Sales Associate Review

I worked alongside staff on each of the departments. The work included stock taking, till support, answering customer queries, keeping the displays tidy and assisting members of staff. As I worked on each floor, the type of work I did changed from day to day. For example, one day I did counter support on the deli and the next I was handing out tea samples, working on tills and greeting customers.

As I was only doing work experience for two weeks, there was not much time for me to be thoroughly trained. However, I did have a very informative induction prior to my placement in which I learned about food safety, general health and safety, customer care and the basic information about the company. Whilst working there I also improved my communication skills and learned to take better initiative. The staff were all very helpful and supportive as well. I learned a lot from everyone that I interacted with.

Work experience was something that I was quite apprehensive about. However, when I got to Fortnums, I was welcomed so kindly and thus I felt supported. It was such a great experience as everybody that I met was kind and helpful. It is also such a beautiful environment with a diverse range of staff. Although I had things to do, it never truly felt like I was working as I had such a good time.

When I started my work experience, I was told that it was quite a new thing for the company. Therefore, there were a few mix ups in my schedule. That being said, there was a clear schedule laid out for me to follow and I knew exactly where to go if I had any kind of querie. Thanks to the induction I had the necessary information that I needed before I even began my work experience as well. Furthermore, when there was a mix up in the schedule it was sorted promptly and I had something new arranged.

I learned so much about the company culture through the induction alone. I was taught about Fortnums' history and how it has led to their core values before my work experience had officially started. I worked morning shifts too so I attended some of the morning meetings in which I learned about the financial goals for the week and how they intended to reach them using aspects of the Fortnums culture. I also had a chance to shadow all kinds of staff and do their work with them. This gave me quit good insight into what a job with them would be like. Moreover, I had to adhere to the same rules as staff in terms of security. For example, I would have my bag checked before leaving like every other staff member and used the staff entrance.

As my path A career (counselling) was very difficult to get experience in for confidentiality reasons, I chose a retail position at Fortnums to help me get the experience I may need for a part time job. This led to an interest in visual merchandising through watching the VM staff set up displays in the mornings. As a result, my work experience helped me to decide on a potential path B career.

As this was a work experience placement, I was not paid. I was however, reimbursed for all of my travel costs and given a free lunch everyday. I was also given staff discount across all departments whilst there. On my last day I bought 2 boxes of tea and a lipgloss for which I did not have to pay full price.

As I worked on each floor, I was introduced to at least one manager for each. I had numerous conversations with many members of staff although I was not necesarily networking. In short, I was never left in an empty room working by myself. I was fortunate enough to have the company of other members of staff and work with them as part of a team.

Yes

My work experience was one of the best things I have ever done. I had so much fun whilst learning so much. The staff were incredibly supportive and I felt that my time there was never a struggle. There were many things for me to do so I did not feel bored or useless whilst there. It would be a great place to work for anyone.

Pay attention to information you hear about the products and your surroundings. Customers would constantly ask me for a certain kind of tea and I would need to look for it with them. If I had paid more attention to my surroundings, it would have been easier to be able to take them directly to what they were looking for. Also, I would get asked about certain tea wear collections. I found that the more time I spent in the tea wear department, shadowing staff, the more information I was able to give the customers when they had a question.