What was your first job?
Whilst at school I worked in my local Spar shop in the evenings. My first proper job was as a bank clerk with Midland Bank as we were known then.
What is it you like best about what you do?
I love the variety of challenges and autonomy my job provides. There is no element of routine, the pace is fast and furious, I get to meet lots of different people and I have a terrific team who are passionate and enthusiastic about what they do.
What don't you enjoy?
Receiving unnecessary e mails, when a conversation would have been quicker and more appropriate.
What preconceptions did you have about contact centre
work (and were they true)?
I used to think that contact centre work would be tedious, repetitive and mundane. This isn't the case at all, there are many different roles within a contact centre environment and it offers a number of career opportunities for individuals who would like to get on.
Briefly describe a typical day?
There is no such thing as a typical day for me. First thing ,I check my diary to see where I need to be and at what time I need to be there. My role has a wide remit dealing with Communications, Careers, Corporate Social Responsibility , Health and Well Being, Culture, Recognition, Employee Engagement , and Sports and Social programmes within our site, and every day is different.
What skills have you brought to your new job?
Planning and organising , problem solving, communication skills and an enthusiasm and passion for my role. One of the things I have discovered since commencing this role is that I also have a creative side which I didn't realise I had.
Why would you recommend working in a contact centre
to friends/relations?
It is fun, provides you with excellent training and is a very supportive environment. There are fantastic career opportunities within HSBC and the skills you acquire working in our contact centres are transferable to a large number of roles.
If you take one thing with you on a desert island
what would it be?
A quantum teleportation device , so that I could be transported off the island whenever I wanted to and go back if I felt like some peace and quiet!. Ok..... I know they haven't been invented yet but you didn't state it had to be real!
What's your guilty pleasure?
Having a lie in! I'm always up around 6:00am on work days and most weekends as I have a very busy work and family life. However I do enjoy staying in bed occasionally.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
I would be a golden eagle, soaring high, total freedom and I'd have the most fantastic views of our amazing planet.
