Christmas temp at Next

Lirin

If you do get a discount- get nice hardwearing tops. You'll see what I mean when you're trying to pull a heavy rail with winter coats, or getting shoved by customers....
The Next I worked in was a clearance outlet, which meant the 25% discount was a bit null and void, as we would usually start receiving the current stock at half price three weeks or so into the new catalogue.
The 75% discount is good, I did like it. I know a lot of our temps would have stuck with plain black trousers and spent their discount/allowance on tops. Management were fine with it, as it left the temp a bigger variety of clothing.
Aside from the manager in our place being woefully unable to manage, I did enjoy working there.....

It got a bit nuts though during sales- I was pushed to the ground by a guy trying to get at jewellery (had fun escorting him from the premises!), we had a staff member continually on the doors after closing/before opening- people would force the door and damage the lock. I had one lovely person attempt to punch me when I explained we had closed 15minutes previusly, and no, he couldn't possibly come in for a 'quick peek.'

Not meaning to scare you- I've had similar experiences in most retail, just more than most in Next during a sale!

You will enjoy it, and congratulations....

rapunzelz86

Thanks, im so glad im not working in a next clearance! I have seen for myself as a customer how mad it can get.
This one is a big one though - its in cwmbran which isnt even a city, and the next in newport (nearest city to cwmbran) is actually smaller and quieter. I believe newport residents actually come to cwmbran to shop as the city is so rubbish, so i know itl be hectic on sales day.
Really looking forward to it anyway, and gona work my socks off to hopefully get taken on permanent!

PARIS_5000

sadeelisha wrote: »

Thanks, im so glad im not working in a next clearance! I have seen for myself as a customer how mad it can get.
This one is a big one though - its in cwmbran which isnt even a city, and the next in newport (nearest city to cwmbran) is actually smaller and quieter. I believe newport residents actually come to cwmbran to shop as the city is so rubbish, so i know itl be hectic on sales day.
Really looking forward to it anyway, and gona work my socks off to hopefully get taken on permanent!

What is the interview process like for next?

rapunzelz86

Again, i think it must vary by store from what ive read on various forums.
Mine went like this -
Got a phonecall evening after apllying online to go in the next day.
Arrived and was shown to a room with one other candidate sitiing with a manager. Manager was lovely, really put us at ease. She read through the health and safety and general info on the role/shifts etc.
Then she asked us to say a bit about ourselves ( i just stated family situation, what ive done in past, what i want for future).
Then we had a few scenario questions;
"How would you deal with a customer who is in the shoe dept and asks for your advice between 2 pairs?"
I said, ask what occasion, what clothes will be going with them.
Then we went down to shop floor. They put me on fitting rooms with a sales asst, who told me what to do (greet customer, take items, put card in machine and type in how many items, take them down to cubicle, tell them to let you know if they need anything else).
I think they just want to make sure youre polite and not shy.
Then we had to do link selling.
Other candidate had to be customer and pick an item of clothing. I then had to pick a few items to go with to suggest to her. The emphasis was on how you approach not neccesarily what you pick.
After that we stood by front door and just chatted about bits and bobs, pay, hours etc, do we have any questions.
Then it was over (lasted hour and a half) and 2 hours later i got a phone call offering me the job.
I know it sounds quite in depth but it was really relaxed, though i guess this depends on whos interviewing you.

Lirin

Lol. My interview consisted of me going in to buy a suit, asking about the job advert in the window, being told it was a madhouse, and agreeing to start in three days!

xxhayley_hxx

I can also confirm you do NOT receive uniform if you're temping as Christmas staff. You will be required to wear business dress.

- Uniform allowance isn't given willy nilly, it's done in chunks. You will have a certain amount during the fashion seasons. So winter/summer season.
- If you see it from a logical point of view, they won't make you buy uniform that will 95% end up in the end of season sale on boxing day. You can only wear clothing that is available to buy, any items that went into the sale aren't allowed to be worn anymore. Therefore uniform allowance will be given during January.
- You WILL get a 25% discount card, as you're an employer.
- Uniform allowance is around £75 which is just about enough for a pair of trousers and two tops.

On Next sale day you'll be given a t-shirt to wear anyways. Which is mainly why they employ christmas temp staff. They will likely keep on temp staff if you make a good impression. So always approach every customer you see and ask 'Hello there, can I help you with anything?' don't stand around and chat, just get on with the job and you'll have an extended contract in no time!