Let s find out what it is like to work in a big store. Let s see what ASDA is about and focus on the clothing department where you re supposed to work. ASDA: Products: Grocery Clothing General Merchandise Financial Services Private Company Subsidiary Parent: Walmart (U.S.) Number of locations: 523 Number of employees: 143,126 Operating income: 638 million
Let s get into the store and find out about the organizational structure. Matthew Lawton: I am in charge of 4 busy Departments. I need to ensure that each runs smoothly and serves our customers needs. GENERAL STORE MANAGER George McFarlane: I am responsible for running the store. I need to be an inspirational leader to hundreds of colleagues, keeping everyone working as a team. FRESH TEAM LEADER Department Managers: Produce Bakery Fish Meat Assistant Managers GEORGE CLOTHING DEPARTMENT MANAGER Colleagues Sarah Jensen: I manage and motivate my team to increase sales and ensure efficiency. AMBIENT TEAM LEADER Department Manager: Warehouse Grocery Colleagues NIGHT TEAM LEADER Night Supervisors Colleagues Colleagues Chris McPherson: I supervise 12 people and need to make sure that we display the fruits and vegetables in an attractive way that keeps them fresh.
Let s see what it s like to work for ASDA Let s watch a video. Video: 3 beliefs Asda possède sa chaîne You tube. Pour retrouver la vidéo, saisir l adresse suivante puis indiquer dans le moteur de recherche Asda s beliefs http://www.youtube.com/user/asda?feature=watch
Let s appreciate the working atmosphere at ASDA. If you want to work for ASDA: You have to be adaptable to a huge working space as there is a large variety of departments from fresh food to clothing. You need to be communicative, pleasant and respectful to the customers and listen to them attentively. It will be necessary for you to be quick, efficient and reactive as it is a fast-paced environment.
Now let s have a look at the George Clothing Department where ASDA is looking for staff. http://www.george.jobs (ASDA managers) What's it like to work at George? Since 1990, when George became the pioneer of supermarket fashion, we've led the way in offering an irresistible combination of quality, style and value. Our belief that "fashion is not a luxury, quality should not be a privilege" is etched in the mind of every colleague. Our customers trust us to keep bringing the best in fabulous fast fashion that doesn't cost the earth. No wonder we've never stopped growing and neither will you, because now we're going global and the scope is unlimited. Every day will add to your development, because at George, every day matters.
This is the department where you are going to work, so you will have to deal with Men s wear Women s wear Children s wear As an employee working in this department, you will be in charge of: Receiving deliveries from the warehouse Creating displays according to the ASDA merchandising code and the seasons Labeling items Folding and shelving according to size and color
Let s see what the products are about beginning with a pair of shoes. Let s make a description of the product. Centre Seam Leather Formal Shoes 25.00 Fabric composition: Upper: Leather Lining and Sock: Other Materials Outer Sole: Other Materials Product Code: 3883725 They cost 25 pounds. They are made with leather uppers and other materials. These shoes are aimed at professional occasions or personal social events, such as weddings. The target customers are men in their 30 s and 40 s. They can go with a nice suit or formal trousers.
Belted Faux Fur Collar Coat 30.00 Padded coat featuring button fastening, detachable faux fur collar and elasticated waistbelt with buckle fastening. Fabric composition: 100% Polyester Product Code: 3874879 It costs 30 pounds. It is made of 100% polyester. This coat will keep you warm and toasty as the days grow colder. Chic faux fur trim adds a touch of luxe appeal! The target customers are women in their 20 s and 30 s. It can be attractively accessorized with George gloves and hats.
Now you re ready to be interviewed for the job, so you need to send your CV and your motivation letter to the Human Resources Department. Manuela Hernandez 05/01/94 in Forcalquier 18 years old 1 Rue Moulin 04100 Manosque Phone number: 06 06 06 06 06 Email: firstname.lastname@gmail.com My objective: Working for a large department store Professional experience 2011 January In the shop Hyper U for 1 month (Manosque 04) 2012 June In the shop Auchan for 1 month (Manosque 04) 2012 December In the shop LeClerc for 1 month (Manosque 04) Education 2010 to 2013 Lycee Louis Martin Bret in Manosque 04 Professional Business Languages English (good level) Spanish (fluent) Computer skills Word, Excel Open Office Interests Sport : Sport in a club, Swimming 2 years, Dance: classic, modern-jazz, hip-hop Cultural : Travel, Reading, Cinema
Object : Motivation Letter Manosque Mr/Mrs/Miss I am a student preparing a BTEC in sales. During my training courses as a shop assistant, I had a professional experience in huge department stores and I really enjoyed working with the staff and the customers. I am highly motivated to work for you as I want to gain professional experience in a large department store. Thank you for welcoming me into your department store, I will do my best to satisfy you. I look forward to seeing you soon. Your sincerely, Manuela Hernandez
So, to get ready for the interview, be sure you know what ASDA asks for. They are looking for employees who have: A real passion for their work Commercial awareness Desire to keep on learning A strong customer focus Experience of working in a store environment Strong communication skills (verbal and written) PC Skills Ability to work at pace Interest in working in fashion Organisational and administration skills Ability to problem solve Ability to work under pressure Teamwork and relationship building
You are going to role play with the teacher who will interview you. Make sure you re able to provide answers regarding the skills listed before: Give examples Tell a story from your work placement Compare two different stores Talk about: Your professional experience Your plans for the future of your career During the interview you will sell an item. So get ready to sell the product proposed by the teacher and make sure you match her needs as a customer.
EVALUATION ORALE EN CONTINU (5 mns) Sujet : Being interviewed for a job in a large department store. Critères d évaluation Points attribués Je me suis préparé/e correctement Sur 3 points : Je me suis montré/e volontaire et Sur 3 points : dynamique dans la prise de parole. J ai pris la parole jusqu à 5 minutes. Sur 3 points : J ai organisé ma prise de parole Sur 4 points : à l aide de structures langagières. J ai pris la parole en autonomie et sans notes. Sur 2 points : J ai utilisé un vocabulaire et des Sur 3 points : structures langagières de niveau B1 +/B2 J ai essayé d accentuer les mots correctement. Sur 2 points : Note /20 :.. Niveau atteint :.. Commentaires et axes de progrès :
Possible interview questions: Why do you think you are the best person for the job? I think I am the best person for the job because... Why do you want to work for ASDA? I want to work for ASDA because... Describe your work experiences working in a large department store. I have worked as a sales assistant for (name of store). My duties included... Describe a challenging situation you experienced at work and tell me how you dealt with it. One time I had an unhappy customer who had difficulties with I dealt with it by Give me an example of what you would call excellent customer service. I think excellent customer service includes Of what in your work experience are you most proud? I am most proud of my experience working in the large department store (name) because I had to
Selling a coat to a woman in her 40 s: SA: May I help you find something today? C: Yes, please. I want to buy a warm coat, but I don t know what will look good on me. SA: Would you like a formal coat or a casual coat. C: I want a casual coat that will look good with trousers and jeans. SA: Okay. What size do you wear? C: I wear size 36. SA: We have 3 casual coats here in size 36. One is brown with a faux fur collar. Another is white with a belt. The third one is black with a hood. C: I don t like white because it shows dirt. I am not sure about the others. SA: Why don t you try both of them on and look in our mirror here. C: This brown ones feels warm and comfortable. Do you think it is flattering? SA: Yes, I do. See how the length looks well with your trousers. Why don t you try the black one as well, so you can compare. C: This one feels too tight. SA: Would you like to try a size 38? C: No thank you. I like the brown color and the way it feels. I ll take it. SA: Okay. Would you like to look at gloves and hats to go with your new coat. C: Yes, please. And do you have scarves as well? SA: Yes, we do. Please come with me to the accessories
CREDITS Pictures taken from http://www.asda.com/ George clothing at Asda http://www.george.jobs (Asda Managers) www.greenroom.asda.com/store/ayr www.ayrshirescotland.com/shops/heathfield.htlm www.southayrshire.gov.uk/news www.ayrshirebic.org www.direct-asda.com/george www.asda-jobs/experienceasda www.retailgazette.co.uk www.geograph.org.uk www.marketingmagazine.co.uk www.retail-week.com/georghe-targets