At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome customers with a smile and ensure a safe shopping experience.
- Company: Join M&S, a trusted name in retail with a focus on customer service.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and a chance to develop your skills.
- Other info: Great opportunity for personal growth in a dynamic retail environment.
- Why this job: Be the friendly face that makes shopping enjoyable and secure for everyone.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a friendly personality are essential.
Clearly identified to provide customers with a visible presence at the beginning of their shopping journey
Confidently welcome customers to the store with a smile and by making eye contact, and use a range of greeting techniques known to deter theft from the store
Flexible and trained to support other areas within the store i.e. Foods, C&H, Operations
Be knowledgeable of the store, support key marketing messages, latest products and top questions (e.g. what time do you close?)
Assist customers in navigating the store, recognising when a customer needs help and provide the right level of support
Thank our customers for shopping with us when they exit
Deal calmly and empathetically with people in a variety of retail circumstances, including confrontational situations
Respond to door alarms in a sincere and apologetic manner, resolving any issues the customer may have
Be a visible deterrent against violence, anti-social behaviour, targeted theft, till snatches and criminal activity to support a safe shopping environment.
Identify and monitor suspicious persons, activity or theft and take appropriate customer engaging actions as required to deter
Ensure all incidents are reported through the M&S Incident reporting process either through the Hicom app (on the Honey well) or into the Security Operations Centre, and to the police where necessary
Ensure that persons served with a trespass notice do not re-enter the site
Responsible for carrying store radio and engaging with police and other security personnel to improve service to M&S, this may include crime partnership meetings, agreed police meetings, shop watch schemes
Apprehend external thieves (only if necessary) in line with business policy and only if all components of theft are seen
Report any incidents of known or suspected internal theft or malpractice
To comply with health and safety legislation and keep our colleagues safe in the workplace, colleagues in this role must be 18 years of age or older., Being confident with an easily felt presence and friendly and natural personality is essential
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage customers with ease
Ability to remain focussed at greeting customers and deterring suspicious activity
To have a natural empathy with our M&S brand and values, including service behaviours
To be self-motivated, willing to improvise and suggest or try new approaches
Able to maintain high standards of appearance and uniform standards
No requirement to be licensed, but good observation skills would be a benefit
Christmas Customer Assistant - Service & Safety - Bishop Auckland Simply Food in Woodside employer: Marks and Spencer plc (UK)
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in Bishop Auckland. Our Christmas Customer Assistants play a vital role in ensuring a safe and welcoming shopping experience, with opportunities for personal growth and development within the retail sector. With a strong emphasis on teamwork, customer service, and community engagement, we foster a culture where every employee is valued and encouraged to thrive.
Contact Details:
Marks and Spencer plc (UK) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Christmas Customer Assistant - Service & Safety - Bishop Auckland Simply Food in Woodside
✨Hit the Ground Running with Seasonal Hiring!
Many customer support roles, especially seasonal ones, ramp up around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for hiring fairs or open days in your area. Local businesses often need a boost during peak times, so don’t hesitate to drop in and chat directly with the team at places like Marks and Spencer plc (UK).
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities focused on customer support, like forums or social media groups. This is a fantastic way to connect with others in the field, learn about unadvertised roles, and share experiences. Plus, you never know when a connection might lead to an opportunity at places like Marks and Spencer plc (UK).
✨Show Off Your Skills!
Since you're targeting a seasonal role, create a quick online portfolio showcasing your customer support skills. Whether it’s resolving customer queries, handling difficult conversations, or just general customer engagement – put it all out there! Make sure to share the link when you apply to Marks and Spencer plc (UK).
✨Be Prepared for the Busy Season
You know seasonal work can get intense, so brush up on common customer queries and best practices before interviews. When you’re prepared to talk about handling high-stress situations, it shows you’re ready to step in during the crunch periods. This is likely to impress the team at Marks and Spencer plc (UK)!
We think you need these skills to ace Christmas Customer Assistant - Service & Safety - Bishop Auckland Simply Food in Woodside
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Support Skills:In your CV, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in customer support or related fields. This could include resolving customer issues, handling complaints, or even just being a go-to person for friends and family. Use specific examples that demonstrate your capability to help others effectively—the more relatable, the better!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Enthusiasm:For a seasonal role at Marks and Spencer plc (UK), we want to see your excitement for both the job and the company. Use your cover letter to express why you're interested in customer support specifically and how you're eager to help customers during peak times. Mention any relevant skills or experiences that make you a perfect fit!
Flexibility is Key:Seasonal positions often require adaptability, so emphasise your willingness to work varying shifts or tackle new challenges. Let us know about your flexibility in your cover letter, as it shows you're ready to jump into action when needed and helps us understand your availability throughout the season.
Emphasise Soft Skills and Teamwork:In customer support, your soft skills are just as crucial as your experience. Highlight qualities like patience, empathy, and communication in your CV and cover letter. If you have examples of working in a team to solve problems or improve processes, shout about them—they'll show us how you can contribute to a great atmosphere at Marks and Spencer plc (UK)!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer plc (UK)
✨Showcase Your Customer Empathy
In customer support, empathy is key! Come prepared with examples from past experiences where you handled customer issues. Think of specific situations where you turned a frustrated customer into a satisfied one, because those real-life stories will show Marks and Spencer plc (UK) that you've got the right attitude for their team.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with popular customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk. If you've used any chat or ticketing systems before, be ready to discuss how you navigated them and any challenges you overcame. This will demonstrate that you're not just a people person but also tech-savvy, which is super important in this field.
✨Prepare for Role-Playing Scenarios
Expect some role-playing during your interview where you'll be asked to deal with a hypothetical customer scenario. Practise handling common issues, such as a complaint about a product or service delay. This will give you a chance to display your problem-solving skills and how you maintain professionalism under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Enthusiasm
As this is a seasonal position, let your passion shine! Talk about your willingness to dive into the role, your adaptability to busy periods, and how you thrive in high-pressure environments. Share why you're excited to join Marks and Spencer plc (UK) during this peak time and how you can be an asset to their team.
