Humans of HTB #2: Vasilikis’ journey into commercial sales

Step into the vibrant world of the Humans of HTB (HoH), your behind-the-scenes glimpse into the growth of our talented team and dynamic culture!

In this HoH series, we talk to Vasiliki Lamprou, who embarked on her journey at HTB as a Business Development Representative and is now thriving in her role as Commercial Account Executive. 

What was your career path before HTB?

Hello, I’m Vasiliki. After transitioning from a background in Education, I pursued a Master's Degree in International Business at Montpellier Business School. I embarked on my professional journey at HTB as a Business Development Representative two years ago. Since then, I have earned two promotions—first to Senior BDR and then to Commercial Account Executive.

You transitioned to an Account Executive’s role from a BDR role. Why was it an attractive domain for you?

Being a BDR for over one and a half years, it was like the natural progression of the role! 

The AE position provides a unique opportunity to cultivate both personal and professional skills, providing valuable experience applicable to various career paths, including entrepreneurship. 

Working as an AE enables you to gain insights into diverse industries and markets, honing your sales, communication, and negotiation skills—assets that prove beneficial if you choose to venture into your own business in the future. It’s like being an intrapreneur within the company!

Furthermore, the enticing earning potential associated with the AE role served as a significant motivational factor.

Tell us about the most enjoyable part of your job!

One of the most enjoyable parts of being an Account Executive is the opportunity to build and maintain relationships with clients, understanding their needs, pain points, success criteria, and goals. 

Developing trust and rapport with clients can be incredibly rewarding and can lead to long-term partnerships and repeat business.

Another enjoyable aspect of the AE role is the ability to be creative and strategic in developing sales strategies. The role requires identifying new business opportunities and developing strategies to win new clients.

Lastly, the fast-paced, dynamic nature of the technology industry is exciting. The industry is constantly evolving, which means you need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments to be successful.

What are the key challenges of your work now?

One of the most challenging aspects is achieving specific sales targets within the quarter, and this responsibility can be high-pressure. Meeting sales targets requires a lot of hard work, creativity, and persistence, and can be a source of stress. 

However, the accomplishment is highly rewarding and instills a sense of passion.

What are your key learnings from your experience so far at HTB?

An entrepreneurial mindset is essential, as the role requires being proactive, adaptable, taking initiative, and being willing to experiment and try new things. 

Strong collaboration and communication skills are crucial. As you will be working closely with colleagues across different departments, you need to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure everyone is on the same page.

What career advice would you give to someone interested in working in cybersecurity sales?

Cybersecurity is a complex and constantly evolving field, making it important to have an understanding of the industry and the challenges that businesses face. 

Take time to research cybersecurity trends, read industry publications, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments. This will help you excel in working in cybersecurity sales.

You’ve been at HTB for two years now. What makes it a unique place to work?

Hack The Box is a global company, and working here provides opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and clients from every corner of the world. This offers valuable experience and insights into global business practices and cultures, as well as the chance to build a global professional network.

Moreover, Hack The Box prioritizes excellent work-life balance and provides flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, to help employees manage their personal and professional lives effectively.

Last but not least, Hack The Box is committed to the growth and development of its employees, offering opportunities for training, mentorship, and career advancement. 

This fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, enabling employees to develop new skills and tackle new challenges.

What advice would you give to someone interviewing at HTB?

Before the interview, take some time to explore the Hack The Box website and platform and perhaps try out some of the modules and challenges. 

This will help you better understand the company and the product. I can assure you, the product is excellent! 

Follow Hack The Box on social media to gather more information and read the stories of how the company started in order to understand the culture. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively to solve problems. Good luck!

Author bio: Vasiliki Lamprou (BlueSelene), Commercial Account Executive, Hack The Box Vasiliki Lamprou is a Commercial Account Executive at Hack The Box, specializing in the Mid-Market/SLED segment within the European Market. Her primary focus is on enabling companies to enhance their security teams' skills through a hands-on gamified Enterprise Platform.  With a Master of Science in International Business and over five years of diversified sales experience across various industries and markets, Vasiliki began her career as a Business Development professional and gradually progressed within the field. Since then, she has built a successful career path in cybersecurity sales. Want to hear more from Vasiliki? Connect with her on LinkedIn.