Interview at M&S

1940sGal

I have one tomorrow. I'm determined to get it and get out of this dreadful job I'm in. Was wondering if anyone else works there and knows what they're like or has had one recently. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

In the confirmation email it says there will be a role playing exercise during the process. This will have something to do with showing how good I am at customer service. Having worked in retail, I'm fine face to face with customers but I'm still nervous as heck.

tonyh66

they will probably throw an awkward situation at you to see how you cope under pressure, stay calm and polite at all times, good luck....

jen245

My hubby has just started a temporary job there, and the interview process is totally OTT for what you are actually doing. He had to have a written test lasting 40 minutes, then an interview, he passed that, then he had to go back the next day, and do the role play exercise, which is basically one of the managers being a difficult customer that you have to deal with, and then he had a formal interview lasting about 30 minutes with management and hr, for a flipping job stacking shelves!! Don't want to burst your bubble or anything, but he hates it there, and can't wait until the end of his contract, that's not to say you wouldn't like it though.

Good luck

makeyourdaddyproud

Don't want to burst your bubble or anything, but he hates it there, and can't
wait until the end of his contract, that's not to say you wouldn't like it
though.

Does your hubby hate being sickeningly helpful too? My daughter hated it at ASDA.

I cringe when I ask for help and I get the obligatory "... is there anything else I can help you with? ..." and "... good day to you sir" parrot-fashioned nonsense.

MissSarah1972

I have been interviewed in the past for a HO job with M&S and it was over the top too. 4 tests, a group interview then a talk then a long wait for a panel to interview you - awful and nevet got the job and too be honest at the time I was happy I didn't get it.

When working for HofF we used to call M&S and the like 'bung it in the bag' shops

Poetry

My brother just got a Christmas job there and actually enjoyed the interview. His was about a lost cake order I think. Not sure if I can post links but there's a thread on 'the student room' forums in the temporary work bit dedicated to M&S which he found very useful for getting an idea about the potential role plays.

1940sGal

jen245 wrote: »

My hubby has just started a temporary job there, and the interview process is totally OTT for what you are actually doing. He had to have a written test lasting 40 minutes, then an interview, he passed that, then he had to go back the next day, and do the role play exercise, which is basically one of the managers being a difficult customer that you have to deal with, and then he had a formal interview lasting about 30 minutes with management and hr, for a flipping job stacking shelves!! Don't want to burst your bubble or anything, but he hates it there, and can't wait until the end of his contract, that's not to say you wouldn't like it though.

Good luck

Blimey that does seem OTT! It hasn't said anything like that in the email Just that it lasts an hour and it involves the role play thing. Certainly nothing about a test or it being over 2 days.

Did your hubby apply online and do the online assessment? If not that could be why he did the 40 minute test.

Either way, it's only ever going to be temp for me. I'm either saving up for some photography equipment or applying for a graduate training scheme. Haven't decided about the last one yet.

1940sGal

Poetry wrote: »

My brother just got a Christmas job there and actually enjoyed the interview. His was about a lost cake order I think. Not sure if I can post links but there's a thread on 'the student room' forums in the temporary work bit dedicated to M&S which he found very useful for getting an idea about the potential role plays.

I've just been looking on there! Saw someone mention a lost cake scenario but they didn't go in to any detail. One did, with the trouser scenario.

jen245

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

Does your hubby hate being sickeningly helpful too? My daughter hated it at ASDA.

I cringe when I ask for help and I get the obligatory "... is there anything else I can help you with? ..." and "... good day to you sir" parrot-fashioned nonsense.

LOL, it's not so much that, although today he had to ask every customer if they had an M&S credit card :rotfl: but he said the managers in the store he works, treat staff like they can't tie their own shoe laces, like they are stupid, and that's what really bugs him.

1940sGal

jen245 wrote: »

LOL, it's not so much that, although today he had to ask every customer if they had an M&S credit card :rotfl: but he said the managers in the store he works, treat staff like they can't tie their own shoe laces, like they are stupid, and that's what really bugs him.

I don't blame him, I hate that too. But I think it can vary store to store. I've worked with some really good managers in the past and equally some real pieces of work.

jen245

1940sGal wrote: »

Blimey that does seem OTT! It hasn't said anything like that in the email Just that it lasts an hour and it involves the role play thing. Certainly nothing about a test or it being over 2 days.

Did your hubby apply online and do the online assessment? If not that could be why he did the 40 minute test.

Either way, it's only ever going to be temp for me. I'm either saving up for some photography equipment or applying for a graduate training scheme. Haven't decided about the last one yet.

He was referred by the job centre, and his interview was over 2 days 2 hours for each session, with a lot of waiting around too