The process took 6 days. I interviewed at B&Q (Great Yarmouth, , , Angleterre)
Interview
I filled out the online assessment which was rather easy, mostly common sense. I got a call within a few days telling me i'd gotten through to the group interview stage. There was meant to be around 8 people for mine, but only 5 turned up.
We sat in a semi circle facing about 4 b&q staff members. We introduced ourselves, saying a bit about our lives and previous jobs.
Then we were given a bucket containing lots of paper, some scissors, plastic cups, straws and sellotape and told to make a tower (as tall as possible) that could hold the weight of a mobile phone. It sounded fun, but i was stuck with the most indecisive middleaged people ever who couldnt agree how to do it.
Still, its not about the tower. Its how you speak to team mates, suggest new things, ask peoples opinions and get stuck in.
I made plenty of jokes about the Apprentice, and told the interviewer i hoped she didnt like her phone TOO much as it was likely to fall off our wobbly godawful tower. If its all going wrong, show them you have a sense of humour.
Then we were taken down to the shop floor and had to go up to customers and say 'can i help you with anything' etc. That bit was very easy.
Lastly (my least favourite bit) we were taken back up to the room and told to pick an item off the table. You had to sell it to everyone in the room.
Everyone except me chose complicated things, which backfired when the interviewers started asking questions at the end. I chose marrigold gloves. ('What an investment these are! Much cheaper than expensive hand creams ladies, for that post-washing up dryness! No more pasta under your manicure!) The only special features they had could be reeled off quickly, so no awkward questions ;)
Got called back for a one-on-one interview. The questions were predictable; they wanted examples from previous jobs on how youd handled situations etc so have a few answers memorised.
They offered me the job at the end of the interview.
Interview questions [4]
Question 1
Can you tell me something you found challenging at a previous job? (and how you resolved it)
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at B&Q in Dec 2013
Interview
Applied online, had a phone interview then was invited to the store. Went around shop floor talking to customers then had a one to one interview. We also had to build a tower using new papers and glue. This is too see how you interact with one another. Make sure you are constantly talking they rate you on this!
I applied online. The process took 3 days. I interviewed at B&Q (Luton, South West England, England) in Nov 2013
Interview
First stage was an online application, which took about 2 hours for complete. Mainly quiz based.
Second stage was a phone interview, that covered some DIY understanding and overall interest in the company.
Last stage was an interview in person with two of the department managers in the store. Short interview. General HR questions. Few questions on sales skills.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a difficult situation and what you did to resolve the problem?