I applied online. I interviewed at Tesco (Bedford, England) in Jul 2016
Interview
Group interview, friendly interviewers who have to obviously follow a guideline for the interview. Split into two groups: one half goes to the checkouts to observe/shadow and the other half has to do a group activity (making a paper sculpture that will stand up within a set time) and then answer standard questions. The activity itself isn't important, it is more about showing that you can communicate etc. You then swap over with the other half of the group. You also have to say when you're available- as a uni student who only wanted a summer job it is clear they wanted someone more permanent as I didn't get an offer. I personally think it is more about your availability and flexibility than the skills you show at the interview (interview is more of a hoop you just have to jump through).
Completed a fairly short interview with two existing staff members (including manager) and then headed downstairs to do a trial shift to check how you performed on the checkouts and interacted with customers.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a time you have helped a customer or client.
It was simple, basically why do you want to join Tesco and some soft skill questions. Tell me about a time you worked in a group, try to answer in STAR format.
It was done by a manager in a back room. It was formal and it was about 20 minutes asking about experience, peoples skills etc. this might have changed as this was like 6 years ago now