We caught up with Ally, a Group Manager at Compass Group UK & Ireland, to get her insights into what life at the organisation is like and uncover her top tips for anyone thinking of applying.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I’m Ally, a Group Manager at Compass Group UK & Ireland. Currently, I live in London with my partner, Robert, and our puppy, Bruno. Originally, I’m from Northern Ireland and I love going back for weekend trips to visit my family.
My love for the Travel & Tourism sector began when I studied it as one of my A-Levels. I took this passion to the next level when I studied International Travel & Tourism Management at Ulster University.
On top of this, I’ve gained lots of experience working in the hospitality and events sector, from waitressing to being a crew member at Five Guys, to event recruitment.
What stood out to you about Compass Group UK & Ireland when applying for opportunities?
The size and scale - I knew that if I could get my foot in the door with such a renowned company, I’d be able to forge a successful career.
Compass is also a market leader and I valued that such a large company was using its scale to promote positive changes in the industry, such as through their Roadmap to Climate Net Zero.
How did you find the application process for Compass Group UK & Ireland?
The application process was very straightforward. After uploading a CV, I completed a test that focused on finding out if I was the right cultural fit for the company. There were no right or wrong answers here, it was merely a way for Compass to ensure they’re hiring the right people.
The final stage was a 1-day Assessment Centre where there was a range of tasks including interviews and group work, all focused on assessing my performance, attitude and experience.
What is a ‘normal day’ like in your role?
Oh, where to begin! The beauty of my role is that every day is different. I’ve just started as a Group Manager for Eurest so will spend some time shadowing my colleague while I learn all there is to running catering units from a regional aspect. I’ll develop a greater understanding of finance, client management, sales and opening new business sites, with future hopes of managing my own clients.
How would you describe the culture at Compass Group UK & Ireland?
Friendly and supportive. I’ve rotated across different roles throughout my 2 years on the graduate programme and have always been warmly welcomed into a new team. There’s both professional and personal support and my current team has been amazing.
What have your experiences been like in your role so far?
I’ve worked in a few different roles but one thing that I’ve loved about them all is getting to know the teams. It’s been a great experience interacting and learning from the employees that run the units day in day out.
A recent project I’ve loved was mobilising a new business site. The process of setting up a unit is challenging, but it’s also really rewarding.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying to Compass Group UK & Ireland?
There are so many amazing opportunities both in the UK and across the world with Compass Group. Plus, it’s not just about catering, there are many functions including Sales, Finance, Marketing and IT, so for anyone looking for a new challenge, Compass is a great place to start a career.
In terms of the application process, I’d say just be yourself. Compass will hire you for who you are, your values and your personality rather than your experience. Of course, experience is a bonus, but the right person can be taught what they need to know.
If or when you’re successful in securing a role at Compass, really embrace networking. Be confident in meeting new people and sharing your experiences because we all work better when ideas and knowledge are shared.
If Ally has inspired you to take on your next challenge – explore the Compass Group UK & Ireland profile to discover how you can get started.