Argos Group interview/open evening

cr1mson

Have been invited to an open evening/group session following applying for a Xmas job with them.

Any idea what it will involve? Any top tips?

Thanks in advance.

C

jennyo

many years ago I went to something similar at woolies for a christmas job (which I got), what suprised me was how scruffy some of the people went, I treated it like a proper interview. Good luck hopefully someone will come along who have been to one.

leckl

they ask varuuos questions and take your photo so they can remember what you look like. some of my friends kids have had them, you need to try and stand out from the crowd (in a good way).

dontone

I did one for Argos about 6/7 years ago for a Xmas job. we all sat in a circle and we had to ask about, write about and introduce the person sat next to us.
Then we were all split into different groups of about 5 per group and each group had to come up with a various design - i.e a new uniform, radio ad etc, etc.
Then we got shown where the stock was kept and had to put it away using the numbers on the boxes and we were watched as to how fast we could find the locations.
I think after that the managers said that they needed people in a few days and would call the day after. I got a call after about 2 weeks. TBH I really dislike these types of group interviews because I don't think that it portrays people in the best light. You are never going to wear a uniform made out of balloons or sing and dance a made up ad, if it makes you uncomfortable being forced to participate in silly tasks, then the managers can basically write you off without actually talking to you to discuss why you would be good for the job.
So I'd suggest try and smile a lot and look enthusiastic. sorry I can't give you anymore of a heads up. But good luck
I'll be honest and say that I didn't enjoy the experience at all, but it helped pay for Christmas.

dontone

jennyo wrote: »

many years ago I went to something similar at woolies for a christmas job (which I got), what suprised me was how scruffy some of the people went, I treated it like a proper interview. Good luck hopefully someone will come along who have been to one.

I did a Woolies one around the same time as the Argos one. We had to walk around wollies asking people what they would be must likely to buy. all the while we were being watched on the CCTV cameras to ensure that we weren't cheating.
I didn't half feel a wally. And I didn't get the job.

flea72

the usual type of group interview - about 30 people at each one

speak to the person next to you and then introduce them to the group, giving all the odd facts they have fed you, so they stand out

get in small groups and design a poster for an argos superhero, based on products from the catalogue

you dont get a one-on-one interview with a manager, you only get to speak to them to give details of what hours you can work

they base their decision on what hours you can work and how you fit in with their rotas, not how well you performed in the group stuff

F

SarEl

Good God. No wonder one can never get served at Argos. The staff are all running encounter groups in the back!

Reverbe

I just went to one where a lot of people walked out. They expected us to sit through hours of nonsense without even a guaranteed interview for only six hours a week on NMW..(see my post on this)

Like Jennyo I was shocked to see the amount of jeans. leggings, ugg boots etc..

cr1mson

Thanks all.

Just to update. Was the only one in a suit!

Had to introduce person next to you, then do a group exercise designing a poster, then an exercise where there was a list of catalogue number and you had to say which were the same and which different. Finally an interview which was more a check of availability than anything.

Find out on Friday.

C

full-time-mum

Last year, the manager was looking at how you interacted with others. We had to cut up a catalogue and make a poster of things we thought needed advertising for Xmas.

Just make sure that you are polite and don't sit in the corner saying nothing. Retail is a customer based service and the store need to know you will make eye contact with customers, chat with them politely.

Can't say for sure what other managers will be after but the above seems to be reasonable expectation together with being presentable. Make sure you're clothes are clean, ironed and you are presentable - not lashings of make up more suited to a nightclub and the basics such as tidy hair, not too over powering perfume etc