Daniel’s Journey from Christmas Temp to Deputy Manager | Boots Jobs

What started as a Christmas Temp role at Boots became the first step in Daniel’s career journey. Drawn in by the opportunity to gain retail experience over the festive season, he quickly discovered a supportive team environment, opportunities to develop new skills, and a culture where hard work and ambition were recognised.

From helping customers on the shop floor to leading teams as a Deputy Manager, Daniel reflects on the experiences and people who helped him grow along the way. His journey highlights how a seasonal role can open the door to lasting opportunities, personal development, and a rewarding career.

Do you remember your first day as a Christmas temp, and what made you apply for the role?

When I applied for a Christmas Temp role at Boots, I was just looking for some seasonal work. I’d always shopped in Boots and thought it would be a good place to get some retail experience while earning a bit of extra money over Christmas. At the time, I honestly didn’t think it would turn into a career.

I can still remember my first shift. I’d never worked somewhere that got quite that busy. I wanted to get everything right, and luckily everyone around me was really patient. If I wasn’t sure about something, there was always someone happy to help, and that made settling in much easier than I expected.

What surprised you most about working here during the Christmas season?

What surprised me most was how much everyone helped each other. Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, but nobody sticks to “that’s not my job”. If a queue started building somewhere or another department needed an extra pair of hands, people just got on with it. That team spirit is probably what stood out to me more than anything else.

At what point did you realise this could be more than just a seasonal job for you?

When the Christmas season finished, I realised I wasn’t ready to move on. I enjoyed coming into work, I liked the people I worked with and I could see there were opportunities to progress if I put the effort in. Staying on as a Customer Advisor felt like the obvious next step.

Can you walk us through your journey from Christmas temp to Deputy Manager?

From my Christmas temp role, I moved into a No7 Advisor role, which was something completely different. I learned a lot about skincare and beauty, but what I enjoyed most was spending time with customers, understanding what they were looking for and helping them find products that genuinely suited them. It wasn’t about making a sales, it was about making sure people left happy with what they’d chosen.

Later, I became a No7 Business Manager, and that’s where I really started to experience leadership. For the first time I was responsible for leading a team, supporting colleagues and helping drive performance. I learned that good leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening, encouraging people and helping them do their best.

After that, I moved into an Assistant Store Manager role, which gave me a much wider view of how the whole business works. Instead of focusing on one area, I was involved across the store, working with different teams and learning something new every day.

I then became Store Manager before moving into my current role as Deputy Manager. Looking back, none of those moves felt rushed. Each role taught me something different, and by the time I was ready for the next opportunity, I felt like I’d earned it.

What support or opportunities helped you progress into leadership roles?

I’ve been lucky to have managers who saw potential in me and encouraged me to keep pushing myself. They trusted me with new responsibilities, gave honest feedback and supported me whenever I stepped into a new role. That backing made a huge difference to my confidence.

The biggest thing that helped me was being open to new opportunities. Every role taught me something different, and I tried to take as much from each one as I could. Being approachable, working well with the team and staying calm when things got busy also helped, especially during Christmas when the pace really picks up.

Now one of the best parts of my job is helping other people grow. It’s always nice seeing someone who’s new to the business become more confident over time because I remember exactly what that felt like when I first started.

What would you say to someone thinking about applying for a Christmas temp role this year?

If someone was thinking about applying for a Christmas Temp role this year, I’d tell them to give it a go. Throw yourself into it, ask questions and don’t worry if you don’t know everything on day one. Nobody expects you to. If you’re willing to learn and get stuck in, people notice.

If you’d told me on my first day that I’d end up as Deputy Manager, I genuinely wouldn’t have believed you. I only planned to stay for Christmas. Looking back now, I’m really glad I applied because that temporary role turned into a career that’s given me opportunities I never expected. It’s proof that a Christmas Temp role doesn’t always end in January, it can be the start of something much bigger.