Our Stories

Hayley Sawyer

Trainee Sales Consultant

Hayley is a Trainee Sales Consultant in untypical’s Eastern region. After deciding university was not the right path for her, she gained valuable customer-service experience before moving into housebuilding. Now, through her apprenticeship, she is building the sales, technical and industry knowledge needed for a long-term career in new homes. 

What led you to a career with untypical?

Lockdown had a big impact on my final year at school, as my education moved online. Afterwards, I decided university was not for me and that I wanted to start my career straight away. 

I spent three years working as a receptionist, where I realised how much I enjoyed meeting people and supporting them. I was looking for a more customer-facing role when I joined untypical as a Trainee Sales Consultant. 

I had also worked for a groundworks company, so I already had an understanding of construction. Moving into housebuilding felt like a natural next step and a great opportunity to build on that knowledge. 

Sales Consultants are often the face of the company. We welcome customers, help them explore the development and guide them from their first enquiry through to reserving their new home. 

There is a practical side to the role, including show home tours, explaining our homes and supporting customers through the buying process. But it is also about understanding what matters to each person. For many customers, this is not simply a property purchase; it could be their forever home and the lifestyle they have been working towards. Helping them see how a home could work for them is a really important part of the job. 

Being able to earn while I learn was a major attraction of the apprenticeship. It is helping me develop the confidence and skills needed to progress in a sales environment, which can be demanding but is also incredibly rewarding. 

I am learning far more than sales. To give customers clear, helpful answers, I need to understand how homes are built. That includes the difference between traditional construction and Modern Methods of Construction, such as timber-frame homes, as well as key build stages including brickwork, watertight, first fix and second fix. 

I am also developing my ability to read construction drawings. It has taken time and practice, but it is an important skill that is helping me build a stronger understanding of the whole process. 

untypical has been very supportive throughout my journey. I have been given the time and space to complete my apprenticeship work, and I always feel that there is someone I can speak to when I need additional support. 

I have also had opportunities to meet colleagues from across the business, which has given me a much broader understanding of housebuilding and the range of roles involved. 

Most importantly, I have never felt treated differently because I am an apprentice. Colleagues at every level have treated me as an equal, which I really appreciate. 

  1. Supporting customers: I conduct show home tours, explain what comes as standard in each home and help customers choose options such as kitchens and flooring when they are buying off-plan. I also answer questions about our homes, warranties and aftercare services.

  2. Developing sales and administration skills: I update our CRM system and sales trackers, prepare reservation and CML documents, and liaise with customers, solicitors and mortgage advisers to make sure information is accurate and progresses smoothly.

  3. Building industry knowledge: I research the local market and our competitors, while continually developing my understanding of sales, construction and the different stages of a build. 

My day usually starts by opening the show homes and making sure they are ready to welcome customers. I check for new leads, emails and missed calls, respond where needed and review the day’s appointments so I can prepare for each visit. 

The rest of the day can include customer appointments, following up with current and future purchasers, updating sales information and completing administration. This may involve updating build and sales reports, checking that customer choices have been sent to site and paid for, and chasing contracts. No two days are exactly the same, which is one of the things I enjoy about the role. 

There will always be a need for new homes, and it is rewarding to help people find a place that suits them and their future. Housebuilding also gives you the chance to be part of creating homes in a more sustainable way, with consideration for the future of our communities and planet. 

I am really enjoying the role and look forward to continuing to develop my knowledge and experience. In time, I would love to progress into a management role and potentially one day reach director level.