A Career in Retail

A Career in Retail has a direct affect on most people’s lives. Arcadia are the company behind outlets such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis, to name but a few and are one of the UK’s largest fashion retail companies. Taking on over 130 new recruits each year with a starting salary of 18k -20k, Graduate Careers talks to Arcadia’s Resourcing Manager, Aimie Edward, about working for one of the UK’s top graduate recruiters.

Arcadia is one of the top UK Graduate Recruiters – why are students drawn to your company in particular?
The Arcadia Group is one of the UK's largest fashion retail companies with over  28,000 employees, 2,300 outlets throughout the UK and a growing number of international stores. The group includes eight celebrated high street brands - Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Outfit, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Topman and Wallis.

Repeatedly voted “Most Popular Graduate Recruiter in Retail” (at the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2005), we are looking for the future leaders of the business.

What would you say are the key characteristics of an Arcadia Employee?
At Arcadia, we are passionate about fashion and ensuring that we consistently exceed our customers' expectations. We work at a very fast pace, which requires energy and flexibility; creating a collaborative and positive team environment is essential to our success.

Do you thrive on using your own initiative to make decisions independently and quickly?
If so, we want to hear from you as we employ individuals who embrace the opportunity to take on responsibility at a very early stage.

Any top tips on grabbing the attention, in the appropriate way for your company, of a graduate recruiter through a covering letter and or CV?
It’s important to be as creative as possible, employers will receive literally thousands of CV’s so its important to make sure yours is the one that stands out.  However always remember to put in the required information – its your way selling yourself for the job.

Are there any definite no-no’s that you look out for when graduates apply?
Always make sure you have fully researched the role you are applying for and its definitely what you think it is.  Also please ensure you meet the minimum requirements for any position before you apply.

If a graduate has no official work experience what sort of experiences are recognised?
We would look for evidence of working within a team, e.g within a sporting or academic activity.  Also for any examples of positions of responsibility the graduate has held – prefect at school, captain of a sporting team etc…..

What are the primary sources graduates use to find you and which ones do you find the most effective?
Graduate media is always a good place to start, Milkround and Prospects are useful sites.  It is also a great idea to visit your careers centre at university as they can be valuable sources of information.

What advice would you offer a young graduate who is just starting out in a career in retail?
A graduate career in retail is very dynamic and exciting, its important to get as much hands on experience as early as you can.  I would recommend that you are proactive and actively seek as many different experiences as possible!

If you are seeking employment Join Xcel now for free, Job information please fill in the Career Information form

The College Information service is your free, Study information service, helping you find out about study opportunities at colleges and universities