Product Development Assistant Review

I am currently a Product Development Assistant in the Product Development & Delivery team. My role involves working on our concept Products to make them more attractive to our customers, along with sourcing new potential concepts that can enter our portfolio. On a daily basis I interact with the Product Planning and Trading departments to get specific resort information and feedback. I am responsible for the Summer 16 exec summary, which is a tool we use to plan for upcoming seasons. I also provide an update on sales for some of our products on a weekly basis. I have undertaken several projects while on the scheme, most recently reviewing our Winter 2015 programme.

My computer skills in general have improved massively, but most notably Microsoft Excel and Power point. I now have a good understanding of both of these systems and can use them efficiently and effectively. I have been on a presentation training course and am now confident in presenting to large groups of colleagues. My teamwork skills have also developed since working at TUI.

I really enjoy the school leaver programme that I am on at TUI. The work I do is always enjoyable and I feel I am pushed to achieve the most I can and to develop myself in the workplace. I am based in a great team where social events happen on a regular basis.

TUI UK make you feel valued as an employee and you are not made to feel like you are just a number working in a large company. All work you complete is recognised by the management team and there are several awards events throughout the year which gives you the opportunity to be recognised in front of your colleagues.

The scheme is really well structured and this makes the transition from sixth form to the workplace really smooth. You have a two week induction period where you get to learn and understand other departments and the company as a whole. Each school leaver is given a mentor and a buddy throughout the two years so the support is ongoing, and not just a temporary thing.

We do not have a training provider but from an internal perspective the support is more than sufficient. Everyone in the company comes across as willing to support and in particular the people you work most closely with.

My manager is really supportive and always makes time to ensure I am happy with the work I am doing and is available to assist if needs be. Support is always available as mentioned above.

While still living at home my salary meets my living costs. My travel costs are now half what they used to be due to car sharing. My daily costs throughout the week are quite low but I always feel like I have disposable income from my salary.

The company runs events throughout the year, the summer and xmas parties being the key ones. These are always a great event with an awful lot of time and investment put into these to ensure they are a great success. There are lots of voluntary initiatives with employees being given the opportunity to take time out of work to complete discovery days helping local charities. Within the division I work in events take place on a regular basis in the evenings and often throughout the day.

Yes

I would recommend TUI to a friend as they are a great company to work for and really allow you to develop. There are an abundance of opportunities to work your way up the career ladder within TUI and you are supported to do so from day one.

The key bit of advice I can give for the interviews is to prepare. If you can prove you have done so by mentioning facts and figures in your interview this look really good and will help you stand out from other applicants. The assessment days are not as scary as they might sound and you are put at ease. If you can limit the nerves before the day your performance will automatically be much stronger.