Application Process & Interviews at Coles

A large assessment centre with up to 300 graduates - it can be intimidating but is also full of energy. There will also be interviews but they try to keep them very informal and chatty.

The process was quite long, as most are. First you submit your application and then undergo the usual psychometric tests. Upon passing these you get to record a 'selfie interview' and have the chance to answer some questions about yourself. The next stage is the assessment center - which i felt ran really well. On this day you do a group interview and then an individual interview where you answer questions about a case study you were previously given.

Hiring process is long and there are many steps. But this is necessary as the process hires for a number of functions and each function requires a unique and particular individual.

Intense but rewarding if you get through it

There is only one online assessment and one online interview before I am invited to the assessment center which is the final stage of the recruitment process. It is a relatively simple online recruitment process, but due to the sheer amount of people applying, standing out is very difficult.

There was quite a few steps to go through including Resume submission, online testing, online interview and Assessment Centres.

An application, psychometric test, video interview and an assessment centre.

Straightforward and clear

The interview process was in 4 or 5 parts ranging from multiple choice situational based questions, to full day assessment centres with group case study and follow up interviews.

I did the initial application that went through 2 rounds of screening, I then attended an assessment centre that was broken into two parts; the morning was across functions and the afternoon legal specific. The afternoon consisted of a case study and an interview.

Online testing, video interview, full day assessment centre. Assessment centre was long but has since been changed to a half day.

5 stage grad recruitment process

Online testing, online interview. Assessment day + Interviews in one day split in two

It is quite lengthy, however there is a high demand for a Graduate role at my company. I believe it is fair and give individuals the opportunity to show their best selves.

Online application Cognitive testing video interview assessment centre

Psychometric test. Video interview. Assessment centre. Final interview.

Long but thorough process

Online test, video interview, Assessment centre - group and individual interviews

There was a video interview, an assessment centre, and a face to face interview.

Resume, Behavioural questions, aptitude tests, assessment centre.

Why do you want to work here? Why do you want to work in the Strategy team? Behavioural questions: describe a time when you showed teamwork skills, leadership skills, communication skills etc. - Market sizing questions

How would I manage a specific situation if i was the People and Culture manager (in relation to a case study given to me). what do i believe the day of a store manager looks like?

More to do with personality and what I enjoyed doing/eating outside of work. I appreciated that

1. Tell us about yourself 2. What are some of your key achievements 3. What are your strengths and weaknesses 4. How do you deal with difficult situations - give us an example

Mostly past experience, achievements and some questions that would have determined if I will be able to fit into the company culture.

We were asked to provide anecdotes about times we displayed certain personality traits or were in specific situations (i.e. facing setbacks/hardship).

What are you passionate about? Explain how you work in a team?

Customer service scenarios, case studies and assessments requiring strategic thinking for decision making.

More about life experiences and shaped around my ability to learn

I had to prepare a short piece of research that took up 70% of the time, with the majority of questions relating to that. As well as questions about why I was interested in the stream I chose and why I applied to the company.

Previous experiences and background mainly.

In my interview I was asked questions primarily based on soft skills on technical legal skills. We managed to spend quite a bit of time talking about my hobbies outside of work.

There was a group case study, then there was an individual case study. This was followed by individual interviews and they were pretty standard. Why are you interested in Digital? What makes you stand out etc.

All questions prior to the Assessment Centre were essentially generic, but heavily focused towards a FMCG company. The Assessment Centre however, was very tailored to the specific department you had applied for. I believe this was a great way to split which candidates were best suited to each role.

A range of behavioural and situational questions

Problems relevant to the business and how I would solve them

Describe your favourite food, when was a time you had to show leadership

A lot of the assessment was assessing you had a basic commercial mindset and values that aligned with the business (customer focused, team player)`

Work background history/ attitude toward certain situations, what would you do in X and Y situations, Example of problem solving in past experiences. Also a general idea of wanting to get to know you, how you fit in with the team etc.

Please provide an example when you have provided good customer service. Explain a time where you have been innovative. Why Coles?

Research the company (key events, marketing campaigns etc.), understand the basics about the retail environment and how a retail business is run, have a good understanding of how your skills will translate in a work setting

Research online, be humble and before answering a question think and then articulate properly.

Be honest with who you are and try and get that across in the interview, a bit of personality is well received. Try and give a lot of examples in your answers.

Know the structure of retail and the daily struggles of the department in which you are applying for. You will come across far more attractive if you can demonstrate that you understand what the role you are applying for looks like and the struggles you may encounter.

Lose the technical bits and show your passions and value as a person

Research Coles! And their initiatives. Prepare, prepare, prepare for questions. Walk in confident - Coles loves confident, outgoing people who network.

I would prepare by making sure you have stories you can share that display who you are to the interviewer. You should also make sure you listen to other people's suggestions in the AC as talking over people and being overly controlling can make others uncomfortable and reflect poorly on you.

As cliche as it sounds just be yourself and relax! In the selfie interview just try to show your personality while answering the questions as best as you can, remember to slow down when talking and look straight at the camera. For the assessment center, my advice would be to speak up in the group interview but try not to cut people off and always add to what the last person said to keep the conversation flowing.

Be prepared, know who you are and what you stand for

Know the case study and think outside the box a little, just because the document does not provide all the information doesn't mean you can't do additional research. Also consider all stakeholders, long & short term impact and any risks.

Narrow why you want to work at Coles down to three reasons. Then have three additional reasons why you would be suited to your preferred division. Lastly, don't have 'generic' interview responses - think of 6-7 'stories' or 'life experiences' you can mould to absolutely any question that can be asked.

Be yourself - Culture works best with genuine people

Do your research about Coles and decide if it's right for you, then using that knowledge, convince Coles that you're right for it

Understand the recent news that Coles has been undertaking and be able to relate back examples in your answers. A company like Coles that impacts every Australian, you need to be sensitive of the news and consumers needs and wants.

Understand a bit about Coles and how the business operates, and don't be afraid to share your ideas.

Be yourself! Reflect on examples in uni/past work where you have provided good customer service & resolution to problems.

Prepare by understanding customer and what Coles really is. It's not just a supermarket.

If you get through to the group interview stage, be considerate of other applicants you are sitting with. There are many people who were not selected because they tried to take over and run the group.

Engage with as many people you can at open days, because you don't know exactly who you are speaking with. They could be the head of a department and will know your name when making hiring decisions.

Think about who will be all the stakeholders affected in any given situation - EG: suppliers, customers, internal colleagues, etc