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zStack Technology Sales Specialist Review

at IBM

Graduate Job

Sales

London

Review Submitted: November 2025

Overall Rating

4.9 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4.8/5 - Overview of the Role
5/5 - Experience & Company Culture
5/5 - Recommendations & Advice

Overview of the Role

Overall, how would you describe your experience at IBM?
My experience at IBM so far has been extremely positive. I’ve been with Z for just over a year now as a HW seller, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Even as a graduate, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of activities, from attending client meetings to creating contracts and pricing the solutions we offer. I’ve learned so much, and no two days are ever the same.
What has really stood out to me is the level of support and mentorship available. The senior team is always willing to share their knowledge, and I’ve consistently felt encouraged to ask questions, take initiative, and push myself. The culture within IBM is incredibly collaborative, and it’s been great to work alongside people who are genuinely passionate about what they do.
I’ve also been able to develop both professionally and personally through training sessions, internal enablement, and hands-on experience with real client projects. Being trusted with meaningful responsibilities so early in my career has helped me grow my confidence and sharpen my commercial skills.
Another highlight has been the travel opportunities; New York, Berlin, Edinburgh, and more. Being able to visit different offices, meet colleagues from around the world, and attend on-site client sessions has been an amazing perk of the role and has given me a global perspective on the business.
Overall, my time at IBM so far has exceeded my expectations, and I’m excited to continue learning, developing, and contributing to the Z team.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
In my role, I’m responsible for engaging with clients to understand their needs, supporting sales cycles by preparing materials and joining customer meetings, and helping to build contracts and price IBM Z solutions. I also work closely with technical specialists and other teams to shape proposals, manage pipeline activity, and continuously develop my knowledge of the IBM Z portfolio through training and hands-on experience.
What I enjoy most is the variety of the work and the fact that no two days are the same. I really value the client interaction, the trust and responsibility I’ve been given early in my career, and the supportive, collaborative culture within the team. I also enjoy the opportunities for growth both professionally and personally, as well as the chance to travel to different locations like New York, Berlin, and Edinburgh, which has been an exciting part of the role.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
I would rate this a 5 out of 5. I feel that my role gives me a genuine opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way, even at a relatively early stage in my career. I’m trusted with real responsibility, involved in important client activities, and encouraged to share my ideas. My team consistently makes me feel valued and they listen to my input, support my development, and recognise the work I do. This combination of trust, involvement, and appreciation makes me feel like a true contributor to the team’s success.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
I would rate this a 4 out of 5. I feel that my compensation package fairly reflects the work I do and the responsibilities I’ve been given. The salary is competitive for my level, and the additional perks and benefits such as commission, travel opportunities, professional development, and access to a wide range of resources add real value. The reason I haven't put 5/5 is factors such as private healthcare are not free and take a large sum out of my tax free allowance, but except for that its great.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
I would rate this a 5 out of 5. I feel that my role is preparing me extremely well for my future career. I’m gaining hands-on experience with real clients, developing strong commercial and technical skills, and learning how to operate confidently in a fast-paced, enterprise environment. The combination of training, mentorship, and meaningful responsibility has helped me build a solid foundation for future progression. I’m constantly growing, and I feel that the experience I’m gaining now will be invaluable throughout my career.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
I would rate this a 5 out of 5. I feel I’m continuously developing both new and existing skills through a combination of formal training and my day-to-day responsibilities. The structured learning available to me has strengthened my technical and commercial knowledge, while the hands-on experience I get from real client work allows me to apply and refine those skills in practice. The balance between formal development and practical exposure has been extremely effective in helping me grow rapidly and confidently in my role.

Experience & Company Culture

How is the support you receive?
5/5
I would rate the support I receive as a 5 out of 5. I’ve felt fully supported by HR, my line manager, my mentor, and my buddy throughout my time in the role. HR has been clear, responsive, and helpful whenever I’ve needed guidance. My line manager provides consistent direction, constructive feedback, and is always available when I need support. My mentor has been invaluable in helping me navigate both the technical and commercial aspects of the role, and my buddy has been great for day-to-day questions and practical advice when I first started. Overall, the support network around me has been strong, proactive, and genuinely invested in my development, and I haven’t felt that anything essential has been missing.
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
I would rate my work-life balance as a 5 out of 5. I feel I’m able to manage my workload effectively while still having time for myself outside of work. The flexibility within the role, along with the supportive culture of my team, makes it easy to balance professional responsibilities with personal commitments. I’ve never felt overwhelmed, and I appreciate that the organisation encourages a healthy and sustainable approach to work.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
I would describe the organisational culture and atmosphere as extremely positive, inclusive, and welcoming. From the moment I joined, I felt supported and encouraged to be myself, and it’s clear that diversity and inclusion are genuinely valued rather than just spoken about. The environment is collaborative, with people always willing to share knowledge, offer guidance, and help each other succeed.
The culture also promotes flexibility and trust. The hybrid working approach works very well, giving me the freedom to balance time in the office, where the energy and collaboration are great, with the option to work remotely when it suits my schedule. Overall, the atmosphere feels open, empowering, and forward-thinking, and it creates a space where I feel comfortable, motivated, and able to thrive.
How would you rate IBM initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
5/5
I would rate IBM’s initiatives around equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility as a 5 out of 5. It’s evident that these values are deeply embedded in the organisation’s culture, not just through policies but through day-to-day behaviours. There are numerous programmes, resource groups, and events that actively promote inclusion and celebrate diversity, and employees are encouraged to get involved and have a voice. I also feel that IBM takes accessibility seriously, ensuring that tools, facilities, and working environments support everyone’s needs. Overall, the commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace is strong and consistently demonstrated, which makes it a place where people can genuinely feel respected and supported.
How would you rate IBM CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
5/5
I would rate IBM’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives as a 5 out of 5. IBM has a strong and genuine commitment to making a positive impact beyond the business, whether through sustainability efforts, community engagement, or responsible innovation. The organisation actively supports programmes focused on education, environmental responsibility, and closing the digital skills gap, and employees are encouraged to get involved in volunteering and social impact activities. It’s clear that CSR is not just an add-on, but an integral part of IBM’s identity and values, which makes me proud to contribute to a company that takes its responsibilities to society seriously.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend IBM to a friend. My experience so far has been extremely positive, from the supportive culture and strong development opportunities to the meaningful work, great team environment, and excellent work-life balance. IBM provides a fantastic foundation for growth, and I genuinely feel valued and supported in my role, which makes it a place I would confidently encourage others to join.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
5/5
I would rate this a 5 out of 5. The role has matched and in many ways exceeded my expectations based on the recruitment process. Everything that was outlined to me regarding the responsibilities, opportunities, culture, and support has aligned closely with my actual experience. The transparency during recruitment gave me a clear picture of what to expect, and stepping into the role has confirmed that the position is exactly what I was hoping for, with even more opportunities for growth and involvement than I anticipated.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to IBM?
My primary tip would be to be yourself. It is very easy to try and be someone you are not in an interview to impress the person who is interviewing you, however the interviewer wants to get to know you. Therefore, as important as it is to talk about your experience and skills, it is as important to show personality and talk about your hobbies, things you enjoy to do etc. Especially in a role such as sales which is very client facing, those soft skills are imperative and the best way you can showcase these in an interview is to be yourself: smile, ask lots of questions, straight posture, look engaged, don't speak in a monotone manner and remember the person in front of you is not a robot, they are a person too.
Also dress smartly for an interview. First impressions matter and before an interviewer speaks to you, the first thing they see is your attire. Dress to impress, because it shows you made an effort and you are serious about wanting this role. So wear a blazer, smart polished shoes, a tie if you want too.
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