Say hello to John R, a Senior Account Executive on our Local Sales team! To celebrate his Yelpiversary, John is reflecting on his time (so far) at Yelp and sharing an inside look into his #FiveStarCareer.
“I am so proud to be a part of the team we have here at Yelp. What we do every day truly helps businesses thrive, and to me, there is no better feeling than hearing from a business owner that I or another sales rep was able to help. It’s an honor to have a hand in bringing a business to the next level.”
How did you know you wanted to pursue a job in sales?
I started as a third-party security guard for Yelp. In that position, I saw first-hand the positive impact Yelp had on local businesses, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.
What is your advice to someone interested in sales?
Sales isn’t always easy, and this job has a lot of ups and downs. My advice is to take every day as it comes – enjoy your successes but don’t be down on yourself for your failures!
Tell us about your journey at Yelp
For a lot of my professional life, I was a security guard. Towards the end of that run, I landed at Yelp and instantly fell in love with the inclusive team environment and the “why” behind. When I was presented with the opportunity to transfer to the Yelp sales team, it was a no-brainer. Since being hired, I won the Yelp Burst Award and the Yelp Values Award for Playing Well with Others.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
I start my day with a full cup of coffee and music on my speakers! Then, I have a team round-up where my colleagues and I will game plan for the day. From there, I call local businesses and chat with owners about their advertising goals. During those conversations, I educate the owners on how Yelp can help them achieve those goals.
How do you stay motivated to hit your goals when you’re having a tough day?
For me, staying motivated on tough days is easy. I’m the father of two beautiful girls – they are my WHY!
Tell us something you learned from the Yelp Sales Development Program that made you a better salesperson
One of my favorite things that I learned is how to dig deeper. Asking those secondary questions can help you find out the true challenges that business owners are facing. All it takes is simply asking follow-up questions.
How does Yelp support your work-life balance?
Yelp is super supportive when it comes to my work-life balance. There are lots of incentives in sales that allow us to have more time to rest and recharge. You are never expected to do anything outside of your working hours.
How does your manager show you that your work is valued?
My manager is great when it comes to giving shout-outs to celebrate our wins. Sometimes, we are sent free food by our leaders, and if you know me, food is the way to my heart.
Want to work with John?
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!
