities to grow within the company. Embroker had ambitious goals and I was eager to be part of the journey.
Outside of the stimulating work environment, I also enjoy the flexibility to be fully remote, the unlimited paid time off and team culture! It’s truly a collaborative work environment as I interact with every department on a daily basis, and everyone has been so friendly and awesome to work with!
During the interview process, I met with many talented and like-minded team members, and I saw vast opportunities to grow within the company.”
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
Knowing what I wanted and how my skills aligned with the role greatly benefitted me during my job search. As I had no prior sales experience, I was hesitant to pursue my current role. However, I was confident in my skills, education, and ability to learn the tricks of the trade. After working in the shadows of many successful insurance producers, I always knew I wanted to be one too. Through the interview process, I went in with an open mind and demonstrated that I was a strong communicator, coachable team player, and had a genuine desire to help others.
What do you enjoy most about selling your company’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
As a sales account executive, I am constantly learning something new from my daily interactions with my clients, insurance markets and ambitious team members. It is fascinating to work in technology, and I enjoy helping promising founders kick off their business ventures by securing them the proper insurance coverages.
Every day, I am pushing toward exceeding my goals and honing my craft as a trusted advisor. There are many challenges in my role such as overcoming rejections, learning about the nuances of each and every client, managing a hardening insurance market and staying on top of all the deal flows. I am glad I have such an awesome team to give me the support and guidance needed to be successful.
What attracted you to apply for a role at Leyton?
I liked the idea that Leyton had a newer presence in the U.S. with a lot of opportunity for growth, and backed by their larger global corporation. I also thought it was really interesting to sell a service as opposed to a physical product. Additionally, we are able to serve so many different industries and verticals — and the markets are so vast — that I can prospect and sell into wherever interests me. We’re not restricted to sell into certain types of companies or sectors because of the nature of our service.
I initially entered sales because I was unsure of where I wanted to start my career, and I liked the more team-oriented approach to sales at Leyton.”
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
Within sales you have to be hungry and a self-starter, ready to learn and be coachable, and ready to tackle the outreach and communication demands. I initially entered sales because I was unsure of where I wanted to start my career, and I liked the more team-oriented approach to sales at Leyton.
What do you enjoy most about selling your company’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
Selling a service is fun because I get to stay current with industries and hear about new things. I really like that our service helps companies gain money back through tax credits and incentives that are often overlooked. A general challenge is that we’re still newer in the U.S. and still build awareness of our services, so there is an educational aspect to the sale and the need to build trust when reaching out to new people.
What attracted you to apply for a role at PitchBook?
In my prior role, I worked at a large company with more than 30,000 employees, making it challenging to feel like you have an impact in your daily work (or a voice within the organization). A significant focus for me was finding a company operating in a high-growth environment and making employees and culture a top priority. During the PitchBook interview process, it became apparent to me that people — both employees and customers — are at the core of everything PitchBook does. They’ve fostered a culture where employees can grow professionally, take risks and receive recognition for their contributions to the larger business goals.
During the PitchBook interview process, it became apparent to me that people — both employees and customers — are at the core of everything PitchBook does.”
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
Before taking the job at PitchBook, I worked in a job that required me to be analytical and detail-oriented in many regards. However, the core part of the position was establishing relationships with customers and finding bespoke solutions for each challenge presented. These skills have proved key at PitchBook, which takes a customer-centric approach to ensure clients have the tools, support and information they need to win. It also helps that I’m competitive and an adventure-seeker by nature, so I like to explore new challenges.
What do you enjoy most about selling your company’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
I love helping intelligent and curious people find the PitchBook data and tools they need to grow their business and drive financial success. There are many solutions PitchBook can deliver across client types, which makes every meeting a new challenge. Making the sale involves understanding their business, recognizing their problem and tailoring your discussion to what will help them win that next deal, partnership or contract. No approach is the same, especially given the breadth of PitchBook’s data and insights. The exposure to the type of prospects and clients we meet with is truly unmatched.
What attracted you to apply for a role at UJET?
The people and the technology. You spend a majority of your day at work, so it is super important to work at a company where colleagues feel like family and you can be proud of the product you’re promoting. I feel very fortunate to have both here. I’ve never felt more supported by the people I work with, and I look forward to coming to work every day. Everyone works really hard, but we also have the best time in the process. I even use our product in my personal life because I’m a customer of one of our customers. I have a four-month-old and getting to the grocery store isn’t the easiest feat right now, so when I can quickly and easily chat with support on my smartphone about my grocery delivery — all while she is sleeping in my arms — it’s a win. If all of the companies I am a customer of could have this technology in place, I would never dread calling customer support.
It is super important to work at a company where colleagues feel like family and you can be proud of the product you’re promoting. I feel very fortunate to have both here.”
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
I’m not what people think of when they think of a typical sales person. I’m quiet, shy and a little awkward. But I absolutely love the research, persistence and creative aspect of being an SDR. I love to understand what our customers’ frustrations are and showing them how we can help ease that. I love to put a process and framework in place to ensure I’m consistently doing the right things to hit my goals. I love pushing myself every day. Having a positive attitude, never giving up, being creative and being bold are skills that are necessary for the role, and I think they helped distinguish me during my job search.
What do you enjoy most about selling your company’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
I love sitting in on our product demos with prospects, seeing their faces light up and hearing them say “Wow! This is unlike anything I have ever seen before.” The most challenging part is the same with any sales job, which is getting prospects to agree to talk to you. People are busy and hesitant when it comes to change, but when you can show them how to completely transform how customers reach their company, it’s all worth it.
What attracted you to apply for a role at The RealReal?
My love for fashion and passion for the environment attracted me to this company. The fact that I could have the opportunity to view and help sell extraordinary luxury items, as well as keep the environment more eco-friendly was a big aspiration of mine. The influence from previous colleagues who moved their careers to The RealReal also helped me decide to apply. They highly recommended working for the company, and I valued their insight!
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
My individuality coupled with my ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships. I am politely persistent with my approach and always try to have fun every single day. I have had previous sales positions at other major companies, all within the technology space. Those roles helped shape me into the sales professional I am today.
I enjoy the people I get to work with every day — teammates, consignor relation specialists and jewelry experts are just a few.”
What do you enjoy most about selling your company’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
I enjoy the people I get to work with every day — teammates, consignor relation specialists and jewelry experts are just a few. The service we provide to our users and consignors as a collective group is a unique and personal one. We try to curate the consignor experience as best as we can to meet their needs, which makes for an extremely successful relationship. This keeps our consignors coming back to us for more! The best part is how much fun I have while making our consignors money in the process. The most challenging part of my day is balancing the outreach I need to get done in order to fill my calendar and being able to conduct productive appointments at the same time. Mastering the art of both can be difficult, but it’s a crucial part of the business.
What attracted you to apply for a role at Doorvest?
It was the combination of Doorvest’s strong and unique value proposition for real estate investors, paired with the opportunity to have an immense impact on the company’s trajectory.
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
I have an array of sales experience from real estate and software sales in other fast-paced, startup environments. This was helpful as Doorvest is a fast-moving startup that is looking to shake things up within the industry. Adaptability is key, and my prior experience helped me understand that.
Adaptability is key, and my prior experience helped me understand that.”
What do you enjoy most about selling your company’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
I most enjoy the chance to bring an amazing investing opportunity to everyday professionals that are looking to buy, whether it’s their first real estate investment property or their tenth. It’s an opportunity to set them up for the long term and add significant value to their lives.
Most challenging is simply that this is a huge and personal decision for investors. Even though I know it’s a great investment, everyone has their own story and strategies so you cannot push people too strongly, even when I believe in the value.
