At Jacksons, we are always delighted to welcome a new person taking their very first steps towards a career with us. A few weeks ago we welcomed Rhianna Fletcher, as a business administration apprentice in our residential property team. For this week’s blog we have talked to Rhianna about how the application process worked and how she has been finding things so far. I am sure you will agree it looks like she has made a great start.
- Why did you decide you would like to do a business administration apprenticeship?
I wanted to do a business administration apprenticeship as I felt it would give me a wide range of versatile skills that would help me grow in confidence and ability, whilst allowing me to gain hands-on experience of working in an office. I wanted to develop my computer knowledge, (which working here has definitely allowed me to do). I also wanted to develop my confidence when working in a team and communicating. I thought a business administration apprenticeship would allow me to gain these skills and many more. - How did Learning Curve help you apply for the job?
Learning Curve helped me throughout the whole interview process. They were in touch very quickly after applying with an email letting me know they had received my application and thanking me for the time it took. I really appreciated this and it gave me good expectations about both Learning Curve and Jacksons. They kept in touch before and after the interview, giving me feedback and letting me know when a decision would be made. I feel like Learning Curve made the whole process a whole less nerve wracking! - What attracted you to getting your apprenticeship in a law firm
Since leaving school I always wanted to work in a law firm. However, where I lived before (out in the sticks!) I had no access to a college or any nearby law firms, with very limited public transport and this made it almost impossible! However, when I moved to Billingham I knew this is what I wanted to do and searched for a job and company that seemed suitable to me. - How have you found the work so far?
So far I have really enjoyed working at Jacksons. The work seemed mind boggling at the beginning but I am starting to get my head around it all! Everybody has been very helpful and patient, showing me what to do and how to do it, even if they’re showing me for the hundredth time! I’m really enjoying having something to keep my mind busy and always having something to do. - What is the easiest part of your job so far?
I think the easiest part of my job so far is being organised. At first, I was flustered and felt like I’d never been able to do the work on my own, and the first few days at my desk with a pile of work to do (or what seemed like it at the time) I thought it was going to be really hard to prioritise and stay organised. It felt like I would never get the work finished. However, I’ve sorted a system and every morning I write a to-do list, with the highest priority work at the top and the lowest priority work at the bottom, carrying over whatever I don’t finish to the next to do list. I’ve had constant reassurance to do it at my speed and to not worry and I think this has really helped. - What is the hardest part of the job so far?
The hardest part of the job was definitely getting my head around everything. Everything was completely new to me and there was so much to learn and remember (as well as trying to remember everybody’s name!). The first couple of weeks I had to follow my notes so carefully and still kept managing to forget things. I think I’m finally starting to get my head around it all now, with limited use of my notes. - What has surprised you most about working for Jacksons?
I always felt working in a law firm everything would be very formal and quite intimidating. I couldn’t have been more wrong! It’s a very comfortable and welcoming environment. From my first day, my team have encouraged me and made me feel like part of the team, even on the day of my interview sitting in reception I was made to feel like I was part of the company. - What do you hope to do after your apprenticeship?
After my apprenticeship I am hoping to stay at Jacksons. I have enjoyed it so far and already feel like I’m part of the team. I feel like it’s a great company for me to learn and develop in and would like to progress further. I am hoping to perhaps progress onto a level 4 business administrator apprenticeship or full-time employment within the company. - What do you think you will learn doing an apprenticeship that you wouldn’t have learnt at college?
If I went to college I wouldn’t gain the hands on experience. I would have learned the theory but I think experience is very important. Doing an apprenticeship is allowing me to work in a team, develop my skills and grow my confidence whilst getting used to working in an office environment. I’m dealing with real office situations and at college I wouldn’t be able to do that.
