Tristan broks
Company: TouchBistro
Position: Sales Development Representative
How did the GCSC open up doors for you to connect with TouchBistro?
As a fourth year university student, I figured that the more extra curricular activities I got involved in, the more opportunities would open up for me. When the sales program (Ryerson Sales Initiative) reached out and asked if I would like to participate in the Great Canadian Sales Competition by submitting a 90-second sales pitch video, I couldn't say no.
Why did you decide to get involved with the Great Canadian Sales Competition?
As students progress further in the Great Canadian Sales Competition, more doors open for job opportunities. The GCSC gives you the chance to meet face-to-face with over 20 companies in the Final Round. The GCSC Finals took place in the google HQ in Toronto, an awesome venue that is paired with exciting companies to network with. My partner for the finals was Cisco Systems and my mentors prepared me not only for the competition but for real world sales. Alex and Brent (my mentors) invited me to the Cisco office on multiple occasions to role play and get an inside look on their day-to-day experience.
Before graduation, TouchBistro (a sponsor of the GCSC) reached out to me regarding a role and I didn't even have to apply for the position at all. The GCSC greatly reduced the stress of finding a job after school by providing me the opportunity to network with amazing companies ahead of Graduation and make the process of getting interviews extremely easy.
Being able to go to the Google HQ and speak with 20+ companies, connect with mentors from Cisco and talk to other students interested in sales made finding a job much easier.
Do you have any advice for students looking to land jobs for when they graduate?
Soak in as much as you can. You will speak to industry professionals with years of experience and other students with great experience. Learn and network at every chance you get. Ask questions you are genuinely curious about and learn about the industry/company you want to pursue. Practical advice for the competition itself is to keep role playing. It is the best way to learn, practice and get comfortable with your pitch!