An increasing amount of technology companies are adopting skills-based hiring because — as we all know by now — diverse teams are more successful than homogenous ones. However, this hiring philosophy is about more than training recruiters to write job descriptions that focus less on qualifications and more on responsibilities, the skills needed to be successful and expected results.
It also requires candidates to convey, both in their application and interview, how their non-traditional background actually makes them the perfect fit for the position.
This is exactly the position that Julia Chakra, a business development representative (BDR) at Workhuman, was in during her job search. While Chakra quickly fell in love with Workhuman after taking a deep dive into the company’s culture, to the traditional eye, her resume didn’t scream “sales.” Still, Chakra knew she could connect the skills gained doing retail, marketing and humanitarian work to what Workhuman was looking for in a BDR.
“My creative work equipped me with the skills needed to build lasting relationships and identify and deliver on customer needs, while my extensive humanitarian work demonstrated my ability to get people to care,” Chakra said. “It’s all about how you share the story and position your experience.”
What attracted you to apply for a role at Workhuman in the first place?
I remember my job hunt like it was yesterday. At first, I was filled with enthusiasm, reaching out to my networks and browsing the web endlessly. But the excitement was short-lived, and the search eventually became dull. Every job posting sounded the same and nothing stood out. It wasn’t until I came across the Workhuman website that I felt alive again. With a background in marketing and branding, I’m a sucker for good iconography and color palettes. The site was filled with bold text, spunky icons and tons of pictures of people who radiated happiness. I remember thinking to myself, “This is a place I’d want to work.”
The more time I spent discovering what Workhuman was and what they had to offer as an employer, the more intrigued I became. I spent the next hour watching office tour videos on YouTube and scouring LinkedIn to get real-time insight. Based on my research, I concluded that Workhuman was a place where a true work-life balance could exist — a place where you were valued as an employee and given the freedom to be yourself. I can’t even begin to explain just how much of a role that played in my decision to apply.
I remember mentioning in my interview that my non-traditional background would be exactly what I’d leverage to stand out.”
Which skill or experience do you think helped distinguish you during your job search?
I don’t come from a traditional sales background but I’ve been selling my whole life. Some of my very first jobs were in retail, selling everything from frozen yogurt to shoes, which taught me the foundational skills of what it means to be a good salesperson. As I progressed in my career, I took on a variety of roles in the creative sector and even dabbled in humanitarian work. Each one of those experiences equipped me with skills I leverage in my job today. I remember mentioning in my interview that my non-traditional background would be exactly what I’d leverage to stand out.
My creative work equipped me with the skills needed to build lasting relationships and identify and deliver on customer needs, while my extensive humanitarian work demonstrated my ability to get people to care. I knew what I had to offer and recognized what I could pull from my existing skill set into this role. It’s all about how you share the story and position your experience. Be memorable. To this day, I get positive feedback on that approach and how it helped me secure the job.
What do you enjoy most about selling Workhuman’s product or service, and what do you find most challenging?
In order to sell something, I need to truly believe in it, and I think one of the most rewarding parts of my job is the ability to preach about the value of what we do. Almost all of my conversations with prospects are less about features and functionality and more about true impact. I’ve always been a firm believer in humanizing the workplace and making interactions less transactional, and now I get to sell a product that can help organizations achieve that. Every single day, I get to inspire a shift in mindset that encourages a culture of gratitude and the prioritization of employees.
On most days, I have the pleasure of connecting with like-minded individuals, but sometimes I come across organizations that are more traditional, and this can pose a challenge. Often, there is a desire to change from some in leadership but pushback from others. In moments like this, I recognize that taking a huge leap might not be the best approach. Instead, I work with the prospect to identify the stages of change that need to happen before jumping into a partnership.
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