Our recruiting process is very rigorous starting with telephone interviews for each candidate whereby we thoroughly review the candidates’ skills, behaviours and competences.
We are always keen to stress the requirements, standard and the clients aims and objectives too. Many would-be apprentices see ‘Fashion and Textiles’ and don’t realise that these particular jobs with Mountain Warehouse are acutely for garment technology, which requires real attention to detail to ensure the garment is fit for purpose and of merchantable quality too. This involves ensuring every component of the garment is right from the size of the needle to the quality of the thread.
After the telephone interview we segment the CV’s into a yes, no, or maybe, and we then host face-to-face interviews. Sometimes there’s a straight ‘no’ on both sides – perfectly understandable.
Once the full screening has occurred by us we liaise with the Mountain Warehouse team to ensure they agree with our recommendations and move forward to organise interviews.
Mountain Warehouse candidates attend first round interviews
Mountain Warehouse staff
The candidates are welcomed by Fashion-Enter’s CEO Jenny Holloway and a brief intro into who we are and what we do is given followed by personal introductions. Once everyone is settled the candidates are asked to complete a group exercise allowing Mountain Warehouse to assess how the individuals work as part of a team, how they conduct themselves, and how they manage the task provided, this is followed by individual interviews. Whilst the interviews are conducted by Mountain Warehouse the team at Fashion-Enter take the remaining candidates on a guided tour of the Factory where they are given an insight into UK manufacturing.
The final stage is for Mountain Warehouse to debrief and have a discussion around who they feel has been successful and will be invited to the next round of interviews. Once this has been established we assist in organising the next stage of interviews and are the direct line of contact between Mountain Warehouse and the successful candidates. We brief the candidates in preparation for the next round by making sure they know where they need to be, at what time, and what is required of them. We liaise very closely with Mountain Warehouse to ensure that this runs as smoothly as possible.
The Mountain Warehouse team are currently in the midst of recruiting for two garment tech apprentices. On the 19th February the shortlisted group of six attended the first round of interviews. Four have now been selected to attend the second round, which will take place at the Mountain Warehouse London office. Good luck!
If you are interested in an earn-while-you-learn fashion and textiles apprenticeship click here to find out more