Waitrose Assistant Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 97 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Waitrose.
Waitrose
Assistant
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Group Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Group Technical
It was a one-on-one with the manager and also a small group task. The task was to identify ability to manage time, work in a team & deal with unexpected situations. We were given a range of potential issues in the supermarket environment, and had to create a prioritized plan for tackling them. Prior knowledge of the company was helpful for the one-on-one, answering values questions.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- What makes you want to work for Waitrose and what do you know about the company?
- Tell me why you're interested in working for Waitrose and what you know about the company.
Waitrose
Assistant
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Group Panel Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Group Other
About 2 weeks after I applied for the Supermarket Assistant role at Waitrose back in May 2019, I got called in for an assessment. It was a 2-part thing: a quick 15-minute 1-to-1 chat and then a group discussion. The one-on-one was pretty chill, and they asked me some basic stuff. For the group part, we were given a scenario about a shift at a fake store. We had to read through it and then, as a group, decide the order to do a list of tasks. The scenario also threw in some problems like a broken champagne bottle, a mad customer, a late delivery, and not enough of a top-selling item. The task list itself included things like helping at customer service, showing a new person the ropes, sorting out sale items, and checking dates in the stockroom. Two people watched us the whole time, taking notes. It was important to jump into the conversation and build on what others were saying, not just talk over them. They were looking at how we solve problems and work together. I suggested letting the new employee help with tasks as a way to get them familiar with the job, which I thought was a smart move. I heard back the next day, and they offered me the job.
Confirmed questions6 questions
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- What makes you want to work at Waitrose?
- What skills or qualities would you contribute to this position?
Waitrose
Assistant
Entry Easy Neutral experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Group Recruiter call
Interview formats
Behavioral Group Other
I was initially called in for a group interview, but since only three of us showed up, they switched to one-on-one interviews. Another student from my school had the same exact experience. My interviewer was really nice and we clicked, which made things go smoothly. I got a job offer, but it was for a minimum of 17.5 hours, which was more than the 8-12 hours I applied for because I'm still in sixth form. They explained that this Waitrose only does 15-hour minimum contracts, even though other students from my school work there for 12 hours. I was excited to start, but I couldn't accept due to the hours. What's more, Waitrose marked me as denied on my jlpjobs account, which could affect future applications within the John Lewis group, even though I wasn't actually rejected. It hasn't been a huge problem though, as I have another interview lined up at a different Waitrose.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- Can you share an instance when you persuaded someone to change their viewpoint?
- What motivates you to want to work at Waitrose?
- Could you introduce yourself?
Waitrose Assistant Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Waitrose interview reports.
“What would you do if a customer told you that a chicken they purchased was yellow, even though it was still in-date?”
Read reports →“What would you do if a customer requests an item that is out of stock on the shelves?”
Read reports →“What would you do if a product a customer is looking for is out of stock?”
Read reports →“How would you ensure that all products are kept within their expiry dates and are fully stocked on the shelves?”
Read reports →“How would you manage a situation where a customer wants an item that is currently out of stock?”
Read report →“Using one item from the Waitrose or John Lewis shelves, how would you describe yourself and why?”
Read report →“Can you share an instance where you stood up to authority for a good cause?”
Read report →“Have you ever had to speak to a colleague because they did something you didn't agree with?”
Read report →“Describe the best customer service experience you've had and what, in your opinion, constitutes excellent customer service?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 97 Waitrose interview reports.