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Hannah Smith

User Success Representative

It's been a crazy last 6 months but today I'm feeling grateful for my role in tech sales for a couple of reasons: 1. The work is challenging. Yes, that's a positive. I never feel bored, and completing challenges brings high reward in the form of feeling successful and accomplished. 2. My team is absolutely the best. I have never worked with a group of people more passionate, hard-working, and helpful than my colleagues. And I have never met a group of people as loyal, funny, and compassionate as my teammates. We truly lift each other up inside and outside of work. 3. I think a big part of having such an amazing team is the culture Confluent has built and continues to encourage. This is embarrassing, but I distinctly remember trying not to cry during my first week of onboarding as I learned about all the things this company does to support us. 4. I have to throw in working from home here. I've had quite a productive week while also getting a sun tan (okay, sun burn) from working outside at my deck table. Plus, while a lot of people might argue that the WFH life feels isolating, I've never felt that way (see points number 2 and 3). If anything, I think I communicate more often and with more people than in my previous position. When a friend suggested to me that I look into jobs in tech sales, I thought "I wouldn't even know where to begin doing that. I don't know anything about tech or sales, so how could that even be possible?" Well here I am and it wouldn't have, in fact, been possible without Tech Sales Mentors and Sameer Jauhar. And here's why: 1. They taught me what it actually means to be in tech sales. What the day-to-day looks like and everything I didn't realize about the industry (from what a quota means to different roles and relationships). 2. They helped me understand how to draw from my experience. Not only did this give me the confidence that I could be in this position, but it also prepared me for interviews and what hiring managers look for in a potential employee. We did mock interviews, went over common questions I would run into, and polished my story-telling. 3. They guided me toward companies that would fit what I'm looking for in an employer and who to reach out to. This was huge as a person who had not previously been exposed to the industry. And look where it landed me (see point 3 above)! If I tried to do this on my own, I'd probably still be looking. 4. They were approachable and available. I felt comfortable asking questions and did so...I'm still doing so to this day, in fact. And they know their stuff! If you're thinking of a job in tech sales, your first stop should be reaching out to them.

Apr 12, 2023