Marks and Spencer (aka “M&S”) is a British retailer, founded in 1884 by two men, Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. Marks and Spencer is a well-known multi-million dollar worldwide phenomenon. In fact, Marks and Spencer was the first retailer of its kind to break the billion dollar pre-tax profit. With 1010 stores worldwide, Marks and Spencer is a global powerhouse, known as much for its positive corporate metamorphosis as it is for its products. Marks and Spencer careers are naturally sought-after by individuals wanting to grow with a company.
Marks and Spencer careers begin with either a personal introduction at a retail location or with a quick tour online through their website. When you apply for Marks and Spencer careers you are applying for more than just a retail position, you are applying for a position within a company that believes in personal growth and internal promotion. You may work in retail this year, but next year you could be in the home office as a buyer. The company is large enough and robust enough that your counter career could end up in corporate management.
Quality Goods, Quality Service, Quality Employees
Marks and Spencer has always been known for being a purveyor of “British Quality Goods”, and their slogan:
The customer is always and completely right…
has made Marks and Spencer a favourite with the British public. Not only have they taken steps to constantly improve the brand and retain public loyalty, but they have expanded into upscale markets, including designer clothing and home designs.
Naturally a store this concerned about public image wants employees that represent a positive and appropriate image to their customers. Marks and Spencer looks for individuals who present themselves in a professional, forthright, and courteous manner. Marks and Spencer careers can be the starting point for someone who is looking to move from retail sales into merchandising or PR, as well as, someone who is looking for a stable company and employment longevity. Having Marks and Spencer on your CV is like a passport into the world of British retail.
Benefits and Career Development
In addition to the highly competitive pay scale that is given to all employees, Marks and Spencer offers benefits that go beyond the usual life insurance and paid time off. When you work for Marks and Spencer you receive a handsome pension plan, employee discounts of 20%, flexible hours for working parents, and yearly bonus and incentive plans that graduate with each year of employment.
Marks and Spencer also provides training opportunities and monies towards qualifications should your job category require it. Their trainee management scheme allows retail employees to improve their necessary skillsets and work their way into management positions in no time! Marks and Spencer is no victim of high employee turnover. If you look at the general length of time that individuals have stayed employed at Marks and Spencer you will see a pattern of not only customer loyalty, but employee loyalty.
Tailoring the CV
Marks and Spencer careers are highly sought after so before applying take an hour or two to look over your CV. Is it tailored to meet the job you’re applying for? Does your resume meet the key words displayed in the advertisement? Will it catch the eye of the human resource staff as they compare it to the other candidates vying for the same position?
Register your CV online by filling out their online application form. Once you are registered you may then apply for multiple positions at their various locations with just a few clicks each day. The online tool also allows you to search by region for current openings, as well as, informs you of future openings that may be available in a month’s time.
There are certain buzzwords that HR tools use to “find” and “screen” candidates. Look at the job description and then tailor your CV using the same words in the description. This will help you to get past a level one “screen”. Beyond that, how you articulate your skillsets becomes essential. Present yourself within the CV as a professional, well-spoken, individual with grammatically correct writing at the very least. After all, if you haven’t taken the care to look over your CV or application for mistakes how can someone trust you with a paid position?
The Interview
The Marks and Spencer signage is as much a British phenomenon as double-decker buses. Working for this historically British firm is considered a great honor by many, and given their historical tradition of customer service your entire demeanor must speak professionalism and courtesy. You must represent yourself as a professional person capable of meeting the needs of a wide variety of customers by being well-groomed, and well-knowledged in the company you’ve applied to. Know about the store’s history and company policies before walking into the interview. As always our advice is to dazzle the interviewer with not only knowledge of the skills required to do your job, but in the history of Marks and Spencer itself.
Lastly, understand that when you interview you have one opportunity, just one, to leave a lasting impression, so make it a good one. Dress and tress your best! Also you may wish to send a follow-up card that thanks your interviewer for the opportunity to interview at Marks and Spencer. This lets them know that you are a polite, organized, and grateful individual. After all, no one wants to work with people who feel entitled or ungrateful.
