This is a true career story as told to LatPro.com for its “What They Don’t Teach” series – a collection of interviews with Hispanic and bilingual professionals from a Professor to a Process Improvement Expert, and everything in between.
Considered working as a Commercial Director? This interview will take you through the ups and downs you can expect in the position, what it takes to land the job, what you can expect to earn and more.
What is your job title and what industry do you work in? How many years of experience do you have in that field?
Commercial Director-Insurance industry
Would you describe what you do on a typical day?
-Prospect customers, prepare presentations and quote risks.
-Participate in forums such as foreign chambers of commerce.
-Promote social projects.
What is your ethnicity? How has it hurt or helped you?
I’m a white Hispanic man. The fact that I know different languages and that I have lived and worked in Mexico and the USA have been advantages.
If you’ve experienced discrimination, in what ways have you responded and what response worked best?
I’m Catholic. In one of my jobs, I was the only man in a team led by a lady with a different belief. She did not like men in her team. It was a difficult situation. It was not on a professional level, but it affected the work environment. At the end of the day, I asked her to clarify the situation. She decided to terminate my contract.
What languages do you speak? How has speaking another language helped you?
I speak Spanish (native), English and I know some Italian, Portuguese and French. Because of the English language, I was an expat in the USA. Now the French and English languages have opened markets to me in Mexico.
What did you learn the hard way in this job and how did that happen?
I learned the importance to integrate teams. It is not only based on careers, studies or experience. It is relevant to share values, ethics and develop the trust between members.
What don’t they teach in school that would’ve been helpful to you?
I think schools are more concerned in transmitting knowledge and recipes, than teaching how to create teams and the environment to maximize the potential of its members.
How did you get started in this line of work? If you could go back and do it differently, what would you change?
My mistake was to accept a promotion when I did not know the team members, and specially I did not know the lady that led the team. I based the decision on the salary (much higher), location (Southeast vs New England).
On a good day, when things are going well, can you give an example of something that really makes you feel good?
It makes me happy when I meet customers that also promote social projects. There is a new link, where we can make something more than business together.
How stressful is your job? Are you able to maintain a comfortable or healthy work-life balance?
I’m struggling to keep the balance (faith, family, friends, exercise). Mexico City is a large city, where I visit customers in different locations. My agenda depends on the customers and traffic.
What’s a rough salary range for the position you hold? Are you paid enough considering your responsibilities?
$100k. It is not enough. My job is to attract foreign accounts to the firm.
What’s the most rewarding moment you’ve experienced in this position? Of all the things you’ve done at work, what are you most proud of?
The opportunity of meeting interesting people, interact with foreigners and participating in different projects.
What’s the most challenging moment you’ve experienced? What would you prefer to forget?
The most challenging moment was to face a lazy and unfair boss.
What education and skills do you need to get hired and succeed in this field?
The ability to work with international teams. The skills to understand different cultures were great and helped me a lot.
What would you tell a friend considering your line of work?
Know the leader, his/her philosophy, values. Then get to know the team and ask yourself if you would like to spend the day with them, and later think if you would like to spend a year with them.
How much vacation do you take? Is it enough?
A month per year. It is enough.
Are there any common myths you want to correct about what you do?
Commercial Director position is more than promoting products. It is the ability to build relationships and later become a trust advisor.
If you could write your own ticket, what would you like to be doing in five years?
I would like to own my business and get involved in social projects that benefit the society.
Is there anything unique about your situation that readers should know when considering your experiences or accomplishments?
I started as a technical, orthodox underwriter and later moved to the commercial side of the business.
About Caroline Ceniza-Levine
