ALDI Graduate Area Manager... Am I mad?

Caledonman

yosser hughes wrote: »

I agree with that, it's not a social club. In fact NOT having that annoying piped musak is a plus. If you ever worked in a supermarket you would know how annoying that music can be:) especially at Christmas.
How many hours a week did you work when you were there Caledonman?

Area Management is a little different, paid well, work hard. Initially I would have worked 60 plus hours per week, but like all area managers, started on 60k plus a company car. By the time I finished there, you learn how to work smarter. worked on average probably 50 hours per week.. 5 weeks holidays and other bits and pieces. Not for the faint hearted. I recruited the store assistants, and had to deal with all the disciplinary actions. It is hard work as a store assistant, but i would rather that, with at least the potential to progress to a store deputy and then to assistant manager than to work for Dunnes or Tesco where you are in kine behind 100s of others for promotion. I was targeted on how many people I brought through the system for promotion

stop animal cruelty

Jeez clam down people. Where in my post did I say I was looking for some craic & socialising?

Yes I am hard working, yes I do want to kept busy, yes I do want work my butt off & yes I can put plenty of effort. Im just saying my experiences with going into Aldi is that it came across to me like a depressing place to work in & just wondering if anyone else felt it that way working there.

Only asking this cause I don't want to go from my depressing house into a depressing workplace.

Caledonman

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

Jeez clam down people. Where in my post did I say I was looking for some craic & socialising?

Yes I am hard working, yes I do want to kept busy, yes I do want work my butt off & yes I can put plenty of effort. Im just saying my experiences with going into Aldi is that it came across to me like a depressing place to work in & just wondering if anyone else felt it that way working there.

Only asking this cause I don't want to go from my depressing house into a depressing workplace.

If you are in a depressing house not working, then what have you to loose..
You asked a question and you got some reality answers, but you do also need to be a person that can take criticism, whether you need it or not. You do things in Aldi one way, their way. You are asking us to calm down.. are you a sensitive person?? If you are, you won't tough it out!!

stop animal cruelty

I'v worked in a doctors office for almost a year, I'v come across & dealt with all types of people & yes I can take critcism. Yes I got some reality answers but I also got " well if you're looking to socialise & looking for the craic", that ticked me off. I never said I was looking for neither. Just looking for peoples experiences working there.

spankmemunkey

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

I'v worked in a doctors office for almost a year, I'v come across & dealt with all types of people & yes I can take critcism. Yes I got some reality answers but I also got " well if you're looking to socialise & looking for the craic", that ticked me off. I never said I was looking for neither. Just looking for peoples experiences working there.

Its probably the same in Lidl aswell, They arent the same as Dunnes or Tesco. In dunnes and Tesco as far as im aware they hire staff to stack shelves and other staff to work on the till, in Lidl and Aldi your hired to do both, basicly you do everything, so there wouldnt be that club atmosphere cos you dont get to stand with staff and chat as you stack shelves, just saying and not jumping down your throat. I think if your depressed at home it would do you the world of good to be in a job like Aldi cos you would be kept very busy and it would most deffinetly take your mind off things. Id say go for it.

EdenHazard

Why would anyone be bothered working in an environment like that(as a part time job) If your a student get a job somewhere good like Abercrombie or Schuh
I get paid 10 euro an hour and it feels good going into work. LIDL and ALDI seem very stuck in the 1970's with their attitude.

Honey-ec

EdenHazard wrote: »

Why would anyone be bothered working in an environment like that(as a part time job) If your a student get a job somewhere good like Abercrombie or Schuh
I get paid 10 euro an hour and it feels good going into work. LIDL and ALDI seem very stuck in the 1970's with their attitude.

Because not everyone lives near an Abercrombie or Schuh. Aldi and Lidl are countrywide.

However, you are right about their attitude to their employees. They are very prescriptive employers. Very little time or tolerance for indivuality. That suits some people down to the ground, others find it very difficult to deal with.

They both pay very well for the industry, but by God, their staff earn every red cent of it.

andy_j

Hi guys,

Just wondered if anyone could help me out with a question about Aldi's graduate scheme?

Basically, I want to know if Aldi would consider my application as I don't have a 2.1 degree- I have a 2.2 and a masters degree.

Please let me know if you know the answer.

Many thanks!

A_Sober_Paddy

A little off topic, but I just don't understand the draw of a job that means working 36% of your week...Thats in work...

But I've heard a lot of bad things about Lidl/Aldi with regards management...But I heard they paid there floor staff very well

Caledonman

andy_j wrote: »

Hi guys,

Just wondered if anyone could help me out with a question about Aldi's graduate scheme?

Basically, I want to know if Aldi would consider my application as I don't have a 2.1 degree- I have a 2.2 and a masters degree.

Please let me know if you know the answer.

Many thanks!

Hi,

Unfortunately, the 2.1 degree is a must have as a minimum. a 2.2 degree with 10 years work experience will not be enough. They are very black and white on this as far as I know... sorry

SonofAnarchy86

I have recently worked for Aldi and to be fair they were good to me job was very demanding and i struggled for a long time before i got used to it you have to be strong minded and very determined individual.
There are also vast amounts of progression opportunities if you are willing to put your head down and work which in relation to pay you are very rewarded.I have seen many posts about very long hours for managers but I seen no difference to other places i have worked for less pay and as for breaks they were very strict on making sure you take your break to me it could have been a very promising career but I don't like that side of retail and am more customer service orientated so I did not pursue a long term career.
So despite what people have said on here Aldi I feel are a very Good fair and rewarded company to work for my only fault was many their people skills could have been better.

EdenHazard

Why do jobs like this make stress where there is none? As someone said with all due respect LIDL/ALDi and other places should stop taking themselves so seriously. Sure be productive/efficent but the best way to have that is for a good atmosphere to exist. I know I work my hardest when I feel like I'm comfortable and empowered. These supermarkets go on with some nonsense tbh.

Anyway this thread has me scared ****less, and why I'll probably just become a teacher. Life is too short to be be engaged in 80 hour weeks facing off and stacking shelves.

Ais_154

I know this may be a little off topic but I got a letter from Aldi saying I was invited to the group interview and I would hear in the coming weeks when it would be. Has anyone been through the process before and know how long it will take for the interview to happen. Also how long does the process take in total between applying and being offered the job? Not a lot of people seem to have had good experiences of working for Aldi has anyone got onto this program and actually liked it?

stevekae86

Well Guys,

Went for the interview with Aldi yesterday, had an hour long talk on the company followed by a very brief one on one interview. I was there Id say 2-3mins before I was asked to fill out an ALDI application form.

Any idea what this means?
Cheers,
Steve

Caledonman

stevekae86 wrote: »

Well Guys,

Went for the interview with Aldi yesterday, had an hour long talk on the company followed by a very brief one on one interview. I was there Id say 2-3mins before I was asked to fill out an ALDI application form.

Any idea what this means?
Cheers,
Steve

Hi,

You probably went for an assistant or store manager role. Generally speaking, being asked to fill out an application form is a good sign. You may be waiting a few weeks to get an answer whether you are being called for interview or not.
Don't expect feedback

stevekae86

Caledonman wrote: »

Hi,

You probably went for an assistant or store manager role. Generally speaking, being asked to fill out an application form is a good sign. You may be waiting a few weeks to get an answer whether you are being called for interview or not.
Don't expect feedback

Thank you for the reply,

Yes it was for both of those positions.... alot of competition for the positions. over 30 at that one interview!

joker56

Went for the Regional Manager interview last year.

To be fair to them, I drove to Kildare and they gave me a cheque to cover mileage. We had a group interview with about 15 in it. We had to do a group exercise of a survival situation and you had to put forward your case for the survival strategy you were going for.

This was followed by some straightforward English and Maths tests and then they split the group for a debate on current affairs. The key to the debate was to show that you were listening the the other side of the argument, but also show that you were happy to speak and make good points.

I got a second call back for a one on one interview with the Managing Director and again they gave me a cheque for mileage. He went through everything from my Junior Cert to where I was now and asked a lot of tough questions about my experience of working with managing people. He even went through summer jobs I had and what I do outside of work. It lasted around 90 minutes.

There was never any pretence from Aldi about the difficulties of the job - they make it clear that it is hard work and hours can be long. One thing he said to me turned me off though, he said "I would disappointed if you did not stay with us for 4 years", which in my mind meant that the average life span of the job is far less than that and the attrition rate is high, which unfortunately turned me off. I was looking for a career, not a job for a couple of years.

I got a phone call and an offer of a third interview the day after the second interview and I politely declined and sent a letter to my interviewer thanking him and explaining the situation.

On the whole the interview process was rigorous and they really want to be sure they are hiring the right sort of person. They are fair in telling you what's what, so really there are no surprises. One question he asked me was "how would you feel about sweeping floors in a supermarket?" and I told him I wouldn't be delighted to do that type of work but that I understood as to why I would be doing it.

One other issue I had was that he asked a lot of questions around my ability to discipline people. While I know this is a key thing to be able to do when managing others, he talked about it so much that I assumed discipline issues were common in Aldi and this was also a bit of a turn off.

I think they are fair and don't hide anything from you and if it's the type of work that suits you (I would advise being single and childless!) you'll excel. It wasn't for me though.

Hope that helps any prospective candidates.

Mirjam

Hello there,

Just wondering has anyone any experience what the hours of facilities assistant (at Lidl) are like. I was told either 8-4 or 9-5 and the occasional Saturday. But after reading the thread I am slightly scared. I think nobody works 8-4 or 9-5 anymore...but I need somewhat regular hours, not 8-8. Any other ideas of what the actual job is like?

Thanks a lot.

muboop1

Mirjam wrote: »

Hello there,

Just wondering has anyone any experience what the hours of facilities assistant (at Lidl) are like. I was told either 8-4 or 9-5 and the occasional Saturday. But after reading the thread I am slightly scared. I think nobody works 8-4 or 9-5 anymore...but I need somewhat regular hours, not 8-8. Any other ideas of what the actual job is like?

Thanks a lot.

Assistants will very very rarely work extra hours. When they do, they will get time in lieu. Not the same with any of the more senior positions unfort.

danube

Do they they check to see that you have a driving licence?

Caledonman

danube wrote: »

Do they they check to see that you have a driving licence?

It depends on which job.. If it's an area manager role, you get a company car and they will look for your original licence for compliance with insurance..

For the other management roles, you are required to be able to get to work as early as 6am and not rely on lifts and you could be 30 mins drive from home.

You can not rely on public transport

Atominist

Hi, how strict are Aldi on the 2.1 degree, I want to go to the interview for area manager just to see...

I'm in 4th year but I don't think I'll get a 2.1, but I can apply for the job and say I'm expecting a 2.1. Will they bother to check if they think your right for them?

Thanks.

Armaghmagic

As a matter of interest how long are people waiting to hear back from Aldi after they have filled out the application? I applied about 1 month ago

Caledonman

They will check directly with the college, even if you did a fantastic interview, and turns out you got a 2.2, you will not be offered a role. There is no way around it, unless you did a Masters Degree..

Atominist wrote: »

Hi, how strict are Aldi on the 2.1 degree, I want to go to the interview for area manager just to see...

I'm in 4th year but I don't think I'll get a 2.1, but I can apply for the job and say I'm expecting a 2.1. Will they bother to check if they think your right for them?

Thanks.

Caledonman

Of course they do. They are giving people company cars. It's illegal to drive a car alone if you don't have a full licence, and if you say you did, and they didn't check, if you had a crash you are not insured.

danube wrote: »

Do they they check to see that you have a driving licence?

hanniffy1701

Anyone know for the DSM role I have a third interview (3RD STAGE), will this be the same as my last interview in store

Canadel

Caledonman wrote: »

They will check directly with the college, even if you did a fantastic interview, and turns out you got a 2.2, you will not be offered a role. There is no way around it, unless you did a Masters Degree..

Of all the negative things I've read in this thread, that would be the most significant turn off for me. Shows very little imagination, faith or innovative thinking on behalf of the employer.

py2006

I read through the first few pages of this thread with posts dating back to 2006-2009 and they all would turn you off from applying for a position in either Aldi or Lidl.

Are things still as bad in 2016? Have the improved in any regard? Thinking of applying but this thread put me right off.

alfaromeo84

Nothing has changed I imagine, and that's basing it on the weekly advert in the Examiner for staff. Why constantly advertise unless you are losing staff at a rate.

dar100

So anyone recently started the Aldi area management training?

What are people's thoughts on Aldi? This thread was started 10 years ago, have Aldi improved as an employer?