Interview: Softcatter Exclusive - When a career change works beautifully..

At Softcat we’re recognised for our impressive Graduate program, but something a little less know is that we also hire great people from lots of different backgrounds.

 

For example, take Asher John, who joined our Marlow HQ as an Account Executive following a successful career in banking. We sat down with Asher and quizzed him on being brave; being humble; and embracing a whole new start.

So Asher, what were you doing before Softcat?

After my A Levels I planned to study Finance & Accounting at Uni, but at the last minute I decided against that. I stumbled across an open evening for Barclays and ended up doing a telephone interview, there and then. They offered me a role as a cashier, so I decided to accept and start working straight away instead of going to Uni – the rest is history!

I was with Barclays for 7 years in total. I worked my way up from cashier to personal banker, then to relationship manager, then assistant branch manager, then finally to branch manager in 2012. 

You must have enjoyed it, to stay for 7 years!

I absolutely loved it! I was fortunate to work with some incredible people, and I grew a huge amount. I learnt so much, and was really successful there. But that was also a double-edged sword, for me.

Stereotypically, most branch managers tend to be further on their careers – but I was promoted into the role by my mid-twenties. I loved it, but I felt that I’d reached a plateau – where else could I go?

I didn’t want to sit there, however successful I was, doing the same thing for the next twenty years. The next promotion for me would have been regional manager, and that’s a big step up. I’d have had to wait for years in the ‘promotion queue’, as there were lots of other people who’d been with Barclays for longer.

So, the career progression just wasn’t there, and I knew there wasn’t any genuine work challenge left for me. I wanted something where I could keep growing, and keep reaching new heights.

So how did you hear about Softcat?

I’d heard about Softcat lots of times. I knew a few people who’d worked there, and Softcat have always done a lot in the local community. It was funny actually, because one of the girls I’d managed in Barclays had left and joined Softcat about a year before. We’d stayed in touch, and she was always keeping me in the loop about how great the company and culture was.

I picked up the phone to someone I knew from Softcat, and after a short conversation I just ‘got it’. The culture, the ethos, the opportunities. It wasn’t just the chance to be successful, but to join a company that’s constantly going from strength to strength. I’d come from a huge global company with a powerful reputation, so I felt it was really important to move into another company like that.

Was leaving Barclays a difficult decision?

Change is always difficult, because you don’t know where you’ll end up or what you’ll do. That ‘the grass is always greener’ saying isn’t always true. For me, it was important to take a step back and realise that I’d really developed as a person and as a leader, and I had a huge amount to give.

When you realise that, you’re driven to take your talent somewhere else and keep growing – to challenge yourself, I guess. I didn’t want to limit myself. So yes, it was difficult because I love Barclays and I’d grown so much, but sometimes it’s better to walk away. I realised that quite early.

What reservations did you have about changing career?

It was a career I’d been really successful in, so one of the biggest fears for me was throwing that away! You’re removing yourself from a company and industry that you know very well, and you know that you can excel in, and exposing yourself to a company and industry that is completely new to you.

I was either going to be really successful, or fall flat on my face!

That’s a scary thing when you’ve been successful in another industry. You have a real sense of pride in your career so far, so continuing to enjoy that success is important.

Financial security is also a big thing. I’m at a point in my life that I have adult responsibilities, so turning away an established salary to take a risk with a new company is scary. Yes, I had to take that risk and yes, I took a pay-cut to begin with, but I couldn’t have joined Softcat if I didn’t believe I could build back to where I was – and exceed it too.

You need to know that the potential is there – and also that the company offers firm financial security. That’s why Softcat’s reputation was so important to me – I couldn’t have left an established career in banking unless I was joining a stable company with strong financial foundations. 

You say sales was ‘completely alien’ to you. What did prompt you to move into sales from banking? It’s quite the move!

I know! I’d never considered sales before, but what attracted me to the role was the power to earn – your financial earnings are your own destiny.

Softcat offer uncapped commission and brilliant rewards to celebrate your success, and that really drew me in. You’re in total control of your own earnings, and that really appealed to me.

I felt like I could be as successful as I wanted to be, with no externally applied limit – that’s a really attractive challenge.

You wouldn’t have moved unless you were fairly sure that you could excel in sales – what gave you that confidence?

A big part of it is Softcat’s attitude to sales. I wouldn’t have joined just any sales company. When you think of salespeople, you often think of people pushing to make the sale at any cost – I have no interest at all in that world, but that’s not what Softcat are about. Softcat’s genuine passion for customer service came across instantly, and that’s really important to me. Being able to really understand people’s problems, and really add value.

That’s how I knew I could succeed with Softcat, because I know that I care about excellent customer service – and that’s exactly the Softcat ethos. I felt like I could definitely add value, and that I was the sort of person that could really grow with Softcat.

Still, a shift into IT sales must have been a bit intimidating! Did you feel you picked things up quickly?

The onboarding and training team are fantastic! For me, one of the best things is that you automatically feel part of the company. It’s strange, because most companies say, “everyone’s really friendly” and then you walk around and that’s maybe not the case. Here it genuinely is.

Everyone smiles at you; says hello, asks how you’re doing – it’s a real breath of fresh air. I felt from Day One that people are really interested, and that helps you embed into the company quickly.

In terms of the actual training, I thought the best thing about it was how involved people from across the business are. Nobody is shy; top performers from different teams will lead one-to-one sessions, and share their perspective. It made me feel that success is so much more achievable – because people who’re doing incredibly well are happy to share their approach; their best practices. It was a real confidence booster.

What would you say to anyone else who’s thinking about changing jobs? 

I’d say, think about how much you’re prepared to commit to change. It can be a fantastic decision, but you won’t see the same results straight away. You have to learn to be humble, because you’re not going to be the superhero for a while – no matter how successful you’ve been before. It takes a while to build your accounts, and you have to understand that. If you’re willing to work hard and apply yourself, you’ll ultimately be rewarded.  

Sometimes you’ll question yourself, and wonder if you’re doing the right thing, but that’s completely natural. You have to look longer-term, because success will come but it’s not an immediate thing. It’s a journey.

And where are you, on your success journey?

I’ve been with Softcat for about five months now, so I’m not where I want to be just yet but I’m not expecting miracles overnight. The important thing is that I absolutely know that I’m heading in the right direction, and I’m in the right place. Everyone here wants to help you. Softcat genuinely are amazing, and you know they’ll do everything to support your growth. If you’re willing to invest the hard work, commitment and focus, you’ll be successful here.

Amazing, thank you very much Asher!

If you’re considering a career change, Softcat might be exactly what you’re looking for, and you might be exactly who we’re looking for - so if you’re ambitious, determined and passionate about customer service, make sure you give me a shout today!

[email protected] // 0161 274 5125

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