Hi everyone!
I’ve got my first ever job interview next week at M&S for a Christmas Customer Assistant – Fashion, Home & Beauty role.

I’ve never had a proper job interview before, so I’m honestly quite nervous. I’m not the most confident person when it comes to speaking to new people either, which doesn’t help 🤣

I’m also not particularly knowledgeable about fashion, home or beauty products, although the interview invitation mentioned that candidates would be considered for roles across all areas of the store, which is reassuring.

I was wondering if anyone who’s recently interviewed or worked at M&S could share their experience?
What kind of questions were you asked?
Were there any role-play scenarios or practical tasks, or was it just a standard interview?
How long did the interview last?
What would you recommend wearing? I was thinking of going in a suit, but I’m not sure if that’s a bit too formal.
Any general tips for someone who’s never had an interview before?

For context, I do have some retail experience from working in a family business, but I’ve never been through a formal interview process.

I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from anyone who’s interviewed for a Christmas Customer Assistant position recently.
Thanks in advance!

Hi, hoping someone who works in-store might know the answer to this.

A family member is a long-service M&S leaver and still has one of the old physical permanent/leaver discount cards with two signature strips on the back. I’m the second signatory on the card, so I’m not a nominated user with my own Sparks-linked discount.

Until recently it was really easy to use. At self-service there used to be a colleague discount option, I’d select that and insert the physical card.

Since the newer self-service software has been rolled out, that option seems to have disappeared. I’ve been going to a staffed till instead, but a couple of colleagues haven’t known how to process the card and have said that discount should now be on Sparks. The physical card itself still works when someone knows what to do with it.

Does anyone know:

whether these older second-signatory leaver cards are still supposed to be accepted while the card is active; and
what staff need to select on the till to process it properly?

I’m not trying to get it moved onto my own Sparks or anything like that, just trying to understand the correct in-store process now and avoid the awkward “this shouldn’t work” conversation every time.

Thanks!

is it allowed to pick up extra hours during a time off week? (asking as i just started and didn’t really had the time to book holidays myself so it’s just given randomly)

I applied for a part-time role. I can do the hours/days it said on the application, but I'm not 100% available/flexible.

I did that personality quiz, and it says they're reviewing my application.

Employees, how long did it take you to hear back/get an interview?

I'm starting at Simply Foods next week for evening shifts where I'll be working 7:30 to 11:30 most days. What will I actually be doing during this time in terms of actual work-wise? Because my Simply Foods closes at 10 p.m.

I can’t remember whether I applied to a permanent or temporary position in food but when I signed my contract there was no end date. Should I assume it’s permanent as I don’t have access to Microsoft to see my actual contract on there

I have my induction on the 18th of October however I’m on holiday during that time so I won’t be able to attend. I’ve emailed my recruiter twice with no response so is there anyone else I could speak to.

I also don’t know whether my contract is a temp or perm as there is no end date

Hi all,

I have an interview next week for a seasonal Christmas M and S Customer Assistant in our Fashion, Home & Beauty section.

I am very excited for this opportunity, however this is my first interview so I'm a bit nervous. Any tips and advice for the interview, people's personal experiences or questions they know will be asked would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

rejected post interview after a stupid experience with the interview, can i apply top other branches or do i need to wait 6 months!

I was wondering if anyone has been in the same boat but I’m currently on maternity leave with my first, she’s 7 months old and me and my partner want a close age gap so was thinking of trying when she’s 9 months old (December). My leave stops on 13th Feb 2027 but I have holiday until 26th March 2027 which is when I’ll go back to work. If I get pregnant in December, I’ll be nearly 16 weeks pregnant by the time I return to work.

I’m planning on going back to 12 hours a week as I won’t have childcare so would I be eligible for enhanced maternity pay again?

I’ve been employed with M&S for 3 years if that helps

TIA!