[RJ100]

Had enough of rude customers or maybe its my store or I should get out of checkouts !

[Paramore<3]

Aah, my very first job interview is at the Tottenham Court Road branch on Monday! It's the evening shift though, so I probably won't take it. I'm still really nervous though!

[iqlu]

I just had my induction and I start on Friday, I have a couple of questions if someone could please answer them!

1. How does the clock in thing work? I got given a code, do I have to clock in and out each time I get a break? How often do I get breaks? I got a 4hr shift on Friday and a 8hr shift on Saturday.
2. Since it's my first shift, I'm not sure where to go? I'm assuming I walk into the HR room?
3. I thought I was going to be given shoes since they took my shoe size but they didn't. I'm going to wear some brown shoes, is that okay for a general assistant?
4. My contract is temporary, is there a chance they may keep me on after it ends?

And any general advice for my first day would be appreciated!!!

[FXX]

(Original post by iqlu)
I just had my induction and I start on Friday, I have a couple of questions if someone could please answer them!

1. How does the clock in thing work? I got given a code, do I have to clock in and out each time I get a break? How often do I get breaks? I got a 4hr shift on Friday and a 8hr shift on Saturday.
2. Since it's my first shift, I'm not sure where to go? I'm assuming I walk into the HR room?
3. I thought I was going to be given shoes since they took my shoe size but they didn't. I'm going to wear some brown shoes, is that okay for a general assistant?
4. My contract is temporary, is there a chance they may keep me on after it ends?

And any general advice for my first day would be appreciated!!!

1. Clock in before every shift and clock out after every shift. Make sure you don't clock in late/clock out early as you'll lose money. Unless you have a one hour unpaid lunch break, you don't need to clock out for your breaks.
2. Go to your department and introduce yourself.
3. Black shoes would be better but brown shoes should be okay to begin with.
4. Potentially, but don't hold your breath. Barely anyone was kept on last Christmas.

[adamjay]

Hey,

What does a Convenience Customer Service Assistant (CSA) actually do? It implies being a checkout person, but also 'find yourself on the shop floor, helping customers find what they want'... what does that mean?

I know the normal CSAs are just till staff, but the 'convenience' ones say that you could be on the shop floor - helping customers and directing them.

A little confused.. could someone explain to me what it is?

[FXX]

(Original post by adamjay)
Hey,

What does a Convenience Customer Service Assistant (CSA) actually do? It implies being a checkout person, but also 'find yourself on the shop floor, helping customers find what they want'... what does that mean?

I know the normal CSAs are just till staff, but the 'convenience' ones say that you could be on the shop floor - helping customers and directing them.

A little confused.. could someone explain to me what it is?

Colleagues in convenience do a bit of everything. There aren't 'departments' like there are in a normal store. Basically, the role is a bit more varied.

[adamjay]

(Original post by FXX)
Colleagues in convenience do a bit of everything. There aren't 'departments' like there are in a normal store. Basically, the role is a bit more varied.

Thanks

Would you say being in convenience is better than just a CSA? I'd like to work in more of a varied field; however my shift starts before the opening time of one of the days and I presume my duties then would be mostly stocking shelves?

[FXX]

(Original post by adamjay)
Thanks

Would you say being in convenience is better than just a CSA? I'd like to work in more of a varied field; however my shift starts before the opening time of one of the days and I presume my duties then would be mostly stocking shelves?

I haven't worked in convenience before so I couldn't answer either of those questions properly. I'd say if you're after a bit of variation then yes, it's much better than a normal CSA. Before opening times you may be doing some replenishment, but you may also be doing ticket changes or sorting out the checkouts ready for the day.

[Deshi]

(Original post by iAmBrOwNbEaR)
Ermm basically the interview is split into 2 sections and they can choose whichever order to do it in. The first is a DVD test, comprising of customer service questions, attention to detail, a (very simple) Maths test and a personal values test (you have to agree/disagree to questions like "I like making people laugh" in this section). Very simple.

The second part is a 1-on-1 interview with a member of staff. Mine was very informal and she only really asked me questions like what is your uniform size, how flexible are you in terms of your shifts and overtime etc. Very simple. But I would also suggest preparing for questions like why do you want to work at Sainsburys?, why do you want to work in this department?, what do you know about Sainsburys? Etc.

Also don't forget to bring your passport, National insurance card and proof of address.


This was posted in 200 BC from The Student Room's iStone app.

That's been very helpful cheers!

Can you give me an example of the kind of customer service questions I'll get from the video? Is it pretty much common sense?

For the 1 on 1 did you not get questions like, what are your strengths/weaknesses etc?

[Daixi]

(Original post by adamjay)
Thanks

Would you say being in convenience is better than just a CSA? I'd like to work in more of a varied field; however my shift starts before the opening time of one of the days and I presume my duties then would be mostly stocking shelves?

I work in a big store (customer service team leader) and my partner works in convenience. Judging by our experiences, convenience is definitely more varied day-to-day, but a bigger store gives more scope for moving around departments/being promoted.

Also, customer services in a big store includes lots of duties such as main bank till, customer service desk, kiosk, self-scan tills, trolley retrieval, returning goods to the shelves etc, so there is some variety there, even if not as much as convenience stores.

[SteveDawson]

How easy is it for the eagle eye software to catch you misusing your discount card

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[FXX]

(Original post by SteveDawson)
How easy is it for the eagle eye software to catch you misusing your discount card

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

Very easily, if it's serious. I know of a few people that have lost their jobs for it. What kind of things are you doing with it?

[SteveDawson]

(Original post by FXX)
Very easily, if it's serious. I know of a few people that have lost their jobs for it. What kind of things are you doing with it?

I gave it to a customer to use. What was I thinking. I was in such a nice mood at the time lol

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[SteveDawson]

How quick would sainsburys find out and when would they contact me about it

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[FXX]

(Original post by SteveDawson)
I gave it to a customer to use. What was I thinking. I was in such a nice mood at the time lol

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

(Original post by SteveDawson)
How quick would sainsburys find out and when would they contact me about it

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

I wouldn't worry about that. If anyone asks, just say it was the second user on the back of the card.

They'll pick it up pretty quickly. You'd probably get approached on your next shift. But as I say, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Plenty of people have done worse. Just don't do it again

EDIT: wow, this thread is seriously messed up. My posts are appearing all over the place...

[iqlu]

(Original post by FXX)
1. Clock in before every shift and clock out after every shift. Make sure you don't clock in late/clock out early as you'll lose money. Unless you have a one hour unpaid lunch break, you don't need to clock out for your breaks.
2. Go to your department and introduce yourself.
3. Black shoes would be better but brown shoes should be okay to begin with.
4. Potentially, but don't hold your breath. Barely anyone was kept on last Christmas.

Thanks for the reply, I'm on fresh foods so I just talk to someone near the fruit and veg right? Since it's my first shift and it's in the evening I'm worried not many people will be around and I'll get no training and end up cocking something up!

[FXX]

(Original post by iqlu)
Thanks for the reply, I'm on fresh foods so I just talk to someone near the fruit and veg right? Since it's my first shift and it's in the evening I'm worried not many people will be around and I'll get no training and end up cocking something up!

Fresh foods is the chilled section - fresh and cooked meat, cheese, milk, etc - not the fruit and veg But yes, just find someone working on that section and I'm sure they'll take you to whoever you need to be taken to. Don't worry about the training, there isn't that much to pick up and it's relatively straightforward.

[iAmBrOwNbEaR]

(Original post by Deshi)
That's been very helpful cheers!

Can you give me an example of the kind of customer service questions I'll get from the video? Is it pretty much common sense?

For the 1 on 1 did you not get questions like, what are your strengths/weaknesses etc?

Ermm the customer service test is in video format and it's pretty much what you did in the online test while applying. For the customer service part, they'll give you 5 different scenarios and you'll have to choose best and worst options for each. For example, one scenario could be a woman needing help with her shopping. You'll be given 3 options and would have to rank each from 1 (being the best) to 3 (being the worst). If you know what good customer service is, it's pretty much common sense.

Ermm for the 1-on-1 interview, I've never heard anyone get that question before and neither did I. Having said that, I wouldn't leave it to chance and not prepare for that sort of a question. Just prepare for it like you would a normal interview, and even if those kind of questions don't come up, you'll probably just feel even happier and appear more confident lol


This was posted in 200 BC from The Student Room's iStone app.

[iqlu]

(Original post by FXX)
Fresh foods is the chilled section - fresh and cooked meat, cheese, milk, etc - not the fruit and veg But yes, just find someone working on that section and I'm sure they'll take you to whoever you need to be taken to. Don't worry about the training, there isn't that much to pick up and it's relatively straightforward.

Damn! When my interviewer asked why I thought I was suited to the department I said I buy a lot of fruit and veg! Thanks for the help. I'll post back here in case anyone else wants to know what it's like on the first day.

[adamjay]

Hey - I've applied for a temporary job but if I get into university (starting october) I'll have to either ask to change the hours or leave my notice..

Can you ask to change your hours, and how much time could I take off? (i'm doing 12hrs a week).