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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to ask if anyone works at waitrose?

13 replies

Kittehmiauw · 09/09/2015 00:12

I completed the application form a few days ago but unfortunately got the email today informing me that I'd failed on the multiple choice "values" test... Anyone have any advice on what the "right" answers are please? Bit flummoxed as I genuinely had thought through them

OP posts:
CuttedUpPear · 09/09/2015 00:14

Yes you are BU.

Because this belongs in Chat.

Stillunexpected · 09/09/2015 00:15

Or possibly Back to Work or Employment Issues?

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/09/2015 00:20

Wow those are nice empathetic responses to someone who has just got disappointing and presumably slightly upsetting news Hmm Why be so needlessly nasty?

Op, I don't work for waitrose or JLP but I do work in recruitment. Did you read the values bit of the corporate website? Often organisations will post this sort of thing publicly and expect you to read it so if you haven't the answers will be in there. If you've done all that and still didn't get through it may just be that you and Waitrose aren't very well suited. Better to find out now.

or just have a look on Wiki jobs

Kittehmiauw · 09/09/2015 00:28

Movingon, I did thanks... I have worked in more corporate roles in the past so did do the research; looking for a career change due to circumstances. It just seemed a random and odd way of sifting people out. This stage was before I had given them a CV or other (relevant) personal details.

To those saying I should post in Chat and other sections of the site. Apologies, posted on here for the traffic and aibu seemed a good a place as any Smile

OP posts:
BlueJug · 09/09/2015 00:28

Sorry to hear this. It hurts. I got a knock back when I thought I'd done quite well, (not Waitrose), but movingonup has good advice.

Better luck next time

Kittehmiauw · 09/09/2015 00:30

Thank you Blue, that's kind of you.

Yeah it's a pain, especially when you feel you have more to offer. I will keep looking though, I need work quite urgently atm so hoping something halfway decent comes up!

OP posts:
Stillunexpected · 09/09/2015 00:36

MovingOn I hope your post wasn't directed at me. I was making a genuine suggestion of better places for the OP to post given that people who are looking for work or in employment with JL might be posting there?

VelvetKangeroo · 09/09/2015 01:11

You have to say everything they want. try googling waitross answers you will probably come across something.
Have you tried ladbrooks or William hill? They are always hiring and don't pay to bad. Interview and application is easy too.

Topseyt · 09/09/2015 01:31

Keep pegging away OP. No reason you can't post for support in AIBU either.

I don't work in retail but when I last needed to get work I applied to many places including Waitrose.

I got as far as group interview stage with Waitrose though.

I do empathise about those online multiple choice values questions. Many places use them now as an automated process and I think they can seem very ambiguous, with more than one answer often appearing correct. I just ended up thinking how much I missed the days when you spoke to real people and could explain yourself at the time. I didn't think they gave an accurate reflection of who I was and how I ticked.

I wish I could recall the name of the website where there is a Waitrose forum on this. Anyone know it?

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/09/2015 10:00

It's not that unusual to have some sort of personality fit test before reviewing CVs or asking candidates to complete application forms because both of those cost a lot of money to review and it's a fairly quick and low cost way of narrowing down a pool of candidates.

Some organisations see the person specification (what sort behaviours, temperament etc) as just as important as more tangible skills; they care not just about what you do, but the way you do it.

However, just because someone doesn't get through a test like that doesn't mean they have failed, but more that you are not suitable for that particular organisation in that specific role. For example, the same value can be embodied differently depending on status and these tests should be pitched for the role/band/level being applied for. Alan Sugar might have behaviours that make him a great CEO but a terrible, terrible front line customer service operative.

So a good example of this would be something like how someone works with others in a team. You would want somebody who is looking to take on a leadership role to display leadership skills. But the same behaviours of good leadership (eg. giving clear direction, taking initiative, leading and motivating others, making tough decisions when necessary, using judgement to act outside of the normal rules and norms where necessary) could potentially be perceived as being arrogant, bossy and showing a lack of respect for authority in a role where people are expected to work in a very autocratic environment and stick closely to rules.

Hopefully that makes some sort of sense. I am being shouted at by a toddler so it's hard to concentrate(!)

Sighing · 09/09/2015 10:52

I passed them. A mix of customer service and common sense whilst considering it's a business. Like most employers they expect all their employees to show the potential for earth shattering customer focused decision making. Even with no retail experience. Can you try again?

LittleMissIntrovert · 09/09/2015 11:17

The M&S one is a similar thing I would imagine.

They are usually looking for you to be pro-active but also to know when to ask a supervisor.

They want you to be able to follow instructions, but also use common sense.

I imagine waitrose is similar to M&S in that the customer comes first, but you must also follow health and safety. For example a question about filling shelves when a customer approaches, yes acknowledge the customer and help them, but also leave your stock somewhere safe.

Hoppipolar · 09/09/2015 12:40

I can't remember the questions but I worked for waitrose and they were awful! They tried to make a woman go back on checkouts when she'd just been told her grandchild died!

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