How to land a job at a home improvement firm ahead of busiest DIY season of the year
For anyone looking to fit a new bathroom or kitchen for Christmas, the last bank holiday before then brings bargains in the end of summer sales and enough time to spruce up your home before the festive season.
1
It is also peak time for home improvement firms to hire — and there is some good news for jobseekers this year.
The cost of renovating bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms has fallen for the first time since 2022, according to the latest Checkatrade Home Improvement Index, making it more affordable for cash-strapped homeowners to update their properties.
As a result, most of the big-name home-improvement and DIY firms are on a recruitment drive, seeking new staff ahead of a busy autumn.
Trade kitchen supplier Howdens already employs 11,600 people throughout the UK and Ireland, but is taking on 200 more, from warehouse apprentices to depot managers.
One of the key roles is kitchen sales designers, with 80 new jobs available.
Based in the firm's depots, the job involves helping customers plan their dream kitchen.
Applicants need to be able to conduct home surveys, planning and design, manage projects from design to completion and understand building regulations.
The sector is renowned for its strong career progression and many senior managers joined as apprentices or entry-level staff before working their way up.
Build relationships
Lauri Giambrone, director of HR trade with the firm, said: 'Our designers do more than sell kitchens. They build lasting relationships, working hand in hand with tradespeople every day to make customers' kitchen and bedroom dreams into a reality.
'Being a great kitchen sales designer is about creativity, customer relationships and sales, making it an exciting and rewarding career choice.'
I swear by 7 cheap hacks to transform a newbuild house into a home - your shoes will never be left in a messy pile again
Andy Attfield is the company's senior HR business partner and he said: 'People that have a willingness to learn, work hard in building trusted relationships and show entrepreneurial spirit thrive at Howdens, where the career opportunities are endless.'.
Other big names in the sector include Magnet Kitchens, which has 100 vacancies, and Wickes which offers a kitchen and bathroom design service and needs 38 new staff.
Find out more about opportunities available at the sites below.
CLAIRE BAILEY has been with Howdens for 25 years and is a regional director for the North. She began as a business developer, making telephone sales calls but progressed to become the first female area manager in Howdens' history.
Claire, 49, from Yarm, near Stockton on Tees, said: 'Kitchen sales designers will always say the best part of the job Is creating somebody's kitchen because of the joy of knowing people are going to be cooking, chatting and doing life in that space. It's lovely they have been a part of it.
'The best thing about my job is seeing people grow and develop not only as individuals but also with their careers. Howdens has given so many people opportunities and will support you in any career direction you have the enthusiasm and drive to go after, regardless of your background.
'If you want to work for Howdens, regardless of your age or experience, go and visit your local depot to get a feel for what we are about then apply for the roles.
'We offer so much support and training and we want to back people with the will.'
MAKE A MEETING COUNT
DO YOU have meeting fatigue? On average, office workers spend 37 per cent of their time either in meetings or coordinating them.
Experts say meeting overload is 'quietly killing productivity' in workplaces.
Daniel Snell from leadership consultancy Arrival has top tips to manage your meetings and get the most from them to help you work more effectively.
He says: 'As budgets and resources tighten, managers need to be a lot more cost-aware and efficient.
'Here's how to show your boss you're ahead of the curve.'
Protect your time: Before accepting a meeting invite, ask yourself if a meeting is the best approach for this issue or piece of work. Could we sort this out with a quick call or email instead? If there is a smarter way to make progress, it is OK to suggest an alternative.
Stick to the plan: Workplaces need clear rules for running a meeting – without them, they get derailed. Always start on time. Waiting for late-comers means more lost productivity. Have a clear agenda and don't let the meeting drift into unrelated topics. Keep phones and laptops away so everyone can focus on what you are discussing.
Speak up if you are confused: If you are not sure why you are in a meeting, it's OK to ask. Don't just sit there nodding – a quick, 'Can you clarify what you need from me?' will save everyone time and confusion later.
Clarify decisions and ownership: Before a meeting ends, be clear on what you are expected to do. If someone says, 'We'll follow up,' ask when and how. If you are given a task, confirm the deadline. Vague endings lead to nothing getting done.
Link it to the strategy: Consider whether the meeting really delivers on the company's business goals. If it doesn't contribute to what your organisation is trying to accomplish, it is probably just filling up calendars.
B&Q TAKES LEAD
WOMEN in management? You can do it if you B&Q it.
The home improvement retailer has launched a new Women in Leadership programme to boost the number of senior female managers.
Research shows women hold just 35.3 per cent of leadership positions across the FTSE 350, while the gender pay gap now stands at 13.1 per cent.
Designed by women and delivered by training provider Apprentify, the scheme is open to women in the firm's stores and head office, with trainees learning how to build leadership styles, strengthen stakeholder engagement and navigate the rapidly changing workplace.
Jacy Stanhope, head of learning & development, said: 'It is such an inspiring programme and it truly champions what it means to be an empowered, confident female leader.
Apprentify Group's, Sophie Smith added: 'Programmes like this are so important for driving change.' Apply to work at B&Q by visiting bandqcareers.com.
DOG FOR VICTORY
AN EX-POSTMAN has delivered himself a new role as a prison dog handler and is encouraging others to consider a career with the prison service.
Daniel Allinson, 38, made the switch alongside his four-legged colleague, Kilo, at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire.
The pair play a vital role in keeping staff, prisoners and the public safe and Daniel says it is the most rewarding job he has had. As part of the jail's security response team, Daniel and Kilo patrol the perimeter, search for contraband and respond to incidents.
Daniel said: 'It's the best decision I've made. I get to work with dogs every day and help protect the public. Every day is different and the support and training you get is brilliant.'
Dog handlers start as prison officers before progressing into the specialist unit. No previous qualifications are needed and full training is provided.
Salaries start at £34,402 and the service is recruiting now. See bit.ly/46YWFKE.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Car finance mis-selling scandal: Millions of drivers denied payouts after Supreme Court ruling
Millions of drivers have been denied payouts after the Supreme Court ruled that lenders are not liable for hidden commission payments in car finance schemes. Two lenders, FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers, went to the UK's highest court to challenge a Court of Appeal ruling which found 'secret' commission payments paid by buyers to car dealers as part of finance arrangements made before 2021, without the motorist's fully informed consent, were unlawful. The ruling in October last year found three motorists, who all bought their cars before 2021, should receive compensation after they were not told either clearly enough or at all that the car dealers, acting as credit brokers, would receive a commission from the lenders for introducing business to them. But lawyers for the lenders told the Supreme Court at a three-day hearing in April that the decision was an 'egregious error'. And intervening in the case, the Financial Conduct Authority claimed the ruling 'goes too far'. The three drivers, Marcus Johnson, Andrew Wrench and Amy Hopcraft, opposed the challenge. Giving a summary of the long-awaited Supreme Court ruling on Friday, Lord Reed, one of five justices who heard the case, said: 'For the reasons set out in detail in a judgment published today, the Supreme Court allows the appeals brought by the finance companies.' In a letter to the Supreme Court in December last year, the FCA said almost 99 per cent of the roughly 32 million car finance agreements entered into since 2007 involved a commission payment to a broker. Mr Johnson, Mr Wrench and Ms Hopcraft all used car dealers as brokers for car finance arrangements for second-hand cars, all worth less than £10,000, before January 2021. Only one finance option was presented to the motorists in each case, with the car dealers making a profit from the sale of the car and receiving commission from the lender. The commission paid to dealers was affected by the interest rate on the loan. The schemes were banned by the FCA in 2021, with the three drivers taking legal action individually between 2022 and 2023. Ms Hopcraft, then a student nurse, bought her replacement car in 2014 through an agreement with Close, which paid the car dealership £183.26 in commission. Mr Wrench, described by the Court of Appeal as a 'postman with a penchant for fast cars', entered into two hire-purchase agreements for an Audi TT coupe and a BMW 3 Series, with FirstRand, in 2015 and 2017, respectively, paying hundreds in commission in total. Mr Johnson, then a factory supervisor, was buying his first car in 2017 and paid £1,650.95 in commission as part of his finance agreement with FirstRand for the Suzuki he purchased. After the claims reached the Court of Appeal, three senior judges ruled the lenders were liable to repay the motorists the commission due to the lack of disclosure about the payments. Lady Justice Andrews, Lord Justice Birss and Lord Justice Edis said last year that while each case was different, 'burying such a statement in the small print which the lender knows the borrower is highly unlikely to read will not suffice'.
Telegraph
6 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Car finance scandal: could you still get compensation?
Does the Supreme Court ruling mean I won't be compensated? The upholding of the judgment could have paved the way for anyone who took out a car finance loan before 2021 to be in line for some form of compensation. Now it's been overturned, pending any further appeals or escalations, it could mean only those who are eligible to claim against the potential misuse of discretionary commission arrangements could receive compensation – pending further information from the FCA. This could still implicate a lot of people, but the scale is not expected to be as huge if it also included commission disclosure complaints. The Supreme Court, however, did uphold one complaint against the lenders, suggesting there could be scope for some individuals to successfully claim. It upheld a claim from a claimant over an 'unfair' relationship between a customer and a finance company. The size of commission was 55pc of the total charge for credit. As it was so high, the 'relationship' between the customer and finance company was deemed to be unfair. How much could I be owed? This is still unclear. In regards to the discretionary commission agreement arm of the scandal, those who signed up to multiple car finance agreements between 2007 and 2021 could be eligible for several payouts. The average mis-sold car finance payout, according to LawPlus Solicitors, is £1,500. The FCA has suggested that for a typical £10,000 four-year car finance deal, a customer could have overpaid £1,100 in interest. Exact amounts would depend on individual circumstances. A driver would likely receive the difference between the amount they paid at an inflated interest rate and the rate they should have been charged. Interest of 8pc on the overpayment would also likely be added, so the payout could be quite substantial. Should I use a claims management company? Thousands of drivers have been lodging compensation claims via claims management companies, which charge a commission fee upon the outcome. Scores of law firms are also offering 'no win, no fee' deals to manage claims. You do not need to use one of these companies to make a claim. Consumer rights expert Martyn James said there was 'no reason whatsoever for claims companies to exist'. He said: 'They are like vultures. This industry made millions if not billions from PPI claims, and now they are doing the same with car finance. They are out in force.' Regulated claims firms can take up to 30pc of the reward, up to a maximum amount of £10,000, excluding VAT, whereas those who go solo will receive 100pc of their payout. You may not even have to make a claim yourself, as the FCA is considering setting up a free redress scheme, which will force lenders to automatically compensate consumers. What should I do next? For discretionary commission arrangements, the best thing to do is wait and see what the FCA reveals in six weeks' time. It could be influenced by the Supreme Court's separate ruling, so it is best to wait for the next development. Do not use a claims management company, as the FCA could force banks to automatically compensate impacted consumers. In case an automatic redress scheme isn't set up, you could log a claim if you haven't done so already. In order to do so, you'll need to contact your original lender and ask them about the commission agreements secured on your deal. The FCA has put a pause on the deadline for providers to get back to you while it carries out its investigation. As it stands, lenders don't have to respond to your complaint about car finance until December 4 this year. If you're unhappy with the eventual response from the lender, you can take your case for free to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Millions set to miss out on car finance compensation after Supreme Court ruling
Lenders have avoided potentially having to pay compensation to millions of drivers after the Supreme Court ruled they are not liable for hidden commission payments in car finance schemes. Two lenders, FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers, went to the UK's highest court to challenge a Court of Appeal ruling which found 'secret' commission payments paid by buyers to car dealers as part of finance arrangements made before 2021 without the motorist's fully informed consent were unlawful. The ruling in October last year found three motorists, who all bought their cars before 2021, should receive compensation after they were not told either clearly enough or at all that the car dealers, acting as credit brokers, would receive a commission from the lenders for introducing business to them. Lawyers for the lenders told the Supreme Court at a three-day hearing in April the decision was an 'egregious error', while the Financial Conduct Authority intervened in the case and claimed the ruling 'goes too far'. The three drivers, Marcus Johnson, Andrew Wrench and Amy Hopcraft, opposed the challenge. Giving a summary of the Supreme Court's ruling on Friday, Lord Reed, one of five justices who heard the case, said: 'For the reasons set out in detail in a judgment published today, the Supreme Court allows the appeals brought by the finance companies.' In a letter to the Supreme Court in December last year, the FCA said almost 99% of the roughly 32 million car finance agreements entered into since 2007 involved a commission payment to a broker. Mr Johnson, Mr Wrench and Ms Hopcraft all used car dealers as brokers for car finance arrangements for second-hand cars, all worth less than £10,000, before January one finance option was presented to the motorists in each case, with the car dealers making a profit from the sale of the car and receiving commission from the lender. The commission paid to dealers was affected by the interest rate on the loan. The schemes were banned by the FCA in 2021, with the three drivers taking legal action individually between 2022 and 2023. Ms Hopcraft, then a student nurse, bought her replacement car in 2014 through an agreement with Close, which paid the car dealership £183.26 in commission. Mr Wrench, described by the Court of Appeal as a 'postman with a penchant for fast cars', entered into two hire-purchase agreements for an Audi TT coupe and a BMW 3 Series, with FirstRand, in 2015 and 2017, respectively, paying hundreds in commission in total. Mr Johnson, then a factory supervisor, was buying his first car in 2017 and paid £1,650.95 in commission as part of his finance agreement with FirstRand for the Suzuki he purchased. After the claims reached the Court of Appeal, three senior judges ruled the lenders were liable to repay the motorists the commission due to the lack of disclosure about the payments. Lady Justice Andrews, Lord Justice Birss and Lord Justice Edis said last year that while each case was different, 'burying such a statement in the small print which the lender knows the borrower is highly unlikely to read will not suffice'.
