Editor’s be aware: Our job on the careers weblog is to drag again the proverbial curtain on what it’s actually prefer to work at Salesforce. Whereas we love writing these articles ourselves, typically the tales are finest instructed by the folks dwelling them.
One 12 months in the past, we launched you to Alicia Wuerth, a pushed graduate from Germany who had already made daring strikes throughout Europe, from Berlin to Lisbon, earlier than relocating to Dublin to launch her gross sales profession at Salesforce. At the moment, Alicia had simply been promoted to Enterprise Growth Consultant, and her journey was solely starting.
Loads can change in a 12 months, particularly for Alicia. Since then, her job title has modified three extra occasions, and her story has advanced in methods even she couldn’t have predicted.
On this replace, Alicia shares — in her personal phrases — how her life in Dublin elevated her profession, how she constructed a vibrant group in a brand new nation, and what it takes to thrive in tech gross sales. Whether or not you’re contemplating a world transfer or your first step into gross sales, Alicia’s journey presents each inspiration and sensible recommendation. Now let’s hear it from her:
Blaze your path to Salesforce!
At Salesforce, we’re not simply shaping the longer term. We’re turning massive concepts into breakthroughs. Need to be part of the #1 AI CRM that’s main the digital labor revolution? Discover our open roles right this moment!
5 years in the past, for those who’d instructed me I’d depart engineering, transfer from sunny Lisbon to wet Dublin, and fall in love with tech gross sales …I’d’ve laughed. However wanting again, each twist is sensible. By sharing how I ended up as an Account Government at Salesforce in Dublin, a metropolis I now name residence, I hope to indicate you what’s potential on your personal journey.
From engineering to gross sales: my unlikely path
[Image credit: Salesforce]
I come from a world of periodic tables and logic. Each of my dad and mom studied chemistry, and I used to be raised to assume analytically from a younger age. I cherished fixing issues and precision, and at school, math, chemistry, and biology had been my favorite topics.
Selecting to review Industrial Engineering was a pure subsequent step. I used to be fascinated by the intersection of technical pondering and enterprise technique.
Trying again, my “uncommon” path from engineering to gross sales makes good sense. My dad and mom didn’t simply examine chemistry; they met in gross sales. I grew up in a family the place negotiation was a every day ritual.
Need extra pocket cash? A later bedtime? Let’s have a chat. Gross sales was all the time there, I simply didn’t name it that but.
My first actual gross sales job was working in a boutique throughout college. I cherished how each buyer interplay was totally different. I might immediately affect the result (and my wage as effectively), excite somebody a couple of product, and measure my influence. It hit me: I really like this. That’s after I determined I wished to work in gross sales.
I wished a profession that builds real human relationships whereas working in the direction of measurable targets, proudly owning my wage, and being versatile in how I obtain it. Both being a CEO or being in gross sales would permit me to personal my very own schedule. Why not each: being the CEO of my very own guide of enterprise?
Chasing complexity and influence
After ending my bachelor’s diploma in Berlin (among the many prime 5% of my class), I knew I had the self-discipline and resilience to tackle massive challenges. However I additionally realised that my coronary heart wasn’t in engineering roles. My internship at a luxurious magnificence firm confirmed it. I labored on the gross sales intelligence staff, the place I realized how highly effective information might be in shaping gross sales methods.
However I wished to promote one thing that challenged my thoughts, concerned session of a number of strategic decision-makers, and had a measurable enterprise influence on prospects.
So I made a decision to pursue a Grasp’s diploma in administration with a give attention to gross sales. That is after I found the tech world and fell in love with it. The tech trade is all the things I wished: fast-paced, advanced, and strategic.
I wished a spot to develop a significant, fast-paced profession, and Salesforce stood out.
Its tradition of innovation, world-class studying (the fame as being the “Harvard of Gross sales” is true), and difficult atmosphere promised fixed progress. The folks had been real, passionate, and collaborative.
What sealed the deal? The liberty to construct past my function, from mentoring to bettering processes. That sense of possession and influence was precisely what I used to be on the lookout for.
Alicia throughout the West Constructing opening in Salesforce Dublin Tower [Image credit: Salesforce]
Dublin: the launchpad I didn’t know I wanted
On the time, I used to be dwelling in sunny Lisbon. Abandoning the ocean, the sunshine, and my social circle to maneuver to colder, windier Dublin? Truthfully, I used to be scared.
However I used to be additionally curious. Why had been so many individuals from throughout Europe flocking to Dublin? I came upon shortly: it’s not only a metropolis — it’s a launchpad. Dublin is residence to the EMEA HQs of so many tech giants. It has this electrical, youthful vitality. Everybody you meet is on a mission: to develop their profession and to search out group.
I name it the Silicon Docks impact. You meet folks from in every single place. They’re bold, sort, and open. Everybody’s in the identical boat, and due to that, friendships kind quick.
Salesforce made the transfer as easy as potential. A relocation bundle, assist with condominium searching, and introductions to future colleagues earlier than I even arrived all helped. And when you’re at Salesforce, the occasions, the volunteer days, the after-work drinks—these moments provide help to land in your ft.
I by no means imagined I’d discover a lot laughter, assist, and inspiration in a single workplace. And but, right here we’re!
Are you able to develop your profession overseas with Salesforce? Hear from the experiences of Pelle and Synne .
The quick monitor to Account Government: What six roles in two years taught me
In simply two years, I’ve moved from:
- Enterprise Growth Affiliate (Business Graduate): My introduction to tech gross sales. I targeted on studying easy methods to analysis firms and perceive enterprise fashions. This was all about creating industrial acumen and laying the strategic basis for why our options might assist the purchasers.
- Gross sales Growth Consultant (SDR): Right here, I turned the primary level of contact for potential prospects. I booked over 100 qualification conferences, asking the client the precise inquiries to uncover wants, challenges, and timing. I realized to pay attention deeply and construct belief quick.
- Senior SDR: On this function, I began supporting the onboarding of latest hires, sharing what labored (and didn’t), and serving to them ramp up sooner. I additionally fine-tuned my messaging, experimented with outreach strategies, and coached friends informally.
- Enterprise Growth Consultant (BDR): I owned the outbound technique, constructed tailor-made outreach campaigns, and collaborated with AEs. It taught me consistency, strategic focus, and pipeline possession.
- Senior BDR: I mentored friends, ran chilly calling periods, and helped organise cross-functional occasions like Pipe Up Days. I additionally led inside enablement in areas in-demand AI abilities, shared finest practices, and coached new joiners.
- Account Government (AE): I’m the CEO of my very own territory. From preliminary discovery to closing, I personal the client relationship. I work carefully with stakeholders, handle advanced deal buildings, and align Salesforce’s options to actual enterprise issues.
How did I do it? After I began to attach with senior folks, all of them had one thing in frequent; it wasn’t nearly hitting quota. Sure, efficiency issues, nevertheless it’s the way in which you present up that makes the actual distinction:
Not solely in chasing the pipeline but in addition in serving to my staff succeed. Whether or not it’s sharing speak tracks, prepping for pipe gen days, or co-hosting enablement periods, your influence grows when others develop with you.
I aligned with those that had walked the trail earlier than me.
I’m actively looking for conversations with prime performers who’ve already made the transition. Their finest practices, errors, and recommendation helped me fast-track my very own growth.
I discovered a mentor.
Somebody who challenged my pondering, gave me trustworthy suggestions, and opened doorways. Mentorship is a game-changer, particularly in fast-paced environments like tech gross sales.
I targeted on high quality over amount.
It’s not about what number of actions you do – it’s about how strategic, related, and outcome-driven you’re. One well-thought-out name or mail can unlock greater than 50 rushed ones.
I mastered stakeholder administration (externally and internally).
Purchasers are one piece of the puzzle. Managing your inside stakeholders (AEs, SEs, managers, SDRs, and many others.) with readability, consistency, and possession makes you somebody folks need to work with.
I prioritized staying forward with expertise.
Working in tech means being on the forefront of innovation, and that’s one of many issues I really like most about my function. Because the #1 AI CRM, Salesforce provides us entry to cutting-edge instruments that really remodel how we work.
I’ve built-in AI into my every day routine, utilizing it to simplify admin duties and focus extra on what actually issues: my gross sales technique. With Agentforce, our agentic AI platform, I’ve advanced how I work with the assist of digital labour. Studying easy methods to get probably the most out of every new expertise like this isn’t simply thrilling, it’s a core a part of my job.
In the long run, Salesforce all the time highlights it: efficiency opens doorways, however mindset, collaboration, and worth creation hold them open.
In the event you’re working towards the next step, keep curious, keep coachable, and all the time discover methods to make life simpler for the folks round you. That’s management, no matter title.
Alicia Wuerth, Account Government
However let’s be actual. After I began, I used to be frightened of chilly calling. It took me 5 minutes to dial a quantity, and throughout the dialog, I stumbled. However I realized: folks on the opposite finish of the road are simply folks. And the second I targeted much less on promoting and extra on serving to, it clicked.
Now, chilly calling is a part of my routine. My tip? Don’t overthink it. Know your worth, keep human, and simply begin the dialog. You’re not interrupting somebody; you may truly be fixing their greatest headache.
Past rising my profession, I’ve all the time cherished constructing issues that carry folks collectively and drive influence. From launching Pipe Up Days (a collaborative occasion with AEs + SDRs to construct pipeline) and main enablement periods to sharing insights from Salesforce’s studying advantages, I targeted on creating areas the place others might develop, too.
I supported recruiting occasions, hosted onboarding periods, and organised staff volunteer occasions, resembling padel fundraisers and horse rescue volunteering.
Why? Constructing provides me function past the numbers. When the staff grows, everybody wins, and that’s the type of success that issues.
From teammates to finest pals: Discovering significant connections in a brand new nation
As I discussed earlier than, one key component of constructing a profitable profession (and life) is surrounding your self with the precise folks, particularly if you find yourself beginning recent in a brand new nation.
After I moved to Dublin, I used to be excited however nervous. I didn’t know too many individuals, and I wished to create real connections. Salesforce is the proper place to search out your group. Many others had lately relocated, like me, and there are infinite occasions and actions to assist us meet and join. That’s how I met Bibiana, somebody who’s been a key associate in my profession and life ever since.
Alicia and Bibiana – coworkers, flatmates, besties. [Image credit: Salesforce]
Bibiana joined my SDR staff shortly after I moved to Dublin. She had additionally lived in Portugal, and although we hadn’t met earlier than, we clicked immediately.
We began as teammates. Then we turned one another’s coach. Then finest pals. Then flatmates. And now, she’s becoming a member of my AE staff!
We’ve taken each step of this journey collectively: from internet hosting staff occasions for SDRs, BDRs, and AEs to serving to one another with onboarding and role-playing.
We’ve supported one another by means of onboarding, promotions, and hard days and labored aspect by aspect on strategic accounts, combining our strengths to make an influence.
One instance: We as soon as collaborated on an outbound technique for a strategic German account. I had the construction and analysis; she introduced the inventive outreach and perfected the tone of the message. Collectively, we cracked the door open and booked a key assembly that led to impactful pipeline.
Our strengths complement one another; Bibiana brings creativity and vitality along with her background in advertising and marketing, including a recent perspective to our initiatives. I carry organisation, emotional intelligence and relentless drive.
When gross sales get powerful (and so they typically do), we all know easy methods to elevate one another up. We speak, snort, cry (sure), after which go once more.
The largest lesson I’ve realized from Bibiana? Confidence is constructed within the doing. She’s the one who challenges me to get out of my consolation zone. She jogs my memory I’m succesful — even after I doubt it.
Bibiana has taught me a lot about resilience, self-belief, and pushing previous consolation zones. She’s the individual I name after I doubt myself, the one who jogs my memory of the larger image, the one who all the time says, “Let’s go another time.”
Collectively, we’re stronger. We’ve co-built methods, challenged one another, and made this rollercoaster journey not solely bearable however stunning.
Why Dublin? Study extra about Europe’s Tech Hub from three Salesforce sellers
The type of leaders we would have liked – and we have gotten
Our shared dream? To at some point lead a high-performing gross sales staff, the place folks really feel secure to develop, challenged to excel, impressed to indicate up as their genuine selves, and have enjoyable alongside the way in which.
At Salesforce, that dream is inside attain. Management is approachable, suggestions is welcome, and also you’re trusted with actual possession early on. We’ve already taken on senior obligations, mentored friends, and constructed sturdy networks throughout the org.
We need to grow to be the leaders we as soon as wanted — leaders who empower others, create a way of belonging, and remind folks they’re by no means on this alone. As a result of when folks really feel supported, related, and enthusiastic about their work, that’s when the actual magic occurs.
In the event you’re feeling scared to take the leap, don’t be. I promise it’s price it.
In the event you’re interested by becoming a member of Salesforce in Dublin, do it. The transfer may really feel massive, however so is the chance.Right here’s what I realized: the scariest strikes typically result in the largest progress. You’ll discover a metropolis filled with vitality, a staff that really helps you, and possibly even your individual model of a Bibiana.
Do you need to skyrocket your profession in gross sales and develop a world community? Discover our open roles throughout Europe and take the subsequent step towards your future at Salesforce.
We will’t wait to satisfy you!
Be a part of our Expertise Neighborhood and be the primary to find out about open roles, profession ideas, occasions taking place close to you, and rather more.
