Rental Sales Agent Review

I really enjoyed working at ABG for the year, so much so that I now have a permanent part time contract with the company whilst I return to University. The role requires a lot of learning and a lot of that is based around using your own initiative, working for ABG has boosted my confidence and has taught me that it is okaty to ask for help.

I feel that it took some time for me to settle in, especially with certain people but a year later I know that is I asked anybody here for help whether that is relating to an issue inside or outside of our working environment that they would be happy to leave whatever it is that they are doing to make sure that I am okay. I feel that my colleauges and my management team really have my best interest at heart and that level of car doesn't stop as soon as I leave the work premises. It is really nice to be part of such a lovely team.

As mentioned above, I do feel that a lot of learning around this role is initiative based, this job isn't for someone who wants their hand held with every decision that they have to make. That is not to say that on the first day of the job you are thrown into the deep end, you are slowly introduced to having more responsibility based on how the management team feel you will handle it. My management team are there whenever I need them, even if it is their day off, I know that I can call and that somebody will answer the phone to assist me. At Birmingham Airport the team operate an open door policy and if help is needed all that anybody has to do is ask.

The rental car business as with any business has its peaks of custom and its quieter periods. There are however plenty of activites to do on those quieter days that are centered around improving performance and learning your product in order to maximise your results. No two days are exactly the same (to be cliché), a day may start off looking quiet but then reservations fall onto the system, or vehicles that need to be exchanged are bought in on the back of an AA van-there is always something that you could be doing to continually improve or assist another area of the role.

To begin with I just had the basic responsibilities of my role and when I began to become confident in those areas my performance was reviewed and my manager asked me where I would like to go from here. From that point on I had administrative responsibilites, would provide cover for other stations, had responsibility surrounding performance review of my colleagues, became in charge of customer service/complaints and feedback recieved and recently I have being given the role of training new members of staff. I have found that as long as you reach and ask for opportunities within the company that they are provided.

I feel as though this role has provided me with the confidence to pursue greater responsibility in any role I take after this. It has taught me to voice my opinions but also to consider others. It has also given me exposure to custom from all over the world and has allowed me to develop an appropriate ettiqute in building a rapport with them. I also feel that the placement year has helped me in deciding which direction I wish to follow after completing my degree and that is something I was not quite certain of before this year.

Some days were a 10/10 but others were not. When working with the public of course you are going to get irate customers and this is going to have a knock on effect on staff morale and attitude. At certian points throughout the year due to staff absenteeism the work load was given to staff that already felt as though a lot was expected of them which resulted in a lot of negativity with certain members of the team. I feel as though this is to be expected when working with real people and the majority of the time the atmosphere in the office was fantastic.

I was given a placement plan for the first several weeks of my induction. Some elements could have been more structured with information announced earlier but overall I feel that the placement itself has been very well organised.

I don't feel that I have been invested in individually as all training is given to every employee. However if there is ever an area I wish to have further insight into I feel that my management team invest their time voluntarily into assisting me.

I have been given a permanent part time contract which I have already began which is perfect for when I do return to University. After my final year I do hope to see if there is an opportunity of upwards mobility as I do which to progress within the company.

Everybody gets along greatly and when something is arranged if it is possible people to attend. We also have several streams of communication via social media and Whatsapp so there is constant communication with everyone. We are trying to arrange more activities but at the moment nothing much has happened.

As I go to university in Birmingham I chose to rent inbetween my place of work and my university. I would say it is affordable as long as you stick to a budget.

When people leave we will meet for dinner but at the moment there haven't been many activities planned.