Job Interview at B&M Bargains

B&M Bargains receive hundreds of applicants for each advertised position and use their recruitment process to offer one lucky candidate the advertised position.

The key to passing job interviews in preparation and practice, this sounds obvious but is often overlooked with the average interviewee spending around only 60 minutes preparing for their job interview.

This article will explain the B&M bargains recruitment process and list commonly asked job interveiw questions.

We will also layout the format for answering each job interview question, helping B&M applicants to prepare for their job interview.

Job Interview Format B&M Bargains.

B&M Bargains job interview starts with a presentation about the benefits of working at B&M which is delivered by a current member of staff.

Interviewees then have a chance to ask questions – use this opportunity to ask a practical question that allows you to look good.

The second interview stage is a group interview. Interviewees will be given a group task to complete. Throughout this task the observers are looking for teamwork; applicants need to ensure they ask questions and listen to their teammates, as this shows a collaborative approach.

Communication is key here. Read the instructions of the group task allowed, and check the team’s understanding. Encourage quiet teammates to get involved to highlight natural leadership skills.

Finally, applicants are invited to a one to one interview. This final stage is a traditional competency-based interview

Job Interview Questions B&M Bargains.

Job Interview Question 1: What is your retail experience?

The initial question at a B&M Bargain interview allows the applicant to showcase their skillset.

Either start by stating any customer service, retail or warehouse experience (depending on what position the applicant is applying for) “I have over X years experience in Y role…”

Give additional detail by expanding on the duties “…in my last position at (company name) I was responsible for X, Y and Z..”

Conclude the interview answer with a short summary capturing a strength relevant to the advertised position “.to conclude I always enjoyed working in (job position) and my managers have always stated how (add skill/selling point)

Job Interview Question 2: Why do you want to work for B&M Bargains?

Research, prior to the job interview, is required here. No employer wants to hire ‘anyone’ instead employers are looking for employees who are passionate about their company, mission and vision.

When answering the ‘why do you want to work here’ question quote researched facts from the B&M Bargain ‘mission’ page:

• B&M pride themselves on selling big brands at low margins
• B&M have high store standards
• B&M want a positive impact on the local community

Mission: “Our vision is simple…to be Britain’s Number 1 Variety Retailer.”

Job Interview Question 3: What do you know about B&M Bargains?

As discussed above, organisations, these days, are only looking to hire new employees who like the company brand – this is about staff retention. To answer this interview question applicants can have a quick look at the B&M Bargains ‘about us‘ page:

• B&M was formed in 1978
• B&M now has over 600 stores
• Initially, the first store was in Blackpool
• Over 4 million customers shop at B&M each week

As well as highlighting knowledge about B&M Bargains, it is equally important to explain what interests you about the role “….I have always enjoyed how a warehouse is a process-driven machine…..”

Job Interview Question 4: Do you see yourself working at B&M Bargains in the next 5-10 years? If not what are your plans?

Staff recruitment can cost businesses around 1/3rd of their profit. To decrease this overhead cost employers spend time to only recruit applicants who they believe will stay working within their organisation for a longer period of time.

“Yes, my career goal is (add relevant career goal ‘retail manager’ as an example) Before applying for a job with B&Ms I looked at several retail outlets, but the training, mission and overall customer experience I get when I shop at B&M made me apply for this role.”

Job Interview Question 5: What do you think you will enjoy most about working at B&M Bargains?

Before answering this question re-read the job specifications. The job specification states all the essential criteria required for the role. As part of the answer state several of these criteria “I enjoy jobs that work directly with customers, creating a positive shopping experience….” 

Add to this reply, by referencing why B&Ms as an organisation interest you “…I also like how customers who shop at B&Ms get great deals compared to other supermarkets…”

And end the interveiw answer by talking about the environment “… the other thing that appealed to me was the working environment. When I shop in a B&M store, that is a friendly and professional environment. Staff are always happy to help….”

Job Interview Question 6: Give an example of when you have delivered excellent customer service?

To answer an example interview question you first need to think of experiences relevant to the position the applicant is applying for.

Examples should be set out in a 3 stage plan:

• Customer problem
• Customer solution
• Customer outcome

Start by explaining the issue /problem the customer had. Give detail here – was the customer angry or annoyed? Next, explain the step that you (the applicant) took to solve the issue – make reference to going out of your way to please the customer. And finally, explain how happy the customer was, how they purchased extra good and become a lifelong shopper at (organisation).

Job Interview Question 7: What type of customers shop at B&M?

Some retail job interveiw questions are designed to test your specific knowledge about the organisation.

Being asked about a customer profile is really the interviewer asking how much you know about B&Ms. If you know the type of customer who shops at B&Ms you are likely to be a customer yourself.

“Well, I’m the ideal customer. I like quality products and cheap prices…”

After this ‘soft’ opening, state the type of customers B&M has – shopping in the store on a Saturday afternoon will give you your ideal answer.

Job Interview Question 8: What makes you different than other applicants?

To be successful in a B&M Bargains job interveiw you need to stand out.

Are you customer-focused, well organised, a great communicator? At university did you come out with 2.1? at school did you volunteer in the community? Have you set up your own online business? Have you never had a sick day during the last 30 years in work?

There are many ways to stand out in a job interview by stating your strengths, your skill, qualities and unique selling point.

When picking a ‘strength’ or ‘experience’ try to pick something that isn’t to common – most teenagers had a paper-round and most adults have several years of relevant experience. What makes you different?

Job Interview Question 9: How will you remember where the vast amount of stock is placed?

A key task for retail and warehouse B&M positions is being able to remember where stock is located.

It is easy to answer this job interview question by implying stating “I have an excellent memory” The answer is good in terms of stating the applicant has the required skill but isn’t enough to gain high marks on the interview scorecard.

Instead, give an example of when you had to find stock in a large warehouse or when a customer in a store needed to urgently know where several key items were. Give an explanation of the strategy or technique used to memorize large amounts of information.

Graduates and school leavers, with little work experience, can highlight this skill by referencing how they were required to remember a large column of data and stats for an exam.

Job Interview Question 10: Do you have any questions for me?

Always be prepared to ask questions at the end of the interview.  Good topics to discuss can include; company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention, and company achievements.

Many people are afraid of job interviews. The truth is if you prepare for your job interview, by predicting the job interview questions, you can easily prepare your job interview answers.

If your job interview answers highlight your unique selling point, are stated in the positive and are said in a confident manner, then you can influence the job interview to increase job offer.