Essential Banker Review

I am a cashier who deals with all different types of customer queries. I pay money in, take money out, deal with fraud cases and general account queries ect. Each morning we fill in forms and raise queries if everything does not add up in the books. We also have to do morning and evening searches of the premises every day.

Yes I have learnt many new skills. I have developed my customer skills as well as my knowledge of the financial system. I am constantly developing and learning new skills in my job. I have also gotten more confident in myself from this job as you are constantly at the front dealing with customers so you get used to being able to speak with all kinds of people.

At the start I really did enjoy my programme however the actual job role is not the best as you have to deal with a lot of customers that may be unhappy and you get verbally abused a lot by angry customers who may not like something that has happened to them or the way the branch is run.

It is structured well when time is given to do the work but on holidays and times where there is not enough staff it isn't very good as you don't always get the time to work on your apprenticeship. I do get a day every week when its possible to study and do all the work that is needed but sometimes you get pulled out to help around the branch.

I would say a medium amount. Their priority I would say is on the job itself and not on the apprenticeship however when they have the spare time they try to help as much as they can. you are left to do everything yourself with this apprenticeship but if there are any questions you need answering they will be there to help.

With my first advisor I received a lot of support and contact but when they switched to a different course provider I don't receive any contact maybe around once every couple of months but with my old provider it was weekly I would be in contact with them. If it was done the old way then you would be getting a lot more support.

It gives me a lot more knowledge and skills to do my job. Everyday you are learning something new which then helps when you are with customers either through helping them with their queries or being able to help your colleagues when they may not know something but you have just learnt something new so you can share it with them,

There are I think however I have not participated in any as I think with the hours you work its hard to do things like that. A lot of charity collections are done at Barclays sometimes with a coffee and cake day where they would set up a stand at your workplace and get customers to come along.

No

Its a good stepping stone however its a lot of hard work and pressure in this job role and long hours. The hours you work here are not structured so one day you may have to work until 8pm because an alarm hasn't set right or its been really busy so none of the end of day things have been done like the forms or getting cash sacks ready for the cash run. Because you are around money you are watched all the time. Also you are targeted with how many offers you give to customers such as home insurance, loans and life insurance ect.

Research the job role and make sure it is what you really want to do and maybe speak to someone who has worked in this job role before if you can as this will give you an insight on how it is working there. The people you work with are usually always friendly and the best part about being in this job.