Store Manager Review

I am the manager of a retail store and I look after the overall running of the store. My role also entails doing rotas, cashing up, cash handling, security and health and safety handling. I also look after the coaching and upskilling of colleagues and embed any training that is landed instore.

As part of my degree I have learned a lot of new skills including analysing myself and my behaviours as a manager - this was part of an assignment. I have also learned how to look at my team as a whole and see what they actually think of our team rather than me assuming that everyone is happy.

I absolutely love the degree that I am doing and have met some fantastic people on our cohort. there is so much work to do and it is very time consuming but it is all to develop and further my career and for me to get a degree so I will stick with it until the end.

The programme overall is extremely well organised and we are always given plenty of notice for any study blocks, deadlines, meetings and lessons. We are also given plenty of time between doing the lessons and by when the deadlines are due. Our programme is condensed into 2 years down from 3 which means it is more full on than the usual degree programme.

My employer is immensely supportive of me on the programme. We are given time off to do the work we are set and we also have to do some work in our own time. We have a contact who we can contact whenever we need any advise or guidance. We also have a one to one tutor from the uni.

The university gives us loads of support throughout the whole time on the degree. They are there from the very beginning when we do the study block lessons and are there right up until the deadline, and after, of our assignment being due. Also there for us after the deadline is done.

One of the assignments that I am about to do is all around career development and management and a lot of it is self reflection. I have asked for feedback on some assignments too around how I am as a leader and as a person, this is great for me because it means I can constantly self reflect and develop myself further.

The co-op are very big on well being of colleagues and have loads of things which colleagues can use out of work. This being from support, where needed, to extra curricular activities such as gym passes. We also have external providers where we can go to for advice on anything we need help with.

Yes

I have worked for the co-op for a very long time and they have always been there for me and it is all that I know. They are a fantastic company to work for and they always have the colleagues best interests at heart. They are an inclusive employer too which is very important to me.

Do your research! don't just apply to work at the co-op because it is 'just a job'. You have to show you care and do your best, always. Make sure to come prepared for the interview and be ready to answer open questions. The best thing you can come with is a willing to want to do well, done your research and want to achieve!