Octopus Vitality is made up of 1000+ implausible folks engaged on stuff you’d by no means anticipate, all pushing onerous in the direction of a shared aim: driving the worldwide inexperienced power revolution. In our Highlight collection, we’ll introduce you to among the good folks behind the scenes.
Sotiris joined Octopus two years in the past to work as a part of the rapidly-growing Leicester Operations Crew. He is a part of our hit squad on recruiting, working onerous to make sure we’re hiring the suitable folks to hitch the Octopus household.
Just lately I had a digital chat with Sotiris to debate a day within the lifetime of an Octopus group member, and the revolutionary modifications he’s engaged on to make sure our recruitment is truthful for all.
Samsam: So what do you do at Octopus?
Sotiris: During the last 2 years, I’ve labored as a part of Octopus’ customer support group, which suggests chatting to clients daily by way of e mail and on the telephone to assist with any questions or points they’ve with their power accounts.
I am a part of the best group to grace Octopus Vitality: Crew I.
We do customer support a little bit in a different way right here – each power specialist is put in a small group of ~10 individuals who may also help clients with their issues end-to-end. Every group takes care of a small group of shoppers, so each group is prefer it’s personal mini-business, and clients get to talk to the identical group every time they get in contact.
I am additionally a part of Octopus’ hit squad on recruitment, altering up the best way we rent to assist develop our buyer providers group in probably the most ‘Octopus’ manner.
Samsam: What does your day after day seem like?
Sotiris: The beauty of Octopus is that daily can look completely different, and you might be at all times inspired to discover your pursuits. A lot of my group members have moved to managing groups of their very own or taken on roles in specialist areas, and I’ve progressed to recruiting brilliant and good new power specialists – although I am going to at all times nonetheless spend a little bit of time every week chatting with clients.
I discover resolving complaints actually satisfying, particularly when it includes an advanced investigation.
Once I first joined I used to be tremendous nervous about chatting with clients on the telephone nevertheless it was fairly an accomplishment to have the ability to efficiently cope with a buyer challenge and truly hear the service made their day.
It by no means fails to place a smile on my face and to this present day I really like that a part of the position.
Samsam: What’s the finest a part of your job?
Sotiris: I actually worth the significance of a private contact in relation to coping with our clients, and I’ve actually loved being a spotlight of somebody’s day.
I’ve actually loved being a spotlight of somebody’s day, going above and past, whether or not it’s sending flowers to somebody going via a tough time, or a Christmas card to somebody who’s been dwelling on their very own.
Samsam: Have you ever at all times been keen on Vitality and Sustainability?
Sotiris: I’ve at all times tried to be environmentally aware however working for Octopus has taught me a lot. It is wonderful to me how a lot of an impression we have now been in a position to have on our business and the atmosphere. The popularity we have now had for our know-how and method in attempting to revolutionise the power business has been fairly inspiring.
Samsam: What’s it like serving to to recruit for Octopus’ group and what drew you to it?
Sotiris and group main one in every of our recruitment Discovery Days
We have now created ‘Discovery Days’ which take the main target away from CVs as a strategy to fight potential unconscious bias – our recruitment group now haven’t any earlier information of the background and even final names of individuals.
They contain a enjoyable icebreaker, Zoom group workouts based mostly on buyer eventualities, a Q&A and a panel interview.
These many group actions and challenges all through the day permit us to essentially see how each applicant performs, so we will choose the very best folks for the job.
Variety has at all times been vital to us, however the George Floyd protests actually introduced house simply how essential, and expedited key modifications we wished to make.
One thing that we’re fairly happy with as an organization is that we don’t simply do the token social media posts however truly observe via – elevating funds, trying in on ourselves after which working collectively as a group to place that to good use.
It will have been really easy to only do a fast submit after which return to regular, however that’s not how we do issues.
Samsam: What are you searching for in a brand new rent?
After we say ‘group gamers’ we actually imply it – Octopus is full of people that genuinely wish to see one another daily.
Principally, we’re searching for individuals who share our ambition to make an enormous, constructive impression on the atmosphere.
We’re additionally searching for group gamers who match our enthusiasm, work ethic and our normal outlook.
I believe this stuff are an enormous a part of why we have now been in a position to develop so quick in scale.
Fast Qs
Your most memorable day at work?
It’s a tie between the primary Discovery Day and my One Yr Octopus Anniversary the place I bought tons of balloons and presents from the group.
Favorite album?
To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
Finest TV present to rewatch?
Peep Present
Favorite vacation you have been on?
Oh that is tough. Simply earlier than I joined Octopus I spent just a few months at an American Summer time Camp the place I used to be a lifeguard. I really like Watersports and instructing so it was an unbelievable expertise.
Samsam: How have you ever been preserving your self entertained while working from house?
I’m very grateful as my life hasn’t been affected as a lot as different folks, and I stay with folks I really like. It may be onerous to remain entertained typically however I’ve been preserving busy with baking, working and doing issues I’d in any other case not get time for.
We additionally went all out for Christmas with our decorations and even purchased three Christmas timber which was positively fascinating…
Samsam: What work have you ever completed at Octopus that you just’re most happy with?
Positively the modifications to our recruitment course of, and bettering it so we’re hiring the very best folks for the job, no matter their background. The normal recruitment methodology creates homogeneous work areas whereas our manner isn’t involved together with your background, what you seem like and even your earlier performances – it’s nearly your present benefit.
I’m actually happy with it, the entire group works actually onerous at it and it’s already created a extra inclusive atmosphere.
Need to be part of our group?
Come meet Sotiris in a Discovery Day and land your self a job with Europe’s best-funded inexperienced tech startup doing a very powerful job there may be: serving to our clients.
We’d like genuine, passionate folks to hitch groups all around the UK (or 100% distant, if that is your factor).
