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Applying Direct: A Guide to Big UK Employers' Career Sites
Why and how to apply directly on the career sites of large UK employers in supermarkets, parcels, warehousing and fast food, with tips on searching, alerts and avoiding fake recruiters.
Job boards are brilliant for discovering vacancies, but many of the UK's largest employers also run their own career sites. If you already know you would like to work in a supermarket, a parcel depot, a big warehouse or a fast food restaurant, going straight to the source can save time and cut out copycat adverts. This guide covers how these sites work and how to use them well. We are not connected with any of the companies named; they are examples of well-known UK employers with public career sites.
What employer career sites are
A career site is the part of a company's website where it lists its own vacancies and explains how it recruits. Most let you search by location and role type, create an account to track applications, and sign up for updates. They also explain the stages you can expect, from online application to interview or assessment.
Examples worth knowing
Supermarkets. Sainsbury's separates in-store roles from logistics and fulfilment roles, has an early careers section, and lets you register your interest. Asda explains its departments, flexible working and hiring process, with hints and tips for applicants. Morrisons lets you choose a business area: retail, convenience, manufacturing, logistics or head office. Aldi lists store assistant, store cleaner, warehouse operations assistant and apprenticeship roles, and states on its site that it never charges fees or asks for bank details during recruitment.
Parcels and post. Royal Mail Group splits frontline roles from head office roles and has a dedicated page for seasonal roles. Parcel firm DPD also runs its own UK jobs site.
Warehousing. Amazon's UK career site has a section for hourly roles, a job search by category and location, interview tips, and an app.
Fast food. McDonald's UK explains its restaurant crew roles, including overnight, full-time and part-time crew, as well as apprenticeships and a career resource hub.
Who applying direct suits
Applying direct suits you if you have a clear idea of the kind of work you want and a few large employers within reach. It works especially well for supermarket, warehouse, delivery and restaurant jobs, where big employers recruit regularly and often offer flexible or part-time shifts. It is also a good way to find seasonal work, because large employers usually promote it on their own sites first.
How to search well
Search each site by town or postcode and role type, and widen the radius if you drive. Create an account or register your interest where offered, so you get updates when roles open near you. Make a short list of five to ten employers within travelling distance and check their sites weekly, or more often from September to November, when many seasonal roles open. Look at the role pages too: they explain shift patterns, training and what a typical day involves, which helps at interview.
How to apply
Read the role description and answer any screening questions honestly, especially about availability. Many large employers ask about the shifts you can work, whether you can work weekends and how you will travel to the site. Some use online assessments or group interviews. Prepare one or two short examples of reliability, teamwork and good customer service. You will need to prove your right to work in the UK before starting.
Staying safe
Fake recruiters often use big brand names. Reach a career site from the company's main website rather than a link in a text or social media message, and check the web address. A real employer will never charge you to apply, ask you to pay for uniforms or training, or ask for bank details before an offer. Never pay a fee to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to apply on the employer's own site than on a job board?
Often, yes. Job boards are great for discovering roles, but the employer's own career site shows its real process and current vacancies, and it is harder for scammers to copy.
How do I know a career site is genuine?
Reach it from the company's main website rather than a link in a message. Check the address carefully, and be wary of any site that asks for payment or bank details to apply.
Do big employers hire people without experience?
Many store, warehouse and restaurant roles do not ask for previous experience and include training. Each advert lists what is essential, so read it before applying.
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Sources
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.