Insight

How This Natural Salesman Stepped Outside the Box And Into His Dream Career

A natural extrovert, Raj J. got his first job in sales at 16, and knew right away it was the path for him. He knew he drew energy and confidence from being around other people, and channeled that energy into his first job at California’s Knott’s Berry Farm theme park as a teen.

His bosses quickly recognized his outgoing personality and made him a games attendant, the person who shouts, “Step right up” and draws people’s attention so they’ll play the games. He enjoyed the experience and realized he was good at it, and has stayed in sales ever since.

Raj sold copiers after college, but decided to move to bigger opportunities, and started looking for jobs in foreign exchange (FX). Though he had no FX background, he’d had some economics classes and was eager for the challenge. He soon landed a job at a large FX broker, and stayed there until coming to Monex in 2019.

“In my last job, every time I talked to a prospect, they said they used Monex foreign exchange,” says Raj. “I realized that Monex is doing things right, and I needed to be there.”

Rising to the Challenge at Monex 

Right away, Raj knew he’d made the right choice coming to Monex.  He works out of the Los Angeles office and since the pandemic began not long after he came aboard, he wasn’t able to travel to meet his other teammates in person. That said, it hasn’t stopped the team camaraderie and support that Monex offers.  Team members are charismatic, determined and know how to hustle no matter where they are located.  

Another bonus of Monex is that he’s able to focus exclusively on his clients and customer services now. His previous company didn’t have enough staff, so he spent a portion of his time managing, supporting, and working in other roles. But at Monex, with a team that supports each other, he’s able to focus on his job of bringing in new business.

In addition to the team support, Raj enjoys working at Monex because of the challenging industry. With market conditions constantly changing, you have to keep learning and stay on your toes to be prepared to answer any question that may come your way. He feels that constantly learning is an invaluable experience for anything you do in life. The challenge makes him passionate about FX and wants to continue doing this for as long as he can.

Standing Out in a Competitive Industry

After seven years in the FX industry, Raj has noticed it’s growing more competitive. Compared to five or six years ago, there are more companies in the field and it’s harder to stand out. That’s why he feels it’s more important than ever to step outside the box and go above and beyond for your clients.  

In fact, that’s good advice for both work and life. So many others are doing the same thing and trying to accomplish the same goals. Being different, while staying true to yourself, will help your personality shine through so you’ll stand out from the crowd. 

Raj believes in this advice because it’s how he landed his first job in FX. When he found a recruiter, instead of doing what was expected – upload his resume and submit an application – he got creative. He connected with the recruiter on LinkedIn, got their number, and called them. After introducing himself, he told the recruiter all the reasons why he’d be a good candidate – even with no FX experience and little knowledge about how the market worked.

“I always make sure clients know they can call any time if they need me.” says Raj.  “I have clients that I literally treat like family. Before COVID, I would meet with clients to grab a drink and really get to know them. That goes a long way.” 

Raj says he sees a similar commitment from his colleagues at Monex, also. Monex managed to sustain much of its client base, even in the face of a global pandemic, which Raj credits to how the team brainstorms and strategizes to help clients overcome problems. This effort also helps grow their book of business, as well as brings in referrals.

Maintaining Personal Connections with Zoom 

Raj is a people person who likes to go out to dinner with his girlfriend and friends, or go to Disneyland, a mere 10 minutes from his home. But all of this is on hold because of COVID. Like everyone, he’s been cooped up in the house and not able to go to the gym. Though he could get discouraged, he’s decided not to let it bring him down.

“I’m learning not to take things for granted,” says Raj. “Though I can’t travel now or really do much else, I realize how important these kinds of activities are to enjoy a full life. I’m practicing patience and just letting things unfold the way they need to, until we go back to normal life.”

Though not normally much of a TV person, Raj found that watching Netflix and movies helps keep his mind engaged. But what’s really been a lifesaver is connecting with friends by jumping on Zoom or other video apps. He and his circle will grab a bottle of wine and play games, sometimes four or five times a week. It’s been a convenient way to stay connected from afar and keep friendships going.

“At the end of the day, we all have our struggles,” says Raj. “But I think staying connected and focusing on the positive brings good things to my life.” 

All in all, Raj is passionate about his career. He loves working with people and helping them save money in their businesses. His time at Monex has been phenomenal so far, due to both the company and the support of his colleagues, and he wants to continue doing this for as long as possible.

 

Ready to learn more from our award-winning trading team?

 

BOOK AN INTRO MEETING                      OPEN A FREE ACCOUNT

Let’s Talk
Ready to save money, save time, and reduce risk?

It’s quick and easy to get started. Fill out the form below and a Monex USA market expert will connect with you shortly. Our team will work closely with you to develop a personalized strategy for your global payment & currency needs.

Contact us