Halifax Store Assistant Review

For me, the insight was not at all enjoying. I was promised a prominent role in doing tasks but I was rather pushed to the side and not allowed to do much. I took on more of an observer role and this was not very fun and it felt like a waste of time.

I did not feel valued at all as I was not given any tasks to do -- I could only watch other employees do their tasks. Even during this, I was not really talked to; I was just expected to know when and where to go without much guidance at all.

At the start of the insight, I was given answers to common customer queries and how to basic tasks but I never actually got to put this into practice as I was not really allowed to do much. Therefore, any guidance and support I did receive was simply rendered useless.

I did not develop many skills, nor receive much information so it felt like a complete waste of time. In fact, this job has deterred me from pursuing an Economics degree in the future. The only skills I really developed were simple knowledge on how the company works but even this was limited.

Overall, there seemed to be no real structure to the insight as it was a fast-paced environment so new requests were continually coming in so there could be no real structure. Again, I was stuck just watching so for me, every day felt the same and the job just became quite monotonous.

During work, the staff were quite dull and quite harsh, with seemingly no personality at all. However, at quieter times, there was a more fun atmosphere which made conversation easier and we were able to make jokes. This time was unfortunately limited, nevertheless, so mostly, the atmosphere was quite dull and boring.

In terms of personal training, I do not think they invested alot into me as I was not really allowed to do much. In terms of development in terms of financial thinking, they invested slightly more in this as I received some knowledge of how the company works and thus, I got a greater understanding of financial markets.

The insight did not help me to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company as, again, I was not really allowed to do much. Therefore, I was pushed to an observer role and, I would imagine, that this would not be true if I actually worked with the company in a full time job.

This insight did not only help me to understand more about the company culture but it also helped me develop my understanding of wider financial markets and even how the delicate economic system, that our lives revolve around, works. This was perhaps the highlight of the insight, gaining knowledge on such topics.

The content of the insight actually deterred me from pursuing Economics in the future due to the monotonous routine. I was not really given much advice on how to get into a job as such, nor was I given advice on what makes a person fit for an economical job.

I was reimbursed expenses for travel and I was also paid a little extra on top of this.

I only really got to meet the employees that were around and even then, communication with them was limited. As it is such a high-traffic environment, there was no time at all to talk to or meet with other employees such as the managers. Therefore, there were not many opportunities for networking.

The opportunities were limited but at quieter times, it was nice to meet the other employees. Meeting them let me understand what makes them so passionate and devoted to their jobs and made me understand that I need a diligent mindset in order to work in such a field in the future.

No, I did not find out about such possible activities outside work.

I would recommend this insight to a friend as it is likely they will push you into an observer role and not allow you to do much. If you genuinely want to work in the field of Economics, I would rather recommend a place at HSBC or Barclays as they allow you to do more active work.