Friendly, relaxed and casual. The hiring managers was really supportive and the whole interview process was smooth. The questions were very practical and it was a quick one. They ask you about customer service and how to deal with certain situations
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you describe a perfect customer service?
Before any interview, understand Co-op's core values. They assess not just your skills, but your alignment with these principles:
Succeed Together: Collaboration, inclusion, sharing ideas.
Be Yourself, Always: Authenticity, integrity, honesty.
Show You Care: Empathy, community focus, customer service.
Do What Matters Most: Taking responsibility, focusing on what's important.
General Interview Process Structure
1. Application & Initial Screening
Online Application: Submit your CV and cover letter. Crucially, tailor your cover letter to the "Ways of Being." Use their language and give examples.
Online Assessments: For many roles (especially graduate, management, head office), you may receive:
Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs): Scenarios testing how you'd handle situations aligned with Co-op values.
Numerical/Verbal Reasoning Tests: For analytical roles.
Video Interview: Possibly an automated video interview where you record answers to pre-set questions (usually 3-5 questions). These will heavily focus on values and behaviors.
2. First Interview/Telephone Screening
Format: Often a phone or video call with a recruiter or hiring manager.
Focus: Career motivation, understanding of the Co-op and its values, salary expectations, and right-to-work checks. For store roles, this might be more straightforward and focused on availability.
3. Assessment Centre or Final Interview Panel
(More common for corporate, graduate, and management roles)
Co-op is known for robust assessment centres, which may include:
Group Exercise: Often a case study or discussion related to a business challenge. They observe your teamwork, communication, and how you "Succeed Together."
Role-Play or Customer Simulation: Especially for customer-facing roles, to "Show You Care."
Written Exercise/ Case Study Analysis: For professional roles.
Competency-Based Interview:
Thank you for sharing your experience of interviewing with us. We'd like to point out that not all of the reviewer content is up to date or accurate. For more information on our application processes please visit jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process where you can see the 5 key stages that apply to all our roles.
I applied through other source. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at Co-op (Swansea, Wales) in Aug 2025
Interview
They email you the questions they are going to ask and I suggest you not only work on your answers but also take notes with you into the interview. Use STAR to make your interview shine through.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Can you tell me about a situation where you had to build a
relationship with someone else at work?