Daniel Rodriguez

What's your job about?

Redox is a global chemical and raw material distributor and it’s my responsibility to sell and source a range of those materials.

I’ve been transferred to our Californian branch to increase our sales presence in the United States. My day-to-day involves finding new potential clients, looking at new avenues for potential business along with new products that can help increase sales. Also whilst continuing my product sourcing responsibilities.

What's your background?

I grew up in Macarthur, NSW.

Out of university, I began a finance job and immediately didn’t like how anti-social the position was. My father is a firefighter who worked down the road from Redox head office. He saw that I wasn’t enjoying my job and suggested I put in my resume because in his words “He always saw people in suits walking out of that office”.

I put in my resume and have now worked at Redox 7 years moving to the United States in February 2016.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. If you’re personable and have the drive to succeed you’re fit to be a salesperson at Redox.

As a salesperson, you need to be sociable and enjoy dealing with people. An element of competitiveness is also advantageous whilst also wanting to learn about industries you may not be aware actually exist.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job would be the idea that we are starting from nothing in the United States and building off our own hard work. Nothing is gifted, as we are only relatively new, so every sale you make is on the back of your own work. Learning how industries operate in a different country is also a great experience, along with experiencing the differences in how business is conducted in general.

What are the limitations of your job?

You’re going to be rejected a lot more often then you’re going to be accepted. It just makes the positive phone calls and meetings all the more worthwhile because you then understand the work that went into getting those meetings and eventually those sales.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Be open-minded. The career you think you want might not be what you actually enjoy.
2. Understand you will make mistakes. No one is perfect on their first try. People are going to be more accepting of you if you’re willing to admit that you don’t know something.  
3. Be ambitious. Rarely is everything you want handed to you. Sometimes you can obtain what you want through avenues you didn’t think possible, but you will only know if you try.