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Top Insider Advice

If you’re applying for an Early Careers role such as a Graduate or Apprentice scheme, hiring managers won’t expect you to have a whole host of work experience to draw upon. They will, however, be looking to understand what kind of person you are, what skills you have, and what makes you tick! So don’t be afraid to talk about the sports team you play for or manage at the weekend, the examinations you’ve racked up for playing a musical instrument, your involvement in a community group or your passion for learning foreign languages!

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Career path

Careers Lead

First Central

From 10/2021 to 11/2024

project support officer

First Central

From 09/2020 to 09/2021

Administration Coordinator (for CAMHS Academic Programme)

First Central

From 07/2020 to 09/2021

Company

What do you live about your job and the company?

It’s so rewarding when we match an ambitious person just starting out on their chosen career with a role that will let them make real inroads into where they want to get to... particularly when the role is aligned with a structured development programme where they’ll gain industry-recognised professional qualifications along the way.

Greatest achievements

Since I joined First Central in October 2021, I’ve worked with business leaders to continue the great Early Careers work that was already going on. I’m also delighted to have introduced new Graduate or Apprenticeship roles to several teams that weren’t previously offering any such opportunities (including Data & Analytics, Technical Support, Data Operations, Data Science, Procurement & Supplier Management, Legal, Risk and Compliance and Finance). I’ve also just agreed our first ever undergraduate sandwich placements for this year (in Underwriting and Claims & Fraud).

Other insiders

Julia B

Top Insider Advice

Don’t feel trapped within a certain career route. Think about the skills you have and see if you can use them in a different role. Find a company to work for that has an open, fair and equitable pay structure. If you need to take a step back and focus on your family that’s okay too. I’ve been able to return to a career at a later stage. Look for a company that invests in everyone regardless of their age/personal circumstances and will support your career post kids. Get as much work experience as possible, (and encourage your kids to get some too), and try different projects/experiences within your role so you have something for your CV.

Paul F

Director of Data and Analytics

Top Insider Advice

My career experience causes me to provide the following advice, which is relevant for opportunities here at First Central: • Build credibility by doing what you say you will • Team spirit trumps all • Seek to understand and don’t judge a book by its cover • Give people space; micro-management is a killer • Be relentless in seeking to understand yourself • Coaching and mentoring are transformational and are amazing gifts you can give to others • Take risks and be brave • Be human, be vulnerable, show emotion to make yourself accessible

Becky H

Finance Change Lead

Top Insider Advice

Had I not taken on a secondment I don’t think I would have found a role that I’m able to excel in and enjoy. This was a change to what I was used to as I’d never been part of a project team before. There were ups and downs but through my willingness to learn and put in effort I have found my niche and even now I don’t stop learning and understanding processes I may not have had exposure to in the past.

Discussions with Lauren M
What is the dress code?
in Career Tips·mercredi, mai 3, 2023
1 response
85 views
How much holiday will I get?
in Career Tips·mercredi, mai 3, 2023
Picture of Julia
2 responses
93 views
In what ways will my career progression be supported?
in Career progression·mardi, avril 25, 2023
Picture of Ali
2 responses
93 views
What is the work-life balance like in your role?
in Career Tips·jeudi, mars 23, 2023
Picture of Julia
Picture of Marco
5 responses
190 views
Can you share a story where you supported a colleague's personal or professional growth?
in Career progression·vendredi, octobre 4, 2024
1 response
15 views