The job application is just the beginning!

We’ve written this article to give you an edge over other candidates by helping you understand what happens once you’ve submitted your application.

Over time the recruitment process has become fairly standardised, though depending on the role some areas may be more in depth than others.

We’ve focused this article on the major supermarkets, like Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, as they are some of the largest employers in the UK with a combined workforce of 1 million people. That’s roughly a third of everyone working in retail.

Stage 1: The Digital Door Opens

Today's supermarket recruitment happens almost entirely online through (reasonably) sophisticated application portals. You'll find yourself filling out detailed forms about your experience, availability, and personal details.

Here's the twist: many entry-level positions skip the traditional CV or simply use it to pre-fill form fields, instead relying on structured questionnaires and situational judgment tests that measure how you'd handle real workplace scenarios.

Pro tip: Those weekend and evening availability questions? They're not just curious – they're crucial. Supermarkets need staff when customers shop most, so flexibility here can make or break your application.

Stage 2: Beating the Bots

Your application doesn't land on a human’s desk straight away. Automated screening systems, called an Applicant Tracking System or ATS for short, scan every application, scoring you on key criteria like availability patterns, relevant experience, and behavioural question answers. Think of it as your first interview – just with an algorithm instead of a person.

The system ruthlessly filters out candidates who don't tick the basic boxes, so accuracy and relevance in your responses matter more than creativity at this stage.

Stage 3: Proving Your Worth

If you make it past the digital gatekeepers, you might face additional assessments depending on your target role. Entry-level positions often include online tests covering numerical reasoning and customer service scenarios. Some retailers have embraced video interviews where you record responses to preset questions – basically giving you a chance to make a good first impression without the scheduling hassles.

Management hopefuls can expect more rigorous testing, including personality assessments to ensure you're the right cultural fit for the company.

Stage 4: The Human Touch

The face-to-face interview remains the heart of supermarket recruitment. For most shop floor roles, expect a single 20-30 minute conversation with an HR manager or department supervisor. They're looking for three key things: genuine availability, positive attitude, and real examples of teamwork.

Management positions step things up considerably with multiple interview rounds, competency-based questioning, and sometimes group exercises that simulate actual workplace challenges.

Stage 5: Crossing the Finish Line

Made it through the interviews? You're nearly there, but not quite over the line. Reference checks are standard and are usually two professional or personal references who can vouch for your character and work ethic. Positions involving cash handling or customer interaction with vulnerable people may require enhanced background checks, adding a few extra days to the process.

Your Next Move

The supermarket sector offers genuine career progression opportunities, from weekend shifts that fit around studies to management roles with real responsibility. The key to success lies in understanding that these retailers value reliability, customer focus, and team spirit above all else. Show them you've got these qualities, and you might just find yourself with more than just a job – you could discover the start of a rewarding career.

Ready to start your application? Remember: be honest about your availability, prepare concrete examples of teamwork and customer service, and don't underestimate the importance of those initial online questions. Your supermarket career could be just one application away.