Trainee commercial manager Review

by Marks & Spencer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

1.7/5
  • The Role
    1.5
  • The Company
    1.6
  • The Culture
    2.1

    The Role

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

    • I found the placement year very difficult. Throughout the business it seems inconsistent from store to store and unfortunately i was in a store that was known for being difficult and had a store manager who is known throughout the company for being extremely challenging/bad to work for.

    1/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • I had a great management team that were on my level of the stores hierachy and below my level, however in the year i spent there the 7 other commercial managers apart from one all left or were signed off on long term sick meaning massive inconsistencies.

    1/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • What started off as fortnightly meetings turned into meetings every 2 months. I was the only placement student to have a store manager as my line manager.

    2/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • This depended on the time of the year, however the majority of the time I found it hard to fill my days.

    2/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • A fair amount was given which was a good aspect of the job.

    3/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • I dont believe they will help with my degree but the experience of working with certain characters will help my management style in the future.

    1/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Normally one of fear and a sense of people not wanting to be there. It was a difficult place to stay upbeat.

    1/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Having communicated with other placement students on the programme it seemed to be massively different depending on your region. On my first day after being told I would be in Milton Keynes for a year and renting a house there i was told i would be spending my first 3 months in Cambridge. We did have meetings through the year with HR staff to try and ensure it was better this coming year.

    1/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • We had a lot of courses and training opportunities, however some came too late in the year.

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Financial Bonus

    Company Parties/Events
    2/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Unfortunately I was put off by the one store and one store manager. I would have enjoyed time at a different store but this wasnt given to me. I would not like to return.

    1/5

    The Culture

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

    • After courses we often went to the pub but that was it.

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Average prices

    3/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Slightly poorer than elsewhere.

    2/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Few were organised.

    1/5
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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Retail Banking

South East

September 2013

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