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Asda Online Assessment and Magic Centre Interview

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Asda Magic is the assessment centre used for non-graduate positions. You will generally be invited to an assessment day where you will be observed to find out what your communication skills are like. Asda have three core values that they require their employees to bring to the role which are service to customers, respect for the individual and strive for excellence. It is therefore important to show that you can provide these.

The assessment is split in to three parts. There is a presentation, group activity, small group activity, role play and have a go. The presentation involves talking to another person to find out something interesting about them. You then have to introduce them to the rest of the group.
The group activity could vary. An example of something you might do may be to hold a number in front of yourself without seeing it. Then you have to arrange yourself in numerical order with other people who have numbers they do not know.

The small group task involves doing something such as making up a song and performing it. However, extra instructions will be provided at certain time intervals which may mean that you will have to change what you have planned.

The role play will involve having to try to sell to an assessor or seal with a customer complaint. It is really important to make sure that the customer is valued and you need to do what you can to make them happy.

Have a go is where you will have to work on the shop floor for half an hour. You will be assessed throughout.

If you do well then you will be asked to an interview with the relevant store manager to find out whether you will fit in to the team.

Morrisons Assessment Centre Interview

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The assessment centre interview will take a whole sat. you will get a personal interview which is based on finding out your competence. You will also get a role play, presentation and group discussion. Lunch will also be part of the assessment where you will be able to mix with other recruits. They will be looking to see how well you work with a team and that you have the right approach to be able to set your hand to anything.

The interview will be structured but there will be an opportunity to ask questions and so it is important to make sure that you prepare some. They do like things to remain friendly so bear that in mind, as they will want to see your personality.

It is also worth making sure that you understand about all of the main supermarkets so that you can find out how Morrisons is different to the competition. Find out about the history of the company too and make sure that you are aware of anything currently going on in the company that is in the news or anything that might affect the supermarket industry generally. Therefore visit both Morrisons stores and their competition. It is also important to show that you are flexible as you may find that you need to be prepared to move around location wise.

It is very important to demonstrate that you have the same personal values as the business. Therefore find out what the company values are and have plenty of examples of how you have these values as well.

It is very important to be well prepared, knowing exactly what skills the role requires and making sure that you demonstrate you have those skills. Prepare in every way that you can, by researching the company as well as its competitors.

Lidl Assessment Centre Interview

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Lidl assessment centre interviews will involve a number of stages. You will start by receiving a presentation about the company and the roles available and you will be able to ask questions. It could therefore be good to have some questions prepared for this part. This means that you will already need to have done some research about the company in order to put together questions. You will probably have done this for your initial interview anyway, but it could be worth going over the information again or looking in to things in more depth if you can. You will then have to take part in a group interview. This will involve working in a group and answering certain questions. It is rather like a group exercise but everyone is expected to contribute when answering the questions. Working in a group can be tricky, but be yourself but try to make sure that your point of view is heard but without stamping out anyone else. It can be good to try to make sure that everyone in the group gets the chance to speak, if you can. Try to draw them in to the discussion without preventing you own voice being heard. You will also take a numeracy test which will give you a selection of maths questions that you have to answer without using a calculator.

You will have a one to one interview at the assessment centre as well. This may take part of the same day as the other tasks or they may be scheduled for another day where only a selection of candidates will be asked to take part. The interview is 40 minutes and will have a senior manager or HR manager present. You will be asked motivational and competency questions. Similar questions may be asked to those in the initial interview as it will be conducted by a different person.

Related: Lidl Application Form

Aldi Assessment Centre Interview

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Aldi looks for leaders who have a minimum of a 2.1 at degree level, have done voluntary work, led a sports team at university and pursued something that has proved they have individual potential. It is likely that they can already see that you have these skills if they have asked you to the assessment centre though. However, being able to show that you have potential both as an individual and while working as a group, could be very useful during your time at the assessment centre.

There will be about a dozen candidates at the assessment centre at any one time. There will be presentation, group exercise, interview and aptitude testing stages during the course of the visit there. The presentation will be on something of the candidate’s interest and they will have just three minutes to prepare for a two minutes presentation. This means that it could be on anything and it is therefore important to think beforehand about what you might say. You do not want it to sound too staged but if you have a topic, that could help speed up the process. Make a quick mind map in preparation, when you have the three minutes to do this. Use this to guide your presentation and try to stay calm and explain things well without labouring the points. Smile and try to enjoy it.

The group exercise will involve discussing a certain topic that needs to be resolved. It could be something like surviving a plane crash and deciding what items to take from the plane and rank them in order of importance. The correct answer is not important but the ability to show leadership skills such as taking notes, summarising things or leading the discussion.

Related: Aldi Application Form

The aptitude tests will include a personality test and there will be interviews afterwards. Candidates are likely to be asked what they know about the company and why they chose to work there. Having some good questions to ask as well as providing satisfactory answers will really go in your favour. Therefore it is very important to prepare, not only to find out about the company but also to think about what sorts of questions it would be best to ask.

Waitrose Assessment Centre Interview

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Waitrose assessment days have a selection of different tasks. There are a number of exercises to do and also food and refreshments provided. It is likely that there will be a group exercise, maths and verbal tests and an interview to check for competency as well as a presentation.

The day will probably start with a presentation about Waitrose and what they are looking or in their employees. There are then activities that you have to take part in. Previous attendees are asked not to tell people what these involved and so no one really knows. However, by looking at what is expected in group exercises in general, such as showing leadership skills, team skills etc then you will get an idea of what to do. It is important to get to know the other candidates as it will show your team working abilities. You may also be working with them if there is more than one job on offer and so it will put you in good stead for that.

It is also wise to prepare for the maths and verbal tests. Although specific details of these are not available, looking at general tests that they may be similar to, can really help. This will not only improve your skills but also make sure that you have confidence in your abilities.

Preparing for the interview stage will be like preparing for any other interview. Make sure that you know a lot about Waitrose and the role that you are applying or. Also make sure that you have some questions prepared to ask them. You may want to ask some questions throughout the day, to demonstrate how keen you are, but make sure that you save some for the interview as well.

Debenhams Assessment Centre Interview

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There will be some group exercises in the assessment centre for Debenhams jobs. These could be a matter of having to speak in front of the group about who you want to most meet or where you want to most go. Then you may be asked to go out on the shop floor and sell things to customers or ask them questions. You may be asked to sell someone your favourite product.

Therefore it is very important to prepare for this. You will need to make sure that you are happy speaking in front of a group and practice this if you are not. You will also need to be familiar with the types of people that’s hop at Debenhams and what products you like. Therefore you should spend some time at a few local stores finding out more about what they sell and who they sell it to. You should be able to observe this without speaking to anyone. You may feel more comfortable finding out whether your friends and family shop there as it will give you an understanding of their customer base. It is also very important to come across as friendly and polite as well as positive. You must not be afraid to speak up even if the group you are with is large, as they need you to be able to show that you can do this.

There will also be an interview where you will be questioned on your CV and asked about work experience. It is so important to know your CV well, so that you can answer questions about it. This may sound obvious but sometimes it may be hard to recall dates that you worked at certain places or how long for etc especially when under pressure. Make sure you read it through and can recall all of the information on it when asked.

Database Administrator Job description

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Job description: Database Administrator

A database administrator oversees the databases within an organization. You’ll oversee the performance and security of databases, and report and fix any bugs to ensure long term optimal performance.

What you’ll be doing

Working with a variety of DBMS (Database management software), an administrator will make sure that everything is working clearly and consistently. You may well be asked to develop and regulate aspects of a database depending on the organization you work for. The database administrator accesses from both the front and back end of the DBMS, as well as creating and overseeing user privileges and access. The work is mostly 9-5, with options to work part-time or flexi hours depending on the industry of choice.

Salary

IT skills are a must, and can be obtained either through practice or formal training from any post-secondary institution. Due to the sensitive nature of the information stored on some databases (for example within a bank), you may well need to have some education regarding implementing security measures and data recovery. Starter salaries range from £22,000 and £26,000, but can jump significantly after just three years of experience.

Who is it for?

If you’re tech savvy, your skills would come in useful as a database administrator. You should feel comfortable working within a team or independently, as the role can call for both depending on the company’s specific requirements. Communicating errors is important as is troubleshooting and fixing them swiftly. As mentioned before, sensitive data can be stored on databases and you have to be willing and able to go to the right lengths to keep it secure! Something also worth mentioning is the locale. According to Total Jobs, over 65% of database administrator jobs are in the South East, so if you’re not in the area you may want to consider if you’re willing to locate. Candidates interested in becoming a database administrator should be skilled at problem-solving, scrupulous and thoroughly organized. If you’re analytical, practical and enjoy working with both people and computers, consider a role as a DBA.

Customer Assistant Job Description

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Job Description: Customer Assistant

If you live by the adage that the customer comes first, then this job could be the perfect fit. If you’re great with people, leave a lasting impression, have a positive attitude and go a step beyond what’s expected of you, you might just be the perfect customer assistant.

What you’ll be doing

Being a customer assistant is primarily a client-facing role, but there is interaction required between other staff team members and management. This role entails providing information and answering questions, performing exchanges or refunds where applicable, offering help and ensuring the customer leaves your desk a happy one. Essentially, you should pride yourself on the ability to retain customers and keep them coming back. A great deal of patience is needed, as the role often encompasses having to deal with disgruntled patrons. If you can handle angry customers and still provide service with a smile, then this ideal for you!

Salary

On average, you can expect to earn between £9,000 and £13,000 annually working as a customer assistant, and there are lots of part-time positions within this field allowing you time to work elsewhere to supplement your income or pursue other interests should you desire to do so. The role calls for the ability to be the go-between from policies and orders coming from the top to your customer basis.

Who is it for?

If you’re not a fan of sitting in an office, you’ll enjoy being a customer assistant as most of these roles require you interacting with clients on shop floors or behind a customer services desk.
A customer assistant should be personable and knowledgeable, happily dealing with every query whether it be over the phone, via email correspondence or face to face. Because you’re representing your company or brand, you should be clean and presentable and take pride in offering help and assistance. Some basic IT skills may be needed depending on where you work as a customer assistant. There’s no official training necessary to do the job, but you can work your way up to the role within most organizations. You should have excellent communication skills and tact to deal with tricky situations and ensuring the customer stays happy without causing the company a loss. If you value flexibility, a challenge and working with people on a day to day basis, a customer assistant role could be perfect for you.

Buyer Job Description

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Job Description: Buyer (retail)

A retail buyer selects the merchandise to be sold at a retail location. They are an intrinsic part of the marketing team, as buyers ensure that product is on trend, appealing to consumers, high quality and within budget. If you’ve got a passion for fashion and wondered how shop fronts choose the items on display, this occupation could be right up your alley.

What you’ll be doing

Instead of shopping for yourself, you’ll be shopping for, well, shops! You’ll be responsible for choosing the merchandise that’s on sale in a retail location. Seasonal variety means you’ll be kept busy all year round, meeting with suppliers, ordering stock, exploring new products, predicting quarterly sales and finally buying product at a reasonable price point.

Salary

Beginners can expect to make in the region of £18,000 and £25,000 a year, while experience buyers at a more senior level can make up to £70,000 a year. This of course depends on your industry, should you want to focus on high-end markets the salary can be significantly high – but so can the pressure.

Retail buying is as much about choosing what looks nice and is in fashion as it is about choosing what will sell and make a profit. If you love clothes, this should be accompanied by a business-savvy ethic to be a successful retail buyer. You should be aware of market trends as well as consumer demand. There’s a fair bit of responsibility involved in the role, as your choices will reflect and shape the brand and impact sales, which will impact quarterly and annual budgets.

Who is it for?

If you pride yourself on being a step ahead of the latest fashions, this is a great starting point when considering a career in retail buying. The role calls for constant liaising with stockists, suppliers, management and other staff, so possessing strong organizational skills is key. A great retail buyer should be able to blend creativity with business and sales acumen, so some training in business –while not mandated – would certainly be beneficial. The hours can be long and varied, and the nature of the role calls for lots of travel. Make sure you’re committed to both of those things before considering a career in buying. Essentially the trick to succeeding as a retail buyer is the ability to multitask. The role is multifaceted, and you are responsible for numerous things from choosing products to ordering them, marketing them and presenting the results of sales performance and customer reactions. If you like something that keeps your finger on the pulse of the latest trends whilst keeping you constantly busy, this could be right for you.

Auditor Job Description

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Job Description: Auditor

An auditor quite simply conducts an audit – meaning they go through the books of an individual or organization to determine the effective use of resources. An audit is primarily financial, but can also be in other areas such as energy usage and natural resource management. As an auditor, it’s your job to conduct them.

What you’ll be doing

Your role encompasses going over company expenses and records with a fine tooth comb. You’ll be responsible for analysing the data, and then the findings are then either presented via a written report or presentation, so you should feel comfortable in your communication skills and knowledge. There are jobs available in both the public and private sectors, making the odds finding work as an auditor even in a tough economy high. With numerous and frequent federal policy changes to keep on top of, you’ll be responsible for keeping abreast of updates and keeping clients in the loop. There’s a fair amount of admin involved as well, so you should feel comfortable with this and be deft at using the appropriate software and programs such as Microsoft Excel. 
A lot of what you’ll be doing is determined by whether you’ll be practicing as an internal or external auditor. As an internal auditor, your role will be to examine the company policies, whereas the latter of the two requires going through every invoice and financial statement in impeccable detail, verifying there’s no fraud or mismanagement and mitigating financial risk.

Who is it for?

You should consider being an auditor if you can work under pressure. As organizations are mandated to subject to an annual audit, there is air-tight job security that comes with the role, but this pro is offset by the con of having to be meticulous, accurate and sometimes the bearer of bad news.

Salary

Another pro is the annual salary, the starting point of which is £18,000-£22,000 per annum. You should be mathematically minded and adept at problem solving, with a minimum of two A-levels under your belt and ideally an accountancy qualification and practicing certificate. Being an auditor isn’t for everyone, especially if you consider yourself a people pleaser. Sometimes presenting findings of an audit can leave a boardroom of executives feeling anything but pleased! If you prefer data over drama, this could be the career for you. Candidates interested in being an auditor should boast great organizational skills, strong communication skills and be strong with numbers all round.