There were three stages to my interview process: handing in my cover letter and the job application form, a group interview, and finally an hour and a half long shop trial shift followed by a 15 minute interview with the manager. I didn't know what to expect for the group interview: there were about 40 people together and we were split into 4 groups switching around different work stations (how to give hand massages, how to find the right perfume for a customer, sampling products for customers, and picking a gift for someone and why). It was challenging enough trying to sample the products as you had to be very engaging with the customer, but the staff were really helpful in giving a crash course in how to interact with the customers which came in very handy for the trial shift. The group interview prepared me for what the trial shift was going to be like (with the exception of the multitude of customers!), and the staff gave really helpful tips in how to talk to customers in a way that would help you find out what personality they had. This gave me greater insight into what products they were looking for as well as made the customer feel at home.

After sending my c.v and a cover letter by email, I received an invite to a group interview. The group contained around 20 people. The group interview involved drawing a 'poster' about you, including your availability. You also had to do a demo of a product, and group present a gift box. Each member of the group also had to talk about something they are passionate about. I received a shop trial thereafter, where I used my interpersonal skills and retail experience to interact with customers. I confidently and naturally found my feet on the shop floor, demonstrating products (face masks and face cleanser). I also spoke to customers about bath bombs, shower gels, solid shampoo. I sold a numbers of products within the allotted 45 minutes, and gave out a free sample of a face mask. I also tidied the shopfloor when no customers where present, interacted with staff and read about/tried different products on the floor. I was on my trial shift alongside another woman who always appeared to be frantically giving hand massages to anyone she saw. I waited 4 days to hear from Lush, and did so in the afternoon only once I had called into the shop in the morning. I was given the feedback: "Hieee, it was lovely to have you at the shop for a trial. It was great that you let customers smell products but you didn't give enough demos. You can always try again at Christmas. Byeeee" Pathetic. It seems that Lush (Stirling) were looking for pushy sales driven characters. In a way I am glad not to be a part of this company as an employee as I wouldn't want to feel that I couldn't be myself in any way. Overall, I found the entire process to be disingenuous and chaotic.