Sales & Marketing Assistant Review

The best thing about working for ProspectSoft, is that my role was really diverse so I developed a numerous amount of skills which have been invaluable to me. I was able to get involved in marketing & sales which allowed me to gain a variety of skills in each of these areas. I always received support from my colleagues (most of which were placements students so have been in the same position). Working for a growing SME gave me the opportunity to get involved, and allow me to put forward any ideas and contribute. I was given individual projects to manage myself and the fact that ProspectSoft put so much time, effort and love into the placement scheme meant I gained a lot out of my placement year and really enjoyed the experience.

ProspectSoft is essentially one big extended family. As it originally starting off as a family-run business to implementing a placement scheme over the last ten years, it has grown to be a young vibrant company where the majority of employees have either done a placement year and returned, or are placements. This means that all placements are a crucial part of the company so I felt really valued by everyone.

I received support and guidance on a daily basis, as my managers and directors were all close by so if ever I had a question or needed some help there was always someone able to give assistance. The support I received was always really helpful and the first month of training eased me into the company so I wasn't thrown into the deep end when starting my placement.

There is always something to be getting on with at ProspectSoft due to it being an SME and flexibility given with the tasks you're involved with. I liked the fact I could break up my days completing different tasks and projects to keep myself busy but under-taking a variety of jobs. Some days were busier than others due to the quarterly events we ran, and recruiting new placements, but overall never a dull day and always something to do..

I was given a huge amount of trust and responsibility which I liked because it gave me freedom to voice my own suggestions and manage my own projects. Obviously, these were reviewed and I was given guidelines but things such as the Rate My Placement award application and recruiting of the new placements I was given the responsibility to manage on my own accord, which I really loved doing.

I would definitely say I have gained some skills for life at ProspectSoft, not only in the IT industry, and knowledge of the core product, but I also gained instrumental skills that I can apply in my final year of University and further walks of life. From reflection of my first month on placement to my final month, it's quite clear that I've grown and developed my skills further to a point I can now confidently do tasks that I would have been really unsure about a year ago.

The atmosphere the majority of the time was lively and very friendly. There was always some sort of heated debate, or running joke so it was a pretty entertaining office to work in. When work needed to be done, or it was a hectic point, we'd get our heads down but overall the atmosphere was really relaxed and very easy to work in. It helped that there was a pool table in our office too, in case we ever needed a quick break!

Because the placement scheme has been running for 10 years now, it's constantly adapting and improving the way things are done to best suit the new and returning placements. From my own experience of being recruited, to organising for next years placements, it has all run really smoothly and there was positive feedback from the placements and my managers.

The reason ProspectSoft is a 13 month placement is because ProspectSoft invest a month's training to get the new starters up to scratch so they aren't thrown in the deep end on their first day and understand the software extensively. After that there are additional training courses placements can partake in, and appraisals throughout the year. These appraisals give placements the opportunity to sit down with their manager/mentor and discuss their placement. One of the key aspects about ProspectSoft I admired is their compassion and interest in the placements so if ever there was any part of the job that you were unsure of or needed more advice or help they would go the extra mile to make sure you are completely happy in your role.

ProspectSoft's main medium of recruitment is through the placement scheme and with a 70% placement retention rate, the chances of securing a job with ProspectSoft are very high. This is of course based on how well/how enthusiastic you are whilst on your placement with ProspectSoft, but if you show real ambition and initiative which ProspectSoft admire and always look for, then the chances of securing a job after you graduate are in your favour.

There's always something planned in the calendar for ProspectSoft employees. Over the last year we've had some great nights out, Company BBQs, Go-Karting Christmas Do and lots of other outings.

It wasn't exactly expensive but wasn't particularly cheap either compared to Newcastle where I'm at University. As it's based about half an hour from Oxford there was rent, petrol & bills to pay but you weren't exactly short for cash when it came to socialising. That's partly due to wanting to live in Oxford, but placements can live closer to ProspectSoft if they want to cut costs.

Oxford and Milton Keynes were the main places we went out, which were both good fun and had lots of options, whether it was nice bars or cheap student clubs.

Due to it being close to London, Oxford and Milton Keynes there was always activities to get involved in outside of work. Golf, Clay-pigeon shooting, the London Zoo were just some of the things employees got involved in.