‘We are one of Britain’s biggest, best-known retailers, serving more than 18 million customers in our shops every week. We employ 175,000 people and have 578 stores and 26 depots across the UK. Our main office is in Leeds, Yorkshire, which is where the company was founded around 50 years ago.’ Asda Graduate Website, (2015)

As a part of Walmart and one of the largest retailers in the UK, graduate opportunities with Asda are extensive! There are a number of tracks through which graduates can join; from complex buying roles to logistics to HR and most graduate positions are based at the Asda head office in Leeds, requiring a 2:2 degree or above. Rated as one of the Top 100 Smaller Intake Companies to Work For in 2015/2016, Asda score strong marks for their ethics (3.8), colleagues (3.8) and company culture (3.6), although a lower score for salaries (2.8), puts their average at 3.3.

The average working hours for Asda graduates are 7am – 5pm, with an e-commerce graduate explaining that ‘you control your diary. Some days I am out in shops and will be there for 5am on a Friday I do PT so I leave at 4pm. As long as you deliver what you need to you have the chance to work with your manager to find times that suit you’. The average graduate salary is £23,000 – £25,000, with a supply chain graduate adding that the ‘salary feels low for the work and responsibility you are accountable for. The events and discounts help a bit – but really, once you’re here you know there is more to working here than pay’ and a graduate retail manager wrote that their bonus depends on store performance. 

The best and worst things about working for Asda include;

‘Incredibly flexible company, and a very flat hierarchy make ASDA a great place to work, especially for a younger professional who joined straight from university like myself.’
Multichannel Finance Analyst, Trading Finance at Asda
 
‘The best thing about Asda is the People. In my first few months at Asda I found it daunting working in such a large company, however the people made this transition so much easier. Everyone made me feel so welcome and I felt part of the team instantly. It took me a while to adjust to working in such a large company. I found it very daunting at first, and the business very complex to learn. However at the same time, this means that there is always something new and exciting happening at Asda, and lots of great opportunities.’
Resourcing Assistant, Recruitment at Asda
 
‘Leaving the store on an evening. Absolutely no leadership or structure whatsoever. Senior Management take no active interest in your development. Communication is appalling.’
Retail Graduate Manager, at Asda
 
Finally, interview tips include;
 
Application Advice: Enthusiasm is everything in terms of the application to work at ASDA. Showing a good understanding about the sector and being genuinely interested goes a long way.
Interview Advice: As above, appear enthusiastic and interested.
Multichannel Finance Analyst, Trading Finance at Asda
 
Application Advice: You need to be flexible in the way you work. So much of your day and week is created by yourself and you need to be able to do that, drive yourself and others and manage upwards in order to be successful.
Interview Advice: Be yourself! Asda truly believes in the Asda personality and this comes from people being who they really are. Don’t be afraid to let your own style shine through. Always be early for an interview as a lot of the time meetings change so someone may see you earlier or later but by already being there it will be noticed. Be prepared to talk about you as a person as well as in a professional setting.
Systems Analyst, eCommerce at Asda
 
Application Advice: Be yourself and try and get some retail experience although we hire for attitude and train for skill
Interview Advice: You may be asked about what you think the company do well and what you would improve so be sure to visit your local store and speak to colleagues and managers.
George manager, at Asda
 
Click here to view the full range of job reviews by graduates at Asda and view the video below to hear more about what it’s like to work at Asda’s head office.
 

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Interview Tips That Will Help You Get the Job

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interview tips

Jazz Panesar is a Digital and Technology Apprentice at Severn Trent. Read Jazz’s story here.

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Have your own questions prepared. It's your turn! As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is "What can I answer for you?" Your interviewer will expect you to have...
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Research the Company. Do your homework about the employer and the industry so you are ready for the interview question "What do you know about this company?"
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