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Coles

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4.3
  • > 100,000 employees
  • Retail, Sales & Consumer Goods

What it does: One of the ‘Big Two’ supermarket chains, accounting for about a third of the Australian grocery market
Staff stats: Over 130,000 staff spread across 2,200 store, site, warehouse and office locations
The good bits: Great starting salary, potential for fast progression, variety of work
Hiring grads with degrees in:  Property & Built Environment; Sciences; Teaching, Education & Human Welfare; Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences; Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Health & Medical Sciences; Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Law & Legal Studies

Discover Coles

Coles opened its first store in Collingwood, Melbourne in 1914, and over the course of the last century, they have evolved into an iconic portfolio of leading retail brands providing Australians with everyday products including fresh food, groceries, household goods, liquor, fuel and financial services via our store network and online platforms.

In an ever-changing competitive landscape, they remain committed to their vision to become the most trusted retailer in Australia and grow long-term shareholder value. Becoming the most trusted retailer in Australia means they are reliable and responsible, and delivering on their purpose to ‘sustainably feed all Australians to help them lead healthier, happier lives’.

This is why they exist. They have an important role to play in sustainably feed all Australians. From food waste to a sustainable food chain, they want to be sure they're here for another century, creating jobs, supporting their suppliers and making a positive difference in their local communities and to the 21 million customers who shop with them each week.

At Coles, the day-to-day decisions and actions of our team members are guided by our four Values; Customer obsession, Passion and pace, Responsibility, and Health and Happiness.

Supported by their LEaD behaviours (Look ahead, Energise everyone and Deliver with pride) which they exhibit when they're at their best, our Values shape the way they work together to get things done.

As a team, they start with diversity, and they thrive with inclusion. They’re obsessed with building a workplace where everyone is included, feels connected and can belong – and where their team are healthy, happy and can be their authentic selves.

Diversity is engrained in their history and will ensure they continue to win in their second century through the diversity of their team members, their customers and in the communities they serve.

Discover Coles Graduate Program

Watch Coles Graduate Highlights

Feeding a nation and bringing value to the 21 million people who shop with them each and every week is a big responsibility. It’s fast-paced, and challenging and it’s not for everybody.

Which is why it matters that team members at Coles look out for one another. Because when you’re included, trusted and supported by leaders that really care, you can do your best work for the team feeling like you belong.

From day one as a Coles graduate, you’ll feel the connection your work has to our purpose, to ‘sustainably feed all Australians to help them lead healthier, happier lives’, and be accountable for decisions that can make a meaningful difference to communities and our supply chains across Australia.

At Coles, a bright future awaits talent who are ready to look ahead, disrupt, and to learn and grow. Who care passionately about people, our country and its future. Who are willing to step outside of their comfort zones to take on the types of unique and career-defining challenges only a group with a footprint like ours can offer. Read on to find out more about graduate careers at the heart of the nation.

Join their Store Support Centre (SSC) Program and fast track your career in their Store Support Centre (corporate office), which plays a crucial role in supporting their team members across the country. Based in Hawthorn East in Melbourne, it’s the engine room of Coles Group and a dynamic and rewarding place to work. You could be developing the code for their next mobile app used by millions, analysing the commercials for the development of a new format store or testing the latest range of Own Brand products before they hit the shelves. You’ll see first-hand how they operate and innovate to continually improve their customer experiences across all our categories and brands.

What makes the Coles Graduate Program Unique?

  • Continuous learning and development opportunities before you even start Day One. They understand it’s critical for you to grow and develop as you discover yourself and Coles to reach your potential in being future leaders and change-makers in their business.
  • Creative and dynamic work environment - You will have the opportunity to work in teams in an environment where no two days are the same, to make a real difference to the business and their customers.
  • Learn from great leaders - During the program, you will have the chance to connect with senior leaders from across the business, providing you the opportunity to build your personal brand and learn about their own career journey.
  • Support network – They know joining a new organisation is daunting, so they make sure you are supported from the beginning with a buddy to help you settle in, and an accelerator coach to help you kickstart your career. People who truly care.
  • Real responsibility – you will be working on real deliverables with clear ownership and accountability. You’ll also lead and deliver an Innovation Project (SSC graduate program) or a Social Impact Initiative (Operations graduate program), culminating in a presentation to a senior leadership team. The top team also has the opportunity to present to their Executive team and Board.

Watch Coles Graduate Highlights

Before submitting your application, please make sure you check that you meet their eligibility requirements:

  • You’ll be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold permanent residency at the time of application​.
  • For our Store Support Centre (SSC) Graduate Program, you’ll have completed a Bachelor’s Degree before commencing the program.

Recruitment Process

How to apply

It's simple to apply for the Coles Graduate Program! There are 4 stages to the recruitment process, and they will keep you informed at each stage of the process but here are the key dates for you can expect to hear from them.

If you have any questions during the process, please drop them a note at emergingtalent@coles.com.au and include in the subject line and the Function of the Graduate Program you are applying for. Applications for their 2024 Store Support Centre (Corporate Office) Graduate Program are now OPEN.

If you’re interested in applying, please complete their online application form here. 

This helps them capture information about your background, experiences, and skills. They want to hear why you are the right fit for us! Make sure you check to see that you are eligible for the program before completing your application.

Completing an application form will take you approximately 30 minutes, and once our applications close, you can expect to hear an update on your application within 5 days.

Applications close Sunday 2nd April.

Psychometric Testing

This stage of the recruitment process helps them understand more about who you are. Not just your skills but your preferred ways of working and how you approach certain situations. It also provides you with an opportunity to see what types of situations you could expect to experience when joining the Coles Graduate Program.

This online assessment should take between 45-60 minutes to complete and you can expect to hear an update in the next 1-2 weeks following the scheduled deadline.

Video Interview

The video interview takes place online where you will record your responses to a range of questions for us to review. It allows them to get a better understanding of who you are and your communication style. They will be looking to understand why you have applied to Coles and several competencies that they want to see in their future graduates!

The video interview will only take 15 minutes to complete, and you can expect to hear an update within the following fortnight as their team reviews each video interview.

Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre gives them the chance to meet you and an opportunity for you to interact directly with us! You will participate in a range of activities during the session, but most importantly, they want to ensure you walk away from your time with them with an impactful experience where you gain some valuable insights and understanding of yourself, and of Coles.

Their Discovery Centre will be a 3-hour session, and look to provide you with an update following your attendance in the following week.

Discovery Centres will occur week commencing May 12th.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Their Grads undergo a combination of on-the-job learning, exposure to senior leaders, mentoring and an active support network to develop their skills and expedite their careers.

Their tailored development program means grads experience early responsibility and projects they can own.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.3
Overall score based on 80 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.8
Culture
8.9
Management
9.1
Sustainability
8.7
Work Hours
8.8
Culture
8.9
Management
9.1
Sustainability
8.7
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • How seriously Coles takes their commitments to flexible working are. I'm encouraged to work where and when it suits me and which is extremely motivating.
  • I feel very supported as a graduate. The program is tailored to create an environment which fosters growth, learnings and gain professional skills that can be used in any industry
  • The diversity - we have amazing diversity in our team members, customers, and work that we do! There are not many workplaces where you can say you genuinely play a role in every Australian's life!
  • The fast-paced and dynamic work environment provides ample opportunity for networking, connecting, building your personal-brand and taking on new and different opportunities across the business.
  • Great work culture, very collaborative and supportive teams, recognition and appreciation of work, variety of challenging assignments
  • Varied opportunity, good exposure to the broader business, which will inevitably set you up to be a well-rounded/knowledgeable employee.
  • It has taken a while to adjust to the size and the way the company works as it is so fast-paced and there is a specific way that they do things.
  • There are a lot of people to navigate in the organization which can sometimes make things difficult to put plans into action
  • Workload/hours can be high at times
  • Steep learning curve (more of a challenge rather than a bad thing)
  • Location of offices not in the CBD
  • There are so many meetings! Big companies have a lot of people who need to be informed.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Australia wide
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Melbourne
Choose from 2 unique streams in the Technology category to find a path that’s right's right for you.
Applications Close
2 Apr 2024
Start Date
12 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 75,000 - 85,000

Graduate Job

NSW
Choose from 2 unique streams in the Engineering and Logistics category to find a path that’s right's right for you.
Applications Close
2 Apr 2024
Start Date
12 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 75,000 - 85,000

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Technology at Coles is about both supporting existing technical systems as well as driving the business forward through technical innovation.

Nelson Rigby

  • Graduate stories
Technology at Coles is about both supporting existing technical systems as well as driving the business forward through technical innovation.

Nelson Rigby

  • Graduate stories
I love the energy that working at Coles brings; it’s an instant buzz every morning walking in.

Amy Tomlinson

  • Graduate stories
I love the energy that working at Coles brings; it’s an instant buzz every morning walking in.

Amy Tomlinson

  • Graduate stories
Technology at Coles is about both supporting existing technical systems as well as driving the business forward through technical innovation.

Nelson Rigby

  • Graduate stories
Technology at Coles is about both supporting existing technical systems as well as driving the business forward through technical innovation.

Nelson Rigby

  • Graduate stories
I love the energy that working at Coles brings; it’s an instant buzz every morning walking in.

Amy Tomlinson

  • Graduate stories
I love the energy that working at Coles brings; it’s an instant buzz every morning walking in.

Amy Tomlinson


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Belinda Hardiman

Belinda Hardiman completed a Bachelor of Communication Design & Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at Monash University in 2017 and is now working as an E-Commerce Graduate at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Belinda Hardiman

Belinda Hardiman completed a Bachelor of Communication Design & Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at Monash University in 2017 and is now working as an E-Commerce Graduate at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Hugo Trotter

Hugo Trotter graduated with a Masters of Business Management from The University of Melbourne in 2015, and is now a Trade Planning Manager - First Choice Liquor Spirits & RTDs at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Hugo Trotter

Hugo Trotter graduated with a Masters of Business Management from The University of Melbourne in 2015, and is now a Trade Planning Manager - First Choice Liquor Spirits & RTDs at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Belinda Hardiman

Belinda Hardiman completed a Bachelor of Communication Design & Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at Monash University in 2017 and is now working as an E-Commerce Graduate at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Belinda Hardiman

Belinda Hardiman completed a Bachelor of Communication Design & Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at Monash University in 2017 and is now working as an E-Commerce Graduate at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Hugo Trotter

Hugo Trotter graduated with a Masters of Business Management from The University of Melbourne in 2015, and is now a Trade Planning Manager - First Choice Liquor Spirits & RTDs at Coles.
  • Day in the life

Hugo Trotter

Hugo Trotter graduated with a Masters of Business Management from The University of Melbourne in 2015, and is now a Trade Planning Manager - First Choice Liquor Spirits & RTDs at Coles.

Videos


Coles Graduate Virtual Expo Q&A Panel 2022

Hear what our 2021 and 2022 graduates had to say about the program during our recent Coles Graduate Program Virtual Expo held in March.

Discover Own Brand @ the Coles 2022 Graduate Expo

Learn more about our Own Brand function from current graduates in that space.

Coles Graduate Virtual Expo Q&A Panel 2022

Hear what our 2021 and 2022 graduates had to say about the program during our recent Coles Graduate Program Virtual Expo held in March.

Discover Own Brand @ the Coles 2022 Graduate Expo

Learn more about our Own Brand function from current graduates in that space.

Advice


How much do new grads earn at Coles?

Here's what new grad roles are paying at Coles Australia.

What grades do you need to get into Coles' graduate program?

What grades are you going to need to land a fresh grad role at Coles? Well, it's not what you think.

How much do new grads earn at Coles?

Here's what new grad roles are paying at Coles Australia.

What grades do you need to get into Coles' graduate program?

What grades are you going to need to land a fresh grad role at Coles? Well, it's not what you think.