Anyone here work at Huawei Reading or VF Newbury?

[Ray Singh]

I worked at Nokia (remember them?) for the best part of 15 years during the glory period for comms in the UK. I really enjoyed my work there, until i was made redundant in 2011. I still have nightmares about the 'burning platform' speech and wake up in cold sweats.

Since 2011, i have held several roles all in the Project Management field mainly in the MoD or Civil Service. I would like to try and steer my career back to mobile comms and the private sector and two companies within commuting distance from me I am interested in are Huawei and Vodafone (Reading and Newbury).

Does anyone work at either organisation and could help to advise me on how best to pitch for a job. Applying via Linkedin or company pages just doesnt work.

Many thanks

[Original Poster]

Consider Verizon in Reading, too!

[smn159]

CTIL (JV between O2 and Vodafone) are in Theale

[TIGA84]

Ray Singh said:

I worked at Nokia (remember them?) for the best part of 15 years during the glory period for comms in the UK. I really enjoyed my work there, until i was made redundant in 2011. I still have nightmares about the 'burning platform' speech and wake up in cold sweats.

Since 2011, i have held several roles all in the Project Management field mainly in the MoD or Civil Service. I would like to try and steer my career back to mobile comms and the private sector and two companies within commuting distance from me I am interested in are Huawei and Vodafone (Reading and Newbury).

Does anyone work at either organisation and could help to advise me on how best to pitch for a job. Applying via Linkedin or company pages just doesnt work.

Many thanks

I was an interim Recruitment Manager for VF onsite in Newbury back in 2016 so might be able to help - what area are you looking to get into? VF have a number of RPO's that look after the individual capabilities (Sales/Tech/Finance etc) so you'll probably have to go through one of them, failing that I still know a couple of people that I could point you in the direction of that are actual recruiters there, albeit on Exec, but they'll know where to point you. PM me if you need to.

[surveyor]

Huawei seem to be a bit challenged at the moment...

[Fas1975]

Ericsson have just moved their UK HQ to reading. Thames tower next to the train station. They have a comprehensive recruitment site and are hiring. I recently left but can vouch that the roles on the external site are the same as the internal ones as they want to be seen as fair. However. It goes without saying. The more senior roles tend to go to those with longevity / political connections but I’m talking VP level / country head / unit head type levels.

I know they’re looking for a UK account manager for Vodafone

[Tomo1971]

From what I hear from colleagues whom have worked in Reading, they work their staff (and contractors) hard - not much of a work /life balance. Pointless been commutable from home if you are 'expected' to work many long hours. Maybe that is not the case these days?

I myself have been tempted to get in with a vendor or network but as it appears to turn decent people into desk thumping "J.F.D.I" neanderthals, I would prefer to stay within the SWC world. Yes, it does get boring to hear "I am the client you do what your told" but would prefer to hear that rather than work in a culture where I am coerced into saying it.

[jurbie]

MBNL have also recently moved into Thames Tower so well worth trying to get a CV into them. I agree with the previous poster regarding working at Huawei, I've also heard some horror stories but then again they don't seem to have that big a turnover of staff so maybe not.

Edited by jurbie on Saturday 22 December 23:18

[Ray Singh]

Thank you.

MBNL jobs look excellent.
Vodafone just reject my applications, but I have been able to make contact with one recruiter there with the help of a fellow PH'er.

Fingers crossed that I can change job in the new year.