Boots have a ridiculous rule for applying...

pawsies

The first application you make to boots and the questionnaire that you fill in (what would you do scenarios) will determine any further applications you make to boots.

I just got an email off them rejecting me and saying any more applications I make to boots will be automatically rejected until aug 2013 because I failed the questionnaire!

We all know the questionnaire doesn't reflect a person at all and 'there are no wrong answers' :mad:

I understand trying to limit number of applicants but seeing as I've made 3 applications to the ones in my local area you'd think they'd recognise commitment and dedication.
Retail stores apparently don't care about commitment to the company as shown by a few stores I've applied to. hrmm.

Yes I'm annoyed as my boots store is a 3 minute walk away from my house and people in this town have come from places 45 mins away by car to get here- and they get the jobs.

I even spoke to the local manager of the vacancy who said my application could be considered in future. Well according to HR that's a no go.

eurgh.

Jarndyce

pawsies wrote: »

The first application you make to boots and the questionnaire that you fill in (what would you do scenarios) will determine any further applications you make to boots.

I just got an email off them rejecting me and saying any more applications I make to boots will be automatically rejected until aug 2013 because I failed the questionnaire!

We all know the questionnaire doesn't reflect a person at all and 'there are no wrong answers' :mad:

I understand trying to limit number of applicants but seeing as I've made 3 applications to the ones in my local area you'd think they'd recognise commitment and dedication.
Retail stores apparently don't care about commitment to the company as shown by a few stores I've applied to. hrmm.

Yes I'm annoyed as my boots store is a 3 minute walk away from my house and people in this town have come from places 45 mins away by car to get here- and they get the jobs.

I even spoke to the local manager of the vacancy who said my application could be considered in future. Well according to HR that's a no go.

eurgh.

Yes that's the attitude. Always someone else's fault you didn't get the job - never yours.

LadyMissA

Jarndyce wrote: »

Yes that's the attitude. Always someone else's fault you didn't get the job - never yours.

They are geared for the way the business is run like when I did a senario one for Primark asking me questions relating to the shop floor when it was for a job in the cashiers office.

One question was about if a customer asks you for a t shirt in a different size, what would your response be.

Mine was to check the store room, check on the shop floor then call the merchandise office to see if I can sourse another from another shop and get one transfered in.

This is good customer service but obviously not what Primark wanted as all my answers were similar and they probably do not want people wasting time doing all this when they are only interested in getting ££ in the till.

InsideInsurance

pawsies wrote: »

I've made 3 applications to the ones in my local area you'd think they'd recognise commitment and dedication.
Retail stores apparently don't care about commitment to the company as shown by a few stores I've applied to. hrmm.

You see commitment and dedication but they may see someone who really doesn't get the message.

A number of places I've worked at and been involved in hiring for have effectively had 3 responses - job offer, not right for this job or not right for this company.

Any marks of the later from any interview almost automatically barred you from any other application to the company. Only if there was an exceptionally strong case made would someone be considered on a subsequent application and that case would have to be made within the company and not by the applicant (ie generally a reference/ recommendation by an existing well regarded member of staff)

pawsies

Jarndyce wrote: »

Yes that's the attitude. Always someone else's fault you didn't get the job - never yours.

What a helpful post.

In actual fact once you submit an application once and submit the questionnaire the way they've set it up is so that the same questionnaire results are used over and over for further applications from the same person.

Exactly what this achieves I don't know as it doesn't account for people getting experience/changing etc it just assumes that I'd answer the questionnaire in exactly the same way which I probably wouldn't as I'd of gained experience.

Why I'm not allowed to rant and why you felt the need to comment sarcastically I don't know.

Jarndyce

You are perfectly at liberty to rant, just as I am at liberty to express the opinion that perhaps your failing to be selected is more to do with your attitude and preparation (or lack of it) than the selection criteria or recruitment policy of the potential employer, and that accepting that and addressing the reasons why you weren't successful rather than questioning those criteria and policies may be more productive for you.

I actually agree with you in principle, but the fact is though that Boots and other similar sized employers don't need to give you and other candidates like you a second chance. All the more reason to prepare thoroughly first time round.

Good luck with future applications.

LadyMissA

Jarndyce wrote: »

You are perfectly at liberty to rant, just as I am at liberty to express the opinion that perhaps your failing to be selected is more to do with your attitude and preparation (or lack of it) than the selection criteria or recruitment policy of the potential employer, and that accepting that and addressing the reasons why you weren't successful rather than questioning those criteria and policies may be more productive for you.

I actually agree with you in principle, but the fact is though that Boots and other similar sized employers don't need to give you and other candidates like you a second chance. All the more reason to prepare thoroughly first time round.

Good luck with future applications.

You can not really prepare for senario based questions as you have no idea what they are nor do you know what they are really looking for.

wantsajob

If what they base who they assume you to be on your email address, rather than NI number, then you can easily sign up for another email address. Keep on going till you win, and let us all know the "right" answers.

The thing I have most against the Boots application procedure is the Psychometric questions which ask you to choose the one most like you from two options, intended to determine your personality. Firstly it has no relation to job performance, and secondly it may discriminate against people with certain disabilities. Boots may be breaching their obligation under the Equality Act to make reasonable adjustments, if they will only consider a fully completed on line application.

Itismehonest

Don't shoot the messenger but maybe living only 3 minutes from the shop & contacting the manager direct has worked against you?

For instance, it could be that they have the impression that you only want the job because it's handy?

blue_haddock

When i'm recruiting i'd rather have someone who was well suited to the job who lives 30 minutes away than one who doesnt who only lives 5 minutes away.

wantsajob

blue_haddock wrote: »

When i'm recruiting i'd rather have someone who was well suited to the job who lives 30 minutes away than one who doesnt who only lives 5 minutes away.

And how much skill, ability, and effort do you think it takes to stack shelves, operate a till, be friendly to customers, and so on? We're not talking brain surgery here. Pretty much anyone can do such work, as the Workfare scheme so adequately proves when employers aren't too fussy if they're getting an employee for £0 an hour.