Why Qualtrics? Kaya’s Story of her Enterprise Sales Career in the Netherlands

I love new experiences. I love pushing out of my comfort zone and I love seeing things grow. And, having started with Qualtrics in 2013, I have had the privilege to experience several very distinct phases in Qualtrics growth and the opportunity to learn and grow with it.

What attracted you to Qualtrics in the first place?

I had just gotten back from Sweden, having completed my Master’s in Marketing, and was looking at jobs in Dublin. Qualtrics reached out about an entry-level sales position. Honestly, I did not want to get into sales and took the interview for practice. After a few conversations, the idea had piqued my interest, so I over to Dublin to meet the newly hired MD Europe Dermot Costello. For anyone who had the opportunity to ever meet Dermot, he was the most inspirational person and he is the reason I decided to join the Qualtrics story.

What was the turning point where you 'had to have the job'?

Dermot said that this first international office was like building a house: it didn’t have a roof yet and it is pouring rain outside. This connected strongly to my ‘why’: new experiences, pushing my comfort zone and seeing things grow & develop – he definitely made that come through.

What is your favorite part of your role?

Working with (prospective) customers to help them on the journey of XM. I get to see so many different customers, businesses, and teams all with different styles and different levels of XM maturity. What they do is not easy - driving change in organisations. I am lucky to get to see all these different approaches and learn from them – what works, what doesn’t work, and especially, why. Other than the customers, it’s the Qualtrics people.

We understand you moved to Amsterdam - can you tell us the story of moving there?

I started off in Dublin as one of the first employees in our first international office. I moved to Amsterdam with Qualtrics just over a year ago to help start off our first Benelux office.

Any tips for someone who is considering an opportunity at Qualtrics?

Qualtrics hasn’t even started yet. There is so much available opportunity - in terms of a career - and there are truly smart and inspirational people to work with.

What are your aspirations in career/life?

I love to help and advise individuals/groups/customers/companies. This is what I enjoy about my current role where I advise and educate customers and the market on XM. In the future, this would be something I want to be more central to my day-to-day, which takes me in the direction of leadership.

What is your top #LifeHack?

From Dermot Costello – “find your tribe.” Spend your time with people who matter to you and who give you energy. Qualtrics is one big tribe ;)

Qualtrics is growing, and if you're ready to find your "why" at a place like this, you can explore our open opportunities at any time by visiting our career page. Looking to discover more reasons "Why Qualtrics"? You can find the whole series here.

Want to chat? You can get in touch by checking out Qualtrics Life on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

	Kaya is an alumnus of Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen and the Umeå University. She started her career at Qualtrics.