UNIQLO is one of the 8 brands that belong to the Fast Retailing Group, the third-largest apparel retailer in the world. UNIQLO provides LifeWear, innovative, high-quality everyday clothing that is made for all and that is long-lasting.
➔ Hiring! UNIQLO is looking for graduates right now. Have a look here for more details about their career opportunities for graduates.
As the company continues to expand, every year, an average of 800 graduates around the globe join the “UNIQLO Management Candidate” scheme, also called UMC.
What is it like to take part in the programme?
One of the recent alumni of the UMC scheme in Denmark Park Piao offered some insights about his first-year of accelerated learning, his career growth thereafter, and the company in general.
Originally from South Korea, Park has been living in Denmark for the past seven years. After completing his Master’s degree in Law at the University of Copenhagen, he joined UNIQLO as a UMC in September 2019. Park believed there was a connection between his values and what UNIQLO stands for – growing in harmony with society and making everyone’s life better one piece of clothing at a time. “I was looking for a position where I could be versatile and have a broad variety of career opportunities. I believe that the UMC scheme was the right springboard to help me fulfil my future ambitions,” Park says about his motivation to join the scheme.
A hands-on learning approach
The aim of the programme is for the participants to learn – Park has had daily allocated time to learn and practice new skills with his trainer.
The path to becoming a well-round leader requires honing one’s skills in many areas: customer service to shop floor management, sales and stock planning, staff development, or P&L optimization. “Everything I have learned comes from trials and errors, trying to handle new responsibilities, receiving feedback, and gradually mastering one new skill at a time,” explains Park. He appreciates the hands-on approach to learning within the scheme. “It has been the best way for me to deeply understand our business: customers, colleagues, and sustainable growth,” he continues.
Eighteen months after becoming a part of the UMC programme, Park achieved his Store Manager license and is now a part of the leadership team at UNIQLO STRØGET, the Danish store. The team kicks off each day with a discussion about business performance and opportunities, focus areas for the day, and new ideas on how to make customers happy.
Everything I have learned comes from trials and errors, trying to handle new responsibilities, receiving feedback, and gradually mastering one new skill at a time.
A key to in-depth business leadership experience
The challenging learning curve with regards to handling new information, managing people, and lots of responsibilities made Park feel somewhat overwhelmed at the beginning – but also excited, as the programme opens the door to a globally expanding business. “The CEO, COO, and General Manager have high expectations because some of them have graduated from the same programme themselves. They know that they should both stretch you and support you. Everyone in the team is always willing to help,” Park describes the work culture at UNIQLO.
Park sees the willingness to work hard as the key to succeeding, and to acquiring in-depth business leadership knowledge and experience which are fundamental to help him grow his career. His short-term goal is to become country manager for UNIQLO Denmark & Southern Sweden, driving the expansion in these markets. “My dream is to make UNIQLO become the most beloved brand in Scandinavia,” Park sheds some light on his career plans. His philosophy for long-term professional goals is simple – to remain open to all career possibilities UNIQLO offers. “Let me work hard, achieve results, and see where the future takes me!”
➔ Hiring! UNIQLO is looking for graduates right now. Have a look here for more details about their career opportunities for graduates.
Inspired by Park’s experience at UNIQLO? Applications for the UMC Programme are still open for a few more weeks!
