Investing in your own future pays dividends

David Clarke (below), a senior partner at Clydesdale Bank, says patience, tolerance and determination are vital ingredients for a good career.

On leaving Lancaster University in 1993, I was determined to find meaningful employment. With this in mind and to maximise my opportunities, my partner and I moved to London. Some six months later, with my enthusiasm battered by tens of rejections and demoralising meetings with recruitment companies, I joined HSBC as a graduate trainee manager.

At the time, the sense of relief was itself energising. What neither party realised, however, was that we had each taken a huge leap of faith. My employer, while demonstrating all the right behaviour, had no tangible experience of employing a blind person in a frontline management role.

From my own perspective, while I had spent a huge amount of time searching for an employer, I had given little thought on how to ensure I had access to the right equipment and support to enable me to undertake the job.

In truth, many of the issues we faced are no longer relevant, particularly in light of the tremendous advances made with enabling technology and the access to work scheme.

David’s job tips:

The role: Closely examine the job spec to determine the precise tasks you will be expected to undertake. Highlight from the outset those you can do already, those where you may need assistance and those which you simply are unable to undertake. You must establish this at the outset in order for your performance in the role to be assessed accurately.

Technology: Invest as much time as possible in researching the relevant technology for your role. Be aware of funders and technology providers who may be tempted to push you toward certain brands. Be steadfast in keeping your needs at the forefront of the technology discussion.

Access to work: This area has improved enormously since my first experience of access to work some 14 years ago. The key is to start the process as early as you can. Ensure that any new equipment or technology comes with a training budget and do use the time wisely.

Your employer: It is essential that you have a sponsor or a mentor within your organisation with whom you can discuss any issues which arise, particularly in the early stages. The sponsor should be sufficiently senior to be able to bring people together to resolve issues where appropriate.

Yourself: Patience, tolerance and a commitment to succeed are all key. Initially, when the process is not going smoothly, there can be a tendency for your own work to suffer. However, this is a time for your own resolve to shine through and where you can demonstrate your determination to all around you.

David Clarke: Career Path

Graduated from Manchester with degree in politics
Masters in diplomacy from Lancaster University
Joined HSBC graduate programme
Appointed account manager of 700 small business clients and 100 “high networth” individuals
Completed Chartered Institute of Bankers associateship exams
Became assistant manager with a portfolio of FTSE100 retail and utility clients
Appointed branch manager at Edgware Road branch of HSBC
Appointed senior assistant manager at London’s flagship Victoria Street branch
Accepted offer to join Royal Bank of Scotland as manager of a mid-corporate portfolio of business clients
Moved to Clydesdale Bank to be senior partner at new site in Knightsbridge