How to join BT Design during lockdown
Starting a new job is exciting but it’s challenging when all your new colleagues are working from home and a warm ‘hello’ handshake is a thing of the past. What’s it been like to join a team like BT Design during the Coronavirus lockdown? We spoke to content designer Rachel Hoskins, product designer Mark Winter, and content operations manager Rachel McConnell about their experiences.
How did you feel about starting in the BT Design Team during lockdown?
Rachel Hoskins (RH): I had the usual mix of excitement and nervousness for starting a new job, but I also moved back down to London the week before, during a global pandemic. In the end I didn’t have time to think about starting at all! I was glad to be at an organisation I knew would be able to handle onboarding remotely (hello technology) but was still really impressed by how prepared everyone was to get me started from home.
Mark Winter (MW): I knew that I was in for a win the moment I got a call from one of the guys that interviewed me. He wanted to reassure me everything was good and he was looking forward to having me start. To get an unofficial call before I start from someone that I later realised I wasn’t reporting into… just amazing. What a welcome. I knew that if I started with this positivity that he had given me, I’d be more than OK.
Rachel McConnell (RMc): I felt quite apprehensive to start with, but at the same time it was nice not having to get used to a new commute or building and be able to focus on getting to know people. It can be overwhelming when you start somewhere new so starting ‘from home’ was actually less daunting.
What kind of work environment had you come from prior to BT?
RH: I’ve arrived fresh from the charity sector, so my work environment was passionate but under-resourced. Thanks to a few amazing colleagues, the charity I worked for was very advanced in user-centred design but the wider organisation as a whole was years away from fully buying in.
MW: Prior to BT I was working for an agency that was at a somewhat slower pace than I’d become used to. In the build-up to starting my new role I had a month of life at home, which later turned into lockdown. A bizarre transition that I didn’t fully notice at the time.
RMc: I was in a small agency in Brighton before but often working from a client’s office in London. That said, my previous team was very small, only 26 of us — so coming into a team the size of BT Consumer Digital meant I had a lot of new faces to get to know! Having names on Teams calls definitely helps, it’s like everyone is wearing a name badge!
What’s been most useful in helping you get settled in and started?
RH: Making time to chat to colleagues. Even if it’s the first five minutes of a meeting, I’ve found it really important to maintain the social side of my new job.
MW: More of a ‘who’ than a ‘what’ but, shout out to the DesignOps team. They’re always on hand and made settling in possible. Everybody needs a DesignOps team!
We also use a tool called Miro. The collaborative nature of this program has allowed me to bring my ideas to the team quickly. Combining it with video call meetings, it’s given work a fun tone that makes me feel part of the BT family.
RMc: Everyone’s been very helpful and welcoming, and made time for me to chat and ask questions. That was really useful. And having a virtual assistant to get me logged into systems and set up was a godsend. It feels like people go more out of their way to help now we’re remote which I’ve really appreciated as I know from experience how tiring it is being on calls all day!
How are you finding working in an agile environment at a distance?
RH: I hadn’t worked in an agile environment before so constantly being in communication with my squad helps keep me on top of things. It’s challenging to learn it all remotely, but its benefits are shining through.
MW: As a single squad, we’re great. We’re informed, honest and we trust each other. My current blocker is improving the way we communicate with other squads. We’re failing fast and learning quickly how to bridge the gaps and we’re making great progress. It’s definitely a challenge, but we all share the same beliefs and frustrations, which, for me, makes for a great team — one that wants to make change for good.
RMc: The first couple of weeks were intense with back to back calls. Because you’re focusing to take in so much new knowledge it’s really mentally draining. I’m getting better at block booking time to actually focus on work I need to get done alone. Collaborative workshops have been great on some of our shared tools — really productive.
Have there been any unexpected benefits of starting during lockdown?
RH: Well I’ve never actually done my new commute, but it’s nice to not have to do one! I like being able to have more elaborate lunches too.
MW: Perhaps the strangest benefit I’ve felt is the speed in which I’ve got to know people. I tend to keep a low profile when I start somewhere new. The focus on connection has really helped me feel like I can be myself sooner. It makes video calls a lot more fun when you can be yourself. I feel like I’m producing better work for it and I’ve met a lot more people than I know I would’ve done in real life.
RMc: The name labels on calls have been a big plus (as I’m useless at remembering names!). And the lack of a two-hour commute either side of the day is also great.
We create brilliant digital experiences for everyone through technology, data, and human insight and we need great people to help make that happen. If you’re interested in joining the BT design team, search for user researcher, content designer, or product designer on the BT careers site.
