Hi! I’m Petra Leppänen, and I joined ALM Partners as a trainee in March 2023. At the beginning of 2023, I was seeking new challenges in my professional life and wanted to apply my business studies in practice. I applied for a trainee position in regulatory reporting because I’m particularly interested in the regulations that apply to financial institutions and the related reporting. I also believed that my major studies in insurance business and risk management would be beneficial in this trainee role.

I had a very positive impression of ALM Partners even before starting—I received an interview invitation the day after submitting my application, and the entire recruitment process was completed within the same week. During the interview, I felt there was a genuine interest in me, my life situation, and my accumulated skills. The interview wasn’t just assessing how my skills fit the role but also about what I could learn in this position. The positive first impression I got from ALMP was further reinforced during the interview, and I was fortunate to secure the trainee position in regulatory reporting.

At ALM Partners, trainees aren’t expected to know everything from the start; instead, all trainees receive comprehensive orientation to both the company’s operations and their team’s tasks. For instance, I didn’t know any SQL when I applied, and my studies had focused more on insurance institutions than banking regulations. However, this wasn’t an issue, as there’s a strong emphasis on onboarding new employees, and I was pleasantly surprised by the detailed and diverse orientation program we received. I was also pleased that we were introduced broadly to all areas of ALM Partners' business, not just our own team’s tasks.

Although it might sound cliché, I’ve learned something new every day, and my interest in the intricacies of regulation has grown even more during the orientation period. I’ve become increasingly involved in our team’s activities and have gradually taken more responsibility. My skills have already developed in both theoretical regulation and practical reporting. As a company, I’ve appreciated the continuous drive for progress and improvement. Everyone at ALM Partners works together cohesively, and I’ve also valued the organization’s flat hierarchy and agility.

Even though I’ve only been at ALM Partners for a couple of months, I already feel that there’s a genuine interest in employees and their well-being. This was promised in the job advertisement, and it sounded almost too good to be true. However, that’s not the case. There’s a real commitment to employee well-being, which is reflected in flexibility and comprehensive benefits offered. Additionally, working hours are flexible and there’s no restriction on remote work. In fact, there’s a focus on making it work more effectively, for example through team virtual coffee breaks. I’ve personally enjoyed the flexibility of extensive remote work options, including working from a cottage. Even my furry remote work companion, Sisu, has appreciated ALM Partners' extensive remote work opportunities. 😊

I highly recommend applying to ALM Partners, as you’ll learn a lot and have plenty of opportunities!