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Entry level retail group interview
mooshoepork
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I recently applied for a position at big W (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_W - for those who aren't Australian) and got an interview. This is my first job ever, so naturally I am pretty nervous about the interview. It is also a group interview. Does anyone have any tips? Or what these group interviews are like?
What I know so far:
Presentation
Dress neatly, shave, have a haircut, breath mints, deodorant etc...
In terms of clothing for entry level retail are we talking nice jeans, nice shoes, and a business shirt?
Body language
Eye contact, shaking hands, sitting up straight, smiling.
Documents
Bring resume, maybe a past school report? and references.
Other
Ask questions? like what? "what options are their for a full time career?" seems a little strange for an entry level retail position.
Structure
As far as I know this is how the interview is set out.
In these situations it is important to be assertive but not loud? I am worried about getting a say, as I am quiet. What questions can I ask? What questions will they ask me?
Why did you decide to apply for a position with Woolworths?
What did you believe the position entailed?
What opportunities did you believe this position could lead you to?
What are your future plans and what would you like to accomplish with the company?
What is your knowledge of the company and what service it provides to the public?
Are there textbook answers to these questions or should I just wing it?
And lastly, know my availability. Any help? Thank you
What I know so far:
Presentation
Dress neatly, shave, have a haircut, breath mints, deodorant etc...
In terms of clothing for entry level retail are we talking nice jeans, nice shoes, and a business shirt?
Body language
Eye contact, shaking hands, sitting up straight, smiling.
Documents
Bring resume, maybe a past school report? and references.
Other
Ask questions? like what? "what options are their for a full time career?" seems a little strange for an entry level retail position.
Structure
As far as I know this is how the interview is set out.
- You are put into groups of five and asked to introduce the person next to you.
- You then are given problems such as " there is a broken jar, a line of angry customers, and a loading truck out back, what do you deal with first and why?"
- You are then asked to compare barcode numbers and select the correct match
In these situations it is important to be assertive but not loud? I am worried about getting a say, as I am quiet. What questions can I ask? What questions will they ask me?
Why did you decide to apply for a position with Woolworths?
What did you believe the position entailed?
What opportunities did you believe this position could lead you to?
What are your future plans and what would you like to accomplish with the company?
What is your knowledge of the company and what service it provides to the public?
Are there textbook answers to these questions or should I just wing it?
And lastly, know my availability. Any help? Thank you
mooshoepork on
0
Posts
A agree about wearing black suit pants, black leather shoes, a business shirt and tie (no jacket necessary for a Big W interview). Like Fallingman said, better to be told to dress down than dress up.
You got presentation and Body Language down fairly well. Remember, it's important to smile and maybe make a light joke or two, but don't force smiles/jokes/laughs. Be natural, be yourself. Employers can generally sense if you're forcing something like that.
Also, be confident. When asked a question, don't let your nervousness overtake you and don't gush out a response in a big babble of mashed together words. Take in the question, compose your thoughts for a few moments, and answer coherently and clearly. It's ok to think for a moment or two before answering. It also makes it look less like you've pre-prepared answers and are just firing them off on auto-pilot, and more like you are thinking and structuring things in your head.
Yeah, bring a copy of your resume, even if they have it already. Bring any relevant certificates/qualifications (school certificate? TAFE certificates? HSC? - and a photocopy of each if they wish to keep them). Bri
ng them in a nice black folder, in sleeves. Presentation is everything
As for the questions, yeah, those cover it pretty well for a position like that.
They may ask you for a bit about yourself. They'll possibly ask you what your strengths/weaknesses are, what kind of person you are etc etc.
They will most likely ask you why you chose Woolworths. I'd probably mention that it's a large, well-established, stable company, and therefore brings many "career" possibilities/advancements and interesting opportunities (both in relation to work and meeting interesting people). Sure, it's kind of a fluff answer, as you're probably just applying to get some cash on the side whilst going through high-school, but you can't really tell them that.
They will definitely ask you stuff like you mentioned, like how to deal with problems/conflicts with customers and co-workers, and how you would solve the problem. Problem/conflict resolution usually involves first finding out what the problem is, then resolving it safely (yourself or with the help of a supervisor etc). I know, sounds obvious, but that's usually it. You'll have to work out your own answers for that in relation to Big W, I'm too lazy
For the question you provided, generally the answer is that you usually deal with customers first, because customers always come first, and satisfying your customers needs is first priority.
Like I said, you covered most of those questions pretty well. I'd definitely jot some answers down on a notepad and review them. That way, when asked, you still take the time to think, but you already know what to say to a degree. Don't "wing it", because you don't want to be taken by surprise with any questions, and have a mental blank in-front of them.
Just take it easy, be confident and good luck
EDIT: Remember, right from the word "go", an interview is all about "selling yourself"... So, that means, try to relate your answers in some way to how you are the perfect candidate for the job... just don't make it too blatant
I've never heard of such a thing. Does this involve a fight to the death?
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
You can't go wrong with an answer like that, though if the broken jar presents an immediate hazard to the customers that might be first priority. Customer service comes first, and customer safety is a primary element of that.
IOS Game Center ID: Isotope-X
Whatever you do, don't choose the net & trident. They always loose.
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Its an entry level retail job, and they are really just making sure you don't kill people randomly and look presentable. if you are not a fuckup in general, then you can land this job. The hiring managers know that 1/2 of you will be gone after a year anyway. Turnover is huge in the industry.
Second only to telemarketing / phone support.
Librarians harbor a terrible secret. Find it.
Do you have time to get some black slacks before the interview, and a tie (borrow one from your dad if possible?).
I would definitely recommend you wear black pants. If you don't have black suit pants, it may be worthwhile to buy a pair... you will be needing them to work there anyway (if you do get the job).
You could possibly get away with wearing just a shirt, minus the tie, but I'm not too sure.
If you're in school, you have to let them know that. That way if you do get the job, they can't give you shifts during school hours, unless there are days where you finish earlier than usual. If there are such days, and you're willing to work on such days, let them know.
A dress shirt is required, a tie shows that you actually give a crap.
Get a tie. Buy a cheap one, borrow one from a friend, or your dad, or a friends dad.
At wal-marts around here, you can spend 15 bucks and get a matching shirt+tie combo. Its not ritzy, but you arent interviewing for a Fortune 50 company.
By doing so, you've just differentiated yourself from 90% of the people they interview.
As the above poster said, it differentiates, and gives the impression that you aren't there just to screw around and get paid.
I'm A retail store Manager and when I interview there are several key questions
1. Why do you want to work here? (PLEASE don't answer "I need the money" well Guess what.. everyone I interviewed before you needs the money too) Tell them you looking to explore new opportunities.. a good one is... you needed experience and you know that (woolworth) was the best place to get...This tells me you are intersted in my company... not just money...
2. Why should I hire you....If you can't sell yourself honey... them How can I believe you will sell the product I have in my store.... think about it...
Dress Neatly...
Business casual... kaki pants collared shirt , tucked....NO sneakers...
Be at least 15 minutes early in case any paperwork needs to be filled out. Oh references.... if you don't have anywork exp... get a teacher/guidance counslor/rabbi/pastor/priest...as a reference... and nnoooo your mom doesn't count.
well good luck!
Mmmmmm...Gackt-licious
Yeah, this is probably ok. Khakis would be better than cords though.
Also, for the tie tieing noob: How To
Always, always be early for an interview. If you're merely on-time, then you're a risk.
In my case, all my questions actually had been answered in the interview process, so I actually said "no, I think we covered everything". But then I quickly threw in a minor question I managed to think up on the spot .
Needless to say, I got the job (though this wasn't an entry-level retail job) :P
Good luck dude ;-)