Debenhams Sales Adviser XMAS Temp

Hi, sorry this is late... That is not true. I haven't had any retail experience at all and they phoned me yesterday to offer me the job! Go for it! Experience doesn't matter! Just be yourself and you'll do great! x

Thank you so much! No, you're not too late, I have my store interview next week! Can you give me an idea of what your interview was like (because everyone seems to have had a different experience, and I'd like to know what it was like for someone who had one recently).

Well Done on getting a store interview! What happened at my interview was we were taken into a room (there was about 6 of us) and were paired up. We had to find out 3 fun facts about our partner and then introduce them to the rest of the group. After that, there was a mini questionnaire thing that gave us 3 different scenarios. We just had to say what we would do. Then, there was a clothes rack on one side of the room. We were told to pick an item and were given about 5-10 minutes to plan out what we were going to say. We then had to sell the item to the interview people. We were then given a 5-10 minute break. After that, we were called for 1-1 interviews. They are pretty much exactly the same the phone interview.
It sounds a lot scarier than it is! It's really relaxed and chatty. You'll be fine, I'm sure! Good luck for next week!

Did you both have phone interviews first? I have one tomorrow. I don't mind having a quick phone interview and then being invited into the store so they can check I'm a normal person, but having the detailed online application form THEN a phone THEN group THEN individual interview seems like a bit much...

Just wondering what they asked you on the phone if you had phone interviews first? Was it competency questions or more like why do you want the job etc.??

Well done on getting a phone interview! I filled out an online form and was then invited to a phone interview. After that, I was invited to the store for a group and a 1-1 interview.

My phone interview lasted about 5-10 minutes. If I remember rightly, in the phone interview I was asked 'Why would you like to work for Debenhams?', 'What is excellent customer service?' and 'What do you think makes a good team player?'. I think there may have been one more, but I can't remember it! Sorry... Good luck for tomorrow! You'll be fine, honestly!

Thanks for the help. I'm not really nervous as I've done a couple phone and video interviews before but I just hope they have read my CV/application properly because I indicated I could only do December-January and not Xmas day (I assume they do sale prep on xmas day...) or New years day. I hope they don't ask me what my availability is and then say ooh sorry you don't fit our requirements when I answer! I've asked my manager for an extra long lunch break tomorrow just so I can do this interview haha so I hope I don't have my time wasted.*

Did it sound like the interviewer had your application in front of them or did it sound like they hadn't even seen it?

I don't think they saw my application. Initially, they asked a lot of similar questions (any criminal convictions, availability etc). You should be fine. I think they're closed on Christmas Day, so you won't be expected to work then. Also, I'm sure they'll hire a few people, so if you can't work on a particular day, they can swap your shift with someone else's.

Hi, sorry this is late... That is not true. I haven't had any retail experience at all and they phoned me yesterday to offer me the job! Go for it! Experience doesn't matter! Just be yourself and you'll do great! x

Hey didnt they ask for your experience at the group stage if you had one?

Well done on getting a phone interview! I filled out an online form and was then invited to a phone interview. After that, I was invited to the store for a group and a 1-1 interview.

My phone interview lasted about 5-10 minutes. If I remember rightly, in the phone interview I was asked 'Why would you like to work for Debenhams?', 'What is excellent customer service?' and 'What do you think makes a good team player?'. I think there may have been one more, but I can't remember it! Sorry... Good luck for tomorrow! You'll be fine, honestly!

I don't think so. When my phone interview was booked, I was told to research the services that Debenhams offer, but I wasn't asked about them. Your phone interview may be slightly different to mine, so their services might be something for you to look up

Cheers for that - yes I understand it could be different. Been preparing using this thread and also found other helpful sites with advice. The 'why do you want to work here' question is always about YOU but I will slip in about how when I shop as a customer, I feel valued and important etc.
I love the services page - I couldn't believe they provided so much. Looking at their history, trends/fashion/culture and their aims, I am well impressed and definitely would want to be in that kind of environment where success is number 1.
I am using previous applications - what I've said about teamwork for example.
I'm sure it will work out but if I don't get it then it was not meant to be.

how is it? I have mine today, feeling quite nervous

I haven't had mine yet
Having it in late afternoon good luck!!