Supply Assistant Review

I'm currently working as a Supply Assistant on the Christmas Supply Team. This is my 3rd placement on the Apprenticeship programme. I have currently only been in the role for 1 week so it is all relatively new however it will be my responsibility to look after the AYR gifts (stationary and gift experience) and also ladies teen, ladies accessories and girls gift for Christmas 14. I may also have the responsibility of looking after Children in Need. I interact on a daily basis with the commerial team and my colleagues.

I'm in the process of studying for a Level 4 in Business and Administrative management. We are offered the chance to attend many courses which range from experiential trips to coaching. I've been on Excel courses and when I started in the Support Office back in Feb 2013 I took part in a 5 week long NuJoin training programme which introduced me to all the systems and programmes I would possibly be using within Retail Supply. Externally we have been on an experiential trip with Broadwater, and we also met up with them again late 2013 in a mystery environment. I feel like I've learnt so much more in Excel, I use this everyday so it has really helped develop my skills. We have also done a number of presentations which has helped with my confidence.

I enjoy my role and I'm glad I chose to go for Retail Supply. As I have only recently started in my new role I am still learning everyday, the role is completely different to my 2nd placement (BBE supply) so there is lots to learn. My team have been really friendly, and I was really close to my previous team. I think the company are brilliant to work for, once you have found your feet it can become really enjoyable. It's definitley met my expectations, we are given the freedom to manage our own time, push for more work and it's a great place to really showcase your skills and network. I really enjoy the programme, there have been parts I haven't been happy with but overall it's been fun!

In my previous role, I feel like I was a valued member of the team. My manager gave me praise and I also recieved 2 scratchcards. I've been recognised for the work I did on BBE when I was working as part of the BBE supplier management team, and I also moved over to No7 for the last 3 months of my 2nd placement to help out. I haven't been involved in many projects yet but I am hoping my new role will bring new opportunities.

The induction I feel went well. The 2 days were daunting but I feel like we were eased in nicely. I have received good training within Retail Supply - not all of it was relevant and most of it was more relevant to an ASM (assistant supply manager) however it will be good for the future and I was able to put together a folder to keep with me. I've recieved good support, I have a brilliant tutor and has really gone out of their way to help me. I've struggled with studying but I'm finally starting to pull it back and I am really progressing, without them, this never would have happened. I don't attend support meetings or have a mentor, it isn't something that was offered to me by anybody when I started. I have already offered to be a mentor because it's just what you need when you start a new job! I think the programme still has some work to be done to it, but I do feel like I see it improving a little bit more every year. I think we needed more support from the talent team if we had any problems and I don't feel like we've been offered that opportunity.

I don't have a training provider. I received training when I first started but that has been all

I don't have a mentor but in my last placement I had quite a supportive manager, but not until it was coming to the end of my placement with that particular team. I feel like I've had more support from my mentor than anybody else, excluding my close peers within the business. They has gone out of her way to help and support me, and has been there to listen to me when nobody else has.

It gets me through each month. I do struggle with travel, and worked out I am paying nearly £160 per month on buses. I'm in the process of learning how to drive but due to the amount of money spent on travel I often have to take breaks from learning. Other than the travel, the pay is good.

I think this all depends on the team that you are fortunate enough to join. Some teams like to go out and have "team fun" however the teams I have been on/am on don't tend to do things out of work unless it's a special occasion. I did a retail supply event where we went to a huge park in Hyson Green but I didn't feel the team spirit was there and lots of people left.

Yes

It's a great company to work for with amazing benefits! You learn something new everyday and I feel like I am growing as a person all the time.

Answer the questions honestly and take your time with the application process. Make sure your CV looks the way you would expect it to look if you were reading it from an employer's point of view. In the interviews it is important to stay calm and remember that the interviewer is a normal person just like you. It is a very daunting expirience and it is quite a lengthy process but it's important to persevere because even though you might think you are not coming across as impressive, the interviewer may think differently. The assesment days are really intense but a great chance to showcase yourself, I just went for it and really tried my hardest to be noticed for all the right reasons. It's a smooth transition from unemployed/employed in another job to suddenly working for Boots, it all went fine until I arrived in the support office and none of the technology worked!! It's an amazing experience and it's an opportunity that should be grabbed with both hands! I wish I had been told to stay calm and to not worry because nobody is trying to catch you out - I also wish I had enjoyed store more but that was just a personal preference.