Kate Farnell People Team Graduate

Name: Kate Farnell
Role: People team graduate
Joined Bromford: September 2022
Studied: History at the University of Liverpool

What attracted you to Bromford’s graduate scheme?

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after I left uni, but I saw this role advertised and read that I’d have the chance to experience working in every part of the team – that’s what really got me interested. I’d also been thinking about staying on at university but the fact that I could get a further qualification while at Bromford, as well as getting experience in a job and earning money at the same time, this just seemed a better option.

I had done work experience at another housing association while I was at school, first going out with a housing officer and then working alongside my mom in their HR team. Knowing about the work that Bromford does as a housing association and the fact it is a public sector organisation was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to work here.

In the end this was the only job I applied for, I didn’t have any back-ups, so I was really excited that I was successful.

What have you enjoyed about the role so far?

During my two years I’ll spend a few months with each part of the People Team learning about what they all do. I started with the recruitment team, working with them to book and sit in on interviews, processing offers and sourcing candidates. It’s been a really great introduction to the team and the business and in just a few months I’ve made lots of valuable relationships with people from every part of the business which has definitely increased my confidence.

I’m now moving to the People Services Team where I’ll be doing some of the more transactional work, such as checking and sending out contracts and checking leave requests. It’s exciting and that’s why I wanted to do this scheme because I’ll get a taste of every part of working in human resources.

I’ve also really enjoyed the graduate sessions we’ve had so far and the fact that there’s a cohort of people of a similar age who have all come out of uni and started working at Bromford at the same time. It’s my first job so it’s reassuring there are other people like you around. We have regular sessions together where we’ve talked about our experiences so far and being able to compare notes.

I also like the way I work and that I have the choice about whether I work in the office or not. As I live in Wolverhampton and most of the team are in the office here I spend more time in the office as I like being around people but I like that I have the choice to be able to work from home if I want to.

What advice would you give to applicants?

This is my first time in an office setting, so I was a bit nervous when I started but everyone has been really helpful. To the successful applicants I’d say take advantage of being new and ask as many questions as you can because everyone is really nice and happy to help.