Mike Noble’s career journey is anything but conventional.
From starting out as an estate agent to becoming a top sales performer at Harley-Davidson, Mike has always thrived on building relationships and understanding people’s motivations.
Now, as part of the Astute People Inc team, he’s channeling those skills into energy recruitment.
In this blog, Mike shares his transition from sales to a recruitment career, the challenges he faced, and the rewards of working in the energy sector.
Can you share a bit about your career background?
I started out as an estate agent – I kind of fell into it, actually.
I was chatting with a friend’s dad and he offered me a job.
I was only 17 at the time.
He had a massive house and an Aston Martin, so at 17, I thought I was going to be sorted by the time I turned 20!
Fast forward a few years, and my dad’s passion for motorcycles started rubbing off on me.
I got more and more interested, spending my evenings watching reruns of Biker Build-Off in my bedroom – boring my girlfriend – now wife – to tears.
I wanted to work with bikes, specifically Harley-Davidson.
When I found out they were opening a dealership in Guildford, Surrey, I did some digging.
I went onto the council planning site, found the number for the architects, and went from there.
Within three years, I was top of the sales tracker and had founded what is now the world-famous Guildford Custom.
What did you enjoy most about working in sales, and what were some of the biggest challenges?
What I’ve always loved is interacting with people – their backgrounds, their experiences.
It doesn’t matter what sales role you’re in; if you open your mind, and most importantly, your ears, it’s amazing what you can learn about people, their motivations, and their decision-making processes.
It’s fascinating.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the close, but sometimes, it’s not straightforward.
The market can be competitive, and with the dealer network growing fast, it became more about price than anything else.
The challenge was selling the value of us as a dealership over and above what the others had to offer.
That’s where the real game is – people buy from people.
Building relationships is everything.
You’re either a salesperson, or you’re an order taker.
What made you consider transitioning from sales to recruitment, and specifically into the energy sector?
In 2020, my wife and I were blessed with a little girl, Daisy.
It’s amazing how kids shift your focus.
I lived to ride vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles – choppers from the late ‘50s to the mid-‘70s – and I rode them as far as possible.
But when Daisy came along, I quickly realized that spending time with her and my wife was the most important thing in my life.
The transition to recruitment
How did the opportunity in recruitment come about?
I’ve known Terry Buckel, the CEO of Astute People, for some time and have been involved in his Harley-Davidson journey since we met.
We worked on two projects together that cemented our friendship and mutual love for bikes. Terry saw something in me and mentioned a few times that he was making moves to take his successful business to the U.S.
After a few conversations and a year passing, Terry and I met at a Starbucks on the A3 for a chat.
He gave me the full rundown on Astute People, and what really drew me in was, first, how interesting the industry is.
But what really made me consider leaving Harley-Davidson was the flexibility Astute offered.
What was the most surprising part of the transition from sales to recruitment?
Three months into Astute, and I’m honestly surprised at how easily I’ve slotted in.
I feel lucky to be on Team USA, working closely with Dan Bisset and Terry, calling on their industry and recruitment knowledge.
Of course, there’s a lot to learn – energy sectors, computer systems, processes – but one thing that hasn’t changed is the conversations.
How have the skills you developed in sales translated into recruitment?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re speaking to a potential candidate for a Maintenance Mechanic role or the CEO – they’re all just people.
Getting to know them, understanding their life experiences, and figuring out what motivates them is what makes this job so engaging.
Recruitment in the Energy Sector
Why did you choose to specialise in the energy sector?
I found the energy sector fascinating – especially how it’s evolving and expanding.
How does recruitment in the energy sector differ from other industries?
It’s highly technical, and the skill sets are very specialized.
Understanding the industry itself is just as important as understanding recruitment.
What are the key qualities that make someone successful in recruiting for energy roles?
Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to build long-term relationships.
What have you found most rewarding about working in energy recruitment?
Placing candidates in life-changing roles and helping businesses fill critical gaps that drive major projects forward.
Challenges and learning curve
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on in recruitment?
Understanding the technical side of energy roles and adjusting to new processes.
How did you overcome those challenges?
Asking questions, listening to my colleagues, and learning from mistakes.
Advice for others considering a career in recruitment
What advice would you give to someone considering a move into recruitment?
Be prepared to work hard, and don’t expect to coast through.
Learn as much as you can, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to lean on your colleagues.
What type of person thrives in recruitment?
Someone who is genuinely interested in people, willing to learn, and able to adapt.
Future goals and reflections
What are your long-term goals in recruitment?
To keep growing, keep learning, and eventually lead a specialist team in the energy sector.
How can people reach out to you if they want to learn more about recruitment in the energy sector?
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or email Astute’s Head of People, Sam Bradshaw for a conversation about life at Astute.
