All of the below information comes directly from job reviews written by Port of London Authority employees based on 26 reviews.
Responsibility:
3.5/5
Work Life Balance:
4.3/5
Environmental Awareness:
4.5/5
Benefits:
3.8/5
Company Culture:
3.8/5
Career Progression:
3.6/5
Colleagues:
4.5/5
Training:
3.9/5
Enjoyment:
4.5/5
Overall Rating:
4.1/5
Our operations cover the 95 miles of the River Thames. We work to keep commercial and leisure users safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.
The tidal river (95 miles from Teddington Lock to the North Sea) is home to the UK’s second biggest port by tonnage of goods and the country’s busiest inland waterway, carrying 60% of all goods lifted on the UK’s inland waterway network. Almost 10 million people take trips on the river every year and up to five million tonnes of freight is moved on it, keeping more than 250,000 lorries off the busy roads of the capital. It is an important, thriving environment, home to more than 100 different species of fish, hundreds of seals, special protection areas and sites of special scientific interest. Over 300,000 over-wintering birds visit the Thames every year.
Industry: Transport, Logistics and DistributionDepartment: Corporate AffairsJob Title: Communications Assistant
What are the best and worst things about your job?
I love my role because communications is internal as well as external. The internal element is great because I engage with all areas of the company and get to know what different departments do. The external part is interesting- I enjoy writing press releases and pieces for publications.
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What are the best and worst things about your job?
My team and my manager are great. They care about me, my growth and success. I genuinely feel valued and crucial to the team's success even though I have only been here for 3 months.
Diversity of role: I get to do so much in a day and everything is so different. One day I could be working on a very complex and technical excel spreadsheet, the next I could be attending a Waterborne Freight working group where I help to lead the Marketing strategy.
Industry: Transport, Logistics and DistributionDepartment: Information TechnologyJob Title: Graduate IT Analyst
What are the best and worst things about your job?
There is a range of things to do which utilise a lot of my skill set. I have already undergone some prince2 training to help me with my career progression. The people here are also very friendly and helped me settle in very well.
Industry: Transport, Logistics and DistributionDepartment: ITJob Title: Graduate Trainee Analyst
What are the best and worst things about your job?
Taking peoples ideas and problems then applying technical knowledge to produce a solution.
The ability to see your work and how it improves other's workdays.
Industry: Science and R&DDepartment: HydrographicJob Title: GIS Assistant
What are the best and worst things about your job?
1. So varied
2. The GIS is growing within my company so it is exciting
3. In a very interesting department
4. A lot of opportunities to experiment and go away and learn for yourself
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Application Advice:
Do not be afraid to make a speculative application or apply for a role that you believe you may be underqualified for. The company will provide support.
Interview Advice:
Be prepared for a more structured formal interview for this role and prepare for technical questions.
Keep your application concise and clear. Make sure to put your best achievements & skills and don't write too much, that way you can always say more about these during your interview.
Make sure to apply to places where you feel like you can fit in the most, sometimes you get a feel for the job/role/company when you get an interview.
Interview Advice:
Make sure to ask the employer questions during the interview too, ask about their experiences at the company to make sure that you get a feel of what it's like to work there.
Always remember to ask questions about the job and what you expect from it, don't be shy to express your expectations for the role and ask lots of questions!
It was a very traditional application. No psychometric tests which was a real positive for me. I went through an agency who were helpful during the application process. Although, from their first judgements of my CV they didn't think I would be a good fit, so I challenged them and show examples of my previous work which changed their minds.
Interview Advice:
"Be yourself" and just relax. I thought my first interview went terribly, by my standards - although I still got the role.
The second interview which was task-based, allowed me to show my analytical skills by completing a short task in excel and answering "what else do you think would be useful to know?". In this style of interview I would say manage your time to give both parts a fair share, but equally don't be afraid to show us exactly how you work. That's what we want to know.
Make sure that you make your skills stand out on your CV/application. Put the most relevant information that you think will suit the company you are applying for- make it relevant and make sure you stand out!
Interview Advice:
In your interview use personal experience and examples to expand on the skills and things you have mentioned in your CV. That way you have a lot to talk about and can show there's more to you than what is on your CV.
Make sure to ask the interviewer questions about what you expect from a job too, to make sure the job is the right fit for you!
Don't be afraid to join an industry that is very different from others.
There are lots of shipping terms and acronyms that probably won't make much sense - but more experienced colleagues will always be there to help.
Understand that no 2 days are the same, the variety is enjoyable.
Gravesend isn't that bad of a place really!
Research the organisation - It will improve your chances to get an interview if you have a better understanding of what the company does.
Interview Advice:
Be enthusiastic! If you're interested in the job - show it!
The interviewers know you are most likely nervous, take a second to process the questions and structure your answers.
Talk about yourself, interests & hobbies - the interviewers are looking for somebody to work with so show your personality.
When waiting for your interview be observant - read notices, listen to conversations. This will ease your nerves and you may also pick up information that can help structure your answers.
Put as much detail and experience in as possible, and relate skills/characteristics to specific and related examples where you can.
Interview Advice:
Most of all be yourself and answer straight. The interviewer isn't always trying to trick you, it is also a way for the employer to understand what they will need to focus on more/less with you. So as much as you should big up your experiences you should also only present what you know.
Really nice people, drive to do better and improve, environment focus
Worst:
Maybe slightly less social events to the scale of working up London say where lunches and going out may be more regular due to younger work force but this isn't even such a bad thing and still a lot of opportunity for conferences, events etc.
My work colleagues are great to work with and very friendly, I always feel like I can ask for help whenever I need to.
Worst:
There's a small population of younger employees. However, since I started there has been an increase, but because of covid-19 it is harder to mingle with others in the company.
Best: Flexible working- even before the pandemic, working from home was an option.
Good salaries.
Employees generally enjoy working there.
Offices are modern and comfortable.
Our ideas and opinions are heard.
Passionate: everyone is really passionate about what it is that they do. They want to share their knowledge, which for a new person is great because it meant I got to grips with its complex model quicker than I thought.
Worst:
IT: yes we get a brand new iPhone 10 XR and HP windows 10 laptop - which is great. However, the ability to integrate new 'one' of tech is a problem. There's a fear over using WhatsApp, which means adhoc casual conversations happen on email when there's no need.
Old school approach: The Port of London is about to embark on a cultural shift, which is massively needed. There are a few people who are too comfortable - more in some departments than others - or deem directorial approval needed on everything we do. This means changing things eg IT or communication apps can be quite difficult.
There are many different areas in the company which I work in, so I am able to work on many different projects within different departments; allowing me to learn more about what the company does and how I help with this. Flexible working hours
Worst:
Our main office is getting some work done to it at the moment, so it can be quite noisy. But once the work is complete the new offices are something to look forward to!
1. Excellent pension
2. Many training opportunities (i.e. sea survival, EPIC Tideway Tunnel Health & Safety Training)
3. So many varied departments so opportunity to learn so much
Worst:
Perhaps departmental integration is minimal, whilst the opportunity is there.
Employers constantly tell us that there is nothing that impresses them more than a graduate who has properly researched the company and really knows why they want to work there - so make sure that you tell them in your application that you have read-up all about them on TheJobCrowd and so you really know what makes that company great and why they are right for you. It will help your application, we promise!
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Interview Tips That Will Help You Get the Job
Experts from the best companies in the UK share their experience and advice on how to boss the interview process
Jazz Panesar is a Digital and Technology Apprentice at Severn Trent. Read Jazz’s story here.
1
Have your own questions prepared.It's your turn! As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is "What can I answer for you?" Your interviewer will expect you to have...
2
Research the Company.Do your homework about the employer and the industry so you are ready for the interview question "What do you know about this company?"
