What degree did you do and where?
European Business and German at Liverpool University (which
included a year in Germany).
What were you looking for in your first job as a
graduate?
I knew I wanted a challenging role where every day was different
(and definitely not deskbound!). I never thought I’d start my
career in retail, but the more research I did, the more it seemed
to be ticking all the right boxes.
What other graduate programmes did you apply
to?
The Aldi, Pendragon and Eon programmes.
How did you hear about the programme and why did you
apply to Boots?
I have a few friends at Boots who all said it was a great company,
and they all seemed really happy with their jobs. I found the
programme during an online job search - it sounded incredibly well
structured, with the chance to develop fantastic retail management
skills. The healthcare and pharmacy side of the business really
appealed and I wanted to learn more.
How did you find the assessment process?
It was very well structured. The assessment centre was really
challenging, yet extremely enjoyable! Different tasks revealed
different skills and we all shared our experiences. At the end of
the day I was 100% certain that I wanted to work for Boots.
How have you found the training
programme?
It’s divided into five phases, each with a different focus. I
learnt the ‘detail of retail’ in a large flagship store, which I
loved, particularly since I got to see all the different
departments such as beauty and healthcare. After six months, I was
moved to a smaller store, where I could put my new skills to good
use and tackle real-life store manager challenges. There were a
couple of real highlights for me: the great retail leaders which
mentored you throughout, and the planned programme interventions
where the graduates train together and share their experiences,
both positive and negative!
What are you moving on to do now?
For the last month of the programme, I actually ‘managed’ a store
where the manager had just retired. I could experience the
challenges I would eventually face, while still being on the
programme and still with the support of my mentor. I’ve just been
given my own store, and will be moving there shortly. I always felt
that the HR and Area Managers had my best interests at heart when
planning which store to move me to, and I know I can count on their
support even after the programme.