Shop Floor interview for the Body Shop

MinnieM67

Hi I was just wondering if anyone could give me some insight into what I might expect from a shop floor trial and interview for a managers position in the Body Shop. Ive been lucky enough to score an interview for next week. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

LowKeyReturn

I've no cosmetics experience but I'd go in early and complete a SWOT, do a floor walk and have all this preped. Don't advertise you've done it but don't hide it either.

Be prepared to talk about how you'd manage KPI, staff, costs etc.

Floor experience is different for each company but most want to see you interacting with punters.

MinnieM67

Thank you lowkeyreturn. I haven't got cosmetics experience either and a bit out of my depth as have been self employed in fashion for over 17 years until recently but fingers crossed!

LowKeyReturn

MinnieM67 wrote: »

Thank you lowkeyreturn. I haven't got cosmetics experience either and a bit out of my depth as have been self employed in fashion for over 17 years until recently but fingers crossed!

Okay this might sound a bit harsh but it's not meant to be - just my 2 cents when I was interviewing previously self employed managers.

On the one hand you've run your own business and will need very little hand holding. On the other had you're potentially set in your ways and why do you want to work for me if you were previously running your own business? Again not to sound like an asshat but that's what went through my mind when people had their own businesses, all I'm trying to say is have a good answer lined up for this, the rest of your experience being self employed will give you a significant advantage to others.

MinnieM67

Thank you, appreciate your honesty as so far in interviews I have felt that this might be what interviewers were thinking but none have so far actually asked why I think I can now be an employee instead of self employed. Its not like I have a choice anymore. To be honest I don't care who is the boss as long as I get paid at the end of the week nowadays and any sales assistant jobs Ive applied for I have been more or less told that I over-qualified for so its a bit of a catch 22. I just want a job.

LowKeyReturn

MinnieM67 wrote: »

Thank you, appreciate your honesty as so far in interviews I have felt that this might be what interviewers were thinking but none have so far actually asked why I think I can now be an employee instead of self employed. Its not like I have a choice anymore. To be honest I don't care who is the boss as long as I get paid at the end of the week nowadays and any sales assistant jobs Ive applied for I have been more or less told that I over-qualified for so its a bit of a catch 22. I just want a job.

I'd head this off at the pass. Explain you had to close you're business because of XYZ, but you've always admired <insert company here> business and felt you could learn a lot. You're running the risk of sounding like you're just wanting to nick the ideas and set up next door, but most retail managers/hirers know this isn't an option as one shop would never compete with a large chain.

Honestly being self employed is a massive advantage but you're just going to have to show you can adjust. Once you show business acumen you'll be grand - tbh one of the best explanations is you closed your business tidily (wrapped up without loads of debts) because your forecasts showed it was no longer profitable.

Best of luck - just show you're a team player with initiative. Lots of KPI and talk about standards always worked for me.

MinnieM67

Thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it.