Asda Magic

[WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream]

I've applied for a 16 hour checkout role with my local Asda just to help in the run up to Christmas really. I've passed the first stage of application and 50 'personality' questions and now I've been invited to an Asda Magic day! Apparently I'll have to do one on one discussions, do a team activity, possibly building a bridge with balloons, or straws, a one on one interview and 30 minutes of trying the role out. I think this is way over the top for a checkout role!

Anyway my question, has anyone been on the Asda Magic day and can tell me what it's like?

I did this two years ago.
I think it depends which store you go to, but I did nothing like this.
We were given a talk on the company values and then asked to talk to the person next to you to find out about them and then present this to the rest of the room.

Then we had about a 5 min one on one interview with a dept manager. Basically told you've been successful and all done.

You'll then have an induction day.
Nothing to worry about and it's all very friendly, it was in the store I worked in anyway.

Good Luck.

We had a talk about the job, break into twos then introduce the other person, get into groups and build a bridge out of spaghetti and marshmallows (NB its not an engineering job you're going for, they want to see teamwork and leadership they don't care about the bridge ) then individual interviews. I heard back a week later then had to go to a training afternoon and do some multiple choice training computer things.

(I did all of this, then found out that due to a payroll cock up I wasn't going to be paid for my first month so cut my losses and didn't go back - but I've known other people who have found them a great employer so I doubt that happens to everyone.)

Thanks both, doesn't sound too bad then, just find it a bit OTT for a checkout role but I suppose if I want the job I don't have a choice!

Was the interview questions like 'if you were an animal which one would you want to be'? I need to practice if so as I can't come up with these sorts of answers quickly!

Don't worry about it, they just want to see how you are dealing with people you don't know, as you would on the checkout. Just be yourself, unless you are a sociopath.

I had one last year.
We went in; had to introduce ourselves to the group.
Then we had to make a Rocket out of Paper with an egg in the top. The rocket had to be able to be thrown and land without the Egg breaking!
We then had a Tour of the Store, and had to ask people did they want help with their Packing.
Then One on One interview again at the End.
Good luck!

My wife went on one in August they did some team work exercise 5-10 minutes, a bingo game as a get to know each other game, a walk around the store.

If you get through the asda magic then it's a 1-1 chat on another day.

Thanks everyone feeling a bit more prepared now. The job is 16 hours a week, does anyone know how Asda normally split their shifts, so is it 2 full days or say 4 days of 4 hours etc? It didn't actually say on the job advert

My post was 20hours.
6am-11am (online shopping)
Never finished on time & finished more like 2pm.
Was told I was on a flexi contract so times and hours could change. I was expected to be able to come in on days off and work extra hours when needed, I couldn't do this with 2 children, so ended up leaving the Post!
Your best off checking and asking when you go to the Magic day

Thanks @Scoleah I have two DC too so I couldn't be doing that either. I'll check on the Magic day (what a name 🙄)

@WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream No problem, I wish they had told me that at the Magic day as I wouldn't have taken the post! Ended up having to explain myself to Management and had the attitude from them like I should have known! Then was told to write in my Notice there and then if I no longer wanted the role as they didn't have a post with fixed hours!
Hopefully will be different in your store though x

@Scoleah that's an awful way to treat you, it was their fault for not letting you know! Hopefully the store I'm going for will be a decent one, I'll just leave if not, I'm too old to be treat like crap from employers now!

Can you please tell me how you got through the online test? I never have and think it's really unfair as I have years of experience and a good work ethic but am rejected as I can't pass their trick test.

Yes I've tried but can't pass the online test of any of the big supermarket chains. Even when using common sense and google.

Another thing is they need a full birth certificate, I could not attend my recent magic day as my passport was out of date and I only had a short version of my birth certificate. Could they a full version in time so they wouldn’t let me attend.

Couldn’t get full version of birth certificate

All that fuss to work on a checkout! I think that Asda’s recruitment and HR people must have too much time on their hands.

A friend worked in the Asda head office in Leeds and said that the mandatory ‘fun’ drove her insane. She didn’t have to do all that egg rocket/spaghetti bridge bollix, by the way.

@TheBestestCatinTheLand @MakeYourOwnFuckingTea I'm not sure how I did really. I just answered the questions normally, the one I did were obvious ones like:

what type of person are you

A) I like helping others
B) I prefer to let others work things out on their own

Questions like that. So seeing as it's all very customer focussed I just picked the ones that were obvious towards being 'helpful' etc. They are stupid questions really.

It is a ridiculous amount of fuss and a waste of time really for a checkout role, it's literally saying morning/afternoon, would you like a hand with your packing and making small talk! At least I'll be prepared if a customer asks me to help with a balloon bridge 🙄

Needs must for Christmas though

I've done this job. They will ask you about your availability and provide a sheet to fill in, so if you have childcare etc. it's best to inform them there. You'll get core hours but they will expect you to do a bit extra here and there especially close to Christmas. And they'll want you to do Boxing Day and/or New Year's Day - just warning you.

When I answered them it was stuff like You are with a customer when another customer asks for help... that kind of thing. Can't remember what I said but definitely chose the most obviously pandering one.

@GallicosCats thank you that's helpful to know, I wouldn't mind working new year but wouldn't work Boxing Day. I'll fill the sheet out and see what they say.

@MakeYourOwnFuckingTea I'm at a loss then, sounds like you knew to answer the questions correctly, I didn't do anything different to that so not sure what their process is then. Ridiculous really as they are missing out on potentially brilliant staff this way

I might try again and choose different answers just to see.

@MakeYourOwnFuckingTea good idea! Good luck

It all sounds very intense! I've just finished a check out role with one of the largest supermarket chains in NZ.

We didn't even get interviewed, just a 5 minute chat with the check out manager about availability and the job was yours!

In my experience where I live jobs are few and far between, I’m finding it very difficult because all the roles advertised now require flexibility and definitely want early/ late starts finishes plus weekends. I am finding it difficult to find jobs Mondayto Friday between the hours of 8-5pm. I can’t offer the flexibility they want it’s so frustrating, they are all min wage.

@niknac1 what sort of job are you looking for? Domestic cleaning is normally between those hours you're looking for and some can be quite well paid, is that an option?