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#MyWTW: Completing an application and starting a new position virtually during lockdown
Head of Global Security Operations, Marvi Napoles, joined Willis Towers Watson a couple of months ago. Discover Marvi’s insights on starting a new job during lockdown and some great tips on completing online interviews.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
I’ve been at Willis Towers Watson for just over two months.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
My team is responsible for ensuring the timely detection, triage and appropriate escalation of security events that might affect the availability, confidentiality and integrity of Willis Towers Watson’s data and systems.
How did you find the virtual recruitment process?
It started with one of our recruiters reaching out via LinkedIn who told me that Willis Towers Watson was looking for a Head of Global Security Operations based in the Philippines. Although I wasn’t looking to change jobs, the recruiter’s friendly and professional approach, along with Willis Towers Watson’s good reputation and culture, made me look into the opportunity and apply.
What did you like most about the recruitment process?
I was impressed with the level of detail and effort that recruiters put in to make me feel comfortable and ensure that the process ran smoothly. For example, I received timely and detailed communication about my interview schedule, interviewers’ names and technological specifications (since all the interviews took place virtually due to the lockdown).
I was also very pleased with the fact that my recruiter reached out regularly to let me know about the status of my application and next steps.
What would you recommend to a candidate who’s preparing for an online interview at Willis Towers Watson?
When you are invited to an online interview, you need to make sure that technology will be on your side. This means planning ahead:
- If your internet connection is stronger at certain times of the day, see if you can arrange your interview during that period, while bearing in mind the time zone of your interviewer(s)
- Check you have installed the required conference call software – this also includes checking that your audio and camera are working. Remember to pick a quiet, private place where you won’t be interrupted
- Join the interview a couple of minutes early – that way you’ll be able to check that everything is working and relax into your interview
Starting a new job can be a stressful experience. Did you have any concerns about starting a new role virtually?
I cannot deny the fact that sometimes starting a new job can be a bit stressful, particularly because we’re still adapting to the ‘new normal’. However, I was still very excited and enthusiastic. I was concerned about how teamwork and collaboration might be affected by starting a new role virtually. While I don’t think we can replace the benefit of interacting live in person, technology has empowered me and my colleagues to stay connected through video calls.
How do you stay connected with your team and other colleagues?
With the current situation, we have had to get creative about staying connected online. While normally team building activities with colleagues is something typically done in person, we have moved this to the virtual sphere. As well as being present on team catch ups and organizing one to one sessions with my colleagues, we have built a Microsoft Teams group where we share some of what we do outside of work hours. This has proven to be a great tool to find out about my colleagues’ hobbies and interests outside of work!
How was your first day and week at Willis Towers Watson?
The local HR and IT team managed to safely send to my home all the necessary equipment ahead of my first day. I also received a welcome package from the company with some helpful guides on how to get started and with some important contact information.
During my first week I focused on introducing myself to my team and to other colleagues around the globe. My manager was also very helpful and involved me in meetings that helped me dive into the work and understand our main priorities and projects. Even though I’m quite new within the company, what I love the most about working here is the opportunity we’re given to collaborate with different teams and meet colleagues from different business segments and parts of the world. These first couple of months have been exciting, different, and full of positive experiences. I’m looking forward to what the future will bring for me and my colleagues at Willis Towers Watson.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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Meet Willis Towers Watson’s 2020 HR Rising Star, Anna Stonelake
Every year Willis Towers Watson recognizes a colleague in the Human Resources (HR) function who has demonstrated exceptional growth potential in HR leadership and is a role model of our values. This recognition is given through the Gail E. McKee Memorial HR Rising Star Award, which was created to honor our colleague Gail E. McKee.
This year, the HR Rising Star Award recipient is Talent Advisor for Talent & Rewards, Anna Stonelake. Anna shares her experience on finding out that she had won and her insights on working at Willis Towers Watson.
What was your initial reaction to hearing you were nominated for and won the award?
It was a very surreal moment and one I will never forget! Our Chief Administrative Officer and Head of HR, Anne Bodnar, invited me to an online meeting to share the great news. I wasn’t aware I had been nominated (as this is the process for the HR Rising Star Award) so it took a few minutes to sink in. I felt very overwhelmed, humbled and honored that I had been recognized by my fellow colleagues. Since winning the award I’ve learned from different teams across Willis Towers Watson what a positive and inspiring impact Gail had on the colleagues she worked with, I am so glad her memory and legacy continues to be honored through this yearly award.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of work? Have you developed any new hobbies or interests since the onset of COVID-19?
I have two young children (four and six years-old) so they keep me very busy, but when I am not running around trying to keep them out of mischief, I enjoy renovating our house. It was built in 1903 and it hadn’t been touched for 30-40 years when we bought it six years ago. It has been a labor of love (and stress) ever since, but we are nearly there, just the garden to finish now!
Since the onset of COVID-19, I have a newfound appreciation for the outdoors. My family and I are lucky to live in a village with lots of countryside on our doorstep. My local gym has been shut on and off for most of 2020, and to counter this I now enjoy running three times a week and walking in the local woods at the weekend with the family. It’s surprising how sticks, mud, bikes and puddles can keep children entertained for hours, and fresh air really does help to clear your mind.
How has Willis Towers Watson supported you in unlocking potential in your career and development?
Since I joined Willis Towers Watson just over two years ago, I have been given opportunities to get involved in lots of different projects and initiatives across HR. I feel lucky to have such supportive colleagues to bounce ideas off, discuss challenges with and ask for advice. I have always been encouraged to try and improve the way we add value to the businesses we support and believe having this freedom and encouragement to think creatively has really helped me grow as a professional.
Gail E. McKee impacted the lives of many colleagues. Is there someone who has had an impact on your career, and can you describe how they have influenced your career growth?
It is very difficult to choose one colleague, within our HR function there are lots of strong female leaders based all around the world that inspire me. I have noticed over time that all have very similar leadership values: a strong work ethic, compassion, pragmatism, fairness and a positive energy which is very compelling.
If I had to choose one colleague, it would be our Global Talent Business Leader for Talent & Rewards and member of the Willis Towers Watson Global Inclusion & Diversity council, Suzanne McAndrew. Suzanne is a very inspiring leader and colleague. Her leadership style is open, positive, creative and direct, and through our interactions and partnership she inspires me to be a better version of myself professionally. I am always thankful for her feedback and insight.
I am also a strong believer that your support system outside of work impacts how you perform professionally. To that degree I think my husband has been amazing at supporting me to focus on my career and in helping me balance my personal and family commitments, especially in the past six months.
What do you think it takes to succeed in Human Resources at Willis Towers Watson?
Willis Towers Watson offers fantastic HR career opportunities if you have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, curiosity to learn, confidence and energy to question/challenge the status quo constructively. You also need to be a strong team player; in my experience you will not be successful if you try to do everything yourself, particularly when there are so many HR colleagues with a wealth of experience that you can reach out to for help and advice. The support network within Willis Towers Watson’s HR teams is fantastic, but you need to put the effort in to build your own network and always be willing to help one another out.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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#MyWTW: A Day In The Life Of Rohit Chavan, Claims Notifier, Mumbai
Rohit Chavan, Claims Notifier, talks about his experience on the Advisory Team in Mumbai and his favorite parts of working at Willis Towers Watson.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
Just over two years.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
It is my job to notify the insurers of the claims on behalf of our clients. I specifically support the US Claims and Legal group and provide assistance during the lifecycle of a claim.
How does your day usually start?
It all starts with Prayer followed by a good breakfast. I also love to spend time with my niece, her smile and laughter fills my day with joy and positivity.
What are some of the other activities that you do during a typical day at work?
A typical work day starts with reviewing the claims files, to plan and prioritize the tasks for the day. My work involves a lot of communication with claims advocates in our US offices via Skype, calls and emails. I am also responsible for preparing and maintaining the trackers related to the claims as well.
What is your favorite part about your role?
Reviewing and analyzing files and data, doing research and providing support to the client is something I love the most. I am glad to play my part in bringing value to our clients.
What is your favorite part about working for Willis Towers Watson?
The best part of Willis Towers Watson is our hobbies at work, through which I am part of the ‘Bikers and Trekking Club’. It helps me to connect and socialize with other colleagues. Willis Towers Watson also organize many sports events like internal cricket and football matches, which help you to showcase your other talents outside of the office. I was even a part of United Cricket League winning team: Bangalore MVP’s!
What is special about your team?
In the Mumbai office, we receive a lot of co-operation, support and empowerment from senior colleagues. This produces a positive and productive work environment.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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MyWTW: Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ while working from home
Mitch Dauz, HR Business Partner in the Philippines shares his experience of adjusting his work-life balance as a father and husband as part of the ‘new normal’ during lockdown.
How has your life been affected by COVID-19?
Due to government protocols in the Philippines to manage COVID-19, my family and I have been quarantined at home together since March 16.
Working from home now has made me rethink how I can blend my full-time work and my full-time fatherhood. Often, I have an hour-long meeting with adults then followed by playtime with kids. It feels like a dream that I can do both and still have time left in the day to live a balanced life. I feel trusted by my managers that I can continue to deliver quality work and, more importantly, I feel loved by my kids when we greet each other ‘good morning’ every day and kiss goodnight every night.
What does ‘flexible work’ at Willis Towers Waton mean to you?
To me, flexible working is #adulting. I am trusted by the organization to deliver quality work, on-time while balancing other personal responsibilities. I’m thankful to the organization for having a progressive mindset and entrusting us to be productive colleagues, whether we’re physically together in the office or at home.
How has Willis Towers Watson made flexible working easy for you?
I appreciate the communication provided by local leaders and Global Operating Committee that working from home is the preferred approach at this time. The organization has been flexible to the reasonable needs of colleagues as well as our clients where possible.
As part of the local HR team, I have learned to appreciate the consistent message of care and warmth from our leaders during this pandemic and I’ve seen this translate to sustained excellent work from our colleagues.
What tips/tools would you recommend to others working from home at this time?
Mental resilience is important. I have typically seen my house as a place to rest and unwind. It’s been a journey of mental resilience to understand that things have changed now.
Compartmentalizing has also really helped me. Having a dedicated place to work made me more aware when it is time to work vs time to rest. Recently, I decided to wear the same clothes, scent, and watch as I would normally in the office, and change into more relaxed clothes when I’m done with work.
Seeking help is critical. At certain times during our local community quarantine, I had to ask for the help of my family members to keep our house clean, bathe the kids, and of course taking out the trash. I certainly do not mind doing these things, but it has been humbling to admit that I could not do it all by myself (at work and at home). Now, with even my 5-year old daughter and 9-year old son pitching in at home, I’m thankful that we’re all doing our fair share!
Seek help and be thankful.
What have you learned from this ‘new normal’ so far?
Looking at this new normal with a glass-half-full mindset, I can certainly see how to be a better colleague and father at the same time.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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#MyWTW: A Day In The Life Of Shadab Hemani, Analyst, Mumbai
Shadab Hemani, Analyst, talks us through his Willis Towers Watson experience and what his typical day looks like at our Mumbai office.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
5 years.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
A few of the things included within my role are: the co-ordination with brokers and client managers for strategy meetings; preparing pre-renewal documents for client meetings; managing accounts receivables and preparations for WEM audits.
Basically, I remotely perform all the tasks that an Assistant Client Service Specialist would perform in a local US office.
How does your day usually start?
I don’t need an alarm as my two angels wake me up. Family is my source of energy, so I spend some quality time with them before I head to work.
What are some of the other activities that you might do on a typical day at work?
My day starts with checking and prioritizing the daily requests received from the US office. I will usually call my colleagues in Texas to discuss tasks and strategize further actions. I’ll then co-ordinate with our other Mumbai teams to get the work completed. I sometimes also play table tennis during my breaks to rejuvenate myself!
What is your favorite part about your role?
Performing tasks remotely from Mumbai is the most exciting aspect of my role; it is more like virtually working in a local US office.
What is your favorite part about working for Willis Towers Watson?
I am an active participant of the Hobbies @ Work biking group. This gives me an opportunity to fulfil my passion of long rides on weekends.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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#WTWLife: Returning To Work After Parental Leave
Donna O’Riordan, Lead Recruiter, London shares her experience of returning to work after a period of parental leave.
As I walk into Willis Towers Watson reception in London on my first day back at work following over a year on maternity leave, my first thought is wow! The building looks great, I feel happy and excited to be back and genuinely feel proud to work here.
Having spoken with many new parents (both in my personal life and with candidates as part of my role) I know that I am very lucky to have had such an incredibly positive experience. My line manager has been very supportive of my flexible working application, which has been significant in enabling me to effectively manage my job and family life. It can be a daunting experience those first few weeks back. What has changed? Will I remember everything? How will I balance my work with a hectic family life? As well as having the great support of my line manager, I spoke with my mentor at Willis Towers Watson who made themselves available to me within those first couple of weeks. I felt I gained advice and reassurance when I most needed it.
I feel valued at Willis Towers Watson and know, with the support of the company, I can still have a successful career while also leading a fulfilling life as a parent.
Learn more about the Willis Towers Watson values and benefits here or take a look at our current roles here.
Bei WTW setzen wir auf Chancengleichheit und sind bestrebt, eine vielfältige Belegschaft zu fördern und ein integratives Arbeitsumfeld zu schaffen, in dem jede/r respektiert, geschätzt und geachtet wird. Wir tolerieren keine Form der rechtswidrigen Diskriminierung und unterstützen auch keine Vorgehensweisen oder Initiativen, die gegen jegliche Menschenrechte verstoßen.
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Bei WTW setzen wir auf Chancengleichheit und sind bestrebt, ein integratives Umfeld für alle Bewerber*innen zu schaffen. Falls Sie zu irgendeinem Zeitpunkt von der Bewerbung bis zum Vorstellungsgespräch besondere Vorkehrungen benötigen, senden Sie bitte eine E-Mail an candidate.helpdesk@willistowerswatson.com