What does your job involve?
I help the stores with their computer issues. I can mostly help them over the phone, so I spend lots of time on calls and I log the IT cases. We also have regular meetings with those responsible for the store systems so that they get feedback from the employees who use the systems.
How long have you worked here at Axfood?
I’ve been working in store support for six months. Before that, I worked for two and a half years as a clerk in a Willys store.
Why did you change jobs?
I’ve always been interested in computers and this gives me the chance to combine my store experience with my IT interest.
Have you found your store experience useful?
Absolutely! I can picture the people when they call in. I know how stressful it can be when a checkout freezes and you have a long queue of customers. It also helps me to prioritise the cases that come in. A frozen checkout has a higher priority than a printer that isn’t working.
What is your working day like?
Our phone lines are open from 7am to 5pm and we share responsibility for ensuring that they are manned and that there is no waiting time. Every seven weeks I’m on call, which means that I have the emergency phone with me wherever I go. It’s not such a hassle. I don’t need to be at work and we get very few emergency calls. Our store systems work well!
What are the best things about your job?
I’ve felt very well taken care of from day one. During the induction, I had a good supervisor so I was quick to settle into the job. I’ve no hesitation in asking a colleague a question without feeling stupid. Everyone is happy to help.
Axfood is making the most of my skills and it just shows that you don’t need to be academically minded to do your bit. Nobody stops you progressing just because you come from a store. In fact, the reverse is true.