What was your first job?
My first job was as a "Saturday girl" for Boots, which also gave me the opportunity to earn some money during the school holidays. I held this job right up to the time when I left school and started working for what was then Midland Bank (now HSBC), in Pontypridd as a "junior".
What is it you like best about what you do?
Making a contribution to the success of our business. My previous role was as a Commercial Team Manager, and I know how important it is to make sure that we recruit the right people. It's very rewarding for our team to see people, that we have recruited, progress their careers within HSBC, either here in Direct Banking or out in the Branch Network.
What don't you enjoy?
People's misconceptions about contact centres. Organisations vary and no-one should assume that a contact centre role cannot offer a great career opportunity.
What preconceptions did you have about contact centre
work (and were they true)?
When I left the branch network to come and work in the contact centre I did think that my role would be quite structured and simply the same as I would have done in the branch, but at the telephone. How wrong I was! It was a whole new experience, and as I started during the early days of the centre's history it gave me a great chance to be a part of it's development into the key site that it is today.
Briefly describe a typical day?
My diary is my "to do" list so this is where I start planning and organising my workload. It's always varied, which is great. I get to meet with recruitment agencies and attend jobs fairs as well as getting involved with my team to assist in the recruitment process during our busier times.
What skills have you brought to your new job?
Experience and understanding of what is needed by the business. I'm also very organised in my approach to planning my time.
Why would you recommend working in a contact centre
to friends/relations?
It's an exciting environment which is continuously progressing and this provides lots of career opportunities to individuals, many that they would never have thought of. All this, and for a global brand such as HSBC....it's got to be good!
If you take one thing with you on a desert island
what would it be?
Sun tan lotion. Bright red skin is so not a good look...even on a desert island!
What's your guilty pleasure?
risp sandwich – unfortunately it would be the smelliest - cheese and onion flavour.
What's your guilty pleasure?
You can never have too many pairs of shoes...and it's not only a girl thing!
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A cat, because they are hugely independent and yet can get their owners jumping through hoops to pander to their every need.
