When Diana was searching for a job, she knew she wanted to work somewhere where she could make an impact and truly help people while also being rewarded for her hard work she puts in daily. She has always had a competitive spirit, she was even an NFL cheerleader! So, when she came across a sales opportunity at Yelp where she could add competition to selling a product she already loved, she knew it would be the perfect fit.
A decade has since passed, and Diana is now a Partner Account Executive on our Channel Sales team!
How have you grown, and how has Yelp supported that growth, over the last 10 years?
Yelp has supported my growth from day one. When I first applied, I started out in an entry-level sales position, and since then, I have been promoted nine times. Yelp offers support for all roles and each role has a specific training that you complete. This ensures that you are prepared for each new position. The training opportunities do not not stop there, as we have additional training throughout the role to support our continued success.
Looking back over the last 10 years, what has been your biggest lesson?
My biggest takeaway is to continue to focus on what’s next. When I first started in the entry level sales role, I knew I wanted management right away. I made sure to have open and transparent conversations with my leaders about my goals, and I continued to master my current role in order to get to the next steps. I am happy to work for a company that constantly supports growth and promotions. My biggest takeaway is to work for a company that supports their people! Thanks, Yelp!
Why did you want to work at Yelp?
I was a recent San Francisco State University graduate searching for an entry-level position. When I came across the opportunity at Yelp, I knew it was the perfect fit. The energy, culture, and engagement of the sales teams excited me immediately. I already loved using Yelp, so from the moment I walked in and saw the culture in action, I knew this is where I was meant to be.
What is your advice to someone interested in sales?
If you are interested in sales, you need to discover your motivator. Sales takes persistence and hard work. There will be a ton of great days, but also a handful of tough ones. On those tough days, you will need to remind yourself of your daily motivator! Figure out your “why” and write it down. Every day before you start, remind yourself why you are in the role and what you are looking to accomplish with your day.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
Since I am a work-from-home-parent, I start my day by getting my little boys ready for the day, so that when my nanny gets here, they are ready to go. Every morning I meet with my team to give my manager my goals for the week. Most of my day is prospecting to find new partners to join our Partner Program. Our goal is to find new Agency Partners and provide resources for them to better serve their clients through our platform. I typically have 2-3 meetings per day that consist of learning about a new agency and seeing if they would be a fit for our partnership. I also speak with current partners about how their clients’ campaigns are performing, and I pull reports for prospective or current partners to discuss the best ways to optimize their clients’ campaigns. If I am not in a meeting, I am prospecting through phone calls, emails, and creative outreach. At the end of the day, it’s all about a “get it done no matter what” mentality, whatever needs to happen to move the needle!
How do you stay motivated to hit your goals when you’re having a tough day?
I remind myself that this is sales. There will be good days and bad days, but you have to keep going. Pull out your sticky note with your “why” written on it, remind yourself why you are here, and shake it off.
Tell us something you learned from the Yelp Sales Development Program that made you a better salesperson
Be yourself! Authenticity is one of Yelp’s values, and our training team always reminded us that that is why we work at Yelp! Be the person you would want to speak with on the phone and in person.
How does Yelp support your work-life balance?
Yelp does a great job supporting parents who work from home. Being a working-from-home mom is a blessing but also comes with many challenges. I feel very supported by my manager and the company for all the things they provide to help WFH parents. My manager sent me a card, recognizing me for Working Parents Appreciation Day. It truly makes me feel so blessed to work at a company that thinks of you outside of your normal work day!
How does your manager remind you that your work is valued?
If anyone on my team has insight on new ways to be productive in our current role, our manager always asks for them to share. My manager has built a highly inclusive environment for us all to share things that are working or need improvement.
Want to work with Diana?
We are hiring! Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting out in the industry, now is the perfect time to join our team. Check out our open opportunities and apply today!
