Curiosity and determination can build knowledge and experience

My first job was as an account manager in the beauty sales industry selling B2C but I realised I really wanted to work in a B2B sales role.

I was interested in the tech sector because my dad has been in IT for years, although in a more technical role, and I liked the fact the tech world is always changing and evolving, it's exciting.

I wanted to continue working as an account manager because I understood how to develop sales relationships, and I was motivated and ready to achieve sales targets and learn more about the IT world. I know the IT sector is more traditionally thought of as a male environment, but I honestly never gave that a thought.

The first job I had in an IT role was five years ago as an account manager for a hardware distributor. I went into it with the mindset that I might not know everything, but I would learn and there would be people around me to help provide the details or to give me more insight. I quickly realised I didn't have to be a technical specialist to succeed.

I do wonder if a lot of women fear applying for sales roles in IT because of doubt, thinking they won't have the knowledge.

During that first IT sales job I achieved a Level 4 sales executive apprenticeship with the Institute of Sales Professionals, mostly in my own time. It really helped build my confidence that I could succeed as an account manager and it gave me a pathway to keep developing relationships and knowledge.

I don't think I've ever thought "I'm a female doing this job", I don't really think about it at all. In my first team I was the only woman out of 15, then a couple of others joined and they made an impact. There was a positive change in the team because of the different views and experience. 

I have been lucky to work for organisations where I've never felt the need to consider my gender as a factor in my role. I believe jobs shouldn't be gender defined and that opportunities within the sector should be accessible to all based on capability and drive. 

My dad came from a generation where the tech world was almost entirely male dominated, a time when seeing a woman in an IT role was very rare. He was proud when I told him I was joining the industry because of the progress the industry has made, and he's seen how far things have come. Many barriers have been broken, and women are now able to contribute at every level.

I've always been determined to pick up as much knowledge as I can from the people around me, not because I'm a woman in IT but because I want to keep improving and to keep achieving targets. I did that in my last job but it's been even more the case since I joined Smart CT, where I'm currently a desk-based account manager.

In my role I am aligned to a set of accounts with the external account managers. I go out on site visits with them to gain experience. I've also onboarded my own accounts and seen the sales cycle right through from start to finish. I absolutely love seeing the progression and the work that goes into achieving the position in which the customer starts spending and gaining trust.

When I speak to a customer, I'm able to tell them about the services we offer and if they want to discuss more technical aspects, I'll bring in our solutions manager or whoever is necessary.

Because of this, I've been determined to learn about all the services we provide and speak with as many people as I can at Smart CT to gain further understanding, whether that's with management, engineers, SDMs or the service desk team. Anything to widen my understanding of processes and how we deliver our services.

I think being curious and not being afraid to ask questions is the best way to develop. I will still get requests that are completely new, but I enjoy the challenge because sometimes it's a matter of thinking outside of the box to get the right solution for the customer. There's a creative aspect to the job because there's not always one set solution. 

I feel now that my knowledge and understanding about the job has widened to the point where I don't need to call in someone with more specialist knowledge until later on in the sales process.

There are lots of women at Smart CT in different roles, which is great because it brings different insight, experiences and knowledge. The industry has changed and it's improving as there are more opportunities for females to join the tech industry.

Maybe the industry is recognising the need to have different perspectives and insights because it is changing so quickly. Having variety in the workplace is really important and I think companies are recognising that it's the best the way to grow and evolve. 

My progression plan is to become an external account manager and get to that level I want to continue doing as many customer visits and presentations as possible so that I am in the best position to lead those sales conversations.

This is an exciting industry to be part of, and I am proud that my female colleagues and I are contributing to the positive change that is shaping the future of the IT industry.