Joining during Covid-19

Michael King, Web Content Executive

I joined Nest to progress my career in financial services and build upon my experiences working in the public and private sector.

The video interview
I couldn’t go into the office due to the lockdown and was interviewed via video for the first time in my career. Once the interviewers got into the flow of asking questions, I started to feel more relaxed, as if it was a face-to-face interview. 

Settling in
The first week was strange. It was hard to get a real feel for the job by commuting, seeing new faces and meeting people in the way that’s normal for new starters.

However, I was impressed at how hands-on my line manager was in helping me settle into my role. The People & Development team also made everything straightforward by showing me where to access onboarding documents and the mandatory training modules.

The first few months
Now that I’m settled into the role, I feel more comfortable working remotely. Sometimes it can feel strange finishing work without having left the room. Now I’m getting into the habit of leaving the flat after I finish work to exercise and generally mix up my surroundings.
 
Talking to colleagues remotely
It’s been hard knowing who the right person is to approach for certain tasks and I’m aware that some people have preferred communication channels.

To overcome this, I usually think about whether I’ve already approached this person. If it’s the first time, I will use email, and then use Teams. If I need to speak to more than one person simultaneously, I will use video or the phone.

Is Nest right for me?
I definitely feel as though I made the right choice in joining Nest. It feels good to be working in a non-judgemental environment, where you’re encouraged to ask questions and learn. I also feel like this role will help me make the transition into a senior position in future.

Beverley Lindo, Presentations Operator

Interviewing remotely
Due to the lockdown, I couldn’t go into the office so I had a video interview for the first time in my career. I didn’t quite know what to expect but I was talked through the process and had a practice meeting with the People & Development team. This made me feel comfortable and helped me complete my interview. 

Starting the job
I’d never worked from home before and it seemed weird walking into my dining room and starting work. I’m not the most technical person but the IT team helped me get set up on the first day and to my surprise everything went fine. I’d been sent a laptop but I find it quite hard working on a small screen and keyboard. I bought a monitor, keyboard and mouse and was reimbursed by the company – this really helped me to perform my role better.

Now I’m into it
Although I was producing templates and formatting Word and PowerPoint documents in my old job, it’s all very different at Nest. I’ve learned so much more and I love working here. I like the feel of the company and that’s very important for me.

My line manager has made it so much easier to settle in. We talk practically every day, it’s like we’ve known each other for years.

Working with colleagues I’ve never met
It’s odd working with people I’ve never met but it’s surprising how quickly you get used to it. Like in any job, knowing what your colleagues do takes time and I’m still learning. I’ve found that all colleagues are friendly and helpful.

When you’re in an office you can always ask the person next to you if you’re having an issue with your system or equipment. Working from home has made me more self-reliant as I’ve started solving my technical issues by trial and error, or research.

Did I make the right choice?
Definitely. I was at my previous company for 22 years. I really enjoyed working with my colleagues but left due to restructuring. I must admit, some of the time spent at the company was also due to being too comfortable and not having the confidence to start afresh somewhere new. For me, restructuring my department was the best thing that could have happened. Sometimes, you need to take the plunge and do something new.

David Assender, Web Content Executive

My previous job was in content editing and Nest seemed like a fantastic opportunity. I was particularly impressed by the organisation’s flexible working culture and emphasis on professional development.

In-person interview, virtual start
I actually had my interview in February 2020 before the UK entered lockdown for the first time. This meant I was lucky enough to see our Canary Wharf office before starting from home. I’ve had virtual interviews for previous roles, so had I been interviewed remotely I’m not sure I would have prepared any differently.

Day one
It was quite surreal. I still had the usual new-starter nerves but without the adrenaline rush you get from the first-day commute and meeting everyone face to face. The People & Development team did a great job with their virtual welcome presentation, and I remember thinking how efficiently everything went.

Finding a rhythm
Overall, I’m loving my job and I feel settled. Being able to reach colleagues easily through Microsoft Teams has helped and we’ve shown we can all work effectively from home. Nest has struck an excellent balance between productivity, keeping us updated and ensuring we enjoy ourselves. I’ve been really grateful for the regular intranet posts, executive team updates and quizzes, for example.

Team building from home
It’s a shame we can’t just pop over to people’s desks to ask questions or to catch up, like we would in the office. That said, most of us are in the same boat and everyone has been very welcoming. I’m quite used to being at home now, but it’ll be nice to get to know people better when we can eventually meet up.

Did I make the right choice?
Absolutely. This is an organisation which supports its members and trusts its people to do their jobs well. I’m proud to work for Nest.

Keena Schoening, Lead Digital Designer

Applying for a new role during a pandemic was daunting but lockdown helped me realise that I wanted to advance my career and take on a new challenge. I saw Nest’s posting and felt the description of the job, team and culture was what I was looking for. Once I started interviewing, it became even more apparent that it was!

Interviewing remotely
Due to the lockdown, the interviews took place via video. I found that this had both pros and cons. When meeting your interviewers in person you’re more easily able to gauge reactions and conversations flow more easily. However, there’s something to be said for being in the comfort of your own space to take on the sometimes nerve-racking task of an interview.

Additionally, Nest were great at scheduling and communication, so everything happened pretty seamlessly which made me feel better about the process.

Getting started
The first week was definitely different. Not being able to meet everyone in person and get acclimatised to the work culture had me feeling a bit nervous. It’s easy to feel a bit isolated and unsure if you’re doing what you’re supposed to. After a couple of days though, the nerves subsided as I virtually met more people and learnt more about my position in the company and team. All my team members were very conscious of the fact that I’d joined virtually and were supportive, which made me much more comfortable.

Settling in
I’m feeling much more confident and acclimatised in my position and that my purpose here is important. I’ve already learned so much and am feeling excited about the work that I’m doing.

Virtual welcomes
When I started at Nest, I’d already worked remotely for six months so I was quite used to working with colleagues online. While it was strange to start a new job that way, everyone was so welcoming and booked video calls so that we could get to know each other.  The difficulty is grasping who’s who outside of your direct team and knowing how people prefer working. These are things you’d easily pick up on in the office.

Was it the right move?
I have absolutely made the right choice. I’m being challenged, I’m enjoying and proud of the work that I’m doing, and I really like my colleagues and team. I just hope we get to meet in person soon!