I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Selective Marketplace in Feb 2023
Interview
Sit down in the managers office, show the around the store ask previous roles. Meet the other staff members and how their store works and about the brand and about the their sister brand as well.
I applied through a staffing agency. I interviewed at Selective Marketplace (London, England) in Nov 2023
Interview
The interview itself went fairly well from my side. However, the experience raised a few red flags. A large part of the conversation was the CEO discussing the company’s commitment to sustainability. Unfortunately, I later learned that all of their clothing is sourced from China, which raises questions about the authenticity of their environmental claims.
Another point of concern was the feedback I received through my recruiter. One issue raised was that I brought a coffee cup into the building—something I only did because there was no visible bin outside, and I assumed I could throw it out at reception. It turns out there is no reception, and this was cited as unprofessional. While I understand first impressions matter, this felt like an overly rigid response to a minor, practical decision.
Prior to the interview, I was also advised that the CEO has a reputation for micromanagement. Based on the interaction, that impression seems accurate.
In the end, I didn’t receive an offer, and I’m honestly relieved. The culture and values didn’t align with what I’m looking for in a workplace.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The only direct question he asked me was how good I am with detail, explaining that the current woman in the role “wasn’t good enough.” That kind of comment about a current employee struck me as unprofessional and was a clear red flag about the company culture.