Submitting your CV and application is much less lengthy than equivalent graduate scheme processes. The online tests are relatively simple as well. Telephone interview involved motivational questions: why Lidl? Why retail? Why the chosen programme? Make sure you are commercially aware; know market shares of close competitors and recent market growth of Lidl. Competency questions are alligned with the skills outlined in the job description: Time you've taken responsibility? Time you used effective communication skills? Time you showed drive to surpass targets? One-off question: What does credibillity mean to you? Assessment Centre: Fairly poor and unprofessional experience. 4-hour long assessment centre. Presentation by the head of grad recruitment, followed by a long waiting period (roughly an hour and a half) for every candidate to have a 121 interview (15 minutes). Know your CV and greatest achievement. 2 group exercises follow this (10 minutes each) in which you discuss, in a group of 4, how you should react to a certain scenario. This is observed by 2 assessors. Out of the 4 hour assessment centre you are only actually assessed for 35 minutes. Felt this wasn't enough time to really put forward a strong case for myself, despite it being a relatively easy assessment centre.

I applied for the role and I was immediately sent online application questions which included situational and personality questions. After three/four weeks I was invited to a telephone interview, I was told before the interview that the questions would be based on why I want to work at Lidl, why I want to work in retail management and my passions. I was told a week later that I wouldn't be progressing through the programme and when I requested feedback I was told this was because I didn't have enough professional leadership experience. I was annoyed at the interviewer for failing to ask me for further leadership examples which I could have easily given them. I personally believe the interviewer I had did not fully understand the difference between leadership and management.