At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver outstanding customer service and maintain exceptional shop standards.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis & Partners.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, night premium, flexible working hours, and training provided.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values kindness, respect, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Basic IT skills and strong communication; customer service experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 13 £ per hour.
About the Role
As a Customer Assistant in one of our John Lewis shops, you'll make sure our difference is felt through the delivery of outstanding customer service and highlighting our first class in store experiences. Alongside the great service you provide to our customers, you'll deliver exceptional shop standards through displays, stock availability and general cleanliness. Knowing your customers will enable you to provide the best service we're known for and build their loyalty with our brand for a lifetime.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £3.75 per hour.
Key Responsibilities
- Delivering engaging and inspirational customer service at every stage of the customer journey.
- Using your product knowledge and sales training to drive sales and increase profits for the Partnership.
- Putting the customer at the heart of everything you do, proactively acknowledging and taking the time to understand what they are looking for / resolve any queries they may have.
- Working flexibly across the shop to support the wider team as required, including till support, stock replenishment, price ticketing and general shop-keeping tasks.
- Identifying areas of improvement and implementing solutions.
- Helping to protect our profits by supporting with accurate stock counts.
Essential skills/experience you'll need
- Basic IT literacy.
- Strong communication skills.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Experience of working in a customer facing role is welcomed but not essential. We'll train you in all you need to know so that you can perform at your best, everyday.
- Merchandising and product displays experience.
Closing Date: August 11, 2026
Pay: £13.00 (£13.25 After 90 days)
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: Varied hours of full and part time work across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends.
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working: Reading (John Lewis & Partners), Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BB
At the John Lewis Partnership we’re not just employees; we’re co‑owners, and that’s why we’re called Partners. Being a Partner means not only do we all collectively share the responsibilities of being the UK’s largest employee‑owned business, but we also share in its rewards and successes.
Customer Assistant in Reading employer: John Lewis plc
John Lewis plc is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture at The Odney Hotel in the picturesque setting of Cookham, Berkshire. Employees benefit from competitive pay, flexible part-time hours, and opportunities for growth within a renowned company known for its commitment to customer service excellence. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Assistant in Reading
✨Get Social with Customer Support Communities
Join customer support groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit. They often share job openings or temp opportunities. Engaging with these communities can help you learn more about the specific skills and experiences employers are looking for, plus you'll meet folks who might know about openings at companies like John Lewis plc.
✨Leverage Seasonal Hiring Trends
Since customer support roles can spike during busy seasons (think holidays and sales periods), keep an eye out for timelines when companies ramp up hiring. Make sure to apply early and stay active; sending a quick follow-up a week after applying can show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Flex Your Communication Skills
In customer support, communication is key! Prepare for hypothetical scenarios that test your problem-solving and customer interaction skills. Practising answers to common role-play questions can really help you shine in interviews—trust us, it makes a difference!
✨Make the Most of Job Boards
Use industry-specific job boards like Glassdoor or Indeed to find temporary roles. Don’t forget to set up alerts for customer support positions at companies like John Lewis plc. The earlier you apply, the better your chances, so keep your finger on the pulse!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Assistant in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Communication Skills:In customer support, top-notch communication is key. Make sure your CV showcases any previous experience where you’ve had to clearly convey information or resolve issues. If you’ve handled customer queries via email or chat, mention it! Let’s see those strong verbal and written skills shine through.
Showcase Problem-Solving Experience:Employers love to see how you've handled tricky situations. Include examples in your application where you’ve tackled customer concerns or had to think on your feet. It's all about proving you can keep cool under pressure and find solutions—something super important in a temporary customer support role!
Tailor Your Approach for Temporary Roles:Since this is a temporary gig, make sure your cover letter emphasises your flexibility and eagerness to dive right in. Mention that you're ready to hit the ground running and are adaptable to new tools or systems—this shows that you understand the urgency often needed in temporary positions.
Proof of Customer Satisfaction:If you’ve got any quantifiable achievements from past customer support roles, like improved customer satisfaction scores or successful project completions, make sure to include them. Numbers speak volumes! This not only shows your capability but also gives us a reason to believe you'll bring that same success to John Lewis plc.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis plc
✨Master the Customer Interaction Game
In customer support, we need to showcase our people skills. Prepare for role-playing scenarios where you'll demonstrate how to handle difficult customers or resolve complaints. Think about the types of issues common in John Lewis plc's industry and how you can respond empathetically and effectively!
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
For a temporary role, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the products or services John Lewis plc offers. Brush up on key features, common issues, and FAQs. This knowledge will enable you to respond quickly and confidently to customer queries, showing you’re ready to jump in at a moment’s notice!
✨Flexibility is Key - Emphasise Your Adaptability!
Since this is a temporary role, we're looking to convey how quickly we can adapt to new systems or processes. Be ready to share examples of how you've quickly learned new tools or adjusted to changing environments in past roles. Show them you're the go-to person when the pressure's on!
✨Prepare for Quick Conversational Q&A
You might face a rapid-fire round of questions about customer service principles or how you'd handle specific situations. To ace this, think through different customer scenarios ahead of time, and practice your responses to ensure they're concise and impactful. The aim is to demonstrate your quick thinking and problem-solving skills!
