FAQ

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You've already taken in a lot of information, but do you still have some questions running through your mind?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I email Tesco with a question or to follow up my application?

If you have a question about our recruitment and employment policy, firstly check our Frequently Asked Questions. If your question isn't covered please use our feedback form. And if you're having problems with the registration process, or entering your information, email graduate.recruitment@uk.tesco.com stating which programme you are interesting in applying to.

2. Who do I contact if I have special requirements and need help filling in the application form?

We're an equal opportunities employer and want to do everything we can to make our application process as simple as possible. So we're happy to provide support – just email us at graduate.recruitment@uk.tesco.com.

3. Can I apply for more than one area e.g. Finance and Stores?

The qualities we ask for might be similar for several different areas, but the jobs themselves can be very different. This means you can't apply to more than one scheme a year. So it's a good idea to spend some time thinking about which type of job will suit you best, so it matches your qualities and interests. And don't forget, there'll be plenty of opportunities to discover other sides of our business once you've joined us and your career progresses.

4. Will I be able to move around different departments in Tesco?

In stores we encourage you to experience all the different areas. A well-run store depends on all the different areas and teams working well together. And the best way of making sure that continues to happen is by encouraging future managers to spend time discovering the different areas of the store.

If you join one of the Office functions, there are opportunities to move sideways into a different division, later on in your career.

As part of the development programme on all of our graduate programmes, you will spend time familiarising yourself with, and working in our stores. This allows you to understand our business from a customer perspective.

5. Can I be placed in my home town?

It is a key requirement of all our graduate programmes that you are mobile throughout the UK. This means you need to be willing to locate to the store or distribution site where your programme is based.

For stores, we will do our best to take your personal circumstances into account. But do remember that the best opportunities won't always be on your doorstep and not being fully mobile will limit your chances. And wouldn't you rather be where the action is?

All our Office placements are based in Hertfordshire. These are either at the offices in Cheshunt or Welwyn Garden City. Having said that, you'll need to be ready to move around to take up new opportunities as they arise.

6. Will Tesco pay for me to relocate?

We'll help to make your move as easy as possible. That includes information for letting agencies and anything else we can think of, we don't give financial support for the move to Head Office, but we may help the move for our Store and Distribution programmes. The more flexible you can be in terms of location, the better. Particularly when your career takes off and you need to move to wherever the best development and progression opportunities are.

7. Will Tesco help me to get a work permit?

Unfortunately, we can only accept applications for graduate programmes if you can confirm that you are legally entitled to work in the UK. If you are invited to an Assessment Centre, we'll ask to see proof of this in the form of a UK or European Economic Area passport, or similar supporting documents. For more information on the Right to Work in the UK, go to the government website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

8. Is there a chance that I could be discriminated against during the application process? For example, could my age be an issue?

No, we select people on ability and attitude. So, if you've got the kind of skills that add value, there'll be a place for you here.

9. I have dyslexia. Can this be catered for?

Please contact us in advance of your interview or assessment centre so that we can make the necessary arrangements for you.

10. Once I have secured a place, can I defer for a year?

In a fast-paced environment like Tesco, it's hard to plan ahead for opportunities twelve months down the road. However, we don't want to discourage anyone from taking a gap year since we know what a great learning and development experience they can be. The best advice we can give you is to hold off applying until you've done whatever you want to do in your year out. After all, the skills and knowledge you pick up along the way could well help your application next year.

11. Do I have to wear a uniform?

Dress in our office is 'business' most of the week and casual on Fridays. All store and distribution graduates will be expected to wear a uniform.

12. What's the social scene like?

Our stores and distribution sites are sociable places to work – there's a good team atmosphere and people here really want to have fun after a hard day's work. In the office, people often live fairly close by, so you'll find plenty of people to mix with, not to mention other graduates to get to know. But we don't leave it all up to you – there are lots of company events, as well as discounts on organised events through our 'Extra Choices Club'.

13. Do you have any part-time jobs available?

Yes, we often have part-time positions available in our stores. To find out about current opportunities, go to your local store and speak to the Personnel Manager (use our Store Finder). Part-time roles can be a great way to make some money if you just want to boost your budget while you're studying. If you have any spare time before applying to the graduate programme, working part-time in a local store gives you the chance to get to know our business better, and a competitive edge for when the programme starts.

14. When's the start date?

All of our graduate programmes start in September 2011. Sometimes both you and Tesco will prefer to start earlier or later and this can be arranged with the recruiting line manager. Buying and Merchandising recruit graduates for their programme all year round and there is normally one start date every month.

15. What happens during my induction?

The Store and Distribution graduate programme starts with a two-day corporate induction. During this time you will meet with all the other stores graduates so you can start to build up a network of contacts. We invite recent graduates who were previously on the programme, and Operations Directors to share their valuable knowledge and experience with you on how to progress within Stores and Depots. You will learn about the content of the programme and will have the opportunity to have any questions or queries answered before starting your programme in stores or depots.

The induction to distribution will also involve a familiarisation experience at a distribution site and four weeks in stores. Both experiences will enable you to understand the impact of our stores on the depots and vice versa.

If you are joining one of the Office Graduate Programmes, you will spend your first day at the Corporate Induction with all the other graduates on the Office programmes. This will give you the opportunity to meet and network with everyone starting at the same time as you and find out exactly what Tesco is all about.

After this you will spend one or two weeks getting to know everyone in your department and learning how your department ticks. As part of all Office graduate induction programmes you will spend a minimum of four weeks in store.

16. Do you recruit graduates at any other time of the year?

Yes, we may re-open the campaign for specific functions if new opportunities arise within the business.

17. Do you offer industrial or business placements?

Some areas of the business offer placement opportunities, for example Commercial, please search the vacancy list for these opportunities.

18. How many A Levels do I need to apply for the graduate schemes?

We require a minimum of 3 A Levels (excluding General Studies and A/S Levels) for the majority of our schemes. Most Head Office programmes have a UCAS requirement of 240 and 280 points. Please see their individual page for details. Please note the following programmes do not have a UCAS requirement: Store, Distribution, Buying, Merchandising, Product Technology or Property programmes.

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