Case study

Hannah — Tesco Technology Graduate Programme

Employer
Tesco Stores Limited

After graduating with a social sciences degree, Hannah worked in a number of roles before landing a place on Tesco's technology graduate programme

What were you doing before you joined the scheme?

I started with Tesco as a Christmas temp while at university. From there I moved into several roles over the next six years, including working as a stock control assistant, future skills partner and F&F shift leader, to name a few.

After finishing my degree, I was unsure what to do next, as the job landscape had changed since I started my studies. To add to the confusion, the start of the pandemic coincided with my graduation, so many companies were withdrawing positions amidst the uncertainty. I had begun to feel as though my twenties were passing me by rapidly.

Working in Tesco stores, though sometimes hectic, was a real joy. There was never a lack of excitement and we worked to overcome whatever the day threw at us. I met so many wonderful people who I'm still friends with to this day. But, ultimately, I was looking for an opportunity that would take me into an entirely different industry where I could build a career.

Why did you decide to change your career direction?

I knew that Tesco offered graduate programmes, but I wasn't aware of the range of technical roles available. I'd wrongly assumed that my social sciences degree wouldn't be suitable for a technical role.

My exposure to tech transformation through the future skills partner role in store had given me a glimpse into a part of the business I'd never seen before, and it piqued my interest in technology. However, I had a strong feeling of imposter syndrome. Looking back, I'm so thankful I decided to ignore these thoughts and go for it anyway.

What was the application process like?

I was initially daunted by the multi-stage application process for the role, but my experience was incredibly smooth.

To prepare, I refreshed myself on Tesco's core values, purpose and priorities to ensure that I was aligned with the overall vision and could get this across in my application.

Additionally, I considered how my knowledge and skills gained from working in store could relate to potential interview questions in a Technology setting. For example, I knew I had strong opinions about some of the tech we use from interacting with it on a daily basis, and I could use this to my benefit.

The first three stages were initial registering, games-based assessments and video interviews. At each stage, the instructions were clear, and the feedback was delivered quickly so I wasn't left waiting.

I soon found myself at the final step, which was an assessment day called a 'Discovery Centre'. This was held virtually, which was ideal, as I could take part from the comfort of my own home. The recruitment team also organised a call beforehand to go through any questions, which massively helped to settle my nerves.

How easy did you find the transition?

After learning I'd been successful, I had almost ten months to wait before starting the scheme. I spent the time focusing on improving my soft skills in my current job as an F&F shift leader - saying 'yes' to any opportunity to develop - as well as ensuring I had knowledge of the software and hardware that we used in stores to build a picture of the tech underpinning Tesco. Gradually, I instilled in myself a confidence that I could succeed.

Transitioning from stores to the office was something I was apprehensive about. I wasn't sure what to expect and how I would fit in. However, I didn't need to worry, as I couldn't have felt more welcomed by the graduate team - they did everything in their power to help me and my fellow graduates feel supported in our new roles.

Although women are generally a minority in technology, I've not felt conscious of this at all. Having the chance to socialise with other graduates (through virtual socials, Q&A sessions and in-person events) before starting the programme, I noticed there was a healthy mix of gender across the technology programmes.

So far, I've had the chance to work in a variety of teams and rollouts, including the 'My Tesco' app and Tesco tills. Every colleague I've encountered has been incredibly helpful and respectful. I recognise that my time in stores gives me a valuable perspective on technology, and my colleagues have reiterated that store experience is a strength in any office role. I would recommend the technology programme to anyone working in stores.

What advice do you have for others applying for graduate schemes?

  • Prepare yourself for success - assessments are more comfortable if you're in the right frame of mind, have done your research on the role and company, know your own strengths and have examples to back these up.

  • Show what makes you an individual - not all skills and experience come from the workplace. What do your hobbies and interests show about you?

  • Understand your motivations - being clear and articulate about your own goals and ambitions will help you answer a range of questions well. Why are you applying for this role? What story do you want to tell about yourself in your interviews?

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