zLinq Career Growth & Development

Which skills do you leverage most often in your day-to-day work?

As a strategic sales consultant at zLinq, I manage the full sales cycle — from the first meeting through contract signature — then ensure a seamless handoff to our services team, while also leading any upsell opportunities that emerge post-sale. A key part of my role is sourcing new business, and I’ve personally cold-sourced about 85 percent of the deals I’ve closed over the past five years. That said, I don’t view it as traditional “cold outreach;” I take a hyper-personalized approach to every email and call, aiming to deliver relevance and value from the first touchpoint.

Because I juggle full-cycle sales, prospecting and relationship management, the skills I rely on most include organization, attention to detail, discipline and structured follow-through. Just as importantly, I lean heavily on personalization, rapport-building, persistence, positivity and determination — especially in a high-rejection environment like outbound sales. These qualities help me not just open doors but build long-term trust with prospects and clients alike.

How have these skills enabled you to heighten your impact on zLinq and grow your career?

These skills have been critical to both my individual success and broader impact on the company. In a high-pressure sales environment — especially at a startup where 99 percent of the people I reach out to have never heard of us — being highly organized, persistent and focused on personalization allows me to consistently break through the noise and build trust from the first interaction. That emphasis on trust-building, paired with disciplined follow-through and a results-driven mindset, directly supports zLinq’s core values of “Build Trust” and “Get Results.” I’ve exceeded my growing quota year over year and qualified for President’s Club, and helped expand our presence in new markets through outbound efforts. These outcomes have fueled continued career growth and greater strategic responsibility.

Beyond metrics, I’ve especially grown over the past one and a half years in my product knowledge and ability to independently navigate complex, enterprise-level deals. And through it all, I do my best to bring energy and positivity to my work, because I genuinely believe in our third core value, “Have Fun.” That mindset makes the tough days more rewarding and keeps me grounded in why I love what I do.

What are some resources and/or sources of inspiration you’d recommend for reps eager to refine their sales skills? Are there resources zLinq has provided to support this growth?

To be honest, I’ve never been someone who turns to sales books or listens to podcasts that promise the secret formula for booking meetings or closing deals (sorry!). There’s so much content out there, and I’ve found what works for me — and I’ve proven its success time and time again. That said, a growth mindset is essential in sales, and I’m always looking for ways to evolve.

The most valuable resources throughout my time at zLinq haven’t come from a book or webinar — they’ve come from our people. Specifically, CEO Tatiana Finkelsteyn and Vice President of Sales Sunny Flynn have been continuous sources of inspiration and mentorship. When I joined zLinq, we were just 11 people, and while I brought strong foundational skills, working side by side with Tatiana and Sunny gave me the tools, confidence and real-world context to level up.

So, my advice? Learn from your leaders. Watch your peers. Observe what works — and what doesn’t — and use that insight to refine your own authentic style. Sales isn’t one-size-fits-all. And above all, remember to laugh and keep a sense of humor through the highs and lows — it’s the only way to stay energized and grounded in this wild, rewarding ride.