DMU grad beats 2,000 applicants to tech job at Waitrose


A De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) graduate has beaten competition from 2,000 applicants to win a job at one of the UK’s most prestigious companies.

 ADAM GRAVELY main

Adam receives an award from Principal Lecturer Philip Garton 

Adam Gravely will be joining Waitrose, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership, Britain’s largest employee-owned retailer on its technology graduate scheme.

He joined Waitrose after nearly three years at John Lewis, which began with a placement organised by the work-based learning team in DMU’s Faculty of Business and Law.

During his time with the company he has worked across different departments, had management training and was part of the team working on two major store openings in Birmingham and Horsham.

He said: “I never thought I would be working in IT but the one thing I learned about John Lewis was that it is all about customer service, and I realised how much IT had been underpinning the customer journey through innovation in online experience, social media and the logistics.”

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To even get through to the application form stage, Adam had to complete a series of online tests assessing verbal reasoning, commercial awareness, aptitude and ability via a psychometric exam.

Then, following a video interview, he was invited to a day at an assessment centre where he was part of a select group who were set a series of challenges and interviews – including a formal second interview with a director.

Adam said: “I looked at the calibre of the people there – one of them had already got a Master’s and experience of working in IT – and I did not think I would have a chance, which meant I relaxed a bit.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience at the centre. Although there were senior people there interviewing you they made sure they put you at your ease.”

Adam is looking forward to the new job, which will be based at Waitrose HQ in Berkshire.

He said: “You spend time working in different areas, you get direct one to one coaching, leadership training. It is an incredible opportunity I am so, so pleased to be working for such a great company.”

During his time at DMU, Adam has been a student ambassador and a post graduate brand ambassador for the Faculty of Business and Law, as well as being an active member of the De Montfort Students’ Union.

As a business undergraduate he was also part of the Fox’s Lair, DMU’s accredited module that challenges first years to devise and present a business idea to a team of real-life entrepreneurs.

Adam credits DMU and the opportunities provided to students for helping broaden and develop his skill set and advises students to get involved in as much as possible: “Being able to be a part of so many things at DMU made my university experience so incredible. Being part of DSU, working with DMU Square Mile and developing interpersonal skills as an ambassador has helped me professionally, there’s no doubt.

“My studies helped me look at business from another perspective and I was able to put the academia into practice at John Lewis. I can’t wait to start.”

Posted on Friday 29 July 2016

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