Tesco Work Sample (graduate scheme)

jordan282 said:
It will be a bitch but in 5 years the potential of a 6 figure salary is very appealing
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You can do it quite a bit faster than 5 years if you genuinely are a natural leader and have good networking skills.

It took me 3 years after joining to break the six figure barrier. (Although my basic salary is only £75k as i'm the store manager of a Tesco Superstore, not an Extra. But my Bonus put me over £100k last year)

Anyway... Apologies for the late reply, I completely forgot about this thread.

As a graduate quite simply all they are going to be looking for is natural 'leadership' ability. Buy a copy of 'One minute manager' and read it a couple of times.

There are plenty of online resources which would be worth a read so you can pick up some buzzwords and get yourself in the correct mindset. Essentialy they will be looking for you to be capable of developing a great set of leadership skills in a short amount of time. Managing change, Managing performance, engaging large teams, sharing a vision, motivating, problem solving etc...etc... I could go on forever.

Remember that as a store manager the pressures are immense. You are essentially running your own business with a multi million pound turnover and in charge of 200+ staff even in the smallest of stores. This includes managing not only all the people within your business but all of the costlines like payroll, wastage, shrinkage, energy usage etc...

The good news is that once you have a year or so under your belt with Tesco you are seen as the 'holy grail' of management by most other companies. Expect to be regularly headhunted by Asda/JS etc and offered wages that exceed what Tesco pay. I have stayed put as the opportunity for progression within Tesco far outweighs the benefits of an extra £10k or so. Tesco is expanding at such a ludicrous rate that new store managers and store directors are in constant demand.

The picture that some other posters have painted isn't entirely untrue. It is really is very cutt-throat. However what they describe as working for nothing I always saw as 'doing what I needed to do' to get to where I wanted to be. Which is a huge part of why I got to Store Manager so quickly.

Remember.... It won't be easy but the benefits and salary are immense.

Any questions just fire away.
 
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You are 29 and earn 6 figures mananging a Tesco store. I'm sorry but that is just absolutely astounding progress, my respect for you knows no bounds :)
 
Tis indeed something to be applauded - companies like Tesco don't just throw money at people because they're feeling a bit flush, the previous poster is likely more than worth it.
 
[TW]Fox;18438537 said:
You are 29 and earn 6 figures mananging a Tesco store. I'm sorry but that is just absolutely astounding progress, my respect for you knows no bounds :)
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Thank you Fox. I think in all honestly I am just obsessive about things when I get my teeth in to them. I was obsessive about making music in my early 20's but as soon as I realised that it would take a lot of luck to give me the kind of lifestyle I expected I switched to something else. And just obsessed over that instead!

I suppose it has helped not being married and having no children since I have been able to throw myself into work more than most people could. Also... Work has been the reason for my absence from these forums until these couple of weeks holiday I'm currently enjoying!

Anyway, cheers. :)
 
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Go on a life style break Gordy. That's what the store manager did in the one I worked at and he came back fatter than ever! Loads of time off then. :)
 
OP.

it might be beneficial to mention technology perhaps if you get the chance? We (C&W) are rolling out FMC Link & Link, tesco being the biggest customer so far IIRC. Might give the impression your 'switched on'.

GordyR should be able to comment on this as it should be installed in the big stores.
 
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Glad to hear you're doing well Gordy. Resurrected one of your big work-related threads a few months ago to query if anyone knew how you were getting on, as I recall you stating how ambitious you were.
 
Hello,

Forum n00b, hope you will welcome me...

I have an application with Tesco for the graduate store managment scheme.

I completed my work sample last week and have since found out I am through to the assessment centre.

I have read a lot of bad things on the net about this assessment centre, with some people quoting it as the worst day of their lives?

If anyone has been through it and could offer an insight to this stage of the interview process I would be extreemly grateful?

Set my heart on this job, and I want to everything I can to prepare for it.
 
Hello,

I tried to post a reply before this one.. but it didn't appear to work... Apolagies if it later appears.

I am a forum n00b so I hope you will welcome me. The infomation being discussed here is really helpful.

I have applied to the Tesco graduate store managment program and last week I completed a work sample. I have since been told that I have made it on to the assessment centre.

I have read a lot of bad things on this assessment centre, with some people describing it as the worst day of their life. I have also had two people tell me to my face that its dog eat dog and very tough.

I want to know if there was anybody whom could offer an insite to this stage of the selection process? Any tips, ideas on what the presentation topic will be etc etc, interview styles?

I am up for the challenge but any insider infomation can only help me and others be in good shape for the day!

Anything will be of use to me and other people reading this thread who are at the same stage.

I have set my heart on this job and so want to prepare as much as possible.

Thank you in advance

P.Spounge
 
Hi Gordy,

Which 'one minute manager' would you recommend? I would say I am a natural leader and have fantastic communication skills so fingers crossed :)

Thanks
 
jordan282 said:
Hi Gordy,

Which 'one minute manager' would you recommend? I would say I am a natural leader and have fantastic communication skills so fingers crossed :)

Thanks
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All of the books are worth a read as they are all fantastic. But really it's the first one that is where you should be starting. It's simply called the 'one minute manager' after that try the others if it's sparked your interest.
 
Hi Jordan,

During my work sample day, in the interview... the store manager recommended learning as much about leadership as possible before the assessment centre. He also recommended a book that is given to successful TESCO grads...(apparently?)

Eat That Frog, by Brian Tracy. ISBN number 978-0-340-83504-3

I got a copy today, its not expensive.
 
Hi guys, I have my assessment centre of 15th March. So nervous and excited! Does anyone know roughly how many places there actually are on the stores programme? And if there are hundreds of people going through to the assessment centres? Good luck to all those who are attending centres within the next few weeks. Hope it goes well! Thanx to all the people who posted on this thred especially GordyR. Your notes have really helped me!
 
Hello heroboy!!! Got mine on the 15th too... Ponsbourne??? See you there??? I was told there is about 50 placements and I am also under the impression the is 10-20 people at each assessment centre. Like you I'm nervous but excited... Good luck
 
Hi Proton, Yes mine is at Ponsbourne too. Thanks for the info. Wow the places are very limited. Last stage now so best of luck!! I think we are some of the first to be assessed, I know some other people have got their assessments on 5 and 6th April! Good to get it done, but I guess longer to wait for the results! Good luck!
 
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