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ben.cross · Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

i have an interview with a large sports retailer here in the uk. i have been told by friends who have had interviews with them in the past that it is an informal group interview, with you having to do tasks and such.

when they contacted me about the interview they didnt mention anything of the sort.

my friends also mentioned that everyone turned up in casual clothes. i am in two minds as to what to wear as i was originally going to wear a shirt and tie.

any advice?

sweet_life · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 184 Career Advice: +0/-1

Hi Ben,

Having in mind that it is still an interview, why not try:
- losing the tie
- chosing a casual shirt
- chosing a neuter pair of jeans...I mean a neuter color and shape (that is no stripes or any other ornamental items)

In this way you will turn a formal appearance into an informal one very easily. Like if you have to do a task, you will turn up the sleeves of your shirt and just do it Smile

Don't worry so much about the clothes you are wearing (as long as you look neet and presentable. Just show your personality and skills!

Goos luck!

safri · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 213 Career Advice: +1/-1

The first three minutes of your interview are the most important, as it only takes the employer 3 minutes to build his first impression on you. Formal or informal (my opinion on informal is family and friends, and I doubt an employer makes one of these), you have to make sure first that: your clothes fit you well, are confortable to wear (that is they allow you to move with no restraints) and (most important) offer you a professional image...No matter the job, no matter the interview, employers are in search of professionists, reliable people.
So try some classic (but not necessary a suit and a tie) and don't wear more than two colors.

vince20 · Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hi! I have an interview for a large retailer in the UK. I was told that it was going to be an informal group interview with 5 people. What tasks can they ask you to do in such interviews?

Julia Penny · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject: Group Interview Tasks

In Group Interviews candidates may be required to participate in work-simulation exercises. These may take the form of group problem-solving sessions where each candidate's contributions and participation is noted. Discussion groups take a similar form. Other exercises include splitting the candidates into teams and each team is given a work-related task to complete. Each team then presents their results to the whole group.
During these team exercises the interviewers closely watch and listen to the candidates. A guide to group interviews is provided at www.best-job-interview.com/group-interviews.html

chris2289 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:15 am Post subject:

Is the company sports direct because i know somebody who wet for something similar and just wore smart jeans and a polo shirt and shoes.

However it may be your own preference to wear a shirt.

But remember when it comes down to it, better to be too smart than too casual

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