Lidl Management

msg11

I have been invited to the Retail Management Degree Programme 2013 recruitment day. Anyone any ideas what will happen at this? I have 6+ years experience with Tesco, 2 years experience as a team leader and the past 1 and a half I am basically left to my own devices in stock control manage myself so to speak and get alot of direction from the store manager. I am on what you would call a panel as a ready to go manager for Tesco but have been waiting a while.

What I would like to know is, should I push Tesco or start a fresh with Lidl anyone any experience with them as a manager ? What can I expect if I go down to the recruitment day, would it be worth my while.

For people working with Lidl, what is it like to break into the hierarchy I know a person who started on trollies in Tesco that is now deputy manager (below store manager) and I know the CEO started as a shelf packer. So you basically go up the ranks in Tesco is it like this in Lidl.

Regards.

LowKeyReturn

Lidl are well known for being very demanding of their employees. That said the renumeration is there. A friend of mine started on their program and you basically start out at the bottom and quickly move up as you complete years at college. Expect 70+ hour weeks some weeks.

There are many stories of people started from the bottom and worked their way up - the issue is that for everyone that did 1000 don't. Retail isn't a bad career and for what you do it's very well paid in some cases. The issue for me was the complete boredom after a few years. That coupled with a desire to kill customers - you simply don't understand what an arsehole is until you've dealt with customers day-in-day-out. I'm sure you understand :pac:

muboop1

Hey,

Lidl are quite a good employer. You will work hard, but will be paid well and have pleanty of chance to promote within. Pleanty of the exec's etc, came through from the stores with no degree's etc. Although that is becoming less common.

Do you have any specific questions?

ReemAddict

Hi MSG11, I got invited to the recruitment day also, but I really don't know what to expect and I'm quite nervous for the whole ordeal. You have an awful lot of experience, unlike me. I'm 18, and have two years experience working in retail. I've always wanted a career in retail, hence why I have retail management first on my CAO, in different colleges.

I cannot seem to find any information on the recruitment process, only what was given in the e-mail and what I found on their website, which is very bland, and not very explanatory. I've never had an interview before and I don't have a clue about the dress code for the day. So, if anyone who has experienced the recruitment day, or even completed the course, could you please reply or PM me details of what is expected of me on the day.

I'd really like to experience this opportunity, but to be honest, I don't think someone like me, with very little experience would be a suitable candidate for them. Although, seeing as I got asked to the recruitment day, going by my application, that has to mean something, doesn't it?

MSG11, would you have any tips for me seeing as you've quite a lot of experience in retail etc?

Once again, anyone who has experienced the course/recruitment day, could you please inform me on the details etc. Thanks guys

Dubwat

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054960661

That is a 2006 thread on a Aldi Graduate Area Manager position. It's still going in 2013 and up to 21 pages! I don't work in retail and I only bookmarked it because I couldn't believe some of the stories in it. Maybe you'll get some info in that thread?

LowKeyReturn

ReemAddict wrote: »

Hi MSG11, I got invited to the recruitment day also, but I really don't know what to expect and I'm quite nervous for the whole ordeal. You have an awful lot of experience, unlike me. I'm 18, and have two years experience working in retail. I've always wanted a career in retail, hence why I have retail management first on my CAO, in different colleges.

I cannot seem to find any information on the recruitment process, only what was given in the e-mail and what I found on their website, which is very bland, and not very explanatory. I've never had an interview before and I don't have a clue about the dress code for the day. So, if anyone who has experienced the recruitment day, or even completed the course, could you please reply or PM me details of what is expected of me on the day.

I'd really like to experience this opportunity, but to be honest, I don't think someone like me, with very little experience would be a suitable candidate for them. Although, seeing as I got asked to the recruitment day, going by my application, that has to mean something, doesn't it?

MSG11, would you have any tips for me seeing as you've quite a lot of experience in retail etc?

Once again, anyone who has experienced the course/recruitment day, could you please inform me on the details etc. Thanks guys

When I was 17 I had a conversation with the Woolworths manager in the store I worked in. When ever anyone says they are looking for a career in Retail management I like to pass on his wisdom.

He told me he was being paid a good wage, around £30K sterling I believe, that would be around €60,000 here given how long ago this was. He said the job wasn't hard, and he had a decent company car. He had reasonable holidays and was, relatively, secure financially.

He also told me, he was divorced, rarely got to see his kids, couldn't take holidays unless no one else wanted to be on holiday and told me to go back to college and study something else. I followed his advice for a time, dropped out and went into retail anyway - it took me a few years to realise that retail has some significant draw backs.

Firstly when everyone else is on 'holiday' you're in. This is worst over Xmas. Irish retail used to be sensible about this but we're following the UK/US model and opening on Stephens day and eventually we'll be open Xmas day as well. This and other pressures will take a toll on family life should you go down that road.

Secondly there will be a myriad of other factors that can make it a draining experience, not least the people in retail generally come from a background with few qualifications. That's a major plus point for the industry, that you can work your way up, and there are the occasion good manager/leader but many will be complete asshats. That's not to say that's not the same in many professions, I think retail has more than it's fair share.

Lastly customers; people think they've some right to assholes the minute they walk into a shop. The modern 'service' culture which prevents retailers telling people to Foxtrot Oscar who richly deserve it. You may find your faith in humanity stretched - it's fine in the short term - but you may find as you get older it becomes more wearing, especially middle-aged, middle class women from South Dublin / Co Wicklow in my case.

All that said I had some good times over a 15 year career, made a reasonable living and built up enough savings to see me through college at a point in life where I'm mature enough to excel at what I want to do. Just go into it with your eyes open.

ReemAddict

Thank you very much for your reply, it was very insightful! I know, its pretty hard to chose my career at this age tbh. I have Hospitality Management down on my CAO also. As for customers, I'm used to them. I've had my fair share of, unhappy, rude people approach me at times, but to be fair I'm very accommodating and always think the customer is right, but you do have a point, it would take its toll on me in the future, I really dont know what to do, I will just have to wait and see what happens in the next few months. Thanks again, you're really helpful!:)

LowKeyReturn

ReemAddict wrote: »

Thank you very much for your reply, it was very insightful! I know, its pretty hard to chose my career at this age tbh. I have Hospitality Management down on my CAO also. As for customers, I'm used to them. I've had my fair share of, unhappy, rude people approach me at times, but to be fair I'm very accommodating and always think the customer is right, but you do have a point, it would take its toll on me in the future, I really dont know what to do, I will just have to wait and see what happens in the next few months. Thanks again, you're really helpful!:)

It'll teach you some very useful skills, how to work with very few resources being one. Get yourself established and look to do an MBA and move into head office / senior management, very well paid without the issues of being in store.

ReemAddict

Can you PM me some tips and advice please, it would be extremely helpful?

LowKeyReturn

ReemAddict wrote: »

Can you PM me some tips and advice please, it would be extremely helpful?

For?

Basically approach any retail management job as if it was your own business. Costs as low as possible, profit as high as possible without compromising the company values.

Know the company values and research the business.

Keep meticulous records, learn as much as you can about employment law, HR departments will never give you the full picture. Generally because they don't know themselves.

Surround yourself with good people, keep developing them even if it means you develop them to the point of leaving if there are no opportunities with your business, retail is small and you'll come across them again, maybe when you're looking for a job! The reverse is true - don't be an asshole - retail is small!

Never be bottom performer in anything and pick you're top performances carefully. You're only as good as you're last set of figures and last stock take.

LowKeyReturn

Last and most important - seek out and secure a good mentor, generally someone at the same level as you but with more experience.

Bear in mind bosses come and go - you might get on great with one all for everything you've been promised be swept aside by a new guy who you hate, and he hates you.

ReemAddict

Thank you!

LowKeyReturn

ReemAddict wrote: »

Thank you!

No problems - read up here for specific advice on retailers you're applying for, any general advice I'm happy to try and help.

wmpdd3

OP if you survived options you would be beret of staying at Tesco.managers jobs will come up and when they do you will be able to move around easier.
Especially stock control jobs.
I have nothing against lidl but there is no advantage in moving when you are at the level you are at now.

Also you know what its like not having wrought payroll to get the job done, imagine having half you payroll and still having to get the same job done?

nowimtalking

Has anyone else been successful in the application process?

ReemAddict

nowimtalking wrote: »

Has anyone else been successful in the application process?

Did you hear anything? I didn't go for it on the end

nowimtalking

ReemAddict wrote: »

Did you hear anything? I didn't go for it on the end

Yes I got in, successful applicants have an induction day in September. The recruitment day was very good, not difficult at all. I'd like to know who got it from our group, they were all a nice crowd!

I was surprised as I have no retail experience, I've only ever done admin work in the past. They were basically looking for team leaders in the different tasks.

Sorry to hear you didn't go! Best of luck with your CAO application!

ReemAddict

nowimtalking wrote: »

Yes I got in, successful applicants have an induction day in September. The recruitment day was very good, not difficult at all. I'd like to know who got it from our group, they were all a nice crowd!

I was surprised as I have no retail experience, I've only ever done admin work in the past. They were basically looking for team leaders in the different tasks.

Sorry to hear you didn't go! Best of luck with your CAO application!

That's brilliant! Well done! I know, I pulled out last minute but if I don't like my CAO course ill re-apply.

Ill be in contact with you to see how the course is

UneJolieFemme

nowimtalking wrote: »

Has anyone else been successful in the application process?

I have

nowimtalking

ReemAddict wrote: »

That's brilliant! Well done! I know, I pulled out last minute but if I don't like my CAO course ill re-apply.

Ill be in contact with you to see how the course is

Best of luck with whatever you decide on.

nowimtalking

UneJolieFemme wrote: »

I have

Congratulations, I'll see you in September. What recruitment day were you at?

UneJolieFemme

Congratulations to you too! I attended a recruitment day on Thursday 4th July 2013 in Mullingar. What about you?

nowimtalking

UneJolieFemme wrote: »

Congratulations to you too! I attended a recruitment day on Thursday 4th July 2013 in Mullingar. What about you?

I was at the Tuesday one in Mullingar, it was a nice introduction to the company. What location are you working at? (If you don't mind me asking.)

UneJolieFemme

nowimtalking, I'll PM you

GRob1737

Hey, I was at the recruitment day in Mullingar on the 4th. I was wondering who was successfull?

nowimtalking

GRob1737 wrote: »

Hey, I was at the recruitment day in Mullingar on the 4th. I was wondering who was successfull?

Myself and unejoliefemme have been successful, I wasn't there on the 4th though. Will we be seeing you on the 9th September also?

UneJolieFemme

I was there on the 4th of July.

GRob1737

UneJolieFemme wrote: »

I was there on the 4th of July.

No i didnt get the job. Just wondering who did because they were all a great bunch of people and wanted to tell them good luck. I was on the team that everyone got through to the interview. Highest marshmellow house yay!!!

UneJolieFemme

GRob1737 wrote: »

No i didnt get the job. Just wondering who did because they were all a great bunch of people and wanted to tell them good luck. I was on the team that everyone got through to the interview. Highest marshmellow house yay!!!

Oh, I was on the team with you! And I really hoped I would see all of you again in September. Shame they didn't accept everyone.
Our team was great

GRob1737

UneJolieFemme wrote: »

Oh, I was on the team with you! And I really hoped I would see all of you again in September. Shame they didn't accept everyone.
Our team was great

Sitting near the door or over the other side of the table beaide me? Well congrats too you. I really wanted the job but cant have everything was a pity coz everyone was so nice

UneJolieFemme

I was sitting beside you. To me the recruitment day was a very pleasant and enjoyable experience mostly because of the people who attended, all very nice.

ReemAddict

I didn't qualify guys, the maths entry requirement as ye know was a C3 or higher, I got a D1. I was going to apply next year, not any more.

GRob1737

Yes the day was nice. Well congrats for getting through. And good luck with the course. Whoever else got through from that day tell them good luck from me really nice poeple!!

nowimtalking

ReemAddict wrote: »

I didn't qualify guys, the maths entry requirement as ye know was a C3 or higher, I got a D1. I was going to apply next year, not any more.

Sorry to hear that. If it's something that you really want, you could try repeating maths only perhaps.

If not, best of luck in what ever you choose to do. The world is your oyster, as they say.

ReemAddict

nowimtalking wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. If it's something that you really want, you could try repeating maths only perhaps.

If not, best of luck in what ever you choose to do. The world is your oyster, as they say.

I don't think I would be able to repeat, I'm completely finished with second level education and never, ever want to go back. I was also ten points short for my first choice but now I'm doing hospitality management. Ill see how I go from there, maybe they're not too strict on the entry requirement.

ReemAddict

ReemAddict wrote: »

I don't think I would be able to repeat, I'm completely finished with second level education and never, ever want to go back. I was also ten points short for my first choice but now I'm doing hospitality management. Ill see how I go from there, maybe they're not too strict on the entry requirement.

Out of curiosity, do they look at your leaving cert maths results because you don't have a degree of if you have your degree, do they pay attention to that instead?