John Lewis Partnership

How to make the most of the opportunities available

in the Partnership

Be your own career coach

Be your own career coach2

What you’ll learn by reading this guide:1. Why does it matter?Why it’s important to be your own career coach

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2. Where do I start?Taking the first step to analyse what you’ve got to offer and your personal brand

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3. Depth and breadth What is meant by depth and breadth and why it’s a good thing to focus on

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4. What next?Where to look for more support

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1. Why does it matter?

Let’s look at why it’s good to be your own career coach

Because the careers landscape is changingThe retail industry is changing fast and (as in many businesses) traditional, vertical career ladders are becoming less relevant. Partners are also telling us they want more choice and flexibility.

So it’s important that we all take a step back and think about how to build our skills, experience and employability and find ways to navigate our career in this ever changing landscape.

Because the Partnership isn’t just a retailer This is meant in two ways. Firstly, one of the main aims of our Partnership is to provide worthwhile and satisfying employment and our constitution encourages you to pursue it.

Secondly, the Partnership offers a surprising range of career options if you know where to look. We aren’t just a collection of shops. There are distribution centres, hotels, farms, offices, manufacturing facilities, contact centres… the list goes on.

We are also two huge high street brands that you can move between. There are different places and roles all over the Partnership. You need to identify what your skills are, and be creative about how and where you could use them.

Because you owe it to yourselfNudging yourself out of your comfort zone to try something new could be the best thing you’ve ever done. You could surprise yourself with what you can achieve. It could even take your life in a whole new direction.

Whatever happens you’ll learn loads and you are the best person to take control of your career.

Because help is availableThe good news is that with a little bit of guidance you can easily assess how you need to change, what direction to follow and how to make the most of your natural talents to have a fulfilling career.

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2. Where do I start?It’s time to understand your personal brand

It all starts with youA personal brand is your unique professional identity. It gives you confidence about who you are and what you’re good at. It helps to guide your thinking towards what direction your career should take to make the most of your strengths. It’s the impression people have of you when you’re not in the room, what you’re known for.

Your personal brand is made up of three elements: personality, skills, and experience.

Use the following questions to help you map out your personal brand:

SkillsWhat skills were you using at work on occasions where you felt especially motivated?

What do you do well?

What do others see as your key skills?

What have you done out of work that called for professional skills?

What problems have you solved for people in the past?

ExperienceWhat things have you delivered that

you’re proud of, and why?

Who do you have in your network you can draw on?

What variety of things have you worked on, big or small?

What nice things have been said about you on previous appraisals?

And when considering how to improve...

What would be your dream job if you had the chance and why?

Can you develop in your current role?

Personality When are you most positive?

What drives you to succeed?

What do your family/friends say about the kind of person you are?

What character traits have you drawn on in difficult times?

And when considering how to improve...

Are you aware when your attitude negatively affects your behaviour?

Where do you overplay your traits?

Do you have traits that hold you back?

And when considering how to improve...What could you do better?

How are you getting better at what you do every day?

Are you mastering skills and experiences that really matter to you?

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Once you’ve got a better understanding of what you have to offer, the next step is to assess how you could broaden your skills and experience. A good first step is to look at the depth and breadth of your career so far and how you could build on this. Our business benefits from Partners with a depth and breadth of experience.

Why is developing depth and breadth a good thing?Depth and breadth principles enable you to:

Open up more opportunities

to navigate the Partnership

Evolve as a Partner

Make informed career choices

Gain broad experience,

to draw upon in the future

3. Depth and breadth

Depth How knowledgeable you are in a particular specialism. For example, if you’re an expert in data analytics in Finance, a next career move might be to deepen that specialism or look for an opportunity to add another one to your skill set.

BreadthYour experience of working across a range of business areas. For example, you have built up a range of customer service experience in both John Lewis and Waitrose Branches.

You’re considering your next career move could be a secondment in a distribution centre to train new delivery drivers, giving you an opportunity to apply your customer service skills whilst learning about a different area of the business.

What’s it all about?

Be your own career coach

James Bone, Buying Manager, Wines Waitrose

What advice would you give Partners?It’s worth thinking about your personal brand, how you establish your own reputation, what you like doing and are good at. Don’t just wait for the opportunity to emerge. It’s equally important to put yourself out there to do more than your day job and to get exposure to other functions.

Be prepared to take a risk and try something different. If something is becoming routine, this could be a prompt for you to move. Equally if there is further stretch in your current role, make sure you take full advantage of opportunities to enhance your experience. If you believe in what you can do then you should still have a go.

Be prepared to take a few knock backs - you won’t damage yourself by attempting new challenges.

Case study

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What does the word ‘career’ mean to you?For me it’s an energizing and exciting path which includes a number of fulfilling roles, that continually stretch and have an overall sense of direction.

It’s important to work in a mixture of roles because there are times when you need to expose yourself to different challenges and test different ways of working with different problems and different people.

In navigating your way to your current role, what supported or challenged you along the way?Some of the challenges were in the early stages when there wasn’t an established path and a level of uncertainty.

I’ve observed that your experience doesn’t always have to be directly relevant. In fact, I think I have probably added more value where I have not been a specialist because I have brought a different perspective which has complemented the knowledge and skills of the experts in that area.

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Different divisionsThe Partnership loves to see Partners moving between divisions because we are now working together as one business more than ever before. So if you work for John Lewis but move to Waitrose, you bring the benefit of a different perspective.

You could bring insight into how things could be done differently or in a way that connects those two divisions much more effectively.

What does having a career with good depth and breadth look like?Within the John Lewis Partnership, it’s about building a firm career on a foundation that has four ‘corners’.

Variety of rolesDon’t limit yourself to jobs that are similar to your current role. For example if you are in a role on our shop floor and at home you’re known for being a welcoming host to friends and family, you might be intrigued by the idea of the hospitality side of our business.

You could use your customer and hosting skills within our Partnership Hotels.

Variety of external exposureThis means keeping an eye on what’s going on outside of the Partnership. It’s meeting and keeping in touch with people in other organisations.

You can learn an enormous amount from what’s going on in other companies and it can be a rich source of inspiration to improve your own effectiveness within our business too. You could bring innovation and fresh thinking.

Different business areasDon’t be afraid to move into a totally different business area. Look at all the skills you use already and see how they could be used in a different area.

You may be very good with numbers or used to managing a project. Those are talents that can be used in many roles. You could bring fresh thinking from a different angle to your new business area.

Did you know?

The Partnership Hotels actively welcome Partners from any area of the business who would like to work in a different business area or division.

They have a wide variety of roles to choose from - you might be drawn to an unusual role or you might like to practice your specialism in a different environment.

Be your own career coach

Variety of external exposureWhat’s my professional network outside work?

How could I develop it?

Can I renew connections with anyone I used to work with but who now works in a different company?

When was the last time I went to an external work related event and how useful was it?

What experience have I had from outside of the Partnership? How am I using it now?

Consider your depth and breadthHere are some questions you can ask yourself to consider where you want to build depth and breadth into your career.

Variety of rolesWhat roles excite me and how could I find out more about them?

How can my strengths be better used in my current or future roles?

What transferable skills such as people management, working on a project team, communication do I have?

How could I harness those experiences in future?

What specialist skills have I developed that might be useful in other roles?

Where do I have gaps and what experiences could help me fill them?

Different business areas and divisionsWhat do I know about other divisions and directorates?

Where haven’t I worked and what’s stopping me?

What are the main gaps in my knowledge that I’d like to fill?

Which business areas look really interesting even if I don’t know where my skills would fit if I worked there?

If I was to create an advert selling my services to an area of the business I like, what would it say?

Who do I know who’s good at networking and can they give me some tips?

Could I get involved in any projects that would open doors into other business areas?

Who’s in my professional network inside work?

How could I develop it?

Are there any Google communities I could join to build my Partnership network?

Are there any cross-divisional ways I could use my skills and strengthen my connections. For example, our democratic processes?

I was an administration assistant and went on a secondment to the communications area. It gave me exposure to lots of different experiences and skills such as stakeholder management, planning and design. It’s given me great tools that I can apply anywhere. It has opened my eyes to the world of publications and design which is a direction I’d never have otherwise thought about.

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Visual inspirationYou may like to visually plot the depth and breadth of your career so far to help you decide what next. Try doodling your view on a cross graph, like this example on the right.

But remember, this isn’t a scientific calculation. What the depth and breadth principle means to each of us as Partners will be different.

For some of us it will be about development in their current role. For others it will be understanding what other opportunities may be open to them.

If you want my advice...

Be restless Challenge yourself, and take responsibility.

Think about your longer term goal Work out how to get there and what needs to be put in place; get others to help you in your thinking here.

You don't need to be ambitious Decide if, and when, the time is right to be so.

It's OK to pause You don't need to charge up the chain or dive to the left or the right - it's OK to get stuck into a role too for a while, enjoy it and learn from it.

Coaching and mentoring Make the most of the Partnership coaches and mentors and never feel embarrassed to use this resource. Equally, I haven't come across anyone who isn't willing to offer advice.

Make the most of the courses on offerThe business tends to underplay the opportunities that are there for the taking for Partners.

Consider developing your skills outside of work These are important as they make you more rounded.

Have the confidence To go out there, look and explore, and take advantage of the moment when you feel you need to do something else.

Mark Day, Partnership Assurance Lead, Registry, who has managed his career in the Partnership through Waitrose branches, Waitrose Head Office and Group, shares his experiences.

Variety of roles

Different business areas

Different divisions

External exposure

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Where to find more supportHere are some suggestions of further ways to help you coach yourself to progress.

4. What next?

It’s my belief that most jobs can’t be rocket science unless say, you need a specialist qualification. I’ve looked at role profiles where I haven’t even understood half of what I’m being asked to do.

This hasn’t stopped me enquiring about a role or indeed, being successful in an application by being honest about areas where I may need a little support. Use your network to find out more and have the confidence to explore any opportunities that appeal to you.

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Do more thinking about your ideal jobIf you enjoyed thinking about how you develop your personal brand and wondering how you understand what your ideal job might be, you might like to read Creating a Picture of Your Ideal Job: The Gingerbread Man.

It’s a booklet on the Partner Development Website (PDW) and you can access the PDW via your intranet home page. It’s one of the green ‘Tools and resources’ buttons. It’s packed with useful exercises, including ways to find your skills, motivations, values, and the kind of people you prefer to work with.

Search for the ‘Career hub’ on the PDW search box and it’s in the ‘exploring the Partnership for opportunities’ section.

Find a coach or a mentorDid you know that the Partnership offers a free coaching or mentoring service? Specially trained Partners from many areas of the business are on hand to help you explore your personal and professional development.

Just visit the PDW intranet site and search for ‘working with a coach’ or ‘working with a mentor’ for more information and access to the coaching and mentoring directories where you can choose your own qualified Partner to help.

Get some video inspirationChanging your career can be a little daunting so it can sometimes help to watch a video that addresses your situation and uplifts you.

Visit Ted.com and either browse the topics or type ‘career’ into the search box.

See where it takes you!

Get chatting to PartnersStart building your networks and enjoy yourself at the same time. Think of colleagues who are in jobs that interest you and invite them for a coffee. Ask them about their career route and what skills are important to be successful in their role.

You never know where these conversations may lead. People are more prepared to help you and share their expertise than you think.

Tom’s career success storyHow actively managing depth and breadth, networking and a good pinch of bravery can open doors to varied and satisfying job opportunities.

Tom Beamond,Senior Manager, Hospitality and Catering Operations

What does the word 'career' mean to you?I think that very often people see career progression as moving up the ladder and in my early years in JL I guess that’s what it meant to me. However, I now believe really strongly that a great career is being able to do something that you enjoy and that fulfils you. If ‘career’ to someone means being the best that they can possibly be in that role, whatever it is, whatever the level, then I think that’s great.

What were your career expectations when you joined JLP?I left school at 16, pursued a catering career and then joined JL when I was 19. I didn’t have any real career expectations when I joined but found I really enjoyed being part of the team I worked in and I liked what the Partnership offered. Once I made the decision to stay with the business it felt obvious to me that I should work to gain a promotion to Section Manager and then go from there. I guess at that stage I had a goal of trying to achieve a Steering Group position.

In navigating your way to your current role, what supported and/or challenged you along the way?Achieving my first DM’ship in 2000 was a great personal achievement for me and I felt very proud that I’d reached my then goal. However, the challenge having been in role for a couple of years, was one of how to keep fresh and I guess at that point I lost my way a little. I knew I needed to be clearer about what I wanted to do next but I really struggled to answer that question at the time. My then boss felt I could achieve the next level and put me forward for an assessment centre. It was an experience that at the time I found genuinely terrifying. In reality though I really enjoyed the challenge and I managed to get through it OK. I have a lot to thank my then boss for (my Head of Branch) because it was his trust and his push that moved me forward at that point.

Having failed in two interviews for Steering Group I started to lose confidence in myself. My break (for want of a better word) was when I was offered an opportunity to work in Retail in Head Office on a 4 month secondment. The opportunity arose because I had started to develop a network in the wider business and my name had been suggested by an ex-boss as someone who would be good in the role. On the face of it that might be seen as luck, but the reality is my name only came up because I was known as someone who could be trusted to do a good job. At least I was for that particular ex-line manager! I’ve always believed in delivering the best job I could. To me, career success is about the end product, delivering the goods in the job you are employed to do and doing it well.

If you do this you stand the very best chance you can of progressing, in whatever way you interpret progression.

It was a big and not always happy transition from branch to Head Office, but when my time was extended in Victoria to work on another project, I realised that that’s where I actually wanted my career to be. I had delivered a few early successes which made things feel a bit better and I was working in an environment that I really started to enjoy. This was a crossroads moment as I was faced with the dilemma of my branch role being closed behind me. So the final piece of the support jigsaw here for me was a leap of faith – I decided to ‘back myself to win’ and took on further project roles in head office for two years before securing a permanent position.

The next crossroads was when a senior leader within the Retail Leadership Team pretty much gave me an ultimatum – a chance to lead a broad, visionary brief to set up new, centralised retail support unit at head office and an opportunity to prove myself in a leadership role. I grabbed it with both hands and for the next five years built a new operation and team, and secured additional responsibilities along the way.

When the moment next came along where I was starting to feel that I’d ‘been there, done that’ and was becoming known as a specialist, I realised there was more that I could do. So I took the opportunity to apply for my current role. It is at the same Partnership level I’ve been in for a number of years but the level of accountability is far greater and in a completely different environment – Catering. I’m loving being out of my comfort zone and learning new things every day. I’m back to wanting to get out of bed in the morning and all those things I said about what a career means to me. It does mean I’m out of the house early in the morning and home just as my little boy is going to bed so the opposite side of this ‘happy’ coin is that it’s important for me to be fully committed to my family while I am away from work so - I try really hard not to work at home in the evening and at weekends.

What barriers did you face?Barriers? The only barrier I have had has been about me – my confidence, basically. I would often be worried about other people’s view of me. When this has kicked in, I’ve had encouragement from several different managers who have told me that they could see some more potential in me. And I’ve also had at least one major kick up the backside when people have told me I just needed to get over this, make a choice, and to be myself and have confidence in that.

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John Lewis Partnership