Halfords

The questions on everyone's lips

• There’s a lot of employers out there... What made you choose us?

  Halfords is a well-known household name and I was advised of the range of opportunities for progression from a family member who also works for the company. My interview was positive and the interviewer recognised the career path I wanted to take and discussed the opportunities there were for me, which have been offered to me in my 12 months of being with the company.

• Tell us a bit about your role…

  I carry out all administration for HR relations within Autocentres. This ranges from setting up disciplinaries, appeals and grievances and composing outcomes for all, to monitoring long-term sickness, giving long service awards to colleagues and completing references for former colleagues. I also carry out administration for any changes in a colleague’s employment, for example salary or job title. I am the first port of call to all colleagues should they have an HR query so the phone always keeps me on my toes.

• What do you get up to on a typical day?

  I am the first port of call for all HR queries therefore you will find me on the end of the phone a lot. A typical day for me may be setting up a disciplinary and consolidating all the investigation paperwork, composing outcomes to meetings, answering emails to Regional General Managers and Centres and speaking with HR Managers about any issues/advice I may need.

• What’s the best thing about working here?

  The team I work with and the amazing range of opportunities for progression.

• What challenges have you faced and how did you deal with them?

  The biggest challenge I am faced with at the moment is working full time and studying toward my CIPD Level 5 qualification in Human Resource Management. My Line Manager is extremely supportive and offers me help if I need it.

• Tell us about the training and development...

  Personally, every day I receive some sort of training, mostly from my colleagues in the People Team who offer me feedback and enable me to listen to the advice they are giving to fellow colleagues, which has helped me develop massively in my HR role. The company are also funding my professional HR qualification for which I will be forever grateful, I therefore think the opportunity for training and development within the company is huge.

• What's been your biggest achievement?

  The positive feedback I receive from my peers, they let me know that I am doing a good job on a regular basis, and to me that is my biggest achievement.

• What do you think makes someone successful at Halfords?

  Someone who is willing to learn and face new challenges on a day to day basis. An individual who is willing to help others and is willing to ask others for help.

• And, to anyone thinking about applying, what would you tell them?

  Do it.