For a second, I never quite knew what this was. I couldn’t
even recall when I applied for the program. All I knew was, my name was
shortlisted among hundreds who applied. Well, that’s good news. At least for
now.
A week before the program, I started doing a little research
about the program. There weren’t much info on it. There was one blogger from
UK. Still, she didn’t mention much about the program. So I called up Tesco
Malaysia just to be sure. The guy on the phone just reminded me to bring along
a calculator and pens, since there will be an English and Maths test, followed
by an interview. Also, just so I wouldn’t get lost on the venue, I did a recce.
The venue was at Kepong Village Mall, where Tesco Malaysia HQ and Academy was.
Still, what kindda program is this?
I arrived at a comfortable 30-minutes before the program
started. It’s always important to portray a good first impression y’know?
Equipped with proper ‘business attire’ and a hand-held certificate folder, I
was the fourth person to arrive. There were approximately 40 people present that day. All
fresh grads. There were graduates of business admin, property, agriculture,
biology, fashion and few others. Ranging from local public and private
universities, as well as international graduates. All came for the same reason,
‘competing’ (as I call it) to get a spot for the Tesco Graduate Program.
So here’s my conclusion on the program, after being briefed
by the Tesco rep. In order to become a Tesco Trainee/Apprentice, we’d have to
undergo Eng/Math tests and interview (like what I went through). When passed,
there’s the Assessment (topic study & presentation), and few other
assessments.
And no, it doesn't end there. We’d then have to undergo a 1
year and a half of other training in order to become ‘future leaders’ of
Tesco. We will be placed in Store Placements in which we will go through job
rotation; being a cashier, a butcher, a baker, a storekeeper and others. Then,
we will be placed at the Tesco warehouse to train for logistics and supply
chain. Also, there will be formal training, experienced learning and supported
learning. Throughout the period, they will identify where our strengths are in
order to place us in the right department suitable to us. Like the operational
term, Put the Right People for the Right
Jobs. Finally, the Apprentice. That’s Top 20! (The total of trainees Tesco
is recruiting this year). Wow, so many levels to pass through, yet so limited
vacancies.
Credit to Google.com
I am writing this to help future graduates prepare
themselves in case they are selected for a Graduate Training Program as such.
At least they are more prepared mentally and physically. In such a competitive
world of career for fresh grads, one needs to learn to stand out from another. We
no longer live in a world where ‘Employers seek Employees’ rather its ‘Employees
seek Employers’. Almost everyone has a Degree in hand, competing in various
grades and pro-activeness in extra-curricular activities. What matters next, is
how one can stand out during interview; your appearance, communication skills
and attitude & personality.
Hokayyy..cut the formality! The tests were really hard I’d say
even for an objective paper. I’m not sure how others did, although it seems
obvious it was hard for them too. Time! Time limits were very stressful. 45
minutes for 45 questions. Even PTD questions weren’t as hard as this. All
questions were in English. All questions were related to graphs handed out on
another piece of paper. Calculators were allowed. I guess I spent too much time
thinking in the first place, that I struggled in completing all questions on
time. The English test was hard too. There were many ‘professional’ and alien
words. Also, there was listening test and grammar test. The listening test used
British English. To sum up, the listening and grammar test was wayyy easier.
Gave me a little confidence then.
Right after all the mind-blowing tests, was the interview.
Of all the people, I was the first person to be called out. Alhamdulillah. (For some reason of
course) *wink*. After exiting the room,
everyone was like, “How was it? What did they ask? Was it hard?” After giving
them a few hints, I left. Thank God I managed to avoid the traffics. It was
4.30pm. Everyone was still at work.
Ooo…I’m getting a nervous breakdown just thinking about the
results already. Which is in a few weeks’ time. After the Open Day, I have
become more objective. I want this. I want to be the Apprentice. In Gods’ will.
Otherwise, another job-hunting then.
Till next time.
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