Asda are very much an ‘up and coming’ supermarket chain. For example, they recently took over the Netto chain as part of a £778m nationwide deal which instantly gave them 147 more stores. They then spent around £500,000 on each store refurbishing it and quadrupling the number of product lines on offer to the public.
There is a very strict application process in place and, if you would like to work for Asda, you should follow it. Since the complication for each of their jobs is so fierce, you should be aware of what they are looking for and stick to it. Now is not the time to be idiosyncratic!
This is how the application process works.
Are you looking for an hourly-paid, store-based job or are you applying for a salaried managerial role? The procedure depends on your answer so we’ll explain both.
Asda Hourly-paid jobs
Here is a typical list of the positions which are regularly available at Asda stores. Before applying, you should identify the posts which interest you.
- Administration Colleague
- Baker
- Butcher
- Cash Office Colleague
- Catering Colleague
- Checkout Operator
- Chilled Colleague
- Community Colleague
- Customer Service Desk Colleague
- Express Your Interest – Baker
- Express Your Interest – Clerical
- Express Your Interest – Security
- Fresh Replenishment Colleague
- George Colleague
- Grocery Colleague
- Home and Leisure Colleague
- Home Shopping Driver
- Home Shopping Picker
- Music, Video and Games Colleague
- Optical Colleague
- Petrol Colleague
- Pharmacy Dispenser
- Photo Colleague
- Porter
- Section Leader
- Security
- Self Checkout Colleague
- Service Host Colleague
- Shift Leader
- Shop Floor Assistant
- Warehouse Operative
Now you have two choices – you can either apply online or you can call in at your local store. Either way, you end up with an application form to fill in.
If you want to apply online, you will find a simple search facility on the Asda website.
Alternatively, find your nearest store (if you don’t know it) by using the search facility on the Asda website.
You will find help here:
Answering the dreaded tie-breaker question
Seeing things from the interviewer’s point of view
How to answer personal motivation questions
How to write a winning covering letter
Dealing with a bad employment record
The importance of reading things carefully
What happens after I apply?
The first thing that happens after you’ve submitted your application is that it is scored by Asda Human Resources people. While the exact scoring procedure is obviously something that they keep to themselves, applications which are:
- Properly filled in
- Relevant to the job being applied for
- Devoid of spelling and grammar mistakes
… are all going to be well-received however you also need to demonstrate:
- Aptitude
- Enthusiasm
- Positive thinking
- ‘Can-do’ attitude
- Friendliness
… because these are, perhaps, of even more importance.
Therefore you have an 8-item checklist to run through before you click ‘Send’ or seal the envelope with the application form in. Make sure you check, check, check and check it again.
If you pass through this hoop, you will get an invite to an ‘Asda Magic’ event. This is where you join a group of other candidates to see how you perform in a real-life situation.
Asda Magic
This consists of:
- Group challenges
- One-to-one interview
- Guided tour of the supermarket
At the end of the tour, you get to have a go at your chosen job in order for Asda management to see how you get on and also if you actually like the work. Therefore you will be dealing with clients, working in a bakery, behind a counter, engaged in the warehouse etc. Although you may need a job, now is the time to see if this is the one you really want. If it isn’t quite ‘you’ after all, why not ask if you can be considered for a different position? That’s far better than getting the job and being unhappy in it.
The whole Asda Magic event lasts about 2 hours and you are expected to demonstrate your interest by asking plenty of valid and relevant questions.
As a result of what you will be asked to do (i.e. the physical activities such as lifting, carrying, stacking etc), Asda have some pretty clear advice on how you should be attired. You should dress smart/casual (not your best suit but not scruffy, either). Jeans and trainers are definite ‘no-no’s’.
Don’t forget that you will be representing Asda (in a small way) during your two-hour trial and they will expect you to dress and behave accordingly.
Asda Management Jobs
Whether you want to apply for an in-store management, depot management or a Head Office job, the process is the same. Applications are completely online and the process is straightforward and in three separate parts.
The first thing to do is to identify the job you are specifically interested in.
These split down:
Asda Stores
- General Store Manager
- Trading Manager
- Department Manager
- Store Manager
- Deputy Manager
Asda Living Stores
- General Manager
- George Manager
- Operations Manager
Distribution
- General Manager
- Department Manager
- Team Leader
Pharmacy
Optical
- Optometrist
- Dispensing Optician
Head Office
- Administration
- Buying
- Communications
- Construction & Property
- Call Centre
- Design
- Ecommerce and IT
- Finance
- Financial Services
- HR
- Legal/Corporate Affairs
- Loss Prevention
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Product Development
- Project Manager
- Supply Chain
- PR & Media Relations
George Head Office
- Buying
- Design
- Graduate
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Student 12-Month Placement
- Supply Chain
- Technology
Graduates
- Retail Management
- Distribution Management
- Ecommerce
- Finance
- IT Solutions Management
- Property & Construction
- Trading
- Supply Chain
- Marketing
- HR
- Industrial Placements
Having decided upon the position or positions which you are interested in applying for, now search the Asda jobsite to see what vacancies are currently available.
Asda are keen to point out that ‘things move fast’ and that, even if there are no job vacancies for you today, the answer may be quite different in a few days time.
The second part of the Asda job application process is to click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions. Apart from the actual submission of your personal data, you will also be asked to undertake psychometric tests such as verbal reasoning, numerical manipulation and personality tests which will assess your aptitude for the job you are applying for.
Asda estimate that this will take you just over half an hour and it is recommended that, before you start applying, you make sure that you are rested, free from distractions, and have sufficient time to give it your best shot.
If you are applying for one of the Pharmacy or Optical positions, the procedure is slightly different. Instead of filling in a form and taking the psychometric tests, you will be asked to upload your CV therefore you need to make sure that it is:
- To hand
- In a complete and formatted condition
- Properly targeted towards a job with Asda
The application process for Pharmacy and Optical candidates takes just under half an hour on average.
If you get through this stage, you come to the final part, the exact nature of which will depend upon the position you are chasing.
Most candidates will be invited to a Group Assessment Centre where you will complete various exercises to ascertain your strengths and weaknesses. Asda emphasise that they do not expect you to score 100% however they are looking for:
- Self-awareness
- The right attitude
- Career-mindedness
- Potential
Alternatively you may be ask to attend a one-to-one interview which is what happens with Pharmacy and Optical candidates who will be screened by a relevant professional or a General Store Manager.
Asda say that most candidates will hear back within 7 days of submitting their application.
This link will give you more information about Asda jobs.
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