WOMEN WHO SELL WITH LUCY DAVIDSON

‘Women Who Sell’ is all about showcasing women who sell and are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like being someone that identifies as a woman in Sales, the barriers and the breakthroughs.

Here, Lucy Davidson, Sales Development Representative at Kallidus shares her take.

1. What is your job title?

Sales Development Representative at Kallidus

2. How did you get into sales and what makes it the career of your choice?

During my final year of university studying neuroscience, I was debating what I wanted to do afterwards, like many graduates I was at a loss for choosing where to live, how to find good jobs and if I actually knew what I wanted to do.

I was studying at Exeter University, but I’m originally from Scotland, so trying to decide where to move to was my first hurdle. I didn’t want to move back to Scotland and similar to many of my choices growing up, spontaneous and last minute, I found a flat to live in in Bath a week before my rent ran out and decided I would look for work in Bristol – albeit neither visiting either of these cities before.

Before graduating I had already decided that I didn’t want to go into the research side of science, and this was different to most people on my course. With most people going to pursue master’s degrees in science or working for the NHS and research groups it did make me doubt my decision to move into a sales position especially out of the science field; however, a career in sales had always been on my radar as I am a very competitive person.

The idea of commission stood out to me – not just because of money but more so because the harder work you put in, the more results you’ll see, the rewards you’ll earn, and the career advancement you’ll gain.

Additionally, during my degree I always enjoyed learning about the psychology behind how people make decisions, the act of influencing others and how emotional intelligence is important for understanding and managing the emotions of others and I wanted to understand it further in a first-hand sales environment.  

Once I moved to Bath, I was in a fortunate position to continue working for the same healthcare agency to get by while I searched for sales roles. I was very open to looking at sales roles in different industries, I focused on the development opportunities an organisation offered, the progression within the organisation and the culture it had.

To me, a graduate role in sales was a no-brainer because the skills you develop from sales are transferable to many other industries and job roles. Skills such as communication, negotiation, persuasion, customer service and problem-solving are constantly being tested and developed in a sales position.

I am also not someone who is the loudest in the room and I lack confidence when in big groups, so I knew sales would challenge me, pushing me out of my comfort zone to develop my confidence and learn how to communicate more assertively and effectively with prospects in different industries and roles.

3. Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in sales, and how have you overcome them?

I have always been driven and resolute, and when I set my sights on a goal, I do everything I can to achieve it. Before I began my search for a role in sales, I was aware of the existing stereotypes surrounding women in this field. However, this only fuelled my determination to pursue a career in sales. As a child, I played sports that were traditionally associated with boys, but I strongly believe that gender should not be a factor in determining one’s career path.

I consider myself fortunate in my professional journey so far as I haven’t faced any barriers being a woman in sales. Working with Kallidus, I have never faced any barriers being a woman in sales, and I am grateful for that. While I have heard accounts of sexism from other women in the industry, I am happy to say that I have not encountered any such obstacles myself.

When I first joined Kallidus, there were more men in our SDR team than women, but never did I feel inferior compared to the boys and have always been treated the same. Recently, the sales team at Kallidus went on a ski trip and although only two of us on the trip were girls in a group of 18, I never felt out of place and was always included. This really demonstrates how inclusive the culture at Kallidus is and it is one of my favourite parts of the company.

I have been in the SDR role for 6 months and our sales team now has a 50/50 gender split, with one of our managers also being a woman, which is great to see. I am excited to see the progression of our SDR team and how we develop and grow.

4. What do you like the most about being a woman in sales?

One aspect I appreciate the most about being a woman in sales is the opportunity to work in a collaborative and diverse team. It is vital to have a varied team, as each member brings a unique set of skills and experience to the table.

Although the role of an SDR can be independent, our team values the importance of teamwork, where we can come up with innovative solutions to our tasks. We often share ideas and brainstorm together. With our diverse backgrounds in education and experience, we are able to develop more effective cold outreach strategies, resulting in better performance.

In some sales teams, the ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ mentality prevails, where everyone is out for themselves, but our current sales team is well-balanced in terms of personality, and we all support each other in achieving our individual targets. I love being part of an inclusive and supportive team that celebrates successes together and helps each other during the challenging times that a sales role brings.

5. What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into sales and those wanting to advance?

Sales can certainly appear intimidating at first, but if it’s a career path you’re passionate about, then don’t hesitate to pursue it.

It's interesting to note that according to the Harvard Business Review, men tend to apply for jobs even if they only meet 60% of the qualifications, whereas women tend to apply only if they meet 100%. This statistic highlights the need for women to have more confidence in themselves and their abilities, especially when applying for jobs or attending interviews.

In sales, individuals of all personality types can succeed, and the most important thing is to have faith in yourself. It's crucial to remember that if you decide the sales role isn't for you, there's no shame in exploring other options. The skills you learn in sales are highly transferable, and you can take what you enjoyed about the role with you to your next endeavour.

A study from LinkedIn reported that in 2021, 61% of sales role applications were male and only 39% were female.

Whether this is due to a lack of interest among women or apprehension about applying for sales roles, my advice would be to not let the male-dominated nature of the field discourage you. There are many supportive and inclusive sales teams out there, and it's essential to focus on finding a team that aligns with your values and goals.

Ultimately, my belief is that the best person for the job or promotion should be selected based on merit, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic. While I understand that this isn't always the reality, I'm hopeful that as our society continues to progress, organizations will prioritize fairness and impartiality in their hiring and promotional processes.

So, if you're a woman considering a career in sales, don't let any preconceived notions hold you back.

Seize the opportunity and give it your all!

- Written by Tim Macmillan

NEED SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE OR MORE TIPS?

If you are looking for more advice or help finding your next job, we can help, please give us a call on: 0117 301 8495 or take a look at our jobs page. Alternatively, if you’re an employer in the South West and South Wales looking to recruit and need someone with real recruiting expertise then we can help – let’s chat.