Herman, Senior Account Executive at Mid-sized Technology Company: Advize Career Interview
A successful career in tech sales, as exemplified by a Senior Account Executive at a mid-sized technology company, is revealed through a compelling career journey.
The path began with an economics degree and diverse experiences in consulting and recruitment, showcasing adaptability and a targeted approach to career transitions.
The Senior Account Executive role itself demands strong communication, organizational skills, and a quick learning aptitude, balancing new client acquisition with existing account management.
A key takeaway is the significant autonomy and high rewards associated with the position, though a work-life balance challenge exists.
Exposure to cutting-edge technology and the ability to impact businesses are highlighted as major industry draws.
The interviewee emphasizes the importance of strong internal relationships for overall success, along with the value of varied undergraduate experiences in developing crucial professional skills.
Entry-level opportunities exist as Business Development Representatives, but even prior client-facing roles can provide a strong foundation for future tech sales positions.
Ultimately, this interview paints a picture of a demanding yet rewarding career path, emphasizing hard work and a passion for the industry as key ingredients for success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Herman Lu
Senior Account Executive
Mid-sized Technology Company
UCLA
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Economics
Technology
Sales and Client Management
Greek Life Member
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A Senior Account Executive At A Technology Company
Herman's career path began with an economics degree at UCLA and a consulting internship at Aon, followed by a year in consulting before a shift to recruitment consulting in New York City for two and a half years. This experience, combined with a targeted approach to tech companies serving the recruitment industry, ultimately led to Herman's current role in tech sales, demonstrating a successful transition from consulting and recruitment into a specialized tech sales position.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Account Executive at a Mid-Sized Technology Company
Herman's main responsibility as a Senior Account Executive is "selling bullhorn to net new clients," encompassing all sales stages from prospecting and demos to contract negotiation and onboarding. This role also involves valuable collaboration with internal product and marketing teams, providing market feedback to "shape product and marketing strategy."
A Day in the Life of a Senior Account Executive at Mid-sized Technology Company
A Senior Account Executive's day is highly variable, depending on "what the deals...look like" and the active pipeline. The role blends prospecting new accounts, managing existing deals, conducting demos and contract negotiations, and collaborating with internal teams to maximize successful opportunities.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Account Executive At A Mid-Sized Tech Company
Herman, a Senior Account Executive, emphasizes that effective communication, encompassing both "being able to listen and understand" and articulating information, is crucial for sales success. Furthermore, strong organizational skills and the ability to "learn quickly" are vital for navigating multiple deals and adapting to new products and solutions within the fast-paced technology industry.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Account Executive At A Tech Company
Herman, a Senior Account Executive, enjoys the autonomy and control inherent in a sales career, stating that "what you put into it is what you get out of it." This self-directed aspect, impacting career growth, earnings, and work-life balance, is a key motivator for their career path.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Account Executive At A Mid-size Tech Company
Herman's biggest challenge as a Senior Account Executive is balancing work and life because the role offers "endless opportunity" and the drive to keep achieving makes it difficult to "put the brakes off and slow down." This highlights the potential downsides of significant autonomy and success in a demanding career.
Favorite Parts of Working in Technology as a Senior Account Executive
Herman, a Senior Account Executive, enjoys the "exposure to...newest, most innovative technologies" within the technology sales industry. This allows Herman to "make an impact on people's businesses through technology," a key source of excitement in their career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Sales Industry, According To A Senior Account Executive At A Mid-Sized Tech Company
Tech sales success hinges on "very, very motivated" individuals with a passion for the work and a strong drive to succeed. Further, quick learning, strong intuition to grasp new technologies, and excellent listening skills enabling understanding of customer needs are key traits for thriving in the industry.
What A Senior Account Executive At A Tech Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Technology Industry
Herman's experience as a Senior Account Executive aligns mostly with initial expectations, however, a key lesson learned is that the technology industry's "fancy ping pong tables and pretty offices" belie the significant "hard work" required; the role demands much, but also offers substantial rewards for success.
Entry-level Paths for Aspiring Senior Account Executives
The most common entry-level technology sales role is a Business Development Representative, focusing on "prospecting" and generating leads. However, a client-facing role with revenue implications, even from seemingly unrelated fields like insurance or recruitment, can serve as a viable entry point, as demonstrated by the interviewee's own career trajectory.
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Account Executive at a Mid-sized Technology Company
Herman, a Senior Account Executive, emphasizes the critical role of internal relationships in sales success, stating that "the most important relationships are...good manager[s]...or...cross-functional relationships." Strong internal collaborations, the interviewee explains, ultimately contribute more to career success than solely focusing on external client relationships.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Account Executive at a Tech Company Succeed
Herman's economics degree provided a foundation for understanding "what drives behaviors," a skill applicable to their tech sales career. Furthermore, student leadership roles and internships, even if unrelated to their current field, built crucial social skills and career momentum, ultimately leading to their current Senior Account Executive position.
Advizer Personal Links