Vincent J Morello

Vincent Morello’s career journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He spent the start of his career in retail sales for a family business. Then, he worked in various sales roles, drove for a black car service, and worked for a non-profit. In the middle of this, he had a mental illness and became homeless. We spoke with Vincent about how he changed his life with Elevate’s help.

Tell us about your background. What were you doing before attending the program?

The first half of my career was spent in retail sales and retail/operations management in a family business of film development and one-hour photo…I moved away from that and got into several different sales roles.

I eventually came back to the family business and instituted some new services and technologies to increase revenue, but technology and trends eventually rendered that industry obsolete.

After some time driving for a black car service, an undiagnosed and untreated mental illness took me down a path that led to homelessness and hospitalization. There was a time I was collecting disability as I was classified as permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration. I eventually attained some certifications and began working in the mental health field successfully managing a community wellness center for a non-profit.

What motivated you to explore a new career or upskill in your existing field, and why did you decide to pick this program?

The pandemic brought everything to a halt. At that time, I reassessed my life and what I wanted for my future. What I was doing did not align, so I decided to go back into sales, specifically SaaS sales. I knew I needed to bring my skills up to current and become familiar with tools and methodologies used today…That is where I found Elevate. I wanted to find something where I could acquire new skills that matched my existing skills and experience to confidently land a role in a fast-growing, future-proof industry.

How did you finance your education, and what were some of your biggest considerations when making this choice? (optional)

Through an Income Share Agreement (ISA)

What did you like about the program? Are there any highlights that stood out to you?

The program gave me the necessary tools and methodologies to feel confident and competent going into a new role…First, the relationship with hiring partners was invaluable. I was able to land a coveted role with Outreach.io through an efficient and streamlined process. 

Second, [I learned] tips and guidelines on maximizing your resume and LinkedIn profile and utilizing LinkedIn as a powerful engagement and social selling tool. 

Third, [I learned] methodologies that allowed me to use critical thinking skills in order to master conversational flow—whether it is prospecting or during an interview. Lastly, the incredible support, challenge, and encouragement from not only my classmates but the entire Elevate community of alumni.

How did you fit the program into your schedule?

Fitting the program was relatively easy as I was not working at the time. The challenge was managing my time to complete assignments and practicing what was covered in class. I was also not anticipating the number of interviews that I had from companies approaching me.

Can you give us any examples of projects that you worked on during the program?

I worked on a variety of projects. From prospecting for the right ICP to writing effective cold call scripts, email, and social outreach strategies to determine pain points and highlight value propositions, to reading and analyzing 10-K reports. 

Do you have any advice for someone considering this program?

Elevate has been a life-changing experience for me. Not just in theory and growth, but in tangible, measured results. My life has changed very dramatically for the better.

Leveling up, acquiring new skills, and landing a job that not only put me in a different category financially but also [changed] the trajectory of my career. Let Elevate change yours. If you show up for class, do the assignments, participate, get a little uncomfortable, and take a chance on yourself, you will achieve success.

How did the program support you in finding a job?

I was hired directly by one of Elevate’s hiring partners. After showing I had a firm grasp on the material and was able to demonstrate that consistently, I was nominated to attend a pitch day. I was hired as a result of that.

Was the job search process different from what you expected?

Yes. It was very efficient and streamlined. There was absolutely a lot of preparation and coaching that went into it beforehand. But compared to what I had been subjected to prior, this was far superior.

How many companies did you interview at? How did you choose which one to work with?

I interviewed with about a half dozen companies. Some, I sought out on my own, many approached me after tweaking my LinkedIn profile utilizing what I learned at Elevate, and one was a hiring partner of Elevate…I chose Outreach because of their product, their values, the growth potential interactions that I had with those working there, and the exclusivity. 

How are the skills you gained from the course useful in your current career?

I began my career on November 29. However, I am very confident that I will have a much shorter ramp time than others that have not had the training that I did through Elevate.

Aside from the tangible, task-based skills, I have already experienced the benefits of conversational mastery in the context of selling and interviewing. I am sure that will continue as well. 

What do you think is different about your life now versus before the program? 

Almost everything. I have a well-paying, respectable job that I am very proud of. I have a level of skill and confidence that permeates into all areas of my life. I am beginning to live the life that I had always dreamed of and wanted. I have made connections that will be lifelong friends. There are a myriad of opportunities for success ahead of me.

What do you find fulfilling about your current line of work (software engineering, UX design, etc.)?

I have not yet begun, but some of the things I am looking forward to are: I have a set game plan with tangible, attainable goals to measure success each day. I get to engage with people all day. I get to help organizations improve, save time, increase their efficiency, and drive more revenue.

What do you enjoy about working at your current company, are there any specific perks you enjoy (work hours, pay, time off, etc)?

I have not started yet but I am anticipating being in a competitive, yet supportive, environment where everyone is invested in each other’s success. Being able to be fully remote, the ability to take unlimited paid time off, and to get paid very well for my work are all aspects I look forward to.

Do you have any job search advice for someone considering a career in your field?

We are in unprecedented times, and there are opportunities abound to find the right fit and get paid what you are worth. Seek out the skills and training you need to give you the best chance of finding what is right for you.