How Nevena Stoyanova, Business Development Rep at Salesforce, left France for Ireland and planted the seeds for a successful sales career.

Nevena, can you tell us about your background and how you found out about Salesforce?

I moved from Bulgaria to France when I was 16 -- without speaking a word of French. After finishing school, I decided to combine my passion for new technologies and business by joining the SKEMA business school.

I was contacted by a Salesforce recruiter when I was at my second job out of university. The company’s brand, innovation and culture were very appealing, however I was on my way to being promoted so I initially declined the offer. But, I eventually changed my mind.  I heard about the famous #dreamjob and the long term career opportunities I would have in Salesforce compared to my existing employer. That’s what sealed the deal for me.

What do you love about working in Salesforce?

This can be summarized in a few words: technology, innovation and giving back.

I am a firm believer that the solutions/apps we sell are the best on the market today. I have always had a passion for technology and the ease with which you can build applications, customize them and shift some power from IT to the business.

I have always been involved with charities and in Salesforce, I have been encouraged to take the 56 hours of VTO (volunteer time off) each employee is entitled to. Also, being recognized professionally for personal initiatives is very important to me.  Having the chance to work in such a diverse multicultural environment with co-workers who have now become friends is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What have you learned since joining Salesforce?

This experience has really helped me open my mind to a different way of selling: the consultative approach. The business development role has truly helped me understand the challenges that companies face nowadays. I have become more curious, constantly develop myself and have learnt how to prioritise my time by looking only at activities that add value to the company.

I was also given the opportunity to attend the National Retail Federation BIG Show – the biggest retail summit in the world – back in January. It was an incredible experience to meet with the most influential names in the retail industry.It also helped me build my network and prepared me to engage with senior-level enterprise customers.

You have been in Salesforce for just over a year now, can you tell us about your career plans and how you have prepared for your next role?

My biggest priority when I joined Salesforce was to onboard as quickly as possible. Therefore thinking about a promotion seemed too premature to me. With time, I was naturally given further responsibilities until I was promoted to senior business development representative where I began mentoring new hires after only 11 months in the role. That was the moment I realized how much I had grown professionally and felt I was ready to move to my next challenge.

I spoke with my manager and revealed my ambition to move to a field sales position within strategic accounts. This role would involve working alongside senior account executives in Paris, a great learning path for me. My manager and I started working together on my development plan and the curriculum I needed to complete in order to be ready for this position. A role opened up within a few weeks and thanks to the preparation and the support I received, I am on my way to becoming a strong leader.

What advice would you have for any young professionals who are looking for an international experience?

Moving to Dublin on my own and leaving my life behind seemed crazy to my family and friends, but not to me. I saw it as a unique opportunity to build an international career, which was a world apart from any of my previous experiences.

We live and work in a fast moving environment and Dublin is at the heart of that transformation. Living here is a game changer for a career: it gives you real insight into the digital world, offers the opportunity to meet people with different backgrounds and therefore to become industry and tech-savvy. Stay open minded and explore the numerous development possibilities that are offered internationally.

Interested in joining me and the #SalesforceOhana? Check out our career opportunities here.