John Lewis & Partners Visual Merchandiser interview questions

Very long, dragged out, unnecessary process. Started with online application, was asked to complete a 20 minute questionnaire of situational questions that you had to rank from “most likely” to “least likely” e.g You’re colleague goes home sick which means you cannot leave early to go to your sisters birthday party like you were hoping as there is now extra work to do. Would you a) be annoyed and kick up a fuss b) tell them you wish they get better soon, get some rest and you’ll always have other birthday party’s to go to c) moan about them to other employees ...which obviously no one ever actually answers honestly, because truthfully we’d all probably have a little moan about it, but obviously you’re supposed to say “wish that they get better soon and you’ll always have other parties to go to” After completing this was asked to do yet another question and answer thing, can’t remember what this was, more situational questions about teamwork etc what would you do if another colleague asked for your help but you already had loads to do etc Then had the simple uploading cv bit and equal opportunities questions. Was invited to an interview in which I was given a task to do beforehand where I had to create a mood-board on current home and fashion trends, followed by a 10 minute presentation about said moodboard, that was to be followed by a 10 minute question and answer session based on the mood board. The brief literally said to do a presentation on the moodboard, covering these points Visual Display Visual standards Competitors I’m assuming it was so vague on purpose to see how you approached the task and what you came up with ( they asked in the interview how did you approach this task, so I guessed right) I thought I came up with an inventive way of covering all the points in the brief (I based it on shopping the store from a customers perspective and briefly made points about the things they wanted you to discuss) On the day of they rang me at 11 saying where are you when my interview was at 12, which I had checked several times beforehand. I arrived at 11.45 as asked to, was made to wait in the staff room with current employees, bit of an awkward setting. Interviewer came and took me to another room, I was interviewed by 2 people, one the current VM and one some other manager. They were both nice enough but I could tell they had already made their minds up with other people. The interview questions were clearly based around buzzwords as in they are looking for you to say specific things then you get a tick if you mention that one word. E.g can you get it wrong when setting up a display and do you have freedom to do what you want I said something along the lines of no I can’t get it wrong because I get given a guide which I then adapt to make it more commercial to my specific store and I am trusted to make changes as long as I can give good reason and provide evidence that it has worked after. Good answer but because I didn’t mention the buzzword “on brand” (E.g yes I get the freedom to do what I want as long as it’s on brand) I don’t get a tick because it’s not what they’re looking for. Questions also worded more confusingly than need to be so you miss the point that their actually asking you. I made a visit to the store the week beforehand where I mystery shopped them and made notes about certain vm techniques they use. I spent a whole day fussing over a moodboard using cuttings from JL own magazines that they had in store. I rehearsed my presentation so it was exactly 10 minutes long. Unfortunately I let nerves get the better of me always in these situations and no matter how much I prepare I always forget half of what I need to say because I am so panicky. I have supervisor experience, 3 years vm experience, and for the amount of effort I put in I am obviously disappointed I didn’t get it, but I don’t think interviews prove anything at the end of the day - maybe the person they picked interviews really well but will be awful at the job!?

Applied online, filling in CV information, then had to complete various tests - scenario based questions testing personality, skills and competency. Once I passed this, I was offered the interview, for which I had to prepare a presentation based on John Lewis products. Interview was a one to one with my potential line manager.