Month: April 2023

I always wanted to work for a company like Tesco. It may sound trite, but it’s true. I studied international trade at university, and I hadn’t even seen a workplace up close when this multilingual, multicultural world offering thousands of different possibilities took hold of me.

I have been working at Tesco for six years, during which time I have taken advantage of the many opportunities that the company has to offer. I worked in various areas, both at the store level and in the Head Office. I generally advanced forward, although there were times when I encountered setbacks. Looking back, I don’t regret any of my decisions, as each experience taught me something valuable that has contributed to my personal growth and made me a better person. These diverse but at the same time interconnected career paths can be incredibly inspiring:  you have the freedom to move in any direction, without being committed to a single field permanently.

But it is even more important that the company represents values that I can personally identify with. Take, for instance, the drive to protect the environment and promote sustainability, as seen in efforts such as preventing food waste. Having worked in the field of fresh produce, I am well aware of the company’s deep commitment to ensuring that perishable food items are put to use before they expire. Whether the customers buy them at a reduced price or we donate it to the needy through charitable organizations, the point is to prevent wastage of any kind. These things make me proud of my workplace. It is a great feeling to see the ads of the campaigns I have designed displayed throughout the city, and I enjoy pointing out to my friends that I played a role in their creation.

When I was job hunting, I interviewed with multiple companies and received offers from six different places. However, the positive first impression that I received during my initial meeting with Tesco played a crucial role in my decision to join this organization. I was impressed by how welcoming and friendly everyone was, and it felt like I would be a great fit for this community. I began my career at the entry-level position of junior buying manager, and gradually worked my way up the ladder.

After overcoming a difficult phase in my life, I sought a fresh start and decided to change jobs and join Tesco. I have to say, the team here is the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to working with. I often feel as if we are all part of a big family. Responsibility and stress are not uncommon in our line of work, but the fact that we all have each other’s backs makes a huge difference in handling such situations. I’ve never experienced anything like it before, where colleagues are always ready to provide genuine assistance to one another.

I was able to advance to the position of Central European buying manager within four years, and I attribute much of my personal success to the support of my colleagues and managers. I always knew that whenever I faced a difficult task or problem, I could count on their help and guidance. Having such a reliable support system makes it much easier to build confidence in oneself.

I’ve been a regular Tesco customer, I like exotic foods. It may sound surprising, but that’s what ultimately led me to pursue a career here. I became a supply chain coordinator, which proved to be a great springboard for my career. I quickly fell in love with Tesco, the positive atmosphere and the helpful colleagues. After three years, however, I realized that I wanted to explore a new direction in my career, but I couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere other than here.

That’s when I made the switch to IT, and it’s been an incredibly interesting experience ever since. This field is endlessly dynamic, with constant change and new developments emerging all the time. You simply have to keep learning to stay on top of things – and I really enjoy this pace. The environment is absolutely international. I came to the Czech Republic already as a foreigner, and here I work with British and Indian colleagues on a regular basis. Each day presents a unique opportunity to gain new skills and experiences.

Developing myself has become a kind of hobby for me. I often find myself learning new things and exploring interesting topics related to my projects in my free time. It’s just as important to me as getting better at my job. With this career change, I feel that I have found what I was looking for and I am grateful that Tesco made it possible and provided support, especially since it was an unconventional move at first.