Networking Your Way Into Your Dream Role with Chelsey Bonilla | Ep054

Episode Information Show NotesBreaking into a major tech company requires more than submitting applications online. Chelsey Bonilla shares how strategic networking, intentional preparation, and genuine curiosity helped her land an account executive role at Gartner, despite not having a traditional technical background.Guest Background:Chelsey Bonilla is an Account Executive at Gartner, one of the world’s leading research and advisory companies. A Las Vegas native and UNLV double alum, she built her career through operations, IT staffing, startup experience, and project management before finding her current role. She’s an active member of SIM (Society of Information Management) Las Vegas, where she volunteers and builds relationships within the tech community.Episode Highlights:Non-Traditional Path to ITChelsey’s career didn’t follow the expected route. Starting in operations and moving through various roles, she found herself drawn to IT despite lacking technical credentials. Her willingness to ask “I don’t understand” became a strength rather than a weakness.Strategic Networking That WorksWhen Chelsey became obsessed with working at Gartner, she didn’t just apply online. She researched everyone attending a SIM networking event, showed up early, and made genuine connections. That preparation led to a phone call about an opportunity that wasn’t even posted yet.The Power of PreparationBefore networking events, Chelsey researches attendees on LinkedIn, follows them strategically, and comes prepared with questions. She calls it “cyber stalking”—and it works.Surviving Seven Rounds of InterviewsLarge organizations have rigorous interview processes for good reason. Chelsey shares what it took to get through seven interviews at Gartner and why each round reinforced that she was on the right path.Key Takeaways:Ask questions freely, even when you don’t have technical knowledgePrepare intentionally for every networking opportunityBuild genuine relationships within professional organizationsResearch people before you meet themTrust the rigorous interview processes at companies you admireGive recruiters the information they need to advocate for youVolunteer and give back to your professional communityConnect with Chelsey Bonilla:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseybonilla/Listen to Career Downloads:Available on all major podcast platforms TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really try and uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode because I have with me Chelsey Bonilla and her and I have, over the last, probably close to a year now, have developed a both professional and personal relationship, just kind of getting to know each other. And ike I’ve mentioned before, there’s different areas of technology. So she didn’t feel that she works in technology, but she really does. So again, I just kind of want to help, I hope that her story kind of helps dispel some of those myths. And we get to learn a little bit more of how she’s navigated it, and hopefully find some things that will be helpful for you. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Chelsea. Chelsey Bonilla: Thank you, Manny. I appreciate all the time and consideration and overthinking that you’ve allowed me to have over the last year. Manuel Martinez: And I appreciate that it kind of, it took time because you’re not the only person that, it takes a little bit to be like, “Well, wait a minute, why me? Why my story?” it’s not something that you do all the time, right? I don’t see you on podcasts all the time or kind of speaking out publicly. So I think this is good because I’ve had a couple of guests like that.