Customer Advisor Review

My role is mainly spent working with customers to design their dream bathroom, bedroom or kitchen. I spend a lot of time talking to customers to find out what they want, I process sales, finance agreements, spend time building relationships with traders and our current fitter. I help customers on the shop floor.

As this is my first job in retail, I have learnt a great deal about working in the retail sector from my apprenticeship. I have built confidence in dealing with complaints, understanding the customer journey and the power of social media making or breaking a reputation of a company and their sales

I enjoyed my two apprenticeships immensely. I had a wonderful tutor, who was very supportive with both my apprenticeship work and ensuring that I had the time to complete the work. I was also supported with my mental health by my tutor and found her a good listening ear. I plan to continue to learn, but outside of my job.

My apprenticeship was well structured. The modules are easy to follow and have additional learning to improve your knowledge. They have different ways of providing information eg videos, interactive stories. The monthly meeting with my tutor changed from face to face to phone contact during COVID-19 lockdowns and was still given the same level of help.

To start with I had to get my tutor to speak to my store manager to get the time off the shop floor to complete my work. A change my in section manager saw a vast improvement being able to get the time & support I needed to work through my apprenticeships

The report from the training provider was amazing. My tutor was always on the end of the phone or email for me to pick their brains. At the start of each visit a welfare check was always carried out (as I have several long term medical conditions). If I raised any concerns, my tutor was always willing to talk to the store manager.

The apprenticeships gave me much more insight into the background work that goes on behind the scenes to keep a store running. It helped me to develop confidence to deal with complaints, as I had information about the procedures, laws and regulations that have to be adhered to and the processes to follow.

B&Q have several groups for staff to join if they wish too. An example is the People Forum where any ideas, concerns or issues can be discussed. Throughout the year several staff nights out are organised by staff members to go to. Different departments also arrange team night out to celebrate achievements.

Yes

Overall it is a nice place to work. The team feels like a family and even on a bad day, there is always someone who will give you help. Several wage increases over covid and now, with the soaring cost of living, B&Q are providing breakfast for the staff.

Be yourself at the interview. Think about what you can bring to a team. Show off your uniqueness. Although the job isn't rocket science it isn't easy either. The amount of knowledge you will accumulate over the years is amazing and make you look at DIY in a while different way.