Job Interview: HELP!

[Ouya Mellsa]

I've been given an interview for a research assistant at uni for the summer holiday.

Great!

It's in the business school.

It's this Wednesday.

In the letter, they have asked me to give a 5 minute presentation on the following subject: Tesco: their financial performance over the past 5 years.

OMG!

Where do I start?!

Do you have any advice on what I should/shouldn't include or how detailed I should go?

I don't have a finance/business background, and they are aware of this.

Thank you!

[Glutton4...]

It's a test to see what you're capable of! Grab a cuppa, pen and paper, and get g**gling...

Good luck!

[veggiechicken]

They are asking you this because you don't have a financial background. To see how can understand and present something about which you know nothing.
Start here Tesco PLC - Investors - Financial performance - Five year summary
Now look at the figures over 5 years. A quick glance seems to show that whatever they do gets better year on year, until 2011, Sales, profit margin, dividends etc, but in the financial year 2011-2012 there were some areas that fell back. Try to understand why this might have happened (maybe general economic downturn, less consumer spending....). Look at the notes at the bottom of the page too - I see Tesco pulled out of Japan.
You don't need to get to detailed in your presentation. Just be clear, structured and make it fit 5 minutes.

[Feral007]

It's a test to see what you're capable of! Grab a cuppa, pen and paper, and get g**gling...

Good luck!

Ok, it's late and I'm tired, so I read that as 'get giggliing' and thought............well how's that going to help! Best of luck with the giggle/googling

[bearded bloke]

As G4 says ^^ ,then you need a start point & an end point *gurgle* between those dates noting down everything that occurred between them,then pad it out with some of your own thoughts & observations that have been made while doing the research

[Ouya Mellsa]

Brilliant! Thank you!

Good idea VC - I owe you a pint if I get it!

Sorry....WHEN I get it.

I think I'll do it tomorrow now...not in the mood. But, I might play around with PowerPoint to find a professional looking theme.

Thank you!

[Ouya Mellsa]

Ps - would a profit of £3,761m be equivalent to £3.7bn?

[veggiechicken]

I can't keep pace with you and your jobs!! One minute its Wisley, now its Uni
Good luck on Wednesday, you can do it

[veggiechicken]

Here's another report for you Tesco PLC - Annual Report 2012 - Performance review - Financial review

[Ouya Mellsa]

Thank you VC! You're so kind.



I'm going to put you in my list of references

[veggiechicken]

Ps - would a profit of £3,761m be equivalent to £3.7bn?

This report talks about £3.8bn as group profit before tax - so the answer is Yes! But they round it up. Tesco PLC - Annual Report 2012 - Overview - Tesco at a glance

[veggiechicken]

Thank you VC! You're so kind.



I'm going to put you in my list of references

Just don't say I'm a Nutter - or you're sunk

[Ouya Mellsa]

I love you VC!

I'm going to hammer this PowerPoint. I'm thinking of a theme with Tesco colours...lwhite, blue and red??

[veggiechicken]

Awww, Shucks
Red white and blue fit well with the Jubilee too!!
Why not plagiarise it. I'd do better with the financial stuff than PowerPoint

[dominic10]

In March 2011 Terry Leahy left Tescos - it is considered this has had a financial impact on Tesco. There is an article Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy leaves with tills ringing | Mail Online - you could use the financial info when he left and current results as an example somewhere in your presentation - a strong leadership can have a major impact on how a company performs. Many moons ago I had a project comparing the then 4 major supermarkets and I found the Tesco website by far the most informative. Mintel and The Grocer are also good for background info. Good luck.