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Bill, Director at Fortune 20 Tech Company: Advize Career Interview

A Fortune 20 tech company Director of Sales, after a 2005 Political Science and History graduation, transitioned from initial law aspirations to a successful career in consulting and finance, culminating in a decade-plus tenure in advertising technology.

This journey highlights the value of diverse experiences and adaptability. The Director emphasizes empathy, a competitive spirit balanced with collaboration, and strong interpersonal skills as crucial for sales success.

A typical day involves early hours, customer interactions, team support, and strategic planning, showcasing a dynamic and multifaceted role.

The Director values mentorship, enjoys the fast-paced, innovative tech industry, and advises early career professionals to identify skills and passions for a fulfilling career, recommending entry-level sales or related roles such as consulting or marketing.

A key lesson learned is self-belief and the importance of taking risks. Academic writing skills, critical thinking, and athletic experiences are also highlighted as valuable assets contributing to career success.

This inspiring trajectory from a Kansas State undergraduate to a leadership role reveals a path paved with diverse experiences, adaptability, and a passion for people and technology.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Bill Casper

Director

Fortune 20 Tech Company

Kansas State 2005

UCLA Anderson

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Political Science, American Studies

Technology

Sales and Client Management

Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student, Student Athlete

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Director at a Fortune 20 Tech Company

After graduating in 2005 with a Political Science and History degree, Bill's initial plans for a law career shifted after an internship, leading to a consulting role at Productivity, where Bill gained business experience. This experience, coupled with a fascination with financial markets, led Bill to Lehman Brothers, followed by a tech startup, Nexus, where Bill has spent "the last decade or more" building the business in the "interesting industry" of advertising technology.

Main Responsibilities of a Salesperson at a Fortune 20 Tech Company

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, emphasizes that successful sales professionals are "empathetic people" who can understand a customer's perspective and find mutually beneficial solutions. This involves strong interpersonal skills, including building rapport, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with support teams to implement technology solutions, all while balancing "calls, emails, and in-person interaction."

A Day In The Life Of A Director At A Fortune 20 Tech Company

A Director of Sales at a Fortune 20 tech company's workday begins early, balancing family responsibilities with "early hours" work and calls across multiple time zones, including Europe. The morning is filled with customer interactions and team support, transitioning to quieter tasks like "building a PowerPoint for internal strategy" in the afternoon, demonstrating the varied demands of the role and the benefits of West Coast location for East Coast-heavy work.

Most Important Skills For A Director At Fortune 20 Tech Company

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 Tech Company, emphasizes the importance of "empathy" and a "competitive nature" in sales, but cautions against an adversarial approach, prioritizing "mutually beneficial solutions and long-term partnerships" over short-term gains. A "good strong hunger" to succeed is also crucial, explaining why many former athletes transition well into sales, carrying their competitive drive into their careers.

Favorite Parts of Being a Director at a Fortune 20 Tech Company

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 Tech Company, finds the most rewarding aspect of his role is "the people that I get to work with," a sentiment reinforced by his own mentorship experiences and desire to now "return the favor and mentor some people."

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director At A Fortune 20 Tech Company

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, finds the biggest challenge in the current role is the slower pace of a large organization compared to what he's used to, describing it as needing to learn "how to operate in and manage up in" this new environment. The integration of two large companies and the current economic climate add further complexity, creating "lots of challenges but good problems to solve."

Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Industry as a Director

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, appreciates the industry's "speed of business" and opportunities for growth, contrasting it with other sectors where "the way to conduct business" felt restrictive. This fast-paced environment, even within large companies, allows for "a lot of innovation" and the chance to constantly "try new things and...problem solve and work fast."

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry, According To A Director At A Fortune 20 Tech Company

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, identifies three key traits for success in the tech industry: a "strong intellectual curiosity," comfort with constant change ("nothing's ever really static"), and a genuine "passion for technology." The first section one reads in a newspaper often reveals this passion, suggesting a natural inclination toward technology-related news as a strong indicator of suitability for a tech career.

What a Director at a Fortune 20 Tech Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Tech Industry

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, advises that a career path is rarely linear, urging early-career professionals to "continually evaluate" their skills and passions to find a fulfilling role. The key, Bill explains, is to merge what one enjoys with what one excels at and can provide value with, rather than searching for "that one perfect thing".

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Sales Professionals at Fortune 20 Tech Companies

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, recommends entry-level sales roles, specifically "sales development representative" positions, citing "a lot of customer interaction" as a key benefit for aspiring sales professionals. He also suggests consulting and marketing as related fields, noting that his own path into sales began with a desire for "partnership or people interaction."

Significant Career Lesson From a Director at Fortune 20 Tech Company

Bill, a Director at a Fortune 20 tech company, emphasizes that "no one is any more capable than you," a lesson learned throughout his career, encouraging risk-taking and passionate commitment to overcome challenges and achieve success. This belief motivates Bill to advise job seekers to "go all in" during the interview process, highlighting the importance of enthusiasm and self-belief in career advancement.

College Experiences That Helped A Director At Fortune 20 Tech Company Succeed

Bill's undergraduate experience at Kansas State instilled valuable skills crucial for a successful career, particularly emphasizing "writing skills" and "problem-solving critical thinking" developed through academic papers. Athletic participation fostered confidence and a willingness to embrace challenging situations, proving invaluable in navigating the professional world.

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