|
|
Post by dla389 on Mar 2, 2011 15:27:20 GMT
Got one lined up for Waitrose, Holloway Road (a good mission from Croydon!) next week and have been told the interview is a group one, which will last an hour and a half. I was wondering if anyone here works at/previously worked at a supermarket, or has been to a Waitrose interview by any chance - and if you have, what happens during the interview? I was told it may involve being put into teams and set small 'food selling' tasks in order for them to see how you do, then the best people will be shortlisted for a position.
I've had many group interviews last year so I will be quite familiar, although most were for mainstream clothing stores and this will be my first group one at a supermarket. The position is a part time Supermarket Assistant, which I feel would keep me occupied during the gap year I intend to take before I go to uni after summer next year.
Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 2, 2011 15:30:37 GMT
Got one lined up for Waitrose next week and have been told the interview is a group one, which will last an hour and a half. I was wondering if anyone here works at/has worked at a supermarket, or has been to a Waitrose interview by any chance - and if you have, what happens during the interview? I was told it may involve being put into teams and set small tasks in order for them to see how you do, then the best people will be shortlisted. I've had plenty of interviews last year but most were for clothing stores and this will be my first interview at a supermarket. Thanks in advance! Sounds similar to the sort of interview process that Graduates will have to go through for big jobs. Best thing is be yourself and make yourself stand out in a good way. Depending on the job you're going for, they will have a set criteria of what they are looking for. Try looking on the Waitrose website for any competences that they will be looking out for and apply them throughout. Also, try and prepare some answers to some possible questions that they may ask you. Normally you'll have questions that begin with "Can you give one example of when you showed leadership in a work environment?" or similar. I think vjaska works in Iceland's so he can help out abit with that side of things ;D |
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Mar 2, 2011 15:50:31 GMT
Got one lined up for Waitrose next week and have been told the interview is a group one, which will last an hour and a half. I was wondering if anyone here works at/has worked at a supermarket, or has been to a Waitrose interview by any chance - and if you have, what happens during the interview? I was told it may involve being put into teams and set small tasks in order for them to see how you do, then the best people will be shortlisted. I've had plenty of interviews last year but most were for clothing stores and this will be my first interview at a supermarket. Thanks in advance! Sounds similar to the sort of interview process that Graduates will have to go through for big jobs. Best thing is be yourself and make yourself stand out in a good way. Depending on the job you're going for, they will have a set criteria of what they are looking for. Try looking on the Waitrose website for any competences that they will be looking out for and apply them throughout. Also, try and prepare some answers to some possible questions that they may ask you. Normally you'll have questions that begin with "Can you give one example of when you showed leadership in a work environment?" or similar. I think vjaska works in Iceland's so he can help out abit with that side of things ;D That example question you gave was in fact one I was given in my interview which thankfully was 1 to 1. Other questions they might ask are "How well you work in a team" "What can you bring to the organisation" And give examples at any given opportunity, like working in groups in college and/or school etc. Researching the company is also good, listing the companies USP (unique selling point), slogan, target market and competitors should score you points. Even trivial things might help such as John Lewis being part of the Waitrose Group, that way at least it shows you've done some homework on them. Enthusiasm is something they always like and try to make eye contact as much as possible so you look interested. By the role they've told you, it seems the position is shelf stacker. Supermarkets do love their naff names for positions ;D Good luck and hopefully your successful  |
|
|
|
Post by dla389 on Mar 2, 2011 16:38:41 GMT
Sounds similar to the sort of interview process that Graduates will have to go through for big jobs. Fully aware of that, I reckon it will be worth it even if it's just for the experience. I understand many of the bigger employers use similar tactics in their interview processes so it's worth getting the practice in now; at least I would have had a bit of preparation once I've got through uni and want to move onto a good career. Researching the company is also good, listing the companies USP (unique selling point), slogan, target market and competitors should score you points. Even trivial things might help such as John Lewis being part of the Waitrose Group, that way at least it shows you've done some homework on them. Enthusiasm is something they always like and try to make eye contact as much as possible so you look interested. Thanks for your input, taken it all on board! Did a bit of research on their website for the past hour and in all fairness, it looks like they have a pretty d*mn good reputation as far as jobs like this go (it will certainly be a very different environment to my local Tesco!). Consider yourself lucky that you were given a 1 to 1 though as the 'group' ones can be a real pain if you don't sell your soul from what I've experienced at the clothing stores. They range from getting involved in tasks, speaking up, keeping an eye on the time and making sure you don't trample the other people there to get yourself heard. I've always tried to consider these factors, and even my last one which was at Next, the teamwork aspect of the interview was to sell a pair of leggings to one of the female managers (sigh). In my team I tried to bring other, quieter people into discussion (I've always thought these things win the points), but I was either talked over or ignored and didn't get the job in the end - can be a real nightmare because you do not know exactly what they want from you!  By the role they've told you, it seems the position is shelf stacker. Supermarkets do love their naff names for positions ;D Ha, wouldn't mind at all as long as there is a bit of variation between the role - such as being on the tills on some days! |
|
|
|
Post by londonbusboy on Mar 2, 2011 22:06:20 GMT
I've had a Waitrose interview for Croydon. Made it through the group stage but failed on the one to one!!
If you search in google 'The Student Room' then search on their site waitrose. They have a whole thread dedicated to whats expected etc. I found it really useful
Goodluck
|
|
|
|
Post by dla389 on Mar 3, 2011 1:29:18 GMT
I've had a Waitrose interview for Croydon. Made it through the group stage but failed on the one to one!! If you search in google 'The Student Room' then search on their site waitrose. They have a whole thread dedicated to whats expected etc. I found it really useful Goodluck Thanks, sounds interesting. Will check that out later. |
|
