Rejected By Large Dept Stores

98jdougl

It's an employers market- lots of retail staff are getting made redundant and, whilst you may feel you have a lot to offer, people with experience in retail will probably get offered the positions first as they have the experience.

I hate doing psychometric testing but my dad's company used to do it and thought it was awesome, they did it on everyone already in the team and is spot on,,, they can tell you loads about the person rather accuratly- one of the key things is not to lie on them though- one I had asked if I lied and swore and I said that I did, my OH said that he didnt because he thought that it would be offputting (same job) he didnt get an interview and I got the job!

DCFC79

Bunnie1982 wrote: »

I mean this to be constructive, but is there anyone who could have a look over your application forms before you take them in? I say this because usually if you get the "thanks but no thanks" response it can mean that you have not met the criteria they are looking for. Also that person could check for any spelling mistakes etc.

I too dislike the online psychometric testing, I did one for a telesales position within BT and apparently it showed I'd be better at face to face sales than telesales, however I have no idea how they can determine that from the questions they asked.

most applications for stores are all done online and you answer questions we you do for sainsburys

coffee_prince

TBH I have a lot of friends in retail and most of the CVs don't get looked at, or they are skimmed through.

I have more success going through jobsite then the online applicaions because when you email the recruiter 95% of the emails will just be a blank wth a CV attached.

I write in the email a little paragraph basically saying that I live nearby, am flexible, have worked in xxx for 3 years and also have a food hygiene certificate or anything that is relevent as they cant be bothered to open 100+ attachments

I got a call the next week, got the interview and job same day. Er thats after 7 months but I guess you need to make yourself stand out, the email is what they will scan through, and they will open your cv to see if you get their attention..

hope that helps.. I've had 15+ interviews in 7 months which I thin is pretty good. I am just not very good at them if I am failing so much

chriswatts

Truegho wrote: »

Is anybody having any difficulty getting even a Sales Assistant role in a large department store? I have lost count of the number of times I have applied for retail work - only to be knocked back time and time again. This is especially soul-destroying after spending nearly an HOUR completing those stupid, lengthy online psychometric tests!

Perhaps you should consider another field, a news report in my local paper reported that now the recession is taking full effect, for one job in retail there was 100 candidates! Although some stores close down in this climate retail is still seen as an easier area to get a job in compared to other sectors, which thus increases the number of candidates from other fields and with those seeking employment from the companies that went to the wall, just make it even more difficult to get a job.

atarisrocks

i was lucky and got one 4 years ago but after 4 years i still only allowed part time hours which are impossible to live off £40 a week nothing i get more on JSA.

crockpot

PocoLocoCoco wrote: »

Never give up, I have been unemployed since January and today I got a job in Marks & Spencers. I must admit I think that their online test system is a hit or a miss. I have read that people experienced in retail have failed the test and on that you don't get invited to interview.

Keep going and trying! I know how tough it is to be unemployed I have been trying for months and was really beginning to give up and now I have something.

Are you sure you have a job with M and S? Do not mean to put a dampner on it, but I went for a new store job, did the online test, went to the assesment was told I had passed and they would contact me within 2 weeks with details of shift pattern etc. I was so happy.

2 weeks later I got a letter to say I had been put on a waiting list! They would contact me if another job came along or if I saw one to contact them, the `pass` would be valid for 6 months. Look on their site every day-no jobs in my local area.

I did have a holiday book around the time of new store opening so maybe that did it in for me?

I wish you all the luck in the world, just don`t count your chickens! Like I did and end up depressed like me.

paulwf

Don't give up...you are probably doing nothing wrong, it is just you are probably up against 100 other candidates of which 10 are as good as you. Just keep playing the numbers game, the focus now is to get your foot in the door with a Christmas temp job.

Unemployment is rising and retailers are cutting back on recruitment big time...hence so many applicants per job.

PocoLocoCoco

..........................

crockpot

PocolocoCoco if you have an induction day and 2 weeks worth of hours then I am sure that you have got it!

I left the interview being told I had passed and that they would contact me with induction details etc, then got waiting list letter.

Good Luck!

hr100

Truegho wrote: »

That is disgusting. I really feel for you. It is certainly a sad indication of the times. You just wonder to yourself, will things EVER get better, don't you?

Why disgusting? Because someone else was better suited to the job?