Emma's Career Journey

The application process…
“I first heard about the Choosy scheme through the website and was surprised at the breadth of opportunity within Argos.”

“The application process was very thorough - but at the same time I never felt like I was bombarded with too many different things to prepare for at once.”

“The best part was the speed with which the assessors got back to you after each successful round. It really made you feel wanted by the company.”

The assessnent centre...
“It went so quickly, the main things I remember are thinking how welcoming everyone was, and how the people really sold the company to you.”

“The fact that we went out the evening before with the older graduates and got to know the other candidates really made me feel more settled and relaxed for the day ahead.”

“At previous assessment centres, I’d been put off companies by their assessors not being very welcoming and seemingly being there purely to ‘grill’ you. So the fact that everyone here was so friendly sold the scheme and the company to me - and also made me feel more relaxed during the assessment centre.”

Why Argos...
“I’d considered Argos before, as a family friend had started their career after university there and thoroughly enjoyed it. But I wasn’t aware there was such a comprehensive graduate scheme in place until I looked into it further.”

“Three things sold Argos to me. The rotations, because I wasn’t 100% sure which area of the business I wanted to work in after university. The fact that Argos is a huge player in the market and I wanted to work in Retail. And finally the friendliness of the assessors at each stage, which really sold the culture of the organisation.”

Being chosen...
“I was so pleased when I got the call. The assessment centre had been on the Wednesday and we’d been told we would find out by the Friday - yet 2 hours after I left, I got a call to ask how I felt the day had gone and whether I was still keen for the job. Then I remember Alice saying: ‘Well, that’s great you’re still keen, as they were impressed with you today and would like to offer you a place on the scheme’. It was such a shock to hear so soon, and I was delighted as the assessment centre had made me want to work for the company so much.”

“My graduation ball was the following evening, so in the back of my mind I thought 'Tomorrow night’s going to be a good one!'...”

“My friends thought it was fantastic I’d managed to get my foot in the door with such a well known, prestigious company. They were even more impressed when I outlined the scheme and the different opportunities I would get throughout the two years. Some did find it quite funny, as I’m known as a shopaholic, so they were worried my wages would be spent before I got them each month!”

Getting Started...
“My first rotation is in-store, working as Customer Services Manager over the peak trading period. So far, it’s been a fantastic opportunity to see how strategies and plans that head office come up with are rolled out to store. It has also given me a valuable insight into the pressures and constraints the teams out in store are under on a day to day basis.”

“No two days in-store are the same. It’s very hard to predict how busy it’s going to be or the type of customers you are going to receive that day, but I guess that keeps you on the ball. The main thing my current role has taught me is to use every moment to its full potential - if it’s quiet, make sure you try and get the processes done so the best customer service can be given at all times.”

The programme...
“There are a number of aspects which make this scheme so special, the first being the flexibility it offers through rotations. As a graduate, although you might be leaning towards a certain area - say marketing - upon graduation, I don’t think you really know what best suits you until you actually do it. So this scheme gives you the fantastic opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ and see what area you’re best at, before you enter a permanent position in a given function.”

“Another aspect is the visibility you get across the business. Lots of my friends are on graduate schemes with big companies, but none have been able to say they had lunch with the managing director and her board on their first week. The commitment to the scheme from this level of management really makes it stand out from the rest. This is helped by the fact that I’m one of just four graduates in my year, as opposed to one of hundreds.”

The Culture...
“Very accepting – everyone’s very friendly, at all levels within the business. People are always interested in ideas you have and what you have to say, as well as wanting to help in any way possible. There is very much a team atmosphere, especially in store. We ‘sink or swim’ together.”

Ten years time...
“My next rotation will be in Commercial Supply, but in ten years’ time I hope to be working within marketing - preferably brand building, producing innovative ads such as the ‘Wise Men’. Hopefully I’ll be heading up a team with graduates in it - developing them in the same way that experienced colleagues have helped my development.”