WOMEN WHO SELL WITH JAZZ CARLIN
‘Women Who Sell’ is all about showcasing women in sales who are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like, the barriers and the breakthroughs.
Here, Jazz Carlin, SDR Manager at SourceWhale (and Double Olympic Silver Medalist 🥈) shares her take.
How did you get into sales and what makes it the career of your choice?
It can be really daunting stepping away from competitive sports and to be honest, I wasn’t sure what my next career would look like.
I was lucky to work on lots of different opportunities after retiring, but I did miss the buzz and excitement that comes with competitive sports. It was only after speaking with a mentor that I was recommended to look into SaaS Sales. When I first started exploring my options, I had no idea what I was looking for in a company/role and I was receiving a lot of rejections from applications, as I didn’t have any experience.
I was then offered an opportunity to work with a SaaS Sales training academy, where I would be trained to coach SDRs from various sectors and support them on a 12-week sales training programme. It really gave me an insight into the world of sales and I really felt the excitement that comes with sales. Unfortunately the company I worked for closed down but I was grateful that it had allowed me to learn about SaaS Sales and develop myself.
After my previous experience, I definitely knew that I wanted to stick with SaaS Sales but it felt even more important to find the right team to work with, great company culture, and to be supported with my development. I spoke with a few different companies about opportunities but it didn’t feel like the right fit for me, whether it was the right environment, culture, or product.
I was then introduced to SourceWhale by my old manager and I started having initial conversations with the team. Even after my first conversation with my current manager, I knew that SourceWhale was a company I would love to work for. There was energy and excitement from everyone I spoke to on the team, plus it seemed like a great product.
Fast forward 5 months and I absolutely love my role at SourceWhale and the team I get to work with daily. We have built up a special team that is so driven, positive, and full of energy! I love finding new ways to best support the team to hit their goals and development. I feel very lucky to be able to work for a company who are always looking to support my development and challenge me in new ways!
SaaS Sales is very similar to competitive sport, there will be highs and lows and you will be challenged but I think that’s what makes it so great. I can use all of the skills that I developed over 18 years in competitive sports in a new way and it gives me such a buzz and excitement!
Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in sales, and how have you overcome them?
I don’t feel I have faced many barriers in my sales career so far but I have been very aware of making sure I work with a team where I feel supported and have a great culture.
When exploring opportunities in sales interview processes, in some instances I met the sales teams and the whole team was men. I think it’s so important to have female leaders/ representatives in sales, as it can sometimes feel like quite a male dominant environment.
I’m really passionate about encouraging more girls and women to get into both sports and sales. I want to use my experiences and voice positively, as SaaS Sales is a great career.
What do you like the most about being a woman in sales?
I love the excitement and challenge that comes with sales.
It challenges me every day and I get so much excitement from seeing my team achieve their goals. I love being able to see a career pathway plan and how I can develop myself in new ways, whilst also using my previous experience in sports in a completely different way!
What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into sales and those wanting to advance?
Go for it!
It really is an exciting environment with lots of different opportunities. It’s so important to find the right company that aligns with your goals and that will support your development. I haven’t looked back since.
- Written by Tim Macmillan
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