I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Marks & Spencer (Reading, England) in Aug 2015
Interview
So After getting through the main online questionnaire stage, i was told straight away whether or not i had been successful for a face to face interview, which i did. When i arrived at the store i was directed to wait for a member of staff near the customer service area where i will be picked up and shown to the interview room. 2 people arrived shortly, one doing the role play and the other assessing/ asking the interview questions.
When i was sat down in the interview room this is the summarised process as what happened
1) 5 sheets of A4 paper will be laid down in front of you containing information on products and items that will match the scenario you are given (its really obvious what scenario you are given from the items you will have up sell etc.)
2) Both interviewers will leave the room for 5 minutes to allow you to take notes on whats on the piece of paper, although i was told you are allowed to use the sheets of paper if you wanted to, however advised that it would be better not to as it created better flow and less pauses in between.
3) for my scenario i got asked for parma ham, which was out of stock. so i had to recommend seranno ham (all this information is presented in table on the A4 paper, it will say parma ham = out of stock, serrano recommended etc.). Then i got asked about other items that were out of stock and at this point you want to upsell and recommend alternatives, also if on the A4 paper mentions stuff on offer eg. buy 3 mix and match for £4. Try to fit that in.
4) after this role playing stage, the actual interview process took place, which involved the standard questions such as why you want to work there etc/
I interviewed at Marks & Spencer (Milton Keynes, England)
Interview
Initially went and the last candidate overran (i waited for 40 minutes extra) so my interview got moved to next week. Original interviewer wasn't available so a colleague performed it. They could not find the interview sheet so had to come up with questions on the spot and get my details again. I was a bit annoyed but I think the interview was okay.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What would you do if you have been given a task but a long queue is building up at tills, and there is only one colleague serving?
Quite informal, mostly asking about my reasons for applying to them specifically - I recommend looking at their welfare and environmental status, and the fact that their brand is associated with higher quality food
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why would you choose to work at M&S rather than at another supermarket?
I interviewed at Marks & Spencer (London, England)
Interview
Very chilled out interview with a few questions about simple stuff like what you would do in a confrontational event. Really nice interviewer, felt more like a chat than an interview.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What would you do if a member of the public was being confrontational?