Looking for a new role? Tips and advice from iCAN sponsor - Ageas
As part of our iCANApply initiative, which focuses on supporting our members with career development and gaining new skills and access to job opportunities, we will be sharing more about our sponsor organisations.
As iCAN sponsors, we believe these companies are inclusive, innovative and are genuinely great companies to work for. We will also be asking our sponsor companies’ Heads of Talent to share their best tips for our members and candidates looking for their next roles!
Whether you are thinking of your next move up or simply a new business to work for, iCAN are proud to be sponsored by Ageas, one of the UK’s largest car and home insurers. Read below to hear from Lee Barratt, Talent Acquisition Manager at Ageas on what to focus on when applying to new roles, and why Ageas could be the best fit for you…
Tell us more about Ageas…
Ageas is one of the largest car and home insurers in the UK and part of an international group headquartered in Brussels. We have over 2,000 employees in the UK and hold the Top Employer award. We are also proud that we were awarded Personal Lines Insurer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards in both 2021 and 2022.
Our values are “Dare, Care, Deliver, Share”.
Being “Brave” is part of our Dare value along with “Championing Change and Improvement” and also being “Agile”. We aim to create an environment of trust, providing open and constructive feedback, encouraging people to be curious, confront myths and continue to ask, “What if?” and “Why not?”.
Where are your Ageas UK offices?
Our Smart Working approach allows employees to work anywhere in the UK, with occasional visits to our offices (in London, Gloucester, Eastleigh, and Bournemouth) as required (some of our roles are 100% remote).
In respect of iCANApply, what is the most important area that our members and prospective job candidates should focus on in their CVs in 2022/23?
Nowadays, many internal recruitment teams within companies and recruitment agencies use search engines to find candidates and now it’s even more important to stand out from the rest. Candidates should ensure they include all their professional and interpersonal skills. If they have less than 1 years’ experience, recruiters will look at other things to determine your skills - such as your hobbies and interests.
One of the key things is to tailor your CV to each application. Recruiters can use systems to match your skills to a set of skills on a job description so the more you tailor your CV to match the role, the more likely you are to appear in searches for that type of job.
As an employer that supports remote working, how do you keep your employees focused and motivated?
As with so much, it comes down to good management and Ageas managers have been trained in successful remote management, including supporting their team’s wellbeing and mental health. Teams are encouraged to come to the office an average of once a week to connect, collaborate and innovate.
We have also supported employees and managers with guidance on how to stay connected while working remotely. For those employees working 100% at home, extra initiatives to ensure they are supported and included are in place.
How do you demonstrate your commitment to Diversity and Inclusion?
We are signatories to the Race at Work Charter and the Government’s Women in Finance Charter. We’re also a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident employer, and a member of the Business Disability Forum. We have employee networks covering ethnicity, gender, LGBT+, and disability.
How can we see the roles at Ageas and how do we apply?
We are always looking for outstanding people to join Ageas and we recruit at all levels. We’re also completely committed to helping all team members learn and grow as professionals and as people, as well as ensuring an inclusive workplace.
If you are an enthusiastic individual who shares our values and want to make a difference, then please explore the opportunities on the iCANApply Jobs Board or our careers page.