Application Process
A little help goes a long, long way.
Whether you're a school leaver, you're studying or you're a graduate, Tesco can help you go further than you ever imagined. And if you have the talent, ambition and ideas, you'll be set on a career path for life.
Tesco have got a huge range of training programmes right across it's business, all designed to shape future leaders. And because the scale and scope of the business is so big, you can be sure that all the little things you do in your work (and the not so little things, of course) could have a very, very big impact. So start exploring and see where your talent could take you.
When you're applying to Tesco, there's one basic rule. Don't panic! You're not being caught out. In fact, the whole process is designed for you to get to know about the company and for vice versa. That way you will both be much better placed to make what's a pretty big decision. And make sure it's the right one. So, to help you get the most out of the process and make your application as good as it can possibly be, here are the main steps along the way:
Application form:
Try to save your form at regular intervals. That way you won't lose any of it. It's also a good idea to print and read the final draft of your application before you submit it -? sometimes you can spot things on a hard copy that you miss on screen. Double check that all your details are correct and make sure you're fully happy with all your answers.
Don't forget to keep a copy of the form as a reference - you'll probably want to read through it again if you progress to the next stage.
Remember that good spelling and grammar will always create a better impression so check, and check again.
Interview:
You'?re free to ask everything you want to know ?- this is as much an opportunity for you to see if Tesco are right for you as the other way round.
Be yourself. Think about what you're really like and try to think of examples of your strengths so you can bring them to life.
Do more research. It always pays to be knowledgeable. So use this and Tesco's website, trade magazines, the business press and industry bodies to find out as much as you can about Tesco, the issues facing the business and your chosen role.
Testing:
It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with these beforehand. You can get hold of some sample verbal and numerical reasoning tests from your careers service or on the internet.
When it comes to doing the tests themselves, make sure you've put enough time aside to complete them.
Store or Distribution Centre visit:
If you've applied to the Stores or Distribution programme, you'll also need to spend some time at a store or a Distribution Centre. This is to help you understand their work, roles and processes better so you won't be assessed at this stage. Instead, it's an opportunity for you to make sure you've applied for the right role so spend some time asking questions. Think about the differences in the working environment and what you'd enjoy about it.
Assessment Centre:
The Assessment Centre is designed to help Tesco get to know you better, not to catch you out.
You'll have a mix of assessments, both in teams and individually, and the recruitment team will be looking to see how you've demonstrated leadership skills in any of your previous life or work experiences.
Hints & Tips
Who is Tesco looking for?
These are some of the qualities Tesco look for in it's leaders - which is what you should become at the end of your programme:
- A sharp mind
- A proven record of achievement
- Strong beliefs
- Leadership skills - specifically:
- Empathy
- Collaboration
- Resilience
- Responsiveness
- Innovation
In general:
It goes without saying that you should do some research on Tesco and your area of interest, but it's also a good idea to read up on its competitors, and retail in general.
Tesco are all about customers ?- that's the same in every role, in every team, in every business area and in every country. So you'll need to demonstrate your passion for customers.
Take a look at its five key leadership skills and think about any situations in your education, life or work experiences where you've demonstrated these behaviours.
And definitely don't be afraid to show them your personality!
Tesco have all sorts of different graduate programmes and while some of them need specific skills or degrees, there are certain qualities that it looks for in all of it's graduates. And this is the place to find out what those things are.
Tesco like people who think for themselves, are customer focused, work well in a team and enjoy the satisfaction of a problem solved, a job well done and how to celebrate your success when the time's right.
Yes, it's asking a lot. If you're to be a leader in the business, you'll be expected to stand out. But everyone needs to be able to relate to their customers and, because they come from all walks of life, most important of all you'll be an individual. You'll have your own ideas; your own ambitions; your own ideas about how you can help to take them,? and your career, a long, long way.
These are some of the qualities they look for in their leaders - which is what they hope you'll become at the end of your programme:
A sharp mind
A proven record of achievement
Strong beliefs
Leadership skills
- specifically, they look for:
- Empathy
- Building strong relationships with customers and colleagues
- Putting people at the heart of everything you do
- Understanding how others feel and responding appropriately
- Being warm and welcoming in your interactions with others
- Taking time to see, hear and recognise others
- Building intimate, trust-based relationships with your colleague
- Collaboration
- Working together across the business to achieve shared success
- Trusting your colleagues so you achieve more together
- Having a network that stretches beyond your own function
- Knowing when to lead and when to be led
- Creating a team spirit of partnership wherever you go
- Resilience
- Knowing your own sources of energy and keeping yourself fit for life
- Knowing yourself well and how to be at your best
- Having energy and drive to deliver beyond expectation
- Sticking to your values and doing the right thing, even when it's tough
- Integrating home and work to achieve a balance that's right for you
- Staying positive and inspiring confidence in others
- Responsiveness
- Being agile in the way you think, make decisions and handle change
- Juggling priorities and handling dilemmas when there's no right answer
- Making decisions based on your values and what's right for customers
- Responding quickly without losing sight of your long term objectives
- Taking measured risks to achieve results that grow the business
- Thriving on change and taking others with you to deliver it
- Innovation
- Keeping your eyes open so you can lead the business for the future grads
- Continually scanning the horizon for trends and opportunities to improve the business
- Inspiring innovation and improvement in your part of the business
- Keeping your thinking current using a variety of sources (digital, personal networking)
- Creating an environment where new ideas are welcomed and explored
- Being connected to the latest thinking inside and outside the business
