WH Smith interview tips?

j-josie

Hi. Has anyone got any tips they can offer my 16 year old son for his forthcoming interview for a Saturday job at WH Smith?

He is really keen to get the job as DH has been out of work since last Oct, so this would give DS some much appreciated financial independence.

My advice has been that they are looking for someone who is well mannered, friendly and numerate, so just to be himself as he is all 3 but then I am his mum so a bit biased:rotfl:) He is shy so is worried that he'll just clam up and that will be the end of it....

If anyone could tell him what to expect from the interview, that might help his nerves.

Many thanks

Mr_Falling_Star

Don't know about WH specifically (though it wouldn't do any harm to say you read a few books) but I think as long as they see he is sensible, level headed and can answer customers questions ok then he is halfway there

coffee_prince

I used to work there while studying, tbh it really differs from place to place, sometimes the manager will do it, sometimes a supervisor. Sometimes its a group interview.

Its very customer orientated, just talk about how he likes people, he is polite, customer comes first, he is only 16 so I don't think they will be expecting someone with a lot of experience etc.

hbloomers

If its a group interview, tell him not to be shy A lot of the time in these situations, one person will speak first for almost every question, and the others will just nod along or add something small. Its the person who shows the initative to speak first that often gets remembered.

Other than that, just tell him to be himself! From what you've said he sounds lovely Might be worth him having a look at some of the books etc in the store before he goes in, and seeing if there's anything he'd like to read, or whats the new best seller. In job interviews I've had in retail I've always been asked for the latest fashions for clothes and shoes, and my friend in HMV was asked what the current number one single in his interview was. Mightn't happen to your DS, but its worth being prepared

Gingernutmeg

I went for an interview for a weekend job with WHS when I was a student. It was a group interview, and I remember that we had to do a lot of answering questions (who would you want at the ultimate dinner party was one, and what would you do if you won the lottery lol) and we also had some group work - it's a few years ago but I seem to remember that we were given a customer service scenario and we had to work out how we'd deal with it. There was also a short maths test (addition, subtraction, multiplcation and percentages).

I think the best advice is not to be shy, and make sure that you do contribute to the discussions and that you answer questions with more than a yes or no! I was actually offered a full-time job in accounts after my interview, rather than the weekend job I'd applied for, so it's worth going all out to impress them!

j-josie

Thanks for all your replies. They are really helpful and I shall get DS to read the thread and think about a few possible responses etc..

And, thank you hbloomers, yes, he is lovely..the nicest lad I know (oops there I go again:rotfl:)

Reading has taken a back seat to the XBox these days but they have a games section,; he could be their resident expert!

He's got the 'smart casual' look all ready so fingers crossed..

HelenYorkshire

How smart/casual...?
I only ask because it is better to be overdressed than underdressed - the smarter he is, the more seriously it looks like he's taking the whole thing.
Maybe not a full on business suit, but clean ironed (lol) shirt and suit-type trousers and "proper" shoes would - in my estimation - give him a headstart over the equally lovely chap with his boxer-shorted buttocks hovering over his waistband!

j-josie

M&S dark blue chinos (only worn once so in pristine condition! £30 originally but £3 in the sale..), really smart shirt (they are not to know it came from charity shop;)). Leather Converse in a suitable sober shade and no fancy patterns. I just thought as he's only 16, he'd look and feel 'overdone' for the occasion in a suit, so we were going for 'perfectly presentable but young' look. Perhaps he could add a tie.

There's no fear that he'll turn up with his jeans clinging on precariously to his buttocks - that's my pet hate and it's all I can do to stop myself from shouting 'pull your trousers up' as I drive past wave after wave of daft looking lads who can barely walk with the crotch of their jeans around their knees. Ooh, drives me mad, it does:mad:

j-josie

Just thought..the interview is at the store itself. Is that likely to mean it will be more of a one to one thing as the staff areas are probably not that big to accomodate group interviews?

jackomdj

Could be either one to one or group as some of the staff area's can be quite big.

Some of the things they may ask are:
"what do WHSmith sell"? Books, News & Impulse (eg Mags, snacks, drinks etc), Stationery (eg Cards, pens etc), Entertainment. This is what WHS split their sales area's into.

what are some of the Key sellers at the moment? Back to school stuff, Michael Jackson (both books & DVD's & I think there is a magazine out), holiday reads.

what are some of the key times for WHSmith? Xmas, Valentines, Mothers Day/Fathers Day, Back to school, Jan Sale.

Customer focus is key, ability to talk to people, remember where things are, get stuck into tasks.

Good luck for him.
HTH
Nicky

j-josie

That all sounds really useful, jackomdj. Will get DS to read your post.

And, HelenYorkshire, he's adding a tie to the ensemble. Luckily DD's boyfriend left a smart, young person's tie here after a wedding at the weekend so he will be relieved to be spared a 'middle aged dad' one

Ah well, you've all given him lots to think about, so it's over to him now..
Many thanks everyone