Human resources graduate — Martha Young

Discover Martha's journey from politics and sociology student at The University of Sheffield to human resources (HR) graduate at Bakkavor. Learn about her daily responsibilities, challenges, and career aspirations

How did you get your job?

I was working on a fixed-term contract at Bakkavor and as this was coming to an end, I applied for their HR graduate scheme. This involved a number of online assessments followed by a full day at an assessment centre. I was successful in my application and during my role as a HR graduate I have completed the Level 5 HR Consultant Partner Apprenticeship Programme with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

What's a typical working day like?

The key elements of my role include:

• collecting and presenting our key point indicator (KPI) data
• managing absence rates
• managing long-term sickness cases
• conducting welfare or capability review meetings
• completing conduct disciplinary meetings
• supporting with organisational restructure through consultations meetings
• introducing and managing a new company physio service
• supporting with employee engagement or charity fundraising events.

While the tasks you complete onsite vary, the most crucial aspect of this role is an emphasis on employee wellbeing and ensuring compliance with our company policies and procedures.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Each day is very different and there is no way to know what you will face until you arrive at work. I enjoy the opportunities for further training and development, as the working environment is so fast-paced and there are always a wide variety of new or complex HR actions to get involved with. This has helped to develop my confidence, skills and knowledge when dealing with a variety of situations.

What are the challenges?

It can be a challenge to find the time to complete CIPD assignments and pre-workshop tasks alongside working a full-time role. I have sometimes set aside time to complete my assignments and then had to cancel this when something urgent came up that needed immediate HR support.

In HR you often have a constantly changing diary, as the role is so varied it can sometimes be hard to plan and set aside time to complete the different tasks that need to be completed each week.

As the HR graduate scheme involves three 12-month placements in a variety of roles at different locations, this can also be a challenge. You are constantly adapting to other ways of working and getting to know new people. However, all of these challenges are hugely beneficial as they help you develop your skills, knowledge, experience and confidence more quickly than in other roles, which may not be as fast-paced.

How is your degree relevant?

Politics and sociology are focused on people, ensuring fair treatment and promoting equal opportunities for all. This is highly relevant to my role in HR, as I always strive to treat colleagues fairly and help to implement procedures promoting equality and wellbeing.

How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?

It has provided me with site-based operational HR experience, as well as group services. This has given me exposure to a range of HR challenges and demonstrated the difference in both roles.

The group services placement was more involved with liaising with line managers, supporting with performance conversations and managing our long-service awards. However, the site-based operational HR placement was primarily focused on employee queries, managing KPI data and addressing areas consistently below target. These areas included absence and the introduction of a new company physio service.

My career ambition is to become a HR business partner once I have completed the scheme, and continue to develop with the view to become senior within three years.

What advice can you give to others wanting to get into this job?

• Approach everything with an open mind and look for opportunities in every situation to develop your communication skills and HR knowledge.
• Attend or listen to HR and employment law related webinars and podcasts to build your industry understanding. This will help you to impress at the interview or assessment centre stage.
• Read up on employment law updates and familiarise yourself with the CIPD and ACAS websites.

Find out more

• Discover the role of an HR officer.
• Explore HR graduate schemes.
• Check out what the recruitment and HR sector has to offer.