WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING IN A UK SUPERMARKET?

While the UK supermarket job landscape is highly competitive, there are lots of jobs available in a wide variety of roles, many of which have been created recently to account for changes in the global market and advancements in technology. One of the perks of working for a supermarket is that there’s a huge variety of roles to play, and even in one a single position you’re likely to be doing different tasks on a day-to-day basis. One day you might be attending a checkout, whilst the next day might have you replacing stock on shelves. You could also be answering phones, attending the customer service desk, or taking delivery orders.

The jobs don’t end on the shop floor, however. Supermarkets recruit people work in admin, management, branding, and marketing. So, working for a supermarket is incredibly varied and can lead to incredible opportunities. In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at the application process, as well as offering further testing and practice for the supermarket assessment tests. These will help you secure roles at major UK supermarkets, allowing you to get Asda jobs, Sainsbury’s jobs and Tesco jobs.

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WHAT ARE THE SUPERMARKET ASSESSMENT TESTS?

  • The Supermarket Assessment Tests are online examinations used to measure your abilities in a number of areas. They come as part of a larger supermarket application process, and are used by supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury’s. For example, the Asda online assessment consists of the following tests:
    • Internships;
    • Graduate Schemes;
    • Experienced candidates

    Depending on the supermarket, and the position you’re applying for, the number of tests that you’ll have to take will vary. Make sure that you find out what tests you’ll be asked to sit before you apply. Most positions will require at least one test, so prepare accordingly.

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WHAT’S THE APPLICATION PROCESS LIKE?

The application process for most UK supermarket positions is split into multiple parts, which the assessment tests are a single part of. Again, the stages that you’ll have to pass through will depend on the supermarket and the position that you’re applying for. The supermarket application process consists of the following:

1. Application Form;

2. Aptitude Tests;

3. Telephone/Video Interview;

4. Assessment Centre;

5. Face to face Interview.

THE PROCESS – STEP BY STEP

Application Form

In this first stage, you’ll submit your CV to the supermarket you’re applying at. This is usually an online application, so you’ll have to word process your CV and then upload it to their website. You’ll also be asked to fill in key details about yourself for the supermarket application to move forward.

On top of this, you may be given a competency questionnaire to complete. In this questionnaire, you’ll be asked about the core competencies of the role that you’re applying for, as well as company values. Your goal in this section is to demonstrate knowledge of both. You may need to give examples of when you have met the core competencies in previous roles, as well as show that you possess the values that the company holds. Whatever you write in your answers, keep a note of them for the interview stages of the supermarket application process, since the supermarket interview questions and answers are usually similar to those in the competency questionnaire.

Aptitude Tests

Once you’ve completed your application form, you’ll be sent a link to the online aptitude tests. Since these are taken at a computer and usually all in a single sitting, make sure that you’re in a place suitable for taking the tests and that your device is charged plentily so that you don’t get cut off mid-way through the supermarket assessment tests. These can be tricky, but with enough preparation, the supermarket assessment tests can be aced.

Telephone/Video Interview

If you score highly enough on the supermarket assessment tests, and adequately fulfil the core competencies, you might be invited to your first interview in the supermarket application process. Depending on the supermarket, as well as the circumstances, this interview may be conducted over the phone or via video calling software. If you make it to this stage, you’ll be advised on what medium the interview will be on.

The supermarket interview for Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco will be competency-focused, which means you need to go back and read the following:

  • The core competencies listed by the supermarket (on their website or wherever they might be found);
  • The questions you were asked in the application form regarding the core competencies;
  • The answers you gave regarding the core competency questions.

The interviewer will ask set questions that you can study and prepare for. However, you won’t know exactly which questions will appear, so be sure to study all of the competencies and have examples for each of them.

In addition, you might be asked questions about the company. This can include:

  • Questions about the market (e.g. who the supermarket’s competitors are);
  • Questions about the core values held by the company.

Ensure that you research both of these, as well as the core competencies. You will find Asda’s and Sainsbury’s core competencies on their website.

Assessment Centre

If you’re successful at the telephone interview stage of the supermarket application process, you might be asked to attend an assessment centre. The following supermarkets hold assessment centre days:

  • Sainsbury’s
  • Asda
  • Tesco
  • Waitrose

You may be sent materials in advance that you need to complete and bring with you.

At the assessment centre for the supermarket application process, you’ll be faced with more exercises that you’ll need to pass in order to be considered for a final interview. These may include:

  • Further aptitude tests;
  • Group assignments (such as the Waitrose group assessment);
  • Individual presentations.
Face to Face Interview

If you’re successful at the telephone interview stage of the supermarket application process, you might be asked to attend an assessment centre. The following supermarkets hold assessment centre days:

If you’ve made it to this stage, then you’ve probably met the requirements for the role. In the supermarket application interview, you’ll be asked some final questions by interviewers so that they can get an understanding of who you are. If you’ve already taken personality questionnaires and competency tests, then they probably already know quite a bit about you and how you’ll fit in with other staff at the company. This final interview is used to confirm what the interviewers may have already believed.

Remember to bring an understanding of the core competencies and core values to this interview, since interviewers will want to know how you’ll deal with given scenarios based on the values that the company holds.

WHAT ARE THE SUPERMARKET TESTS LIKE?

There are several supermarket assessment tests that you might have to take during the supermarket application process. Here are the types of test you might have to take:

  • Numerical Reasoning Test;
  • Verbal Reasoning Test;
  • Logical Reasoning Test;
  • Personality Test.

These tests can be difficult for the unprepared, but practice will make them much easier. Remember to practise them under timed conditions, so that you know how long it takes for you to answer a question. If you’re taking too long, work on getting to your answers as quickly as possible by attempting more practice tests. Figuring out your timings is vital.
In addition, find out exactly what tests you’ll need to pass before starting your revision. The numerical reasoning test is a standard across positions and supermarkets, so you should certainly prepare for it. Verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, and personality tests are slightly less common, and aren’t a part of every application process. Make sure you know exactly what you’ll have to study for before starting your revision.

Preparation is key to success in these assessments, and practice tests are the best way to figure out the best online assessment answers.

Know exactly what you’re getting into with the following explanations for each test, along with sample questions.

NUMERICAL REASONING TEST

This is the standard test that almost any applicant will need to pass. For this part of the supermarket assessment test, you need to answer questions based on graphs, charts and other representations of data. The numerical reasoning test is designed to assess your ability to read, handle, interpret, and deduce accurate conclusions from the data presented to you. Generally, these tests are multiple-choice, which means all you need to do is read the information and then choose the correct answer. To get better at this, brush up on your statistics knowledge and get used to interpreting data.

Averaage Cost

What is the mean value for nylon imported over the 6-month period?

A B C D E
42.5 18.5 33.5 49.5 37.5
VERBAL REASONING TEST

The verbal reasoning test assesses your ability to read information and derive information from them. In this test, you’ll be given a passage of text, along with some statements about it. You will have to say whether the statement is true, false, or impossible to tell based on the information in the passage. While you can’t prepare for the exact questions and passage, you can use practice tests to get better at identifying key points and recognising correct and incorrect deductions from them.

Take a look at the following sample question from a verbal reasoning test:

analysts

Ministers hope that higher inflation will boost real income growth during 2012.

a) True

b) False

c) Cannot Say

LOGICAL/INDUCTIVE REASONING TEST

Some supermarket application processes require the completion of a logical reasoning test. These are designed to assess your ability to recognise patterns. Each question will present you with a series of shapes, asking you to fill in the gaps or complete the sequence by choosing from a selection of answers. This can be the most difficult test because it doesn’t come easily to a lot of candidates, meaning that you have to put in the extra effort. While the questions might seem incredibly bizarre, they can be overcome as long as you’re willing to put the time into sitting practice tests. In some cases, this might be referred to as an ‘inductive reasoning test’.

The following sample question is similar to one you might face in the real test:

Figure Series
PERSONALITY TEST

Finally, some applications require you to pass a personality test. The exact structure and content of this test will vary depending on the supermarket you are applying for a role with, but the overall goal remains the same. You’ll might be given a questionnaire full of statements focused on personality and you’ll need to specify whether you agree or disagree with them.

Alternatively, you might be given a list of statements, and will have to place them in order from “agree with most” to “disagree with most”. Other tests might require you to simply answer “true” or “false” to each statement.

The aim of this test is to get a better understanding of your personality, how you work with other, and whether your core values correspond with those of the company. Some people think of these as online supermarket screening questions, and this is true in a sense – the way you answer these questions will inform the recruiters on your suitability for the role and the company. Remember to be honest, but also bear in mind the core values of the supermarket when answering these questions.
Remember that supermarkets will value the following traits and assets, amongst others:

  • The ability to work as part of a larger team towards a collective goal;
  • The maturity to take on individual work with the knowledge that you are responsible for its success;
  • Confidence whilst also being approachable and personable;
  • Zero tolerance for racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination.

Here’s an example question you can use to familiarise yourself with the supermarket assessment personality test:

1. Sometimes, I feel I am losing control.

True False

2. I get nervous talking to people I don’t know

True False

3. I feel uneasy in heated discussions.

True False

FURTHER PRODUCTS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

While it’s important to learn the core competencies and values, as well as revise statistics, verbal reasoning and logical deduction, the best way to do all of them is simply through practice. Since these tests can be incredibly difficult, and you won’t have an opportunity to re-set (outside of re-applying at a later date), you want to pass each test on the first attempt.

Thankfully, How2Become now offer the Supermarket Assessment Test Bundle – the ultimate way to prepare for each test you might encounter while applying for a role at a UK supermarket. With this bundle, you’ll get access to online supermarket assessment test questions for the following tests:

Online Numerical Reasoning Tests

This online testing suite will give you access to hundreds of practice questions for the numerical reasoning test, showing you what kind of questions you’ll face and giving you the chance to get better at them.

Online Verbal Reasoning Tests

With these verbal reasoning tests, you’ll be able to hone your deduction and comprehension skills so that you can succeed in the verbal reasoning portion of the supermarket assessment tests. With hundreds of practice questions, you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your verbal reasoning skills.

Inductive Reasoning Practice Questions
Online-Inductive-Reasoning-Testing-Suite-Practice-Questions

Logical reasoning tests (or inductive reasoning tests) can be extremely difficult for candidates who haven’t familiarised themselves with them. This downloadable guide will give you the opportunity to get used to the kind of questions you might face, as well as the chance to improve your logical reasoning.

Personality Test Practice Questions

This downloadable book will give you plenty of sample personality questions so that you can prepare for the personality test part of the supermarket assessment test

YOU CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THE ULTIMATE SUPERMARKET PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH OUR SUPERMARKET ASSESSMENT BUNDLE AVAILABLE AS AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE PACKAGE NOW!

  • Verbal Reasoning (Word Meaning, Perceptual Speed and more);
  • Numerical Reasoning/Number Speed & Accuracy);
  • Logical Reasoning (Inductive Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Visualisation);
  • Situational Judgment Tests;
  • PLUS Bonus detailed 140-page Assessment Centre guide (RRP £12.97) and 150-page Interview Skills Guide included;
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Free Bonus Item

Free-Interview-Skills-Guide-Download

FREE BONUS- 150-PAGE ‘INTERVIEW WORKBOOK’

Receive your FREE comprehensive 150-page Interview Workbook. Get started with your interview preparation by downloading this fantastic insider’s guide to passing any interview. It contains lots of sample questions and it even gives you the answers!

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£9.99
Online Interactive Supermarket Assessment Practice Tests

INSTANT ACCESS: Online Supermarket Tests £9.99 + vat per month (OFFER - £1)

First month just £1. Thereafter, just £9.99 per month. No minimum term. You may cancel anytime by contacting us at [email protected] Online suite access is compatible on PC, MAC and mobile devices.
Includes:
Verbal Reasoning (Word Meaning, Perceptual Speed and more);
Numerical Reasoning/Number Speed & Accuracy);
Logical Reasoning (Inductive Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Visualisation);
Situational Judgment Tests;
PLUS Bonus detailed 140-page Assessment Centre guide (RRP £12.97) and 150-page Interview Skills Guide included.

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