Say hello to Shunti, a Junior Local Sales Manager. Shunti recently reached an exciting milestone – her second Yelpiversary! To celebrate, she is sharing an inside look into her journey at Yelp, her advice to folks interested in sales, and more.
Tell us about your journey at Yelp
My #FiveStarCareer journey began in March 2021 when I joined the team as an Associate Account Executive. By the end of my first year, I had been promoted three times!
Now, I am a Junior Local Sales Manager and I manage a team of Account Executives. One of the things I love about Yelp is how quickly you can progress in your career. If you put your mind to it, set clear goals, and communicate those goals with your leaders, you can find success here. I am so grateful to have such supportive and encouraging peers who want to help me grow and achieve success every step of the way.
How did you know you wanted to pursue a job in sales?
I have always had a passion for connecting with and helping people. Throughout high school and college, I worked in retail, and then I worked in marketing after graduating from college. Naturally, tech sales was the next best step for my career.
Sales was a different kind of challenge than I had ever faced before. But with an incredible manager and supportive teammates who pushed me out of my comfort zone, I got the hang of it and quickly climbed the ladder. I am confident that this is the path meant for me, and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and grow in the years to come!
What is your advice to someone who is interested in sales?
Don’t be afraid to struggle in the beginning – it builds character! If sales was an easy job, then everyone would do it. There is so much potential to build a successful career and make a lot of money. Find joy in the discomfort, and look at the learning curves as opportunities to better your career and yourself, both in and out of work.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
My day starts by rounding up my team over a video call. During this time, we discuss yesterday’s wins and our individual and team goals for the day and month ahead. I then have 1:1 coaching sessions to focus on more specific goals with each member of my team, both personally and professionally. My days vary from motivational to tactical coaching, depending on what I think would best support my team at that moment. My main goal is to encourage great team camaraderie while accomplishing our goals and having fun while doing it.
How do you stay motivated to hit your goals when you’re having a tough day?
Tough days are normal and to be expected in this industry. I stay motivated by breaking down my goals into more manageable, smaller milestones. I focus on three people each day on my team and put all of my efforts into helping them find wins, which helps the momentum of my team as a whole. I also remind them that a positive mindset is everything, so taking a step back and remembering your motivation and the “why” behind the work you’re doing will help you pivot on a tough day.
Tell us something you learned from the Yelp Sales Development Program that made you a better salesperson
I learned that even top performers have bad days, weeks, and even months, but your mentality is what helps you break through those moments and find success. Other top performers listened to my calls, gave me feedback, and talked through what I did well and what I could improve on, and it helped tighten up my confidence as a salesperson and got me to where I am today.
There is always room for improvement, and as long as you keep finding ways to motivate yourself and stay positive on even the toughest days, you’re on the right track.
How does Yelp support your work-life balance?
Yelp offers many amazing benefits, including a wellness reimbursement and mental health services. I never feel like I have to sacrifice my mental health or home life to sustain my career. I recommend taking advantage of all the perks Yelp offers! This is not a company that expects you to work past your scheduled hours, which is such an amazing way to support a healthy work-life balance.
How does your manager let you know that your work is valued?
I have had the pleasure of working with my manager from when I first started my career at Yelp until now! She is amazing at recognizing daily wins and making the team feel valued for our input and successes. I always feel supported by her both professionally and personally. I couldn’t ask for a better role model, which makes me want to push myself beyond my potential. I can say the same for every leader I have worked with since starting here.
I am so proud to work alongside individuals who genuinely care about their jobs and are responsible for contributing on a team level, whether it’s other managers lending a hand when I have a question, or my team stepping up when someone needs help. I feel fortunate to be around these people and am inspired every single day by those I work with.
Want to work with Shunti?
With the help of our comprehensive training program, ongoing support, coaching, and development opportunities, you can take your career to the next level at Yelp, whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting out in the industry. Check out our open opportunities and apply today!
