Have you ever looked back at your career and felt like you took a massive detour?
That feeling that years of your life have been spent on a path that, while successful, wasn’t the one you originally chose, leaving you wondering how you could ever bridge the gap to where you truly want to be.
I want to tell you a story about Simon. His journey is a powerful reminder that relevant experience is often hidden in plain sight; sometimes, you just need a different perspective to see its true value.
The 17-Year Detour
He had graduated back in 2007 with a Computer Science degree, fuelled by a genuine passion for technology. But life, as it often does, had other plans.
Family circumstances meant he had to step into the family butcher’s shop. His sense of duty was strong, and what started as helping out quickly became a full-time commitment.
Within a few years, he was running the entire operation. For 17 years, he managed staff, handled finances, served customers, and grew a successful business.
Hitting the Wall of Silence
Recently, a change in his circumstances gave him a window of opportunity. It was his chance to finally pursue the tech career he’d put on hold almost two decades ago.
Convinced he had to start from the bottom rung of the ladder, he aimed for entry-level and even graduate roles.
For five long months, he sent out application after application. The response? Absolute silence.
Connecting the Dots
That’s when Simon and I sat down for a Career Clarity session. I listened as he explained his situation.
He was proud of the business he’d run, but he couldn’t see how managing a butcher’s shop translated into the tech world.
“You don’t have to start from zero. The truth is, you haven’t just been a butcher; you’ve been a business leader who used technology to solve real-world problems.”
During COVID, when other retail businesses were struggling, he built a full e-commerce website and sales process from scratch. He designed and implemented an automated stock ordering system.
He set up customer mailing lists and a digital-first approach to customer service. He had, without realising it, been his own in-house tech consultant for years.
Preparing for Success
Simon wasn’t a butcher trying to break into tech. He was a Technical Business Consultant.
Once we had this clarity and a CV that told his true story, the interviews started coming in.
So, we moved on to intensive interview coaching. We worked through common scenarios, structuring his answers using proven frameworks to showcase his achievements.
We then conducted a full mock interview, allowing him to practise in a safe environment and perfect his technique with direct, actionable feedback.
The Result: A Career Transformed
In early September, Simon got the call. He’d just received a fantastic job offer in the public sector.
His new role involves advising local businesses, helping them get funding and recommending the right technology to improve their processes.
It’s a role that perfectly leverages his unique blend of business ownership and technical skill.
He had assumed he’d be starting at the bottom. Instead, he’s landed a lucrative role that respects his deep experience, and I couldn’t be more delighted for him.
Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultation with me and tell me your story.
