Recorded video interview. It wasn't very hard just read the company website. It is more focussed on your past experiences. Haven't heard back from them yet though. I did online tests before this which were quite simple compared to other graduate jobs. Then this was the next step. The next part will be a group assessment.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why Aldi?
Something interesting you found out about Aldi?
A time you had to be ambitious?
I applied through other source. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at ALDI in Nov 2016
Interview
Very structured. Must know your stuff about Aldi. Same questions were asked as found on GlassDoor.
Would recommend looking at Aldi's core values about efficiency and how they run the stores
Core value is basically efficency allowing them to sell quality products at a cheap price
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at ALDI (Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England, England) in Nov 2016
Interview
This is all the information I have for the assessment centre. Arrive at centre. We were in a group of 6. Got to know other candidates whilst we were waiting for our assessment to start. Went up to assessment room, had predetermined seats. Only one assessor. We had to spend some time introducing ourselves, what our favourite product was and which programme we were applying to. Then had to give a 3 minute presentation on one of 6 topics: product range, store layout, customer behaviour, till operation, employees, special buys. Afterwards there was a group task of choosing 1 of 4 candidates for a position working in project management. Then there was a peer assessment form that we had to fill in. All of this lasted over 2 hours in total.
The assessment was enjoyable, but difficult. You are told you are not competing with each other but at the same time everybody wants to get their point across. I didn't like the fact that there was only one person doing the assessment, because if they had some form of prejudice against a certain candidate this would be reflected in their choice of who to put through. The assessor was cold and not very friendly. At the time she was professional and I could see that she was good at her job. Make sure for the presentation that you are prepared. You are given 10 minutes to prepare yourself but make sure you come with some written notes. For the CV question, take all attributes into account. You are given 10 minutes to decide on which candidate you wanted to put forward. Think about the competencies needed for the role; we chose a candidate that had slightly poor organisational skills and it seemed to be the wrong one. Kristen was the candidates name. When presenting your answer to the 'MD' (the assessor), she turns very very cold.. almost frozen. She will challenge your answer and will not be friendly about it.
Overall, I did enjoy the interview. The assessor was not friendly at all, but the other people in the assessment were really nice which made it easier. Whether or not you progress will come down partly to luck, and partly on whether you can impress. If you are not outstanding then you will not go through - they don't want to send some average Joe to the regional managing director. I didn't get an offer myself but I am quite glad in a sense, I don't think a career in retail management is right for me. I am allowed to reapply in 12 months, but I doubt that will happen.
One thing that I would criticise is that Aldi do not give personal feedback due to a 'large number of applications'. I think this is ridiculous as you travel so far for the assessment and it costs you money (which they don't reimburse) and then you are not even told how to improve. I think this is indicative of true Aldi culture, where maximising efficiency in this case actually translates to a lack of care for prospective employees.
Nevertheless they give a great salary and a free car (literally the only reason the majority of candidates apply), so go for it.
Good luck, you're going to need it.