When I left school, I honestly had no clue where my life was going. I still remember the sleepless nights of overthinking everything and feeling completely uncertain about my future. At first, it felt hopeless. My parents were constantly asking whether I was applying for jobs or considering university, and although they meant well, they did not realise how much pressure I was already putting on myself internally.

What people did not see was that I was struggling mentally with the feeling that I was going nowhere. I felt stuck. I spent a lot of time playing video games and filling my days with meaningless distractions, but looking back, I realise that was just my way of coping and numbing the reality that I was not progressing in life.

During that period, I came across a lot of motivational content online, and one person who genuinely helped shift my mindset was Greg Plitt. A lot of what he spoke about centred around discipline, accountability, and taking control of your own direction in life. At a time where I felt mentally lost, that message resonated with me.

Over time, something shifted. I started realising that if I wanted my situation to change, I needed to change the way I approached opportunities. One thing I learned quickly is that there is almost a formula to getting hired, especially in competitive apprenticeship and entry level roles. A lot of people apply endlessly without understanding what recruiters are actually looking for.

For example, making sure your CV is optimised for ATS systems and AI screening tools is massively important now. If it is not, there is a real chance your application is never even seen by a human being. That completely changed the way I viewed the application process. I stopped treating it like luck and started treating it more strategically.

Another piece of advice I would give, even if it sounds slightly generic, is to act like you are already in the role before you have officially been selected. Especially in client facing industries like sales, your appearance, communication, and professionalism genuinely matter. Dressing one level above expectations, arriving early, being prepared technically, keeping your camera ready for interviews, and presenting yourself properly all make a difference.

Being well spoken over the phone matters as well. I once heard a story about somebody losing a degree apprenticeship because when the recruiter called to offer them the role, they answered the phone saying “Who’s this?” in a rude tone. Long story short, they did not get the apprenticeship. That story stayed with me because it showed how opportunities can sometimes be won or lost through the smallest interactions.

Personally, one of the reasons sales appealed to me was because it felt like an opportunity to create my own results within a business environment. In many ways, you are operating like a business within a business. At the same time, combining practical experience with the theory side of an apprenticeship has helped me understand not just how to do the work, but why businesses operate the way they do.

Once you actually secure the apprenticeship, come in every day with the mindset that you want to learn. Skills can be taught, but attitude and willingness to improve are what often separate people long term.

An apprentice is, by definition, somebody learning from a mentor. Approaching the role with that mindset makes a huge difference. You stop worrying about being perfect and focus instead on improving every day, which ultimately makes the whole experience less stressful and more productive.

Looking back now, I realise that the uncertainty and frustration I felt at the beginning was not permanent. I did not suddenly wake up with confidence or direction. It came gradually through putting myself out there, learning from mistakes, improving how I communicated, and taking opportunities seriously when they appeared.

“A quick pain and forever pride” is a quote that stayed with me because it reflects a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Short term discomfort, rejection, and uncertainty are temporary. The pride that comes from finally building something meaningful for yourself lasts far longer.

Salvatore Tilotta

L4 Sales Executive Apprentice | M.ISP Party Wall Surveying | Clear, Fair and Efficient Solutions | Supporting Architects and Builders

You can find out more and connect with Salvatore on LinkedIn.