Returning to work can be daunting. But a returner-friendly employer can make the world of difference.
Every week, Back To Work Connect spotlights Irish companies that offer the most support to returnees so you can find your perfect back-to-work fit.
This week we’re profiling Avant Money.
If collaborative work environments and professional development matter to you, then Avant Money may be the perfect place to restart your career.
Company background: Avant Money
Avant Money provides personal loans, credit cards and mortgages to over 200,000 Irish customers.
The company has over 300 employees across its two sites: its head office in Carrick on Shannon Co. Leitrim and its Dublin office in Sandyford.
The culture at Avant Money is open, collaborative, and welcoming, and the company has different voluntary employee-led groups such as a Culture team whose pillars of responsibility include Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing and Employee Engagement.
As you can probably tell, the company is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcoming individuals at every stage of their career journeys, making it a great place for returnees.
Why work at Avant Money?
Avant Money offers exciting career opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, encouraging professional development and growth, along with a comprehensive benefits package.
Additionally, Avant Money is becoming a branch of Bankinter. With this huge growth comes a lot of opportunity!
You’ll be pleased to hear that the company fosters a culture of openness and collaboration for new hires, with a full onboarding supports.
What to expect
The daily experience can vary significantly depending on the business function you are supporting.
Business Operational areas: These roles are highly structured. For example, in the Contact Centre, employees work on shift rotations every six weeks, so they always know their hours in advance.
Project-based areas: These roles are more dynamic individual accountable, involving collaboration with various stakeholders and team members on different projects.
Within our Business Operations, in our contact centre, the company has new hire groups of up to 10 + employees starting at the same time, so you get three weeks of education in a classroom to ensure you’re comfortable with all processes before starting your role.
And once you start on the phones, you’re paired off with a more senior member of the team for all your shifts, so you’re not left on your own.
Avant Money also offers hybrid working depending on what business area you are a part of, with the option to work two days in the office and three days at home.
And there are a lot of training and development opportunities for employees through Earn As You Learn programmes, too.
Add to that, Avant Money is partnered with the Institute of Bankers. That’s good news for anyone interested in pursuing QFAs or APAs.
Extra support for returnees
Another perk for returning employees? Avant Money is part of Reactive.
The Reactive programme aims to support those with professional experience in the Financial Services sector who have taken time away from the workplace due to caring responsibilities or redundancy and wish to return.
The programme supports participants through tailored training and mentoring, which enhances your transition back into the workforce.
What employees love about working at Avant Money
Current employees say there’s lots to love about working at Avant Money, like…
• The People: The friendly and open culture is a big draw.
• Leadership: Senior leaders are actively involved and present in both offices.
• Employee engagement: There are many fun events, competitions and company events.
• Health and wellbeing: The company places a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing, catering to the diverse demographics of employees throughout the year.
Careers at Avant Money
There’s a broad spectrum of roles that make up the workforce at Avant Money, from Customer Service, Underwriting and Compliance, to Anti-Money Laundering, Project Managers and various specialised roles in Financial Services.
What does the company look for in an employee?
Positive attitude, open communication, willingness to learn, and flexibility.
To boost your chances of getting hired you can…
- Highlight transferable skills: Emphasise skills and experiences from previous roles that are relevant to your new position.
- Update your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your most recent experiences and any new skills or certifications you’ve acquired.
- Network: Connect with former colleagues, attend industry events, and join professional groups to expand your network.
- Show enthusiasm: Demonstrate your eagerness to learn and adapt to new challenges.
- Prepare for interviews: Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss how your past experiences make you a great fit for the role.
- Seek support: Take advantage of any support or training programs offered by the company to help you transition back into the workforce.
Interested in a career at Avant Money?
If you’d like to know more about the roles Avant Money is currently hiring for, check out our returner-friendly jobs board.
