HR Operations Undergraduate Review

The nature of the HR Operations role changes on a daily basis: -Regular monthly reporting (labour turnover, disciplinary statistics, colleague volunteering data, sickness absence etc.) -Supporting DEI initiatives in the business (Employee Resource Groups, DEI podcast etc.) -Register applications for matched funding (were colleagues are match funded £1 to £1 up to £500 of whatever they have raised for a charity challenge). -Register colleague volunteering days with local charities. -Supporting with internal comms on DEI and Community initiatives in the business.

-Through regular reporting, my excel skills have developed massively. I am now confident with certain formulas and data analysis. -My ability to handle sensitive information appropriately has increased. The role contains a significant amount of confidentiality. -With this combination of handling sensitive information and regular reporting, my attention to detail has also increased. -My written communication has also developed into a more formal, corporate style. -I am much more confident with sharing my ideas in a group context.

There are certain times when I felt like I could have been given more responsibility and that my inexperience hindered people from giving me responsibility. What you put into this role, you get out of it. Your workload and responsibility will increase the more confident you get with the role and the more people place trust in you. However, I feel that my line manager has always allowed me to take ownership of certain tasks and trusts me to perform well.

In all honesty, the undergrad prior to me could have prepared me better and invested more time into developing me. I struggled when I first started as I felt like my workload was too light and I didn't have enough objectives that were BAU tasks - they were quite far in advance. I appreciate the nature of my job role changes, but I didn't feel completely comfortable in knowing what my value and importance was in my role until a few months in. I sometimes felt like a burden needing training and guidance when other people were so busy with their workload. However, despite people's workloads, people in the HR team were always happy to guide and support. However, I felt that if I had more clearly defined objectives, then I wouldn't have needed the amount of support I was given.

The culture is something that makes me really happy to work in VWFS and quite sad to leave. The atmosphere is warm and friendly from the top and, in my opinion, you are not considered a number, but a person. The HR team make working here so enjoyable and fun. It makes such a difference in your role what the culture is like. I'd really consider this when applying for placements.

Overall, I have really enjoyed my placement and I am sad to leave. I would definitely like to go into HR Operations as a future career. Some of the perks have been the people, the benefits and the office is stunning. Some of the downsides have been that some of the tasks in my role aren't helping me with my development and I feel that my resource could be used in better ways.

Yes

Without sounding cliché, be yourself in your interview. You do not have to be extroverted to be successful within this business. Be honest about what is important to you and what your strengths and weaknesses are. There are so many resources that can help you develop in certain skills. I would also suggest researching the company and thinking about the things that you like/don't like about the company and be honest with this. Take advantage of the opportunities the placement provides e.g. developing your skills, networking etc.