Name: Sam Hancock
Role: Manager, Business Analysis
Education: Mathematics at the University of
Warwick MMath ‘06
What did you do when you first started at
Capital One?
The job started with a two week induction
course, providing a good foundation in
both soft-skills and more specific technical
knowledge. After this, I was assigned into
a small team and given real responsibility
working on optimising a multi-million pound
program. It was extremely motivating to
know that my work was having a real impact,
and there was tremendous support from my
manager and colleagues to make sure I never
felt out of my depth.
What is the biggest challenge?
Understanding the mechanics behind tricky
analytical problems. The culture of frequent
rotations ensures that I have practically never
met the same problem twice, so that every day
a new data nuance or a searching question will
really test my understanding of an analytical
puzzle. Though this can be very challenging,
it helps to keep the job as interesting as the
first day I started.
Why did you apply to Capital One?
I knew that I wanted a job that would mostly
be based in a single location, I didn't want to
be living out of a suitcase most of the week.
I also wanted a job where I would be able to
have a real impact on a company, designing
and implementing new strategies. Capital One
was one of very few companies to be able to
offer me both of these and had an excellent
starting salary to boot!
Now you've started, what are the top three
things you appreciate at Capital One?
Top of the list would have to be the people:
the team at Capital One is young, vibrant and
very bright; it can be stunning the insights
they can bring to your work in just a short
meeting.
Secondly I really appreciate the work-life
balance: I rarely work more than 9-5.30,
giving plenty of time to persue hobbies and
go out for drinks with colleagues (which
happens more nights than not!).
Finally, it would have to be the excellent
development opportunities. Capital One gives
you good exposure to be able to demonstrate
your skills, I presented to the CEO of the UK
business within 12 months of starting and was
running projects single-handedly within 18.
If you prove yourself, you can expect to be
rewarded for it: promotions and recognition
are accessed entirely on performance rather
than tenure, graduates can reach manager level
and hugely increase their responsibilities and
salary within a couple of years of joining.
How do you relax?
During my first year, I played table-tennis
almost every day against fellow new graduates
to help break up the afternoon at work - it
helped make the switch from university life
to the working world a bit smoother! After
work, whether it's enjoying the excellent
night-life, going to live concerts or the gym,
there's a lot on offer in Nottingham.
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