Customer Advisor Review

My role was working front-of-house, dealing with customer concerns and queries. For instance, I would help direct customers to the appropriate desk, as well as help them make bank deposits/transfers/withdraws.

In terms of qualifications and training courses, I have not learnt any skills, primarily due to the short time period that I was there. However, in terms of personal skills, I have learnt that I am able to be patient and understanding of customers and their queries.

I enjoyed working with Barclays, as it took me out of my comfort zone and made me do something that I would never ordinarily do; approach strangers and ask them for help. By the end of the work experience placement, I felt at ease working within a branch.

I felt very valued, considering that there were multiple other work experience placements occurring simultaneously. I got one-to-one time with the manager of my branch and was able to sit in on appointments, which surprised me as his schedule was very full. I even got invited to sit in on a staff briefing, which was great.

The programme was structured in the sense that I always knew what to expect the next day from my employer. Training was provided on the job, and I learnt what to do as I was doing it, which I believe was a great thing as it helped me to learn quite quickly.

N/A: I did not receive any support from my training provider.

From my employer, I was given a lot of support. When I needed them to support me with a customer or a transaction, they were there to help assist me quickly. I never once felt that I would be in a difficult situation as I knew that I could rely on my employer and other employees.

N/A: Work Experience placement, so did not earn any money. However, in terms of travel costs, I was able to travel for free via Bus.

Outside of the work experience, I was invited to come back by the employer to carry on working Saturdays to gain more and more experience, however, I turned the opportunity down due to studies.

Yes

I would recommend it because it is very involving and you get to interact with a lot of customers. The constant interaction helped me to gain confidence in speaking with people, which I would say is the main selling point and benefit I received, on top of getting to work in a very difficult to access industry.

Make sure that you appreciate the opportunity and find unconventional ways to gain access to this company. I accessed it through the Barclays Life Skills website, whereas other people I was working with accessed it through means such as calling and email.