Jonathan Sosa has the type of personality & energy that lights up a room when he walks in. Whether it’s through the phone or going down to his hometown of LA to do an in-person pitch, he always brings his full passion for Yelp. He is a leader in the San Francisco office by not only being a top producer, but by always being that person to lend a hand to an Account Executive in need! He is the definition of leading by example.
What drew you to a job at Yelp initially?
During my days at San Francisco State University, I was able to network through different groups and events provided by the student body. By doing so, I had the opportunity to meet an awesome colleague, Brian Pribyl, who was then pursuing a degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts . He wasn’t working at Yelp at the time, but as soon as he started, I remember he would not stop talking about it. Every time we would catch up he would tell me about the growth opportunities and how he worked with really lively people. As time went on, I asked him if he was still enjoying his role at Yelp. He continued to stay excited knowing that Yelp is a professional environment that challenges you on a daily basis to accomplish goals that set you up for long-term success. He mentioned the he would refer me and the rest is history.
What is a typical day in the office like for you?
It varies. There are days that can be really stressful and then there are days when things are more relaxed. At the end of the day, my mindset determines how the “typical” day rolls out. I average about 65 daily dials and speak to about 5 business owners per day. Once I have these precious individuals on the phone, I make sure to communicate Yelp’s core values over the phone allowing them to understand why Yelp is an integral part of their business. This results in an intellectual business conversation that benefits the client, myself, and most importantly Yelp.
What makes your job exciting?
There are a few things that make the job exciting, but not knowing what the day will bring excites me the most. There are days when I have tons lined up on my calendar and nothing pops, and then I’ll have days when I have nothing on my calendar and I end up closing a deal or two. Coming in with a great attitude is key to making the most of each day. We can only control our actions, reactions, and effort. That’s what makes my job exciting!
Where do you find a sense of community at Yelp?
Yelp does a fantastic job of creating a healthy work environment for all! There are Yelp Groups that allow for like-minded people to meet and share similar values and beliefs. Also, I enjoy our team offsites where we get to relax and bond as a team. At times, my colleagues will set up events around the community where Account Executives from all over the office join (Taco Tuesday, Wing Wednesday, Sports Leagues, etc..).
What are you up to when you’re not at work?
Outside of work I like to relax and keep my mind off the job. I do so by going on weekend basketball runs with the kids from my neighborhood. I enjoy watching sports when the time allows (GO LAKERS!). I also have a passion for music production, which is something that I’ve recently started to put more time and effort into. Music is therapy for my soul and I enjoy artists that share passion and emotion through their sounds. I’m always down for live music or sports events!
What makes living in the San Francisco Bay Area so great?
San Francisco is an awesome place to live! I was fortunate enough to attend SFSU so that gave me a head start on adventuring around this amazing city. I come from Los Angeles, where individuals are always on the go from point A to point B. Walking around SF made me realize how beautiful the people here really are. You get a friendly smile more often than not. The atmosphere is so relaxing and it’s surprising how crisp and refreshing the air is here. I’ve had the opportunity to live in Berkeley and Oakland as well, and I can surely say that the Bay Area as a whole is awesome. Some of the nicest and most genuine people that I have ever encountered live here. No matter where you come from, I can say that you can find a home here in the Bay Area.
Want to work with Jonathan?
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