HR Placement Review

It's been challenging adjusting from full-time education to full time work. My role varies from day-to-day and there is never a dull moment!

Within my team especially I have developed fantastic friendships as well as working relationships. I've found that it greatly improves the coordination and communication within our own environment as well as reaching out to other departments.

The company as a whole supported me through the intial part of the placement whilst I was still learning the ropes. All of the head office staff and line management across the UK are very friendly and are usually always willing to help out.

The workload increased exponentially whilst I was completing my placement, so much so that I have stayed on part-time through the remainder of my degree.

In my day-to-day role I oversaw the recruitment across the company for management level positions, helped produce reports, and gave input into other areas such as training and developement. I was also given a number of projects which included implementing a brand new recruitment platform which I was given sole responsibility for, this has been rolled out across the company and recieved positive feedback. In addition, I developed a number of new documents which are now being used not only by the Leisure companies but also by the parent company Parkwood Holdings.

I have grown in confidence over the placement year, and gotten to know more about myself as a person. I developed further professional communication skills, learnt more about using excel than I ever thought was possible, been privvy to complicated Law issues and developed a number of HR related competencies. Not only this but I have also learnt the importance of a good CV and cover letter which will be taken through to the next stages in my career.

The office is a really friendly place to work, I have developed personal friendships within each department and there is a cake day every other week at least.

The placement is very flexible and it is up to you to make yourself known, often priorities change rapidly and your managers may not have the resources to focus on you and your work. I had to be prepared to take on responsibilty, ask for extra work and use my own intiative.

I would have liked more formal training opportunities, but otherwise I have found a mentor in every member of the team who are more than happy to spend time with me to show me how things are done. I have also observed how each member interacts or reacts to situations which I can apply in future.

In discussion.

The company holds a Christmas Party each year, there are activities and fundraising days which you can get involved in, nights out are often arranged for leaving do's/birthdays/paydays. We have at least three placement students starting each year and will ask if you wish to be put in touch with each other prior to starting with the company to have the chance to arrange accomodation.

I have lived in the area for four years now and believe the area is reasonable price wise. Housing averages at £380 per month if your are looking at a houseshare. Retail, entertainment and leisure costs are not as expensive as areas such as in the big cities but there are an increasing number of premium bars.

Worcester has many bars and a couple of clubs, it's not as hectic as a bigger city but has enough to keep anyone entertained.

The company have put together a team to do the BUPA 10k run in May, a number of us will be staying in London over the Bank Holiday which is certain to end up with a night out.