Interview for screwfix ... questions

[nosetoesandall]

Hi I have an interview next week for screw fix and I would like to be successful. It will be my first job in 7 years so I'm really delighted to even get an interview. Has anyone any useful tips ?

What’s the role?

I'm assuming it's just tills etc. I don't think it have the specifics

Founders and Background of Screwfix, no of stores etc .....it doesn't harm to learn these things . Looks like you have done your research...i have always prepared my children in doing the basic research of companies, it often does help xxx good luck 👍

Screwfix is run like argos isn't it; rather than like B&Q. So a lot of click and collect, getting orders fast for trades people to get out on the job.
have you ever used one? You could literally go to buy a paintbrush and see how it all works.

Yes I'm swotting up on 'screwfix stuff' as we speak. I hope they don't do a role play section were you have to sell an item to a customer on the sales floor 😮 this terrifies me as it just seems so ridiculous lol

They might see how you can deal with customers like me eg "I want ... some vague description ..." all the staff are fairly knowledgeable or great at faking it so I'm guessing appearing interested in the products, willingness to learn etc as well as good customer interactions as many of their customers are very frequent (my branch recognise me and probably sigh!)

Most people order online and just collect at the Screwfix store. I don't think there's much selling done by staff at all.

Just practice being confident and cheerful in the interview. They're looking for someone who can be polite and efficient for customers.

It is like Click and Collect. But then you get customers like me, rather than trade. I go there because I get good common sense advice about stuff I know nothing about and am not patronised. (B&Q staff equally lovely by the way).

My DC started a vocational course last year and we needed kit. The woman who served us was so helpful - showed us the different steel capped boots, got a couple of sets out, DC could try them on. Explained the returns policy etc. Wasnt flustered at all by the queue of trades behind us. I kept offering them to go first but none of them would.

So buying a paintbrush is an excellent idea to see it in action from a customer perspective. But ask about training. Also check Glassdoor for employee reviews.

Sound confident. I went there today and wasn't impressed by the service. A guy who mumbled and a woman who didn't acknowledge my presence while stood nearby. Manners!

They might ask stuff like "how would you deal with an unhappy customer" or, "tell me about a time when you did xyz"?
If you can find a page about their company values, that might help get a feel for potential questions.
This https://jobs.screwfix.com/why-screwfix/growth
Sort of gives some of them

https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Interview/Screwfix-Interview-Questions-E631797.htm

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice/the-star-method

https://www.themuse.com/advice/tips-for-tackling-tell-me-about-a-time-when-interview-questions

Find the role/open position on Screwfix careers website, note the skills/day to day job description etc and then think of examples when you've done those things, either in previous jobs, study, volunteering roles etc

I would have thought basic knowledge and interest in their product range and an idea of who their customer base is, ie lots of trades, facilities workforce, and diy ers who need to drop in grab something and get back to job quickly, may want a receipt even if they have an account, may want separate receipts, may not want paper receipts, may need to step back and get on the phone part way through a transaction etc.
Their main base is customers who know what they want and why they want it and simplicity and efficiency is part of the reason they're a first call, alongside Toolstation.
I doubt they'd want you to be trying to push products, wrong customer base for it.

Good luck! It's my DH's favourite shop. Agree that some basic knowledge of what they sell and customer service related eg how would you deal with difficult customer etc.

it's not really a sales job in so much that you don't really need to upsell or anything, most people will be asking for specific things like a 15 to 22mm copper elbow joint or 10 x 4" foam rollers or 200 M4 x 25mm galvinsied pan head screws as opposed to 1" brass slotted screws, have you ever been to screwfix it's basically a counter you ask for stuff they go and fetch it, there are a few items displayed, some adverts, lots of it is click and collect so people order on phone and if in stock they turn up 15 minutes later with a long number and you give them their order mostly it is 6 hour shifts they are open 7 days a week so you probably need to give assurance you are avialable 7 days a week
good luck

Hello OP! So I work for Screwfix (hence the name) and I didn't know much at all about the company when I had my interview. I was asked questions about what I'd do in certain situations. Might have been different then, I had a phone interview first then a face to face one after that, and that was in June 2021 when covid was still running riot. Having retail experience is good but not essential (I'd worked for Sainsbury's for 11 years prior.) You'll also get shown round the warehouse and they'll explain how it's all set up. It's also coming up to our busiest period so if you do get the job you might get thrown in the deep end! It is hard work, although it can be fun.

Things to watch out for, by law there should be 11 hours between the end of one shift and the start of another, but they try to get away with making people do a late then an early. Don't put up with it. Also breaks, if you do five hour shifts it's written into your contract you can have a ten minute break. There's also no set shift pattern, unless you have a good reason, like childcare. I don't work Sundays because of religious reasons, but retail workers have a right not to regardless of reasons. I have colleagues who have worked 11 days on the trot, which is madness, one reason why I have no interest in becoming a supervisor.

Good luck with your interview!