Case studies : Retail management graduate trainee: Jade Chester

Jade studied English at Leicester University before joining the John Lewis graduate scheme in September 2009.

I graduated in June 2008 but it wasn’t until September 2009 that I joined the John Lewis graduate scheme. I've found it to be a fantastic experience as it has given me an insight into retail roles and clearly lays out a progression path and where I should be in three to five years. So far, I have worked in stores, completed a central secondment in head office and now I’m back in branch and responsible for my own section in the childrenswear department.

I’m responsible for my own department and so my job is very varied. I’m accountable for the department's sales and hitting the targets. Each day I check the previous day's figures, attend management meetings showcasing new products, and manage and motivate my team of staff. I really enjoy interacting with staff and customers and often spend time on the shop floor, serving the public.
 
I feel my English degree has been very useful in my role so far. Throughout my degree, I had to interact with people and give a lot of presentations which helped to fine tune these skills. I now have the confidence to regularly present to teams of managers at work.

There are lots of different things I enjoy about my role, but I most enjoy the responsibility I’m given. I’m able to be creative with products and the layout of the department, ensuring that every floor move means more sales. I love working with people and I enjoy motivating and incentivising my team to help them to perform and hit their targets. However, this can also be the most challenging part of my role and is a continuous learning curve. I really enjoy working for John Lewis and in the future I am keen to progress into a senior management role.

I would advise anyone wanting to get onto a graduate scheme to really understand what they are applying for, research the company and the culture. During your interview and assessment it’s important to come across as a passionate, positive team player who is driven to achieve high standards.