Placement Year Review at Marks & Spencer

The Role

Role Description

Analysing sales by department on a daily basis.
Probing poor performing ranges and devising actions for implementation.
Making decisions at pace regarding stock location and footage to maximise sales.
Co-ordinating Seasonal Launches, Sale and Customer Events in line with business policy.
Participating in weekly management meetings and quarterly strategy and review meetings.
Handling customer complaints in person, by letter and over the phone.
Dealing with disagreements between members of staff.
Setting direction and driving high standards to achieve KPI’s in my area of responsibility through engaging the salesfloor team (in the form of team briefs and through providing informal and formal feedback).
Frequently leading ‘commercial walkrounds’ for my department for the Regional Manager and high profile visitors.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

In general, I enjoyed my placement. However, I expected that I would receive more support and that it would be a more stuctured scheme.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Trainees were generally included in management meetings. I found it difficult as a 'trainee' not having a set job role which sometimes made being included in and participating in meetings difficult. However, generally the mangement team were welcoming and friendly at the stores I worked at.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

The scheme is self-structured. I had about five managers throughout the process and found the lack of continuity of support difficult. I found my enjoyment of the scheme was influenced by the amount of time my Commercial Manager invested in me.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

I was usually very busy, although I prefer to work this way. Especially at Christmas, the days were very full.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The best thing about the placement is the amount of responsibility you are given from an early stage. I ran different sections of different stores throughout the year which gave me the sort of experience I could not have gained from doing an office position. Having responsibility has really developed my confidence and assertiveness.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Amongst other things, I have really developed my people skills. I have learnt communication skills that will be applicable in any workplace. The scheme teaches you to be adaptable and flexible and this is also a fantastic life skill. Other skills I feel I have developed are decision making, working under pressure and time management.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

The store environment is quite dynamic and fast paced.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Well set up in some respects, I received a series of training days at the Learning and Development centre however, for the most part, I was left to structure my own development, which was very difficult to begin with and became slightly easier over the course of the year.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

It was evident the company had spent money on the training days provided, however, more investment was needed to provide training for us in the store environment. I think it would have been helpful if the members of staff that became our line managers had received training in how to support us, to make the individual's experience of the scheme more consistent.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Fantastic long term employment opportunities and other opportunities to progress within the company.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The trainee managers on the region supported each other and we set up nights out and meals out as a team at Christmas etc.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I lived at home so the cost of living was relatively cheap for me.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Chester is a nice city with a lot going on.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Limited opportunities.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

I would recommend the scheme because it really forces you to use your initiative and be confident. It is a difficult year but very worthwhile and the skills that I am leaving with will be useful in future.

Review 63/73 for Marks & Spencer

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