A Hamilton company is continuing its steady hiring. What can it teach others?

Job creation efforts continue at Barclaycard, a credit card-servicing division of the international Barclays Bank.

The international credit card-servicing company opened its call center at 101 Knightsbridge Dr. inside Hamilton’s Vora Technology Park in early 2016 with a promise to create about 1,500 new jobs in coming years.

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The company has grown from 50 employees then to more than 500 and continues to actively recruit and hire each week, said Elaine Levin, the company’s community relations manager.

The company is hiring for positions that range from entry level customer service specialists to team managers and higher level leadership opportunities.

Hiring events are being held from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 at OhioMeansJobs-Butler County, 4631 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. Applicants also may visit www.JoinBarclays.com.

We talked to Levin about how hiring efforts are going at the company and how it is facing challenges during its rapid growth. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: What’s the biggest challenge facing Barclaycard and others in your industry? How is the company uniquely positioned to address that challenge?

A: “As more business moves online and into the digital realm, the ability to provide a seamless experience for customers across all channels becomes more important. We are focused on providing great experiences and services to customers whether they are online, on their smartphone, or talking to one of our knowledgeable customer care specialists over the phone.”

Q: What’s the most prevalent roadblock you encounter when it comes to hiring? What can jobseekers do to remedy that situation?

A: “The improving economy has led to higher rates of employment, which has created a bit of a challenge on the recruiting and hiring front. We have to invest more to recruit from a smaller pool of applicants. Job seekers who stand out are those who have customer service experience, soft skills and a desire to learn, grow, and work in a team environment.”

Q: Some job seekers are concerned about the limits of advancement within a company. To what degree can your employees advance from entry-level roles to become department managers and team leaders?

A: “Career progression is a big focus for our colleague base in Hamilton. Colleagues are eligible for promotions and have the ability to post for positions in other departments. We have colleagues who started in entry level roles and are now team managers. We encourage colleagues to grow professionally and also provide opportunities to do community service and participate in a variety of diversity and inclusion networks. We value our employees and provide ongoing opportunities for community engagement and giving back.”

Q: What’s the immediate plan for the company’s growth in 2018? What about the next five years?

A: “During the past decade, we have been one of the fastest-growing credit card companies in the U.S., and now stand as the ninth-largest issuer in the nation. We have diversified and continue to invest and grow across all lines of business, including credit cards, online savings and personal loans.”

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