Global Service Desk Analyst Review

My department act as Bloomberg's internal IT support. We help Bloomberg employees globally - both remotely and physically when necessary - with a wide range of IT problems, from simple keyboard/mouse replacements, to troubleshooting and resolving complex and long-standing issues. We are also expected to deliver service to users promptly, and with excellent customer service.

Even with existing technical skills prior to working at Bloomberg, I have still learned a lot while working here. Since starting, I've had to learn to troubleshoot and support many pieces of software that I previously didn't know existed and had no exposure to. My troubleshooting skills as a whole have definitely improved since I started this role.

Overall I've enjoyed the programme a lot from the Bloomberg side, with a great team, friendly and helpful HR contacts (Thank you guys) and other apprentices to support me along the way. The apprenticeship provider, QA, I don't have much positive to say about, except that I've gained qualifications.

Again, from the Bloomberg side, I'm very satisfied, my training dates were booked in July 2019, with my first being in September/October. However, due to the training provider, QA, these dates were mixed up, and I had been booked onto a different course than the rest of my colleagues, which was a frustrating experience. I don't think there was anything extra Bloomberg could have done in this situation, since the dates were booked months in advance, but I was still placed onto the wrong course date twice, out of only five courses.

I feel Bloomberg are very supportive of my apprenticeship, any time I have asked or even suggested I might need some time to work on my portfolio, my Team Leader has been more than willing to give me as much time as I needed. My Team Leader also went the extra mile and offered me a tour of another office, since it's relevant to and would help with my portfolio.

When attending QA, the tutors are always friendly and willing to help, although I don't feel like there is always a proper understanding of what's going to be on the exams that they expect us to pass. This has been particularly apparent in the exams themselves, where I have been encountered with content that we were not taught in the classroom - which I don't think is fair on the learners.

While the content of the course is very helpful for IT knowledge and understanding, I had already been in my role for 3 or so months by the time of my first training course - so there had already been a lot of training and experience gained from being on the job. Because of that, I don't think the course has had much effect on my overall job performance.

There are always activities to get involved with at Bloomberg, ranging from networking events to informal drinks after work with the team. There are also a lot of "Best of Bloomberg" events, which are often volunteering/charity events. I participated in one during my first week at Bloomberg - planting trees in the pouring rain - which was a lot more fun than it sounds.

Yes

Bloomberg is a genuinely diverse and interesting place to work, I rarely go a day without seeing something or someone I've never seen before, and that makes it pretty exciting to come into work everyday. I think Bloomberg values personality over technical ability or skill, which is especially true for apprentices.

Be yourself in the interview process, be honest about what you enjoy and why you've applied. I mentioned it before, but I think Bloomberg value an authentic personality more than they do someone's technical ability or current knowledge. Skills can be learned, but you can't change someone's personality.