Learning new things doesn’t just help you get better at your job: it also helps you get to where you want to go in the future.
We caught up with some of our employees about their career journeys so far.
Brett
"Originally from South Africa, my first job in the UK was in fine dining, but it wasn’t a career I wanted long-term. I wasn’t too familiar with the concept of social housing, but I had customer service experience. I applied for the role as Customer Service Advisor at RHP and after two interviews, I was called with the news that I’d been successful. I learnt that a successful customer service team requires a group of people with their own unique skills, qualities and backgrounds who fit together like cogs in a finely-tuned machine.
"In 2021, I applied for and got the role of Regeneration Project Assistant. I gained experience presenting potential building designs to the public and working with customers to capture their housing requirements. Having now worked in Regeneration for almost a year, I can see a clear progression in my career and how RHP has helped me get here. My story has shown that RHP's Investors in People Platinum is a worthy one - and mine is one of many amongst my colleagues.”
Carol
“I started at RHP as a caretaker at Barnes. In July this year, the opportunity came up for a part-time senior caretaker role. I was a supervisor at my other job, so I already had a good idea of what it involved. It was a good opportunity to work my way up in the company, get some good learning experience, and give me confidence.
I sent my CV in and was invited for an interview. I was asked some questions about the job role. Then I was given a second interview where I had to do some role play. And now I have the opportunity to do the job!
I haven't started my new job role yet but I’m looking forward to it: putting training programmes into place, using computers, getting out and about meeting the caretakers on site and getting to know the office-based employees too. Doing this job will give me more confidence in myself and make me a stronger person.
If there’s something you want, you can work hard to get it. RHP is a great company to work for; there’s so much to learn. Whatever job you go for, have the confidence and strength to do it. There are people out here to turn to for help and guidance to get you there.”
John
“I started at RHP back in 2013. My first role was within the repairs team as a repairs scheduler, which involved dealing with all of our customers repairs booking them and taking ownership until completion. I also raised IPOS orders for non-contractual repairs, liaising with different teams around the business and keeping them up to date with repairs.
“I wanted to take the opportunities that RHP offered to further my career here and follow my ambition of becoming a surveyor/project manager. In order for me to be able to take on the role, I needed to obtain experience which my manager helped and allowed me the time and space to shadow other teams. This helped me see how projects operated and what was involved. I also knew I’d needed a surveying qualification. And with the help of RHP I was successful in enrolling into university where I’d worked hard to complete a HND in construction and completed it with 4 distinctions and 2 merits.
“My new role has helped me gain practical experience in project management and see how the work I do can and lead to improved levels of customer satisfaction.
“If you want to aspire to something or a new role then go for it: be the change you want to see.”
Laura
“I joined RHP in August 2020 as Homeowner Administrator, helping with lease extensions, sales packs and section 20 notices. I completely loved it. I then saw we were advertising for a Performance Analyst and I just thought I’d love to do that. Luckily I’d spent the last few months at RHP teaching myself how to use PowerBi and creating reports for the Homeowner Team. All I needed was a little push to apply.
“The support from RHP has been amazing, not least support from two amazing managers helping me shut out that pesky imposter syndrome. I was also afforded that freedom to teach myself PowerBi, which was completely outside the bounds of my original role, and later had some more formal training. As I transitioned into management, the level of freedom to try new things and opportunities for training has really made all the difference. I’ve had huge support in developing some essential management skills. Most important to me though is increased confidence in myself and in my ability to just go for things. If anyone was thinking of moving to a different role in the organisation, I’d say go for it – what are you waiting for?”