Jobs

From school-leaver to managerial position

Lindsay Remory joined L-Door as a school-leaver, originally on a temporary basis. Seven years later, she has negotiated her way through the various work challenges that have come her way and has now been rewarded with a managerial position. She explains how her broad-based training helped her to find her way through as part of a growing SME.

What did you study?

First and foremost, I was awarded my Professional Bachelor Office Management qualifications from KAHO Sint-Lieven (now Odissee). It was a broad-based course that covered subjects such as languages, administration, practical assignments and presentations. My studies provided me with a firm foundation for a career in business. Once I had completed this three-year course successfully, I opted to do a Human Resources postgraduate degree at HUB. This was only a one-year course, but I think it has been a definite plus in my overall education. The classes were all given by experienced business professionals.

How was it you came to be at L-Door?

When I graduated in June 2009, I began looking around to see what was available on the jobs market. Initially I thought I wanted to get a job in the banking sector, or at least with a big company. I was in fact offered a temporary contract with one of the banks, but I was looking for a permanent job. So I went along to Randstad and they presented me with two vacancies at L-Door, one of which was for an administrative employee in the planning department. I applied and got the job. It was on a temporary basis at first, but with an option for a permanent contract.

What exactly did your new job involve?

As an administrative employee, I started by finding out everything I could about my new work colleagues. I also learnt how to produce price quotes, maintain contacts with customers and so on. But because this job at the time didn’t occupy my whole day, I was given an additional assignment that I still do today: ISO and VCA. Working in conjunction with the Operations Manager, I handle the internal audits, ensure that our installers work safely, monitor our compliance with the quality management system and so on. I have also attended a ‘Level 3 Prevention Adviser’ training course. So, as you can see, the content of my job has grown with me over time.

What other tasks and responsibilities have come along?

In 2015, I was asked whether I would be willing to take on the task of person of trust. I agreed and was given the required training. Of course, my administrative tasks still take up 90% of my time. But given that people ask me a great many technical questions, it is very important for me to have a good knowledge of the product. In the beginning, this was anything but straightforward. Which is why I spent time visiting various worksites with the surveyors and installers. When you’re on-site you see exactly how a product works.

A vacancy then became available for administrative team leader. I saw this challenge as an opportunity to prove myself. The most important change in my job was that I was now also responsible for the administrative side of our Industrial business. These were products that I had not come into contact with before, although I was now supposed to know all about them. So I had to learn all about them quick-smart!

Has the change of function within your team had an impact on the way it operates?

By taking on this job, my position within the team has changed. To be able to make a success of it, I attended a management training course. This course included sections on topics such as ‘announcing bad news, giving feedback to the team, and role-play’. In addition to the managerial side of the job, I still step in elsewhere when necessary and do things such as invoicing on new projects.

What attracts you to the job?

It’s mainly the varied package of tasks. It’s my first job, so making comparisons in difficult. But there’s so much going on at the same time that every day is different. If you want to grow and develop in your job, you need to let people know that you’re ambitious and discuss things with the managers above you.

Why would you recommend L-Door to any future work colleagues?

We are a company that offers opportunities, both to youngsters just starting out on their career and also to more experienced people. As a school-leaver you some straight into a relaxed atmosphere and that makes it enjoyable to work as part of a team. You are also given the opportunity to grow in your job. People with experience are also always welcome, too. I see that my more experienced colleagues have the skills needed to deal with the more difficult telephone calls and they are always able to control the situation. In my opinion, it is the combination of this wide range of people and skills that makes L-Door so successful.