John Lewis interview guide
John Lewis is a department store owned by its employees, who are called Partners and share in its profits. Store roles cover selling across departments, customer service and stock, and service matters more than speed.
What John Lewis values
The John Lewis Partnership’s stated purpose is “Working in Partnership for a happier world”, and it checks decisions against three principles:
Happier People
Partners having worthwhile, satisfying work in a supportive place.
Happier Business
Running a business that does well, which Partners share in.
Happier World
Doing business in a way that’s good for the wider world.
What to show at your interview
- That you understand you’d be a co-owner, a Partner, and what that means to you.
- Patient, knowledgeable service: helping a customer choose, not just selling.
- Taking ownership, because Partners have a say in how the business is run.
Questions you might be asked
Every interview is different. These are typical questions for John Lewis roles, matched to what they say they look for.
- Why do you want to work for a business owned by its employees?
- Tell me about a time you gave a customer outstanding service.
- How would you help a customer who can’t decide between two products?
- Give an example of when you took responsibility for fixing a problem.
- What does a happier workplace look like to you?
How to apply
Apply through the John Lewis Partnership’s jobs site, which covers both John Lewis and Waitrose.
John Lewis careers