Marks & Spencer (M&S) Careers: Recruitment Process/Job Application/Assessment Prep Tips
Updated August 24, 2023
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What Careers Are Available at Marks & Spencer?
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is one of the biggest shops in the UK. From food to clothing to home furnishings and beauty, M&S sells almost everything.
As such, there are many M&S careers and jobs to choose from.
While the M&S headquarters are in London, countrywide stores mean positions are available anywhere in the UK.
In-store, you can expect to see Marks & Spencer vacancies in:
- Retail customer service
- Retail management
- Visual Merchandising
Head office roles include:
- Communication
- Digital and data
- Finance
- HR
- eCommerce
- Marketing
- Retail operations
- Technology
- Supply chain and logistics
M&S also offers a selection of internships graduate schemes and entry-level positions, with the graduate scheme recruiting around 200 people each year.
Your M&S recruitment process will vary, depending on the role you have applied for.
Why Work at M&S?
It is no secret that M&S has had its dark moments with talk of the company going into administration.
However, that all appears to be in the past, with stores now selling various clothing and beauty brands and a food hall with surprisingly affordable prices.
As M&S moves to solidify its position in the market and adopt more sustainable practices, it is also looking at its employees and benefits.
Marks & Spencer job vacancies want candidates that align with the company values:
- Quality
- Value
- Service
- Innovation
- Trust
In return, M&S offers:
- A cycle-to-work scheme that allows you to save on tax and national insurance
- Ability to buy new technology using interest-free financing
- A well-being hub with 24/7 access to a GP
- Competitive salary
- 20% employee discount
- Paid time off and the option to buy more time off
- Bonus scheme
- Life insurance and pension
- Financial schemes to help you reach your financial goals
- Additional discounts for M&S partners, including gym memberships
As with any role, there are advantages and disadvantages.
Working in any customer-facing role can be challenging. Equally, deciding on the right strategy during a time when customer habits are changing can also make head office roles challenging.
However, past and present employees all agree that during their Marks & Spencers employment no two days were the same, there was always something new to learn, and there was always something to do.
Prepare for the M&S Hiring Process at JobTestPrep
How to Find Marks & Spencer Job Vacancies
The best place to find Marks & Spencer openings is on the careers website.
The top section of the page has the option to search for roles using a keyword and/or location.
To start, it is best to use a broad term for your search, such as retail or communications, or just the location. Then, on the results page, you can filter by business area, job category, country and city.
Not all companies label their positions and departments the same way, so it might take a couple of searches to find the role you are looking for.
Alternatively, you can select the ‘Business Areas’ option on the page menu and choose the department you want. Any available roles will appear on the top right of the screen.
At the bottom of each page, there is the option to sign up for job alerts. This will allow you to receive a notification as soon as the position you want becomes available.
Recruitment websites such as:
What Is the M&S Recruitment Process?
With so many career opportunities, M&S receives a lot of applications. As a result, they have developed the M&S recruitment process that varies depending on the role you have applied for.
Generally speaking, the process includes the following steps:
- Online application
- Online assessment
- Preliminary phone interview
- Assessment Centre
- Face-to-face interview
1. Online Application
All M&S job applications must be submitted online.
You will need to answer basic pre-employment questions regarding your education, work experience and skills.
You might also have to upload a cover letter and CV.
2. Online Assessment
The Marks & Spencer online assessment that you take will depend on the role you have applied for. Your recruitment officer will give you all the details, but it is never too early to start preparing.
The online assessments measure different areas of your aptitude, including:
- Numerical reasoning
- Verbal reasoning
- Situational Judgement
- Logical reasoning
- Personality
The numerical reasoning test will measure your basic maths skills and how you process calculations under pressure. The questions will ask you to pull information from a chart or graph.
You have around a minute per question and will need to know how to calculate percentages, fractions and ratios.
The verbal reasoning test will ask you to read a passage and state whether the question is true or false. The purpose of the test is to assess how you interpret information.
Situational Judgement tests assess how you respond to common workplace scenarios, such as dealing with a difficult customer or responding to a colleague who isn’t doing their assigned work.
You will need to choose the action you will most likely take from a list of four or five options.
There are no right or wrong answers. Instead, recruiters are looking for those candidates who act in line with M&S values and culture.
The logical reasoning test measures intelligence, common sense and decision-making abilities.
The questions feature different sequences of shapes and numbers. You must identify the pattern and choose the missing or next part of the sequence.
Logical reasoning tests also typically have tight time limits, making the test more challenging.
The Marks & Spencer personality test measures how well you will fit in with the M&S work environment.
To complete the test, you will need to choose the statements that most reflect you.
As with the Situational Judgement test there are no right or wrong answers.
3. Preliminary Phone Interview
After submitting your online assessments, you might be invited to a phone screening. You will be asked more about your experience and skills during this call.
The goal of this call is for recruiters to gather more information to assess your suitability for the role.
If you need to prepare for a number of different employment tests and want to outsmart the competition, choose a Premium Membership from JobTestPrep.
You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs.
4. Assessment Centre
If you successfully pass the assessments and the screening call, you might be asked to attend an Assessment Centre.
Again, this depends on the role you have applied for.
Graduate schemes and mass recruitment drives usually include an Assessment Centre as they are a great way to interview and assess many candidates in one sitting.
During the day, you can expect to take part in
- Group exercises – These exercises will show how well you work and interact with other people
- Presentations – Where you will be assessed on how well you can gather information around a topic and communicate your findings to an audience
- Role plays – Designed to see how you respond and react to common workplace scenarios, such as solving a customer complaint or dealing with a difficult colleague
- Interviews – These could be either group or individual interviews. You will be asked common competency-based and behavioural interview questions
5. Face-to-Face Interview
If you do not attend an assessment centre, you will have a face-to-face interview instead, where you will also have the opportunity to ask your own questions.
M&S Job Application Tips
When completing an M&S job application and progressing through the recruitment process, you should:
Step 1. Research and Understand M&S Values
The answers you give in your assessments and interview questions will be measured against M&S values and culture.
The more you align with them, the more chance you have of securing the job.
Before starting your application, ensure you understand exactly what behaviours M&S expect from their employees.
Step 2. Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter
Generic cover letters and CVs no longer work. You need to create one for each role you apply for and include keywords, phrases and language that M&S use.
Use the job description to find the keywords and phrases that you should use to describe your experience and skills.
For example, if the description says 'Candidate must complete all tasks within the given time frame', write in your cover letter or CV: 'I completed all tasks within the given time frame'.
Using common M&S language throughout the recruitment process will also stand out.
For example, if you notice a lot of M&S literature says 'luxurious' or 'personalised' a lot, then find ways to incorporate those words.
In my last position, I made it my priority to deliver a personalised experience to all my customers.
Step 3. Practice Aptitude Tests
The best way to prepare for and pass aptitude tests is to practise. There are a lot of websites, such as JobTestPrep and Wikijob that offer free aptitude practice questions.
Step 4. Rest Well Before Any Face-to-Face or Virtual Meetings
Not only does resting and eating well help with your thinking process and reaction time, but it also helps with your appearance.
Regardless of whether you have applied for a corporate, full-time or Marks & Spencer part-time job, M&S wants employees who give a great first impression.
M&S Interview Tips
If you reach the interview or Assessment Centre stage of your Marks & Spencer job application, you will need to prepare by researching common interview questions and writing out an answer.
Knowing how you will answer and what examples you will use to demonstrate your skills will help you appear more confident and in control.
During the interview, you should also:
- Have a list of questions you want to ask
- Ask for any questions to be repeated or clarified if you need it
- Take a few seconds to pause to gather your thoughts before answering
- Take notes
- Keep your answers brief and share only essential information
- Keep your body language open and speak calmly and politely
You will also want to ensure your grooming is up to standard:
- Keep your nails clean with a neutral nail polish
- Ensure your hair is washed and nicely styled
- Ensure your outfit is washed and ironed
- Only wear clean shoes
- Use an appropriately sized bag, and don’t turn up with lots of shopping bags or a gym bag
Frequently Asked Questions
Marks & Spencer offers a variety of jobs such as retail assistant, manager, supply chain, logistics, warehouse, marketing, design, communication, HR and finance.
The rate that M&S pays per hour depends on the role and experience. However, all employees are paid per government laws and labour standards.
As M&S is a very popular company to work for, the recruitment process is quite intense and involves several stages, including online aptitude tests.
To give yourself the best possible chance of success, thoroughly prepare for each stage.
The best way to pass an M&S interview is to prepare. Before the interview, compile a list of the most common interview questions and write out your answers.
You should also make a list of all the questions you want to ask the recruiter. Ensure your outfit and grooming are to a high standard, and during your interview, use a calm voice and open body language.
M&S offers all employees a cycle-to-work scheme that allows them to save on tax and national insurance, the ability to buy new technology using interest-free financing, access to a well-being hub with 24/7 access to a GP, a competitive salary, a 20% employee discount, paid time off and the option to buy more time off, a bonus scheme, life insurance and pension, financial schemes to help you reach your financial goals, and additional discounts for M&S partners, including gym memberships.
M&S offer a great employee package and lots of career options and routes, making it a good company to work for.
All M&S job applications are submitted through the website; however, if you need to reach a recruitment officer, the FAQ page has contact details.
You are legally allowed to work at M&S at the age of 16.
Depending on the role, it is possible to get hired at M&S with no experience. When completing your application, follow all the tips and advice, such as using keywords and phrases found in the job description, to improve your chances.
M&S has a tried and tested recruitment process that includes an online application, online aptitude assessments, a telephone screening, an Assessment Centre and face-to-face interviews.
M&S retail workers are required to wear a uniform and follow grooming standards. Those working in corporate or at head office have more flexibility but must maintain a professional image.
Any customer-facing position can be stressful, and there will be many occasions when you are very busy. However, if you have the right customer service skills and attitude, your time at M&S should not be stressful.
