Took part in online application, there was a test it asked questions in various scenarios mainly to do with customer service and ou wouod pick between four options later received an email to say I did not qualify and couldn't apply again for another few months

My interview at Boots in Plymouth was unnecessarily lengthy and an overall nerve-wrecking experience! First of all, I had a 1-to-1 interview with a very friendly manager. He seemed really nice so this put me at ease. The interview was pretty standard, and the typical competency questions were asked. However, I was very nervous as I hadn't worked in retail for three years! I was then informed I'd be taken onto the shop floor for the assessment. The assessment was difficult for me, as I was very nervous. I had to approach customers, handing out catalogues - which was fine, but some customers didn't want them. Then a customer approached me asking for help with a particular item, which I happened to know a fair amount about, so that was fine. But I was aware of not coming across as confident as I wanted to! And the customer didn't want to buy the item in the end. I then had to sell an item of my choice to the manager. I knew a lot about my item so I was confident and calm. Then I was taken to a few aisles and asked what was wrong with them, but I struggled with this. Apart from a few items looking a bit untidy, I didn't see much else wrong. The manager pointed some things out and seemed fairly nice about it all, though. He asked me how I'd improve the aisle and what I would inform management about. Then I was asked more "what would you do if...?" questions involving customers. The assessment part of the interview took approximately 30 minutes. I was offered a job on the spot, but unfortunately for me it wasn't the department I wanted to work in! I was looking forward to getting back into customer service and sales, but was told I'd be working in the stock room and dealing with deliveries. To top it off, I'd have to work 12 hour shifts, which didn't appeal to me. I dont see how those sort of shifts would appeal to anyone working in retail! You'd be knackered after 8 hours!!! Luckily, I was offered a sales assistant job at a different company, with better hours/shifts, so I declined the Boots job offer. I wouldn't say the lengthy and intense interview/assessment process is necessary for someone wanting a Christmas job! I found the entire interview to be uncomfortable - but I think this is down to my particular personality and lack of customer-facing experience. I'd recommend Boots as an employer though! I've only ever heard good things about them.

After completing an online assessment around a week later i received an email saying that they would love to meet me and enclosed a link to the jobs site page where i could choose a date and time for my interview. When i arrived i did have to wait about 30 minutes until one of the managers took me to an office and started the interview.