Michelle
Joined 2002, through the Initial Entry scheme
AskHR Associate, Human Resources
How does your work feed into the Bank’s core objectives?
The work of Human Resources feeds into the Bank’s core objectives as through our various functions it is our purpose to find, recruit, and retain the best people for the Bank to operate at the highest level.
Tell us about your department.
Within the division, we have recently introduced an HR service centre called ‘AskHR’. As a team we are the central point of contact for all HR queries and requests from all business areas of the Bank. In addition to the service centre, HR also has small teams consisting of specialists in each area of Human Resources, i.e. Employee Relations, Resourcing, etc.
Tell us about your career with the Bank so far.
I joined the Bank in July 2002 through the Initial Entry scheme after I had completed my A-levels. I started my career at the Bank in the Banking Services division. I spent five and half years learning different roles in the Customer Banking area after which I felt ready to take my career in a new direction. I identified Human Resources as an area that I would like to move into following an HR presentation that I attended and was lucky enough to secure a position in the area in October 2007. I started my HR career learning about and working on payroll and benefits and have now moved on to concentrating on recruitment as well as becoming an all-round HR generalist. The Bank is currently sponsoring me to study for my CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice.
Tell us about a typical day or an interesting project.
As with most areas in the Bank, a ‘typical day’ in Human Resources does not exist! We cover such a wide variety of roles and responsibilities that one day you could be working on our annual expenses and benefits return for HM Revenue and Customs and the next day delivering an induction course.
One of the most interesting parts of our work is the interaction with the variety of people we meet, whether that be putting a potential new recruit at ease prior to an interview or explaining maternity procedures to a member of staff expecting a child. It is rewarding to know that your work helps to maintain a positive, professional impression of Human Resources and the Bank.
What makes the Bank a special place to work?
The Bank is a fantastic place to work! The support you get from day one is excellent. The Bank really encourages you to think about your own personal development and in which direction you would like to take your career. The formal performance review process is great for identifying training/development needs and goals for the years ahead. You also have the opportunity to request a career development chat with Human Resources at any stage in your career to discuss your development and the way forward.
Tell us about the selection process
The Bank has a very rigorous and structured approach to its recruitment schemes to ensure that the most talented and those most suited to the Bank are recruited. This structure also means that all selection centres for a particular scheme are standardised to ensure consistency for the candidates.
My selection centre at the Bank was the first really formal interview I had ever attended as this was my first full-time job. I remember being really nervous on the day, I was so conscious of not being late I arrived two hours early and spent a lot of time in the Bank Museum!
I was put at ease by the staff who greeted me and the nerves just went to the back of my mind. The group exercise was a good way to break the ice and start the selection centre. In the interview, always the most nerve-wracking part, I felt at ease which ensured that I could answer the questions to my full ability. The session concluded with aptitude tests then I went home and crossed my fingers. Well. you know what happened next . . .
Tell us something we didn’t know about the Bank.
It is haunted!