Career Prospects at Sainsburys?

mapleleaf1010

What are the opportunities for promotion like at Sainsburys?

Although I'm quite happy to apply for their entry level jobs, I'd like to move up eventually. Is it something that they encourage???

I'd be interested to hear your views on that pls. Cheers

InsideInsurance

What area are you wanting a career in? Operations?

Certainly is possible, the first couple of steps are always the hardest to make but after that it is ok. Always though, going up internally will leave you financially worse off than switching employers but it can be good to go up internally, which is easier than by applying outside, and then do a side step to more money externally.

mapleleaf1010

InsideInsurance wrote: »

What area are you wanting a career in? Operations?

Certainly is possible, the first couple of steps are always the hardest to make but after that it is ok. Always though, going up internally will leave you financially worse off than switching employers but it can be good to go up internally, which is easier than by applying outside, and then do a side step to more money externally.

Thanks for that.

I was thinking about working on online shopping, but would also consider other areas such as operations, marketing, customer service, etc.

I could also apply for a part time job with Sainsburys (eg in the evening) and a full time job elsewhere to get some more money. I've been unemployed for several months and I need to get a job soon, otherwise I'll go mad!

wantsajob

I imagine you'd have more chance with the graduate recruitment side of things. I wouldn't hope for anything more than what you get appointed to.

christineperseus

no chance of promotion if part time.:o

InsideInsurance

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

I was thinking about working on online shopping, but would also consider other areas such as operations, marketing, customer service, etc.

Not sure what you mean by "online shopping" but all the other areas other than Marketing would come under the banner of operations to me (but I don't come from a retail background)

Ultimately I started in basically a call centre, went into more technical areas of the centre before making a big jump internally via the companies "graduate scheme" which for internal applicants didn't require you to be the normal 2.1 graduate but simply be "of graduate calibre". Didn't actually go on the graduate scheme but one of the Heads Of that interviewed me offered me a better job than the scheme and the rest is now history.

wantsajob

InsideInsurance wrote: »

which for internal applicants didn't require you to be the normal 2.1 graduate but simply be "of graduate calibre".

BS really, there will be many people of graduate calibre who wouldn't be recognised as such. Will be one type of person they go for but wouldn't go as far as describing that type, lol.

InsideInsurance

On the day who they recruit is indeed down to the type of person they want. They did however screen all applications automatically by using a website....

Enter anything below a 2.1 degree and an external email and you immediately got a rejection email

Enter an internal email address (ie @theirdomain.com) and it now asks you for your site managers email address. Irrespective of your degree level (if any at all) it would email the managers address (checking it was internal first) and it asked them to confirm something like (1) Degree calibre (2) Attendance record acceptable (3) not subject to any disciplinary actions (4) would they recommend you for it. If they answered yes to all you got an email asking you to phone to arrange a telephone interview if they answered no to any of them you got a rejection email.

External candidates who answered the screen questions correctly would have their CVs reviewed and those that they liked the look of then got the email advising them to phone to arrange a telephone interview.

Of cause what one person considers "degree calibre" is going to be different from the next.

pinkteapot

A friend of mine started with Sainsbury's at 18 as a bottom-rung shelf stacker. 12 year's on he's just started managing his own store (one of those small convenience type branches).

So, it can be done if you're willing to put in the hard work. Moving up in retail does take a long time and the pay is low for most of that time.

DCFC79

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Thanks for that.

I was thinking about working on online shopping, but would also consider other areas such as operations, marketing, customer service, etc.

I could also apply for a part time job with Sainsburys (eg in the evening) and a full time job elsewhere to get some more money. I've been unemployed for several months and I need to get a job soon, otherwise I'll go mad!

why not apply for a job and ask at interview about prospects, even though you may be doing part time hours you culd end up doing more than your part time hours especially leading up to xmas. Be aware though that as a manager you could end up getting moved around depts. If you show enough willing, show your capable of doing hard work then you could have a chance.

charlie-chan

I work part-time (20 hours) at Mr S and there are plenty of opportunities to work in other departments or for promotion.

It is just about the hard work.