Womenswear Design

Key Information

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Learning and Development

A complex operation like ours works best when we all work well together. This means understanding how all the pieces fit and what each of them does; and how you could support this. This year, we’re going to give you those cross-functional insights. There’ll be more opportunities to move around the business. You’ll see how other departments function. You’ll get to network with your peers. There will be a greater emphasis on commerciality and entrepreneurial thinking.

We’ll also be taking a more robust approach to your career management. This will be done via talent profiles. To make sure you meet and exceed yours, we’ll assign you a mentor who will invest their time and experience in you. Our current intake will also be on hand as your buddy. They’ve just been where you’re about to go, so who better to be your guide and answer all your questions.

We are looking to you to be the future leaders of our business. To take us forward successfully, you’ll need to understand how we got to where are to today. Our current subject matter experts will take you on this journey. They will arm you with invaluable insight into what works and what doesn’t.

By the end of your programme, the experience you will have gained will make you a retail force to be reckoned with.

On-the-job learning

We've plenty of learning opportunities both in store and at our Head Office, which vary according to your scheme. Whether you’re managing people in store, or a valued member of a Head Office team, you’ll be learning while you earn, shouldering real responsibilities and helping to tackle the ever-changing issues of the day. You will be given a specific area of responsibility or a project to manage yourself fairly early on - say yes, it's a great chance to shine.

Self-directed learning

While we‘ll provide the training tools and opportunities, it’s up to you to take advantage of them. You’ll be expected to use your initiative to identify learning needs specific to you – and have the motivation to meet these needs.

Store attachments

Theory's all well and good, but few plans survive contact with the customer. If you’re based in Head Office, you'll get hands-on, in-store experience through our store attachment programme. Depending on your graduate programme the attachment could be anything from one week to three months.

Corporate Learning Programme

Our cutting-edge workshops will hone your business abilities, ranging from skills foundation and competency training to full-on project management.

Technical training

We're investing heavily in smarter technology to achieve our vision of becoming the world's most successful multi-channel retailer. So we'll invest plenty of time with you to ensure you receive all the right technical training.

Role-specific training

We will support you throughout your career at M&S and, with role-specific training, help you reach your goals.

Development reviews

Unlike many companies, M&S performance management isn't just a case of us saying jump higher. We ensure your achievements are recognised, your feedback is heard and, of course, that your career is progressing. After all, M&S only performs well when we all do.

Professional qualifications

Depending on the area of the business you join, you could have the opportunity to work towards professional qualifications to enhance your career progression with M&S.

Applying to join M&S

  • Online application

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    Stage one: online application and testing

    You'll need to apply online - where you'll take some online screening tests, after which there follows a short period of suspense. This is where your application rises to the top of our review pile. As soon as we can, we'll be in touch to let you know whether you've successfully made it through to the next stage of your journey.

    Be sure to check each programme page for specific closing dates as they may vary. If you miss the deadline, you’ll have to wait another year before you can apply again.

    Here are a few tips. On your application form, be sure you include all your work experience and clearly state how it relates to the role you are applying for – or what skills you learned in that job which you can bring to our programme. In the online testing, everyone completes a personality questionnaire and takes a situational judgement test. Then you’ll be challenged to show your verbal, numerical or inductive skills, depending on the scheme you’re applying for. It’s a good idea to practice online tests before attempting the real ones – you can easily find some online. Make sure you take the tests in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.

    If you’re applying for the Enterprise Programme, the process is a little less orthodox - so to find out more click here

  • Come to an assessment centre

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    Stage two: come to an assessment centre

    If we like what we see online, we'll ask to see you in person. You'll then be invited to a day of group exercises, presentations and an interview. Not easy, but not as scary as it sounds. In Retail, assessment centres will take place in January, February or March 2018, although some Head Office schemes will hold theirs in December 2017. There are plenty of tips on other pages to help you perform at your best.

  • Receive an offer

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    Stage three: receive an offer

    If all goes well and there's a place for you on one of our schemes, we'll let you know by the end of March. All in all, it's a simple process: just hold on to those 'if only' thoughts and do your best to impress at every stage. M&S has roles waiting for you. Yes, you could make it happen.

  • Start with us

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    Stage four: start with us

    This is the moment you've been waiting for. Your first day! Head Office Business Placements start in July but Retail Management and HR begin in September. All graduate roles start in September.

    Applications for our business placement and graduate programmes for 2018 are now open.