- Flexible working: kind of comes with a tacit implication you should be doing over your contracted hours as you struggle to keep on top of your workload otherwise.
- A lot of different technologies to explore: too many really. Yes there might be a niche for your specific skillset, but there's an awful lot of legacy systems that never get properly retired. It can also be difficult to get a good understanding of how these often overlapping technologies have been implemented, and which is strategic seems to change monthly.
- Big drive on AI: decide for yourself if that's a good or a bad thing, but it feels like too many leaders are believing the hype.
- Decent benefits: but for a Bank the pension doesn't compare well with some competitors.
- Remote first culture: but there are signs of a gradual back to the office slide.
- Below inflation pay rises: At least 3 years running. Kind of difficult to justify when profits are in the billions and increasing, and the CEO got a year-on-year 33% increase.
- Career progression depends on how well you work your "brand": There's a lot of focus on building your network and being seen and heard in the right forums. If you're a "head down and get on with it" kind of person, you're likely to get overlooked. If you put yourself in a position to have your opinion heard on every subject (but how do you then get any actual work done?) then you might do well. A manager that is willing to push you into the limelight also helps.
