We catch up with Graduate Talent Advisor, Lex, to discover her top tips for securing a high impact, high responsibility role at Gist.
What is unique about a graduate scheme at Gist?
We offer graduates the opportunity to manage a team from day one. Alongside this we offer training, coaching and mentoring in order to develop them into our future leaders. You don’t come across this level of responsibility so early on in most schemes – but we like to challenge our people! We’re also incredibly proud of the fact that one fifth of our senior management started on one of the graduate schemes and have built up their careers from there, including our CEO!
In what way do graduates at Gist make a real impact?
Due to the level of responsibility we give our graduates and industrial placement students they fundamentally contribute towards ensuring that our operation runs 24/7, 365 days a year and always delivers for our customers. They also have the ability, through managing their teams, to support the development of their people through the business. Many of our graduates and industrial placement students work on key projects such as tendering for new business, implementing new systems, working directly with our customers, training our people and innovating the way we work.
What can a graduate expect from their career path at Gist?
Ongoing opportunities, progression and exposure. If you want to work in an environment that will stretch you and progress you quickly– Gist is the place for you. On the scheme you have a support network that will help you develop your skillset and build your leadership brand. Even beyond the scheme, you will receive coaching and frequent catch ups over the course of your career to ensure that you are continually developing and progressing. With sites across the UK there are multiple opportunities to progress with us.
What essential skills and experience are you looking for in a stand out Gist applicant?
Fundamentally, we are looking for future leaders. So we want those who are confident, emotionally intelligent, self-motivated, hard-working and willing to challenge the status-quo. Gist is an extremely people-focused business and so we want those who thrive off of leading others and working as part of a team.
What can members be doing while at university to build these skills?
There are many ways to build up these skill sets, whether it’s getting a part-time job, volunteering or getting involved with a society, they all help you to build key skills. One of the best ways is to gain some work experience in the industry/area that you’re interested in, you can do this through a placement year, summer work experience or an internship!
How are you encouraging women to build their career in logistics and why is diversity important to Gist?
Gist is a people-centric business that encourages diverse teams - we see as fundamental to our success. Our 'Involve principle'means that we want everyone who works at Gist to feel fully involved and that they can influence their environment and make a difference. We work with some key initiatives such as Women in Logistics to ensure that women are aware of the fantastic opportunities that a career in logistics can offer them, and we have some inspiring female mentors in our business who champion this message.