I applied in-person. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Argos (Chelmsford, England) in Nov 2013
Interview
It was a group interview. The 3 members of staff present asked interviewees to pair up and find out 5 facts about each other. After that, each candidate took it in turns to state the 5 facts they found out about the person they were sat next to.
The group activity getting in to groups of 5 and pitching an Argos Christmas catalogue idea to the rest of the group. It was an irrelevant task for a group of 15 - 17 year olds (mostly applying for their first job) to have to complete for an interview to be a Customer Advistor AKA the person who checks people's receipts and passes them their purchased item.
Once this was completed, candidates were asked to return to sit in a circle and the members of staff went around the circle asking each interviewee a question about their pitch. They then disappeared for 15 minutes and dismissed some candidates in pairs.
Later on, when interviewees caught up with each other via Facebook, the members of staff had kept behind the strongest candidates. This was determined by how good their line of the pitch was and the answer to their question after the activity.
The staff weren't very welcoming and the atmosphere was quite awkward.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
There were no specific questions, just a couple of group activities.
A few basic questions about what you’re like, what you’re good at, what you can offer etc etc etc
Thought it was relaxed and okay, friendly store manager was interviewer
You had to do an online assessment with your application with some scenario questions and then questions that are personality tailored. Then offered a 1 to 1 interview supposed to last 30 minutes
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell us about a time you've had to deal with an unhappy customer ?
Casual conversation talking about experiences, skills etc. What the role was about and responsibilities it carries. Asked my availability and flexibility. Make sure you have questions to ask the interviewer asking about key aspects of the role.