I applied online. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Sears (Hoffman Estates, IL) in Aug 2011
Interview
Contacted for 30 minute phone interview, very straight forward, they just want to make sure that you're a level headed individual here. A few days later I received an email asking to meet in person for a 4 hour interview process and contained a retail math work book as well as an itinerary for the day. The itinerary included a retail math test, two interviews {each with two people,) a group case study and a short tour. The math test was simple if you complete the workbook, the interviews were with HR, Buyers and certain department heads at Sears. They were very laid back and casual. All-in-all, good people that want to make sure you are a positive thinking person who is capable of and excited to be a part of there team. The group case study was a simple exercise where you have to first argue for an investment and than after come together as a group to determine on a single best investment. Than, a short 30 minute tour of a very cool campus and goodbyes.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
When was a time that you had an issue with analytics
I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Sears (Hoffman, IL) in Dec 2015
Interview
The interview process was pretty long. First They conduct a phone interview and if they like you they bring you into for an in person interview. The in person interview was a little stressful but everyone involved was extremely nice and encouraging. The in person interview was 4 hours long and consisted of a retail math test, two separate 30 minute interviews conducted with two current head buyers from different departments and then a group case study where they give you a sheet of information about a business unit (refrigerators, hair care, tools, etc.) and it is your job to discuss amongst yourselves (usually groups of 8 people interview at a time) to decided which persons business unit get a grant for 100 million dollars.Overall the interview seems really nerve wrecking but it really wasn't. They give you a study guide for the test and the case study isn't necessarily about who can "win" the money but more about how you interact in a group and how you make decisions in a group since you all have to decided together what business unit gets the grant. After the test, interviews and case study, you get a tour of the building and trust me, the tour alone will sell you on the job.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What does a buyer do?
Why Sears?
Tell me about a time where you implemented a change.
What sets you apart?
Typical interview questions and a lot of behavioral interview questions so make sure you study up on past experiences to try to relate when they ask those questiosn
You will be interviewed in groups. Make sure you stand out by volunteering/answering first. Also, prepared to answer, "Tell me about a time when..." questions. You will also be administered a retail math test.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time you had to make a decision and didn't have enough information.
I applied online. I interviewed at Sears (Hoffman Estates, IL) in Dec 2013
Interview
LONG, about four hours. First you have to take a retail math test, but you are given a calculator and a study guide to look over days before. After that, you interview with two sets of people. Basically 2 - 2 on 1 interviews. One side is Kmart and one side is Sears. Then you have a group interview and are given a paper and have to decide as a team who should get funding for their products and why. The point here is not to win, but to figure out who would profit most and why.
Buyers Apprentice applicants have rated the interview process at Sears with 3.6 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 67% positive. To compare, the company-average is 54.9% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Buyers Apprentice roles take an average of 34 days to get hired, when considering 10 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Sears overall takes an average of 13 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Sears as a Buyers Apprentice according to 10 Glassdoor interviews include:
Group panel interview: 19%
Phone interview: 19%
Skills test: 14%
One on one interview: 14%
Personality test: 8%
Background check: 8%
Other: 6%
Presentation: 6%
Drug test: 3%
IQ intelligence test: 3%
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