John Lewis Partnership

Interview Process

8.5 / 10
10 reviews
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2012 Reviews

  • Highly competitive, but well communicated throughout. The Partnership values personality and individuals candidates should be honest and themselves to succeed.

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  • First there was an online application with a situational judgement test, (if X happened at work, what would you do?). After this there was written answer questions about times you've worked hard under pressure and what you've done outside of work or school. At the first assessment centre you complete team exercises where they look for leadership qualities and at the final assessment you are interviews, give a presentation, and complete an exercise on the shop-floor.

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  • Long and thorough process. Know the company/partnership and what it stands for/what being a partner means for you. If you don't have the JLP values it wont suit you.

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  • There are many stages to the assessment process for a graduate. The first requires you to answer questions to see if you fit the company and its culture. The second is an assessment day where you complete a day of group tasks. You will be told at the end of the day if you have been successful and invited to take part in a second assessment day which involves a presentation, a store exercise and interview.

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  • Be honest about yourself - the interview process is designed to find out the kind of person that you really are. Prepare well for the interviews - think about examples of scenarios where you led a team, achieved something, etc.

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  • 14,000 people applied for 19 jobs so it was quite tough. I think in honesty they were looking more at who you are and your potential rather than what you have achieved. Do you have the skills there than can be worked on to make you a future leader? Just be very honest from day one.

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  • Over 4,000 people applied for 4 jobs. It was highly competitive and thus selective. There were 4 assessment rounds online consisting of a personality test, several questions which wanted mini essays as answers. Next, the group assessment stage lasting the entire day and consisting of several tasks. Finally, the interview stage lasting just over three hours consisting of three different interviews.

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  • There were two assessment days. The first was completely group orientated. A variety of fun tasks to test your thinking, creativity and negotiation skills. Second assessment centre was completely individual, with a task specific to buying, an interview and a presentation. Interview questions were around passion for the business, passion for the retail sector, innovation, negotiation and team work.

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2011 Reviews

  • I was assessed in the latter stages by Heads of Buying, Heads of Merchandising and other senior management. Questions geared around personal ambitions, behaviours and transferable skills into merchandising.

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  • I first applied online attaching my CV, then filled in an online assessment, then went on an assessment day. The assessment day was a lot of pressure as you are aware how many candidates there are for a few selective jobs. The day was also informative and I left there really wanting to have a life long career with John Lewis.

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  • Two interviews (standard). Assessment day for this role n/a. Assessment day for the grad scheme was very tough but a great experience. Very challenging questions about vision, leadership, etc. Overall, very challenging process but that's what you need both for the interviewer and the interviewee.

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  • Online application, followed by an assessment centre. It lasted over two days and you’re required to pass day one to get onto day two. Day one involved working in groups on four different exercises. Day two involved an interview... Questions in the interview focussed around flexibility, mobility and how my past experience could be applied to my current job.

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  • There are 5,500 applicants and 16 positions for the whole of the UK. [NB. Applications and intake varies year to year].Two day assessment centre with multiple group activities/presentations.

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