Although this role was similar to my previous one, I had to learn a lot of new information about business products and processes with companies, different conditions and more. I was able to participate in larger projects. In the Chat team, I learned a lot about the technical side of our products, thanks to the curious customers who would ask me detailed questions.

After another year and a half, I felt prepared to move forward and applied for a role as an Inside Sales Account Manager in the Acquisition team. The core responsibilities of the job were similar, but I had to switch from an inbound to an outbound mindset, which requires a different strategy. This was the time when the experience of dealing with customer rejections began - when I started acquiring new customers.

Up until then, I was used to dealing with customers who were already interested in Dell. However, after a short time, I adapted to the new situation. I realized that this experience could also benefit my personal life, as I stopped taking things too personally. We were a great team and had a lot of fun at work.

I wanted to grow further so after a year and some months, I decided to apply for a Large Opportunity Representative role. I was deeply interested in this position and prepared myself as best I could. The key responsibility of this role was managing larger projects and developing relationships with higher-potential customers in the small business area. I liked this role the most, particularly because of its variety and the opportunity to learn new things, such as collaborating with distributors, partners and their account managers.

After nearly a year in that position, our organization underwent a structural change, and I am now working as an Inside Sales Account Executive. This new role combines aspects from my previous positions, with the main focus on gaining new customers and reactivating existing ones. I am excited to further develop my skills and explore additional opportunities in Sales. I appreciate the career growth possibilities, and the trust placed in each of us. I have the autonomy to manage my daily routine and thrive in a flexible work environment.

Challenges

What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced during your career progression, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was, as already a few times mentioned, the fear of rejection. I am the type of person who used to take the rejections personally. Sales makes you feel more confident in this type of situation and when there is a rejection, you try a second, third and maybe fourth time too. It makes you stronger and your personality can grow. The competition is high because our team is not small. You need to think outside the box and show something special about you.

Advice and Relationships

What advice would you share to someone starting their career in IT sales?

Believe in yourself - you don’t have to meet 100% of the requirements for every position you're interested in. If you have the will and passion, you can learn a lot and develop talents you may not even have known you possessed.

What role have mentors or sponsors played in your career progression?

Thanks to my mentor, I was able to prepare better for my applications and gain a deeper understanding of the business and the decisions made by senior management. This has allowed me to adapt more effectively to my current role.