Buyer's Assistant Review

ASOS provided a fun and enjoyable environment, mixed with loads of knowledge and learning. I really enjoyed the ASOS internship as it allowed me to further my love and passion for the fashion industry.

My ASOS colleagues made me feel extremely valued and from the beginning of my placement i was treated like any other staff member there was. They praised me for all the achievements that i managed to fulfil along the way, and where always there for support when needed. My opinion was always valued no matter what i was saying, and was always taken into account.

ASOS provided on going support an guidance through my placement. This was through regular catch ups with my Buyer and Assistant Buyer, as well as regular catch ups with a representative from the HR team to check in and make sure that you were getting all that you wanted from the placement, and helping you develop and set goals which you wanted to fulfil.

on a day to day basis i always had something to do, but never felt under pressure when it came to completing tasks in a time frame. This was due to the support system at ASOS as there was always someone on hand to help with any tasks or problems that you were having. The atmosphere at ASOS was extremely busy, but never unmanageable.

During my placement i was given the amount of responsibility requested which was something i was extremely grateful for. Any parts of the business that i wanted to be involved in, i was allowed to explore. My buyer trusted in me and gave me the responsibility of a senior BA position which really allowed me to further develop myself. ASOS is a placement which doesn't see you as an intern, and always whats you to push yourself to meet your true potential within your placement job role.

All the skill and training that i developed over my placement year will contribute to the overall success of my degree. I was able to learn how to work better within a team, and value the different opinions that other team members had. I was able to enhance my organisational skills, as well as time management skills also. these skills will be a great asset to me when doing my dissertation as it will help me stay organised and focused at the task at had, and strive for protection in the end result.

The atmosphere in the office was always encouraging and fun. there where days such as Monday when the atmosphere was quite due to the work load of preparing reports from management, but as soon as this was done the fun atmosphere started again. there was always someone playing music, laughter filling the office, and a playful but serious environment was created. I believe that this is key in a placement, as sometimes it may be scary starting in a new place where you don't know anyone, but ASOS have found the perfect balance between a fun and enjoying environment where learning and development is still continuously talking place.

The placement was extremely well organised with performance reviews taking place at 4 week, 3 month, and 6 month intervals. clear goals (may by yourself to your line manager) where clearly set out after your first review, and your team and HR department provided all the support you needed to meet these goals and objectives. monthly classes to further develop your learning took place, and enough notice of these where given, allowing you to make sure you could fit these into your day. There was a clear structure of training and handover from the previous placement student you where taking over from. all start dates were communicated ay in advance allowing you to properly prepare, and every meeting or training session had a clear agenda sent out prior or on arrival.

ASOS where always on had to provide personal training. this was through monthly classes on various topics provided by the "Train your Brain" programme allowing you to further develop yourself during the day. learning and development also took place in the job role through new responsibilities given to you by your line manager. I was very fortunate to be allow to go on buying appointments as well as buy my own brands under my buyers supervision, which future developed me in all my day to day tasks and activities.

ASOS is very open about future employment prospects and ask many interns to come back to work after they graduate. they continuously keep in touch with me to find out how my degree is going and to offer in support that i need to my dissertation and final year. They are always open to you coming back to work after your graduate and encourage you to do so.

All of the placement students got on very well, and I actually have made 1 of my best friends through the placement programme. they encourage you to go out socially with each other (something myself and many interns did occasionally) and encourage you to be a support system to each other during the duration of placement.

I was very fortunate to already live in London so i did not have to pay rent. however, travel was very cheap for a monthly 1-6 travel card due to the placement student oyster car and there was loads of bars, restaurant and clubs around work to have fun at. Prices in the location are reasonable, allowing you to have an amazing time, while still not breaking the bank and being out of pocket at the end of the month. I put this down to ASOS providing excellent pay for interns, paying them enough money to pay bills and living costs, and still have loads left over to socialise and do fun and enjoyable things!

The nightlife was amazing! there was loads of bars to go to after work, and many colleagues usually ventured out to the local bars on a Friday when we finished to have a drink together and just enjoy everyones company. the area was reasonably safe, and you never felt scared or threatened in anyway due to the kind nature of the people around the area.

There were many opportunities to get involved with activities outside of work, from charity fundraising events for the ASOS foundation, to many other social games such as the ASOS football and Netball team. If sports wasn't your thing there was also many other activities you could take part in with your colleagues like bake sales and many more.