At Asda, we’re all about better. We want our customers to live better. We want our colleagues to enjoy a career that just keeps on getting better. And, with our two-year fast-track graduate programme and Industrial Placements, we want to give you a better start as a future leader of our business.
Our programme
Our graduate programme gives you fantastic, wide-ranging experience of everything Asda. You’ll get right to the heart of a massive retail business, from life literally on the shop floor, to the highest levels of corporate decision making. Taking responsibility and making important decisions you’ll make a real contribution to our success. It’s tough, testing and hugely rewarding, so you’ll need to be up for a variety of demanding challenges. It all starts with a six-month placement in our stores, before you add to your skills over eighteen months of challenging placements in a business area of your choice. And all the time, you’ll be building up the experience and knowledge you need to become a future leader.
Want to find more about our Graduate Programme from current Graduates and the Asda Graduate Recruitment team? Register for our next Live Chat here
The first 6 months
Our most effective senior leaders are the ones who really understand what our business is all about – serving customers so they can live better. That’s why we think the best way to kick-start your Asda career is with a six-month placement in our retail stores.
Your journey towards becoming a future Asda leader begins here. You’ll experience:
- The pace of our business during its busiest time of year
- A variety of shifts, from early starts to late-night shopping
- Managing a number of colleagues in different teams
- Making decisive, in the moment actions, while planning for the next quarter
- The wide-reaching impact you can have on our business.
The next 18 months
During your application, you’ll need to let us know which business area you’re interested in joining – Operations or Commercial. Both options will give you broader experience of what makes Asda tick and help to build your leadership skills for the future.
Option 1 - Operations
You can choose to stay at the heart of our business in Operations, gaining the skills and experience you need to accelerate your progress towards becoming a store manager.
You’ll experience different store formats, such as supermarket, superstore and Asda Living.
You’ll gain knowledge of a variety of store departments, such as fresh, ambient, and non-food.
You may have the chance to spend time in Head Office teams such as grocery home shopping, retail central operations, property, logistics or compliance.
Option 2 – Commercial
You may want to build your commercial and leadership skills in the business teams that make sure our stores have what they need to serve customers better:
You could be based at Asda House, our head office in Leeds, adding to your skills and knowledge in our food and general merchandise business.
Some of your rotations may be at George House in Lutterworth, home to our stylish fashion teams.
Wherever you’re based, you’ll experience an exciting variety of rotations in buying, merchandising, technology, design, quality, procurement, compliance, supply and marketing.
Got what it takes?
We’ve changed our criteria, so if you’ve passed your degree it doesn’t matter what classification you have. What’s more important is your potential to shine in a dynamic retail business like ours. We’re looking for:
A genuine passion for retail and giving customers great service. After all, that’s what Asda's all about
High energy levels, a hunger for responsibility and the ability to stay calm under pressure
A positive, can-do attitude that means you can find simple solutions and ways around problems
Plenty of new ideas, along with the curiosity and confidence to challenge the way we do things
A degree or equivalent in any subject, or you’ll be on track to gain one in 2017.
Bigger rewards
We don’t just offer the chance to build your business and leadership skills. You can also look forward to a huge range of fantastic extras:
- Competitive Salary
- Colleague discount
- Annual bonus scheme
- Sharesave plan
- Stakeholder pension
- Great value dental and health cover
- Discounted travel services
- Learning & Development events
- Reviews with senior business leaders
- Walmart buddies
- Real business challenges
- Corporate Social Responsibility projects
- Free parking
Other routes into Asda
Not sure if the programme’s right for you? Well, it’s not the only way to join our business.
Take a look at these options:
If you can’t wait for graduation day to join us, our Industrial Placements offer real, on-the-job responsibilities. Not to mention first-class training and support and exposure to senior management. It won’t only help your degree. It’s the perfect stepping stone for a place on our graduate programme, or a full-time role at Asda (once you’ve finished your studies, of course).
If you know exactly which part of Asda you want to join, Direct Entry gives you the chance to go straight into one of our Head Office teams. You could be looking after colleagues in HR, keeping an eye on the figures in finance, building brilliant systems in technology, or helping us stay on top of our game in any of a number of areas.
The application process
Like all of our jobs, you’ll start by completing an online application. There are a few questions to answer about why you’d like to work at Asda, but try not to rush it. If you don’t have your best answers straight away, you can always save your application and complete it later on.
Next up is our psychometric test. You’ll need to complete a numerical test and then just a few questions to help us see if you’re the right fit for Asda, and for the programme.
At this stage, we’ll give you a set of recorded questions to answer via webcam. There is a time limit. But don’t worry – you’ll be able to practice until you feel ready to take it for real.
Finally, you’ll be invited to an assessment day. You’ll have to work with complete strangers as a team, but make sure you still stand out from the crowd. Our advice? Try not to shy away, and show us what you’ve got.
Event calendar
Autumn Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair – University of Loughborough
October 24 : 11:00AM - 4:00PM
2016 Internships, Placements and Graduate Careers Fair – De Montfort University
October 25 : 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Autumn Graduate Recruitment Fair - University of Lancaster
October 26 : 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Business and Finance Fair – Sheffield Hallam University
October 25 : 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Placement and Graduate Recruitment Fair – Nottingham Trent University
October 26 : 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Building a future in store – Operations
We’re one of the UK's largest and best-known retailers, with over 600 stores around the country. From superstores with a range of departments and overall sales in the millions every week, to smaller local supermarkets. And you could join any one of them as you gain valuable experience on the Asda frontline.
You could build your experience managing an entire department in a larger store, or as a deputy manager of a smaller one. Wherever you’re based, you’ll be a key member of the store team, honing your operations and leadership skills so you’re totally ready to run your own store.
Making Asda House a home – Commercial
Even though Asda has stores across the country, Leeds is still very much our home. In fact, it’s where our Head Office – known as Asda House – is today. With colleagues spanning across so many functions, it’s a dynamic hub of activity full of the finest technology, ideas and professionals in the retail world.
As for the city itself, Leeds is a fantastic place to start a career. From shopping and sport to restaurants and museums, there’s something for everyone. And with one of the highest student populations in the country, you’ll find a whole range of exciting social activities in this vibrant city.
Making George House a home - Commercial
If you decide to build on your skills in our Operational or Commercial teams, you could well spend some time at George House in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. In the heart of the countryside, not far from the major cities of Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham, it’s a fast-paced environment where you’ll help shape the future of fashion or homeware.
Need some help?
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When do the graduate programmes open for applications?
v24th October 2016. It’s better to apply sooner rather than later for the best chance.
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When can I expect to hear about the status of my application?
vYou should receive an email thanking you for your application shortly after you apply. This confirms that your application’s been received, but it might be a number of weeks before we get in touch with you again. As you can imagine, we receive thousands of applications and it can sometimes take a long time to process them all. We really appreciate your patience and will confirm the status of your application as soon as we can.
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When do the assessment centres take place?
vAssessment centres will be taking place early 2017.
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Can I find out more about why my online application was unsuccessful?
vUnfortunately, we can’t provide feedback at this stage due to the high volume of applications we receive. But we will provide feedback after the assessment centre if you’ve applied for our fast-track programmes.
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If my application is successful, when do I start?
vIf you’ve applied to one of our programmes, you’ll start in September 2017.
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Will Asda sponsor me through the graduate programme?
vUnfortunately, we don’t provide sponsorships for any of our vacancies.
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What are the minimum degree requirements?
vYou’ll need a degree pass in any subject. We’ll need to see your original degree certificate before your start date.
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Do I need to provide evidence of right to work in the UK?
vBy law, we have to make sure every Asda colleague is entitled to work in the UK. So if you make it as far as the assessment centre stage, we’ll need to see proof of your entitlement to work in the UK – and your entitlement will need to last for the entire duration of the graduate programme you’re applying for. Please bring the relevant documentation to the assessment centre if you’re invited to attend.
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I have a disability. Can you help?
vOf course. Asda is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome all applications. If you need any reasonable adjustments, then just let us know before you apply - we are fully committed to supporting your application to our programmes.
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I am a part-time/seasonal colleague. Can I still apply for one of the graduate programmes?
vOf course. You’ll need to arrange an endorsement interview with the relevant person for your business area. For Retail, this is your General Store Manager; for Logistics, it’s your General Manager; and for Head Office, it’s your Senior Manager. You should upload this endorsement form as part of your application. You’ll also be asked as part of your online application if you already work for Asda (remember to say yes!).
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