I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at John Lewis & Partners (Manchester, England) in Apr 2014
Interview
Applied online via JLP careers website on the 3rd of April. Very lengthy online application. then was sent an email asking to complete a values test.
This was essentially a personality questionnaire. Then a little while later was emailed again saying so far I was successful and to book an assessment day. This was on the 15th of April.
Assessment day- we were split into tables of smaller groups about 6-8 per table with one section manager. There were about 6 tables so 36-40 of us overall. (There were 2 days of assessments so over 80 people attended.) Make sure you bring ID or they may send you home. Then the recruitment co-ordinate went through a brief PowerPoint explaining all about the partnership, bonus, staff discount, dress code ETC. Then we had a quick icebreaker introducing ourselves and playing bingo. After we went to the shop floor in our teams and were asked to find one main positive and one main negative about the section we were put on. Then go and feedback to our assessor.
The next task was to sell an item to the assessor. Then we had a brief one to one interview mostly to clarify availability. The whole thing took about 2-2.5 hours.
We were told we would hear back within 7-10 days I started getting diheartened when nearly 2 weeks passed. But then I got a call offering me a contract. I start on the 10th of May. So the process has taken over a month.
And just a warning to anyone expecting otherwise, the starting pay for a selling assistant is £6.50. You have the chance to increase that though if your good. Only about 10 people were selected out of the original 300 that applied online.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
In one to one interview I was asked if I could have done something differently today what would that be. But no difficult questions really.
I interviewed at John Lewis & Partners (London, England)
Interview
QPretty simple, know your products, current trends etc.
include others in group assessment as collaboration is important.
Why John Lewis and how would you add value?
How would you handle a disgruntled customer?
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe what good customer service looks like to you.
Standard questions as expected, management made me feel at ease during interview and got to meet some team members too. Tasks to work through information and then 1-1 interview with hiring manager
Behavioural and situational questions relating to your experience and job requirements. 1 ac and an interview with 2 people after. Should be only 30 minutes with follow-up questions if needed.