John Lewis Interview/Assessment

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My wife has applied for a job at John Lewis and is through to the next stage which is a 90 minute assessment & interview at the local store. I wondered if anyone had any first hand experience and could offer some advice? She's been out of the job market for over 8 years (full time mum).
 
Advise her to read up on how the partnership system works and ensure she can talk about the pros and cons of how the employees own the company, especially things like electing shop floor staff to divisional councils and what the partnership council does.

They love it when prospective employees are knowledgable about that aspect of the business - just don't mention them excluding cleaners - touchy subject!
 
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She found out today that she got the job! We're both over the moon and she is so excited at the prospect of working there.

They said she did well just to get to the assessment/interview stage - they must get hundreds of applicants - so getting the job is fantastic. She felt it went well, but you can never be sure, or know how well everyone else does.

There was one point were they had five of them taking it in turns to sell an item to the assessor, who was pretending to be a customer with a list of needs/wants. But there were only three scenarios, so two applicants were going to miss out. After two had had their go, my wife thought, 'This is it! Now or never!' and jumped at the final role-play. I think it paid off. :)

The interview/assessment was tough, but enjoyable. It ended up taking a little over two hours, which for a temp. shop floor worker is a lot in my mind, but I guess they can afford to be choosey.

She's just waiting for them to agree hours and then we'll have to work out who's going to look after the kids. :o

She'll probably have 2-3 months to show them how valuable she is, in the hope they'll offer her a permanent position.
 
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Thanks. I'm really hoping she can turn it into a full-time position. It'll certainly take the pressure off when I lose my job in February.
 
Do they still do 25% discount after 3 years?

Cant remember exactly but its something like 15 % after 3 months for all staffs atm.
I used to work at waitrose during my college days and that had 2 tiers of discount. you got your first discount card after 3 month (?) and the better one after 3 odd years.

During and after uni, I was at John Lewis with extremely reduced hours :P

Now everyone gets the same rate after 3 month!

These temps im sure dont get bonus unless you get on to become permanent. more of a reason to try and prove useful!

No longer working there, but i had some good times in both places :)
 
You get you partner card after 3 months. You can nominate one other person you live with who can have a card too. Very important not to abuse the card tho as she will get sacked.

Waitrose is 15% off most things apart from alcohol and tobacco

John Lewis is 25 % off non electricals
John Lewis electricals is 12.5%

Welcome to the partnership :)
 
You get you partner card after 3 months. You can nominate one other person you live with who can have a card too. Very important not to abuse the card tho as she will get sacked.

Waitrose is 15% off most things apart from alcohol and tobacco

John Lewis is 25 % off non electricals
John Lewis electricals is 12.5%

Welcome to the partnership :)

Ah OK, it was a yellow and then red bit of cardboard for the different percentages when I was with them ages ago.
 
After a bit of a hiccup over hours it looked like the job was never going to materialise :( but then at the last minute someone dropped out! and she was offered near perfect hours - she starts Monday! :D

After thinking the JL position was gone she applied to Debenhams and breezed through the application form, telephone interview and assessment day. The latter was supposed to last no more than 2 hours, but ended up taking nearly 4!

She's still waiting to hear from Debenhams, but as she's now got her dream job at JL, she's not too fussed. :)

I actually envy her - part of me would love to work for JL, probably in the technology dept. :)
 
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Your wife should stay in JL.

They treat their staff well and they get a yearly bonus as well which is great.

Plus the discount is really good :D

Source: GF worked there before!
 
I think the higher up the ladder you go (in most professions) the less recruitment relies on such processes; it's all done by reputation and a 30 minute chat over a coffee.
 
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