[Samantha.R]

I applied for a job at Next last Thursday I've had a missed phone call from an unavailale number do Next call from an unavailale number?

[Aaaaaaaargh!]

(Original post by lushaholic693)
Is there a difference at Next between a Sales Consultant and Sales Assistant? I was thinking of applying for a Sales Consultant role for the summer sale at my local store but wasn't sure if this was a more senior position than Sales Assistant or just what Next advertise all their sales positions as.

Anyone who can help with this it would be much appreciated

Go back one page and right there I've answered your exact question.

I'm more than happy to answer questions on here, but it'd be best if you have a read of the most recent pages of this thread before firing away

(Original post by tinman1)
I wouldn't work at Next if they paid me.

That's nice.

(Original post by Samantha.R)
I applied for a job at Next last Thursday I've had a missed phone call from an unavailale number do Next call from an unavailale number?

Yes we do but the caller IS supposed to leave a message. Call them up for clarification.

[Sabali]

(Original post by Aaaaaaaargh!)
.

Hi, I was wondering if you could help me out please.

I applied for a job at various Next stores. I had an interview with one and was told they'd get back to me by Monday.

I had a call on Wednesday asking me for interview at another store today and I was told I was successful on the spot and given a time for induction.

I would prefer the job at the other store and was wondering how pissed the second store would be if I informed them that I had decided to take the job at the first store I interviewed with( should I have got it)

Also do I wear something formal to my induction?

Thank you!

[Aaaaaaaargh!]

(Original post by Sabali)
Hi, I was wondering if you could help me out please.

I applied for a job at various Next stores. I had an interview with one and was told they'd get back to me by Monday.

I had a call on Wednesday asking me for interview at another store today and I was told I was successful on the spot and given a time for induction.

I would prefer the job at the other store and was wondering how pissed the second store would be if I informed them that I had decided to take the job at the first store I interviewed with( should I have got it)

Also do I wear something formal to my induction?

Thank you!

Just explain your situation to the store, say the other store would be better for you to travel to and would prefer there. If your induction after Monday? If so and you get the job at your preferred store, you can just call before the induction and say you've got a job at another store.

They won't be bothered much.

And no you don't need formal wear to the induction, but don't dress scruffy.

[Alhumdullillah:)]

I was offered a job yesterday but it wasn't for the initial job I applied for. Also the manager said he would ring me at any time could be tomorrow or two weeks. So has anyone got an idea of how long they usually take for an introduction. The wait is killing meeeeee!

They offered me a job even though I have had no retail experience before, happy days!

[Sabali]

(Original post by Aaaaaaaargh!)
Just explain your situation to the store, say the other store would be better for you to travel to and would prefer there. If your induction after Monday? If so and you get the job at your preferred store, you can just call before the induction and say you've got a job at another store.

They won't be bothered much.

And no you don't need formal wear to the induction, but don't dress scruffy.

The other store is actually further from me but I just prefer it for some odd reason.

Thank you very much for you help!

[InadequateJusticex]

I have an interview this Tuesday - I'm so so nervous! Going to be my second ever job interview

[johnsoloman]

(Original post by Aaaaaaaargh!)
Just explain your situation to the store, say the other store would be better for you to travel to and would prefer there. If your induction after Monday? If so and you get the job at your preferred store, you can just call before the induction and say you've got a job at another store.

They won't be bothered much.

And no you don't need formal wear to the induction, but don't dress scruffy.

Hey,

Just wanted some advice really if you don't mind?

I've applied to several vacancies now and have been unsuccessful. I've kept my application the same each time and would always make it past the intial screening but fail to be contacted for an interview and be rejected as they would say: "we regret to inform you that candidates whose skills and experience more closely matched our requirements have now been selected for interview. We are therefore unable to pursue your application any further on this occasion" This is partly understable seeing as i have no retail experience. So i figured it must be my application and tried to change a few things like my online answers to the scenario questions and have completely redone my long answer to the question of describe what achievements you have and how they would relate to working at Next. I am very confident that my new answer is much better, detailed and more relevant to the question. But the thing was i changed a few of my online scenario questions and must have got them wrong and so the next day after i sent my application off, i got a rejection email straight away saying that i didn't make it past the initial screening due to not meeting the requirement threshold in the scenario questions. I was obviously extremely frustrated with this as i had spent nearly 2 hours on improving my long answer only to be rejected for the other scenario questions which i had foolishly messed with.
I was really desperate for the job and so what i did was register and make a new account but with a different email address and apply for the same vacancy. I kept all my details the same, apart from my email address, and this time round i changed my scenario questions to what i had originally and used my improved long answer in the application. I shortly received an email saying my application has passed the initial screening and will be considered for interview 2 days ago...so i thought so far so good. But this morning, i got an email saying i was unsuccessful for the vacancy due to other candidates being selected with more relevant skills and experience...the same generic email as all the other times. But this time, it was sent to my proper original email address, the one i used previously and got rejected before. I was expecting it be sent to the email address that i used to register the second account with as i had applied for the vacancy through this account, not my original account.
So i'm thinking that it is obvious that Next have realised that i am the same person as all my details are the same (name, address, NI number etc) and so have rejected me. It's only been 2 days since the deadline for the vacancy and i've been rejected very quickly, whereas all the other times when i passed intial screening its taken 2 weeks before i get told i was unsuccessful. But on the one hand i keep thinking is this a system error/glitch or mistake as surely they have sent the rejection email to the wrong email address and hence wrong account?
I know it is wrong of me to open up a second account to apply again and hence this is why i deserved to be rejected, but why didn't they mention this in the email as once again i was told the generic reason that other candidates with more relevant skills and experience have been selected....
I'm a bit confused about this and was hoping you could give me your thoughts on the issue please?

Thank you

[Aaaaaaaargh!]

(Original post by Alhumdullillah:))
I was offered a job yesterday but it wasn't for the initial job I applied for. Also the manager said he would ring me at any time could be tomorrow or two weeks. So has anyone got an idea of how long they usually take for an introduction. The wait is killing meeeeee!

They offered me a job even though I have had no retail experience before, happy days!

There's no way of knowing I'm afraid, it's just when the manager gets round to doing it. Well done though, hope you enjoy your new job

(Original post by johnsoloman)
Hey,

Just wanted some advice really if you don't mind?

I've applied to several vacancies now and have been unsuccessful. I've kept my application the same each time and would always make it past the intial screening but fail to be contacted for an interview and be rejected as they would say: "we regret to inform you that candidates whose skills and experience more closely matched our requirements have now been selected for interview. We are therefore unable to pursue your application any further on this occasion" This is partly understable seeing as i have no retail experience. So i figured it must be my application and tried to change a few things like my online answers to the scenario questions and have completely redone my long answer to the question of describe what achievements you have and how they would relate to working at Next. I am very confident that my new answer is much better, detailed and more relevant to the question. But the thing was i changed a few of my online scenario questions and must have got them wrong and so the next day after i sent my application off, i got a rejection email straight away saying that i didn't make it past the initial screening due to not meeting the requirement threshold in the scenario questions. I was obviously extremely frustrated with this as i had spent nearly 2 hours on improving my long answer only to be rejected for the other scenario questions which i had foolishly messed with.
I was really desperate for the job and so what i did was register and make a new account but with a different email address and apply for the same vacancy. I kept all my details the same, apart from my email address, and this time round i changed my scenario questions to what i had originally and used my improved long answer in the application. I shortly received an email saying my application has passed the initial screening and will be considered for interview 2 days ago...so i thought so far so good. But this morning, i got an email saying i was unsuccessful for the vacancy due to other candidates being selected with more relevant skills and experience...the same generic email as all the other times. But this time, it was sent to my proper original email address, the one i used previously and got rejected before. I was expecting it be sent to the email address that i used to register the second account with as i had applied for the vacancy through this account, not my original account.
So i'm thinking that it is obvious that Next have realised that i am the same person as all my details are the same (name, address, NI number etc) and so have rejected me. It's only been 2 days since the deadline for the vacancy and i've been rejected very quickly, whereas all the other times when i passed intial screening its taken 2 weeks before i get told i was unsuccessful. But on the one hand i keep thinking is this a system error/glitch or mistake as surely they have sent the rejection email to the wrong email address and hence wrong account?
I know it is wrong of me to open up a second account to apply again and hence this is why i deserved to be rejected, but why didn't they mention this in the email as once again i was told the generic reason that other candidates with more relevant skills and experience have been selected....
I'm a bit confused about this and was hoping you could give me your thoughts on the issue please?

Thank you

Er, right.....

I'm not actually too clued up on the automatic system that sends the approval/rejection emails, apart from just that, it's automatic. You've got it right though, if you get the initial questions wrong, the system will automatically reject you before any human has seen your application. If you get the questions right, it's then sent to the store you applied to and the admin staff (who are all incredibly beautiful and charming) review it. However, the system probably is able to recognise people using different email addresses to have another shot. I doubt you're the first that's tried it and the system is probably well prepared to deal with it, by rejecting the application.

It probably wasn't mentioned in the email because of the automatic system, it'll just send you a generic rejection email; it's not a human who's typed that email to you.

The only thing I can suggest is make sure your availability you submit is very flexible; over the sales period we're looking for people who can work any day and at short notice. People who can only work 2 days a week (even on 4 hour contracts) aren't likely to get far in the process.

That's the best guess I can give to your application.

[johnsoloman]

(Original post by Aaaaaaaargh!)
Er, right.....

I'm not actually too clued up on the automatic system that sends the approval/rejection emails, apart from just that, it's automatic. You've got it right though, if you get the initial questions wrong, the system will automatically reject you before any human has seen your application. If you get the questions right, it's then sent to the store you applied to and the admin staff (who are all incredibly beautiful and charming) review it. However, the system probably is able to recognise people using different email addresses to have another shot. I doubt you're the first that's tried it and the system is probably well prepared to deal with it, by rejecting the application.

It probably wasn't mentioned in the email because of the automatic system, it'll just send you a generic rejection email; it's not a human who's typed that email to you.

The only thing I can suggest is make sure your availability you submit is very flexible; over the sales period we're looking for people who can work any day and at short notice. People who can only work 2 days a week (even on 4 hour contracts) aren't likely to get far in the process.

That's the best guess I can give to your application.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply
I think the main factor is that i don't have any retail experience which is letting me down in comparison to the competition. Thanks for your suggestion on availability, but i've already tried that area in regard, i always have put down full flexibility 7 days a week in all of my applications...so i think it is simply experience which i lack
With regards to the email and application issue, i agree the system has most likely worked it out and thus rejected me instantly...I guess i'll have to wait for another vacancy to come up and then try applying again...then probably hear the same thing again...

[Alhumdullillah:)]

(Original post by Aaaaaaaargh!)
There's no way of knowing I'm afraid, it's just when the manager gets round to doing it. Well done though, hope you enjoy your new job



Er, right.....

I'm not actually too clued up on the automatic system that sends the approval/rejection emails, apart from just that, it's automatic. You've got it right though, if you get the initial questions wrong, the system will automatically reject you before any human has seen your application. If you get the questions right, it's then sent to the store you applied to and the admin staff (who are all incredibly beautiful and charming) review it. However, the system probably is able to recognise people using different email addresses to have another shot. I doubt you're the first that's tried it and the system is probably well prepared to deal with it, by rejecting the application.

It probably wasn't mentioned in the email because of the automatic system, it'll just send you a generic rejection email; it's not a human who's typed that email to you.

The only thing I can suggest is make sure your availability you submit is very flexible; over the sales period we're looking for people who can work any day and at short notice. People who can only work 2 days a week (even on 4 hour contracts) aren't likely to get far in the process.

That's the best guess I can give to your application.

Awww thank you! I'm just sooooooo impatient :/

[InadequateJusticex]

Sorry if this has been asked multiple times (I swear I've tried to use the search button but it hasn't been very helpful as many posts have mentioned the word 'interview') but how could I prepare for my interview? I'm applying to a part-time position as a sales consultant/assistant. It's going to be my first or maybe second proper interview so I'm really scared and nervous

I'm going to wear a white shirt, black trousers and formal black shoes (would that be appropriate?)

[dunci]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Sorry if this has been asked multiple times (I swear I've tried to use the search button but it hasn't been very helpful as many posts have mentioned the word 'interview') but how could I prepare for my interview? I'm applying to a part-time position as a sales consultant/assistant. It's going to be my first or maybe second proper interview so I'm really scared and nervous

I'm going to wear a white shirt, black trousers and formal black shoes (would that be appropriate?)

Right, I had my interview two weeks ago and got offered the job like 4 days ago so this is just my experience, it might be different in your branch. First off, the clothes sounds fine!

Second, don't be nervous!! Honestly, the interview is quite informal and relaxed. They will ask you standard stuff like, talk about yourself. So basically talk about what you're doing currently, maybe throw in something you're proud of and for me because I want to be a fashion journalist I made sure to throw that in.

Now the awkward part of the interview(or well it seemed awkward to me, I thought it was quite cool); they ask you what department you want to work in and depending on what you answer they will give you a piece of clothing and tell you to go to that department and pick what you think goes with it and sell it to the interviewer. I said I wanted to work on the Men's department and got given one of their best selling blazers so I picked a shirt, trousers, shoes and a tie that went well with it and explained why I picked it as if my interviewer was a customer.

The most important thing is just be calm and confident. Despite the horror stories in this thread, at least in my branch, the people that work at Next are quite relaxed and understanding. Good luck with your interview!

[Aaaaaaaargh!]

(Original post by dunci)
Right, I had my interview two weeks ago and got offered the job like 4 days ago so this is just my experience, it might be different in your branch. First off, the clothes sounds fine!

Second, don't be nervous!! Honestly, the interview is quite informal and relaxed. They will ask you standard stuff like, talk about yourself. So basically talk about what you're doing currently, maybe throw in something you're proud of and for me because I want to be a fashion journalist I made sure to throw that in.

Now the awkward part of the interview(or well it seemed awkward to me, I thought it was quite cool); they ask you what department you want to work in and depending on what you answer they will give you a piece of clothing and tell you to go to that department and pick what you think goes with it and sell it to the interviewer. I said I wanted to work on the Men's department and got given one of their best selling blazers so I picked a shirt, trousers, shoes and a tie that went well with it and explained why I picked it as if my interviewer was a customer.

The most important thing is just be calm and confident. Despite the horror stories in this thread, at least in my branch, the people that work at Next are quite relaxed and understanding. Good luck with your interview!

A good example of an interview, but if I may I'd just like to add to it by offering other examples of how we interview, since they differ slightly across the country. For example, instead of asking interviewees to go onto the shopfloor and pick link sale items, we have a rail of clothing and ask them to link a few items together to make an outfit (there's clothing from all 3 departments on the rail). So it's similar in structure of the question, and arguably easier, but it's just to point out that some stores do it differently.

The questions are pretty de rigeur however.

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by dunci)
Right, I had my interview two weeks ago and got offered the job like 4 days ago so this is just my experience, it might be different in your branch. First off, the clothes sounds fine!

Second, don't be nervous!! Honestly, the interview is quite informal and relaxed. They will ask you standard stuff like, talk about yourself. So basically talk about what you're doing currently, maybe throw in something you're proud of and for me because I want to be a fashion journalist I made sure to throw that in.

Now the awkward part of the interview(or well it seemed awkward to me, I thought it was quite cool); they ask you what department you want to work in and depending on what you answer they will give you a piece of clothing and tell you to go to that department and pick what you think goes with it and sell it to the interviewer. I said I wanted to work on the Men's department and got given one of their best selling blazers so I picked a shirt, trousers, shoes and a tie that went well with it and explained why I picked it as if my interviewer was a customer.

The most important thing is just be calm and confident. Despite the horror stories in this thread, at least in my branch, the people that work at Next are quite relaxed and understanding. Good luck with your interview!

Ah thank you so much! That was really helpful That bit where you have to pick the clothes that go with it actually sounds fun but I would take sooo long to pick so if there's a time limit I'm screwed >.< And I don't know how to justify my choices. When your picked your items what did you say when they asked you why you picked them?

Also did they ask stuff like 'what do you know about the company' and 'why do you want to work for us' and all the other common stuff they ask in interviews?

[angel_night]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Ah thank you so much! That was really helpful That bit where you have to pick the clothes that go with it actually sounds fun but I would take sooo long to pick so if there's a time limit I'm screwed >.< And I don't know how to justify my choices. When your picked your items what did you say when they asked you why you picked them?

Also did they ask stuff like 'what do you know about the company' and 'why do you want to work for us' and all the other common stuff they ask in interviews?

For my interview there was no practical task. He simply asked a bit about me and my application, then 4 questions, like 'what do you think next is looking for in a sales consultant', 'why do you have good customer service'. I think as long as you prepare for a few questions like those and have a bit of an eye for what clothes look good together, you should be fine Good luck!

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by angel_night)
For my interview there was no practical task. He simply asked a bit about me and my application, then 4 questions, like 'what do you think next is looking for in a sales consultant', 'why do you have good customer service'. I think as long as you prepare for a few questions like those and have a bit of an eye for what clothes look good together, you should be fine Good luck!

Thanks a lot I seriously don't know how to prepare for these questions though... :/

[dunci]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Ah thank you so much! That was really helpful That bit where you have to pick the clothes that go with it actually sounds fun but I would take sooo long to pick so if there's a time limit I'm screwed >.< And I don't know how to justify my choices. When your picked your items what did you say when they asked you why you picked them?

Also did they ask stuff like 'what do you know about the company' and 'why do you want to work for us' and all the other common stuff they ask in interviews?

I was given a darkish grey suit jacket and like you said you don't have a lot of time. I picked a white shirt to match it and a light grey tie, black shoes and same colour trousers as the jacket.

I don't remember exactly what I said but because you need to tell him what the occasion is, I said "This combination would be perfect for a regular businessman. It's a slim fit suit which helps you look good and feel good. I chose a white shirt as it helps you stand out and draws attention to it. Then I picked the light grey tie because it helps transition perfectly from the white to the dark grey." Didn't need to explain the trousers/shoes since it's pretty much a given you'll wear that combination.

They asked me why I wanted to work for them and I told them how much I like the Next brand, that there's always a great atmosphere and that it would be the perfect opportunity for me as I want to be a Fashion Journalist. My interview was different I think because of my personal background(I moved to England last September) so the interviewer pretty much just asked me to tell him about myself, tell him why Next then we had the exercise and then we just chatted about random personal stuff.

Wish I could help more but looking at the two other replies it's different everywhere. Good luck though!

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by dunci)
I was given a darkish grey suit jacket and like you said you don't have a lot of time. I picked a white shirt to match it and a light grey tie, black shoes and same colour trousers as the jacket.

I don't remember exactly what I said but because you need to tell him what the occasion is, I said "This combination would be perfect for a regular businessman. It's a slim fit suit which helps you look good and feel good. I chose a white shirt as it helps you stand out and draws attention to it. Then I picked the light grey tie because it helps transition perfectly from the white to the dark grey." Didn't need to explain the trousers/shoes since it's pretty much a given you'll wear that combination.

They asked me why I wanted to work for them and I told them how much I like the Next brand, that there's always a great atmosphere and that it would be the perfect opportunity for me as I want to be a Fashion Journalist. My interview was different I think because of my personal background(I moved to England last September) so the interviewer pretty much just asked me to tell him about myself, tell him why Next then we had the exercise and then we just chatted about random personal stuff.

Wish I could help more but looking at the two other replies it's different everywhere. Good luck though!

Thanks once again I'm so scared, I've never been this nervous in my life Dx

[Randomized]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Thanks once again I'm so scared, I've never been this nervous in my life Dx

Don't be! I was bricking it before my interview in fact when i entered the store i was physically shaking. But it was a piece of piss. They even did it on the shop floor in the home department (which was empty at the time).

(Original post by angel_night)
For my interview there was no practical task. He simply asked a bit about me and my application, then 4 questions, like 'what do you think next is looking for in a sales consultant', 'why do you have good customer service'. I think as long as you prepare for a few questions like those and have a bit of an eye for what clothes look good together, you should be fine Good luck!

Yeah all i had was a few questions too, i think that each store does it differently?

I had those same questions as you, another question i remember getting was ''what research have you done for this position'' and i just talked about how Next was a sponsor for the Olympics. Really easy and i got a call for induction within a couple of days.