How did you first hear about jobs in housing?

My uncle works for the Housing Executive and my best friend was studying Housing Management at Jordanstown, so I've always been aware of potential careers in housing.

How did you find further information about a career in housing?

The Housing Executive's website was my first port of call, and I read both the Corporate Plan and Annual Report before attending my interview. I also spoke to some people already working in housing who gave me an overview of current issues in the sector.

What was it that appealed to you when you were thinking about a job in housing?

Having completed a general humanities degree I was looking for a trainee programme of some sort. I also knew that there were opportunities for professional development within the Housing Executive's trainee scheme.

How did you get your first job in housing?

I saw the NIHE Graduate Trainee programme advertised in the Belfast Telegraph Job Finder supplement. I applied for the programme and was invited to complete the testing process. I was successful in the tests and attended the interview. It later turned out that the interview was with three Housing Executive directors, although luckily I hadn't known who they were going to be beforehand!

I was successful in the interview and attended a three day corporate induction where I was assigned to the Personnel Division.

What personal skills and qualifications did you have that helped you secure your first job in housing?

The programme is very open with people from all sorts of degree backgrounds applying and being successful.

I had also worked on various teams with my church doing youth work during the summers while I attended university and gained experience of team working and leadership and planning and delegating. I've also done talks at church groups and youth events, so I've gained presentation skills from these. I think if you can stand up and talk in front of 100 eight year olds you can stand and talk in front of anyone!

What skills & training have you gained since you have had your job in housing?

As part of the Graduate Trainee programme I am undertaking the MSc in Human Resource Management which will give me membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

I have also completed a placement in the Housing Division in the East Belfast district office during my first three months in the Housing Executive. This gave me a good idea of the organisations front line business and helped me to understand the personnel issues that our customer facing staff might experience.

Describe a typical day?

There's no such thing as a typical day in Personnel! It can include anything from recruitment interviews, answering queries or giving advice to managers or staff on personnel issues or meetings with staff.

I like the variety that's on offer and that I learn new skills every day. As a trainee you need to gain experience in all personnel issues and I have a development plan that outlines all the areas that I need to gain experience in.

What would you tell people who are interested in a housing career?

I would tell them that I enjoy it and that I feel that I am doing something useful and rewarding. That was part of the appeal of working in the public sector for me. Even though I am not dealing with tenants directly I am supporting the staff that do and I am helping the Executive do its job.