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The average American employee will change careers between three to seven times in their lifetimes, and with each move, they’ll experience a bevy of emotions. Uncertainty, insecurity, overwhelm. These are all normal feelings when trying something new—especially something new that’s tied to your bank account.
That’s why it’s so important when exploring new industries to find a company that wants you to thrive and is open to supporting your journey, even if you’re just at step one.
Veeam, the global leader in modern data management, has long had an affinity for hiring career changers from unexpected industries and successfully shepherding their advancement. We reached out to three women in sales at Veeam to learn how their department hires and supports employees from varying backgrounds: a former bar manager now managing inside sales, a service industry vet now an inside sales representative, and a director who understands what it means to value culture and potential over hard skills.
In their experience, these women say there are four things you must do when changing careers.
4 things you must do when making a career change
1. Focus on your transferable skills and finding a company that values them
When you're contemplating a career change from a nontraditional background into a more corporate role, it's crucial to evaluate your transferable skills. Skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and leadership, can serve as the bridge between your current profession and your desired one. They are like a universal toolkit that can open doors to various industries and roles.
Danielle Baumayr, an inside sales representative at Veeam, started her career in the service industry, where she learned skills such as customer service, communication, time management, and problem-solving. “I learned to adapt and find solutions,” she says. “There were always special requests or needs, mishaps, and things that happened that were out of my control, busy nights, or holidays where everyone decided to come in at the same exact time.” When Baumayr applied to Veeam—after a career break to raise her kids—these work and life experiences aligned with challenges she would face in the sales industry, something Lauren Zdunek, director of U.S. sales development, says the company often looks for in new hires.
“When we welcome new employees with nontraditional backgrounds, we always find that they bring a new perspective and work ethic,” Zdunek says. “This is where transferable skill sets really shine from things like time management all the way to conflict resolution and negotiation. Sellers must adapt to any situation, and we encourage learning from each other. When team members bring their varying experiences to us, it allows us to think in more open-minded ways to innovate and iterate our own skill sets and ultimately uplevel our whole team.”
Finding a company that makes clear they’re searching for transferable skill sets can be a comfort, too. Nana Amporful, who worked in hospitality before joining Veeam, says that when she reached out to Veeam via a friend who worked there, she was met with instant validation. “I had the coolest female recruiter who could identify my worth, although I had never worked in a corporate world a day in my life,” Amporful says. “She also let me know that my hiring manager had a similar background and was open to hire others like me.”
Now Amporful is an inside sales manager, after eight years of rising in the ranks on the team, and is returning the favor. “As of now, I am managing college-recruited inside sales associates. They have no background in related sales. It has been a pleasure seeing them grow, and I am excited to see what they become. I can say this has been one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had.”
2. Believe in yourself
Confidence in your abilities is the cornerstone of a successful career change. While your background may be different from the typical corporate path, it brings a unique perspective and skill set that can be incredibly valuable—own your journey.
“My husband continuously pushed the idea of working at Veeam on me,” Baumayr says. “After working at Veeam for seven years, he knew what an amazing company it was and thought I would be a great fit if I could just get my foot in the door. I kept dismissing the idea, thinking it was a joke at first and there was no way anyone would take me or my application seriously because I was not the ideal candidate and lacked all the recommended qualifications on all the job listings.”
When his motivation and determination finally paid off and Baumayr applied, she was thankful but uncertain. “During my interviews, I came in lacking confidence, full of anxiety and nervousness. I was prepared to be shot down and overlooked,” she says. Veeam surprised her. “Instead, I was welcomed, taken seriously, listened to, validated, recognized for being authentic, and encouraged to always stay true to that. All three of my interviewers said yes to taking a chance on me and all believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself, and I am forever grateful! They have all continued to check in with me, offer advice, encourage, and support me throughout my journey.”
Amporful also experienced uncertainty when she joined Veeam. Her plan all along was to attend medical school—she has a bachelor’s degree in science with a minor in chemistry—so entering an unplanned sector pushed her completely out of her element. “I was in a training class with experienced systems engineers, territory managers, and inside sales representatives. Here I am entry-level,” she says. “But I quickly gained comfort when I saw the trainer was someone who looked like me. She was super knowledgeable and carried the confidence that I desired in this space. It was a lot of information to process, but I knew in that moment that I believed in myself, and I knew that I could do it, just like she [the trainer] could.”
Zdunek says this isn’t a coincidence—it’s culture. “We always look for people who are eager to learn and motivated to succeed by going the distance, meaning they understand that sales can be a grind at times but have a consistent work ethic, a curious mind, humble heart, and the grit to keep going. We can always see when someone will thrive in a sales environment.”
3. Lean on your support system
Baumayr’s husband is one great example of a valuable support system for a career changer, but there are so many other people—coworkers, leaders, and mentors—who will gladly root for your success and create pathways for opportunity. Seek them out.
“From my very first encounter with someone at Veeam, and every day since, I have consistently felt supported, encouraged, motivated, and inspired by everyone around me,” Baumayr says. “The list of people that have played a significant part of my journey here is ongoing. The culture and leadership are far greater than I ever could have imagined.”
For Amporful, it took longer for this support to be realized, but the journey to get there has been meaningful. “There was a time I did not feel represented as a woman or minority in this company,” she says. “I have seen the company evolve since then. We now have resource groups that support diversity and inclusion. We observe Juneteenth as a national holiday. We have hired people in higher places that do not necessarily fit the stereotypical idea of what that position should look like. I feel represented. I feel cared for. I feel like someone definitely fought for people like me.”
She attributes her success as a career changer and a woman in sales to that unwavering support and advocacy. “My situation turned around because someone fought for me,” Amporful says. “I was given constant opportunities because someone believed in me. I know for a fact, that I would not be as successful as I am today without the solid leadership that has guided me throughout the way. I thank Veeam for putting those individuals in place.”
4. Forge your own path
Changing careers presents you with the remarkable opportunity to break free from the constraints of a job that no longer fulfills you and to explore uncharted territory. In this new endeavor, you have the creative freedom to align your work with your deepest interests and talents. Whether it's finally delving into a long-held passion or discovering a new one, this transition empowers you to create a career that resonates with your true self.
“I always encourage people to follow the things that make them excited and satisfied,” Zdunek says. “Even in sales, you can find your niche, and that’s where some very powerful and satisfying things can happen. When you find that path, the career growth really takes off because you’re shining so bright and making others around you succeed as well.”
Baumayr, who received Sales Development Representative of the Year for 2022, says such growth can be transformative professionally and personally. “It has completely shifted my mindset. I don’t want to say it’s completely changed me, but it brought back the confidence and fire that I had growing up.”
And in addition to evolving your career, you can, in the process, defy expectations—especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry like sales. “Sixteen years ago, when I first started my career in tech sales, I was told I would have certain advantages as a woman,” Zdunek says. “But those ‘advantages’ weren’t defined in today’s standards such as being intelligent, capable, hard working, and integrous. Times are different now and continue to change in ways that make vast opportunities for women to be incredibly successful, satisfied, and respected in tech sales. In a larger sense, women are the dream-makers and difference-makers, and we absolutely have a prominent seat at the table—so take the chance and you won’t regret it!”
