Anyone work for Marks and Spencers?
- Thread starter Jimbo
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When I used to work there I had to go and talk to customers on the floor. Just ask them why they like to shop there etc...
Wasn't too difficult, just had to be confident!
KillerKebab works there now too, he works in ladieswear I think. He likes to try the stuff on.
Wasn't too difficult, just had to be confident!
KillerKebab works there now too, he works in ladieswear I think. He likes to try the stuff on.
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Jimbo said:
Sounds like role play to me. The interviewer might give you a set of scenarios for you to respond to.
Probably including a difficult customer scenario.
Hmf..retail would be great without the customers.
sup3rc0w said:
Yeah, we had in a group, one was Shane Richie (me), one was the soundman (with a pretend boom mic), one was the camera man (with a pretend camera) and one was the home owner and we had to re-act the scene of a Daz Advert, comedy gold!
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Jimbo said:
To be honest it is equally how you say something as opposed to what you say.
If you sound confident and knowledgable about whatever your saying and can keep an awkward customer calm then that is most of the battle won.
The key is confidence in retail, as usual
And if you aren't, just pretend to be 
I work for M&S over summer and christmas periods (if you manage to finish your training to a 'qualified' level they let you stay on the higher pay bracket if you work there again in the space of a year).
The impression I got of the roleplay scenario was that you'd have to be stupid or lack any confidence to fail it. I doubt they're all the same but my scenario was as follows:
The interviewer first informed me that we would be playing out a scene where she was a customer looking for help. I was then given about 20-30 laminated cards showing the name, image and price of foods/drinks. After 5 or so minutes she returned with a basket containing several more cards. This was where the 'in character' part started. She advised me she was hosting a dinner party and required a suitable selection of foods and drinks, the main caveat being her lack of access to any cooking facilities. Obviously the idea was to get her a varied choice of ready to serve foods. I found this pretty easy - although just about forgot to check the cards she already had - which contained things like uncooked chicken.
Although I imagine they vary the scenarios across the country I would have thought in a big company like M&S they try to standardise as much as possible. If you get something like the above just categorise your items (so you're not left shuffling through everything to find those sausage rolls and crisps you remembered). Don't bother trying to memorise everything.
M&S basically expect you to smile, be helpful and treat your customers like they're gold. It gets tedious after a few months, but given the attitude of some stores on the highstreet I can understand why they hammer it into you so hard.
Anyhows, it's a nice place to work and the discount is uber. M&S food ***.
EDIT: Oh, and I've done the ASDA 'Daz' one too. It wasn't anything like that.
The impression I got of the roleplay scenario was that you'd have to be stupid or lack any confidence to fail it. I doubt they're all the same but my scenario was as follows:
The interviewer first informed me that we would be playing out a scene where she was a customer looking for help. I was then given about 20-30 laminated cards showing the name, image and price of foods/drinks. After 5 or so minutes she returned with a basket containing several more cards. This was where the 'in character' part started. She advised me she was hosting a dinner party and required a suitable selection of foods and drinks, the main caveat being her lack of access to any cooking facilities. Obviously the idea was to get her a varied choice of ready to serve foods. I found this pretty easy - although just about forgot to check the cards she already had - which contained things like uncooked chicken.
Although I imagine they vary the scenarios across the country I would have thought in a big company like M&S they try to standardise as much as possible. If you get something like the above just categorise your items (so you're not left shuffling through everything to find those sausage rolls and crisps you remembered). Don't bother trying to memorise everything.
M&S basically expect you to smile, be helpful and treat your customers like they're gold. It gets tedious after a few months, but given the attitude of some stores on the highstreet I can understand why they hammer it into you so hard.
Anyhows, it's a nice place to work and the discount is uber. M&S food ***.
EDIT: Oh, and I've done the ASDA 'Daz' one too. It wasn't anything like that.
Burt,
Thanks ever so much for that, thats made me feel a whole lot better. Do i have to work to a budget for her?
I would obviously tell her to use ready made meals, ie cooked chicken / sausage rolls/ party food stuffs. I would reccomend a bottle of wine or 2 and some non alcoholic beverages for the drivers etc.
Thanks ever so much for that, thats made me feel a whole lot better. Do i have to work to a budget for her?
I would obviously tell her to use ready made meals, ie cooked chicken / sausage rolls/ party food stuffs. I would reccomend a bottle of wine or 2 and some non alcoholic beverages for the drivers etc.
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I didn't have a budget, but there were various 'deals' that it seemed obvious to promote. For example there was a card that had a bottle of wine for £4, then a card that had 3 bottles (of the same) for £10. When she said she'd like two of the £4 I recommended getting the third one for half price. Just common sense - they want you to make them money.
Like I said it might just be up to the interviewer to choose a scenario for you, in which case yours could be different. Everyone I spoke to said they had done the card thing too, though.
I'm pretty sure you'd have to be a complete muppet to fail it.
Like I said it might just be up to the interviewer to choose a scenario for you, in which case yours could be different. Everyone I spoke to said they had done the card thing too, though.
I'm pretty sure you'd have to be a complete muppet to fail it.
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I had to do (pretty much word for word) precisely what Burt had to do - and we live at opposite ends of the country
You are simply expected to take a look at the cards and think of solutions for your prospective customer. It really isn't difficult. All I did was tell the interviewer what I'd want for said party and it worked out fine for me
Menswear. Damn you
You are simply expected to take a look at the cards and think of solutions for your prospective customer. It really isn't difficult. All I did was tell the interviewer what I'd want for said party and it worked out fine for me
Skully said:
Menswear. Damn you