Marks and Spencer Retail Management Apprenticeship 2021

Hiya! I did this as well, how did you find it? And so you know when we hear back? Would love to hear back from you

Hey,,,,so far I have just done the online tests and my assessment centre is on next Thursday.
As I applied quite early and I am also internal candidate as I work as customer assistant at M&S,,,they invited me for the Assessment Centre quite early.
What stage of recruitment are you on and also do you really wanna do the retail management apprenticeship or is it like a back up plan for you? Thank xz

Hiya! Ooo good luck, you’ll do well I’m sure I applied as I worked as a Christmas temp and my manager Reccomended it, I did the application centre on Feb 9th, it was definitely an experience but really fun!
Yes this is my main option however I will apply next year if I’m unsuccessful as I’d love this career! Xx

Good luck,,hopefully you will get it this year. Would you mind telling how was the application centre any tips you would like to give me? Xx

Thankyou! And good luck to you, I don’t want to give too much away as I don’t want to hinder my application but mine started at 1:15, we had a individual interview, a project type thing and a group discussion, just make sure you do your research and are calm. They’re all so lovely and I had a few technical difficulties but they were so patient and helpful. Good luck you’ve got this! Xx

Thanks ever so much xx tbh I have applied to at least 50 places and have been rejected from most of them,,,just few last ones are remaining😅😅😅. Xx

Oh no! Are you an alevel student now? Is this your main option? I’m not hopeful for getting a place so trying to find other retail management apprenticeships😂 xx

Hello guys, has anyone applied to the Retail Management programme at M&S?
I have applied and have been invited to the virtual Assessment Centre on 25th of Feb at 1.15pm, is anyone else doing it at this time?
Also does anyone has any tips for the M&S Assessment Centre? Thanks

Hiya, I have mine in a few weeks. Can i ask you how many other candidates were with you? Were you allowed notes? And how was the experience, obviously it must have been different as it was all virtual.
Thankyou

Hello, I would be honest that it was an amazing experience, they were like proper organised and everything went really smooth.
As my main target was to get an accounting apprenticeship and I attended like 6 to 7 assessment centres but unfortunately couldn't get any offers.
Retail was my back up and I am glad that I have received an from marks and Spencer literally 5 days after my AC.
There were 3 other candidate so in total 4 and we did 3 tasks in total. First one was one to one interview then was individual presentation and the final was group exercise and the whole process lasted for 4 hours.
Interview: They do ask some general questions like why m&s and why this programme but mainly question were "tell me about a time....." ones. This stage lasts for around 45 minutes and you are expected to ask some questions at the end so be prepared.
Presentation: They will give you a case study and you will have 40 minutes to read through and also prepare the presentation. As asked above yes you are allowed to take notes even I prepared my presentation on a piece of paper and then just read from it. You are assessed on what you say. After 40 minutes you need to present back you will get 10 minutes for that and MOST IMPORTANT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO MANAGE YOUR TIME AND ALSO TO KEEP AN EYE ON TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GONNA TELL YOU WHEN THE IS UP. There will be 2 assessors and one will be taking notes in the background and other one will ask you question about you presentation for about 10 minutes.
Group task: I will be honest that I was horrified of the group exercise but it was rather a nice experience. They will you a task with and you will have 4 to 5 options and you guys would need to discuss and then choose one point.

That's pretty much it. Please feel free to ask me anything and any help you need, I will try my best to help you. Wishing you best of luck.!!!!

Hello, I would be honest that it was an amazing experience, they were like proper organised and everything went really smooth.
As my main target was to get an accounting apprenticeship and I attended like 6 to 7 assessment centres but unfortunately couldn't get any offers.
Retail was my back up and I am glad that I have received an from marks and Spencer literally 5 days after my AC.
There were 3 other candidate so in total 4 and we did 3 tasks in total. First one was one to one interview then was individual presentation and the final was group exercise and the whole process lasted for 4 hours.
Interview: They do ask some general questions like why m&s and why this programme but mainly question were "tell me about a time....." ones. This stage lasts for around 45 minutes and you are expected to ask some questions at the end so be prepared.
Presentation: They will give you a case study and you will have 40 minutes to read through and also prepare the presentation. As asked above yes you are allowed to take notes even I prepared my presentation on a piece of paper and then just read from it. You are assessed on what you say. After 40 minutes you need to present back you will get 10 minutes for that and MOST IMPORTANT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO MANAGE YOUR TIME AND ALSO TO KEEP AN EYE ON TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GONNA TELL YOU WHEN THE IS UP. There will be 2 assessors and one will be taking notes in the background and other one will ask you question about you presentation for about 10 minutes.
Group task: I will be honest that I was horrified of the group exercise but it was rather a nice experience. They will you a task with and you will have 4 to 5 options and you guys would need to discuss and then choose one point.

That's pretty much it. Please feel free to ask me anything and any help you need, I will try my best to help you. Wishing you best of luck.!!!!

Congratulations!!

Thanks ever so much, have you heard back from them regarding the outcome of you Assessment Centre? Xx

I actually just got a call back today saying I was successful and have got an offer, completely shocked but over the moon!! Very excited to begin as I can imagine you are too xx

Many many congratulations x you have smashed it xx
I hope you gonna accept the offer😅
Would you mind asking me what is your first preferred location? You can send it to personal chat if you want but its entirely upto you'd like to share😊

Thankyou so muvh and the same to you!! Would love to privately discuss it with you! Do you have Facebook or Instagram? Xx