Australians have expressed surprise at the extensive and detailed recruitment process required for prospective employees at Woolworths.
Individuals looking to join the workforce at one of the chain’s supermarkets must navigate several stages before having the opportunity for a face-to-face interview.
The initial step involves submitting an online application and a resume, followed by answering a series of automated screening questions.
Subsequently, candidates are asked to record their responses to interview questions via webcam, completing this step independently.
Only after these preliminary stages are completed do applicants advance to an in-person interview.
Some candidates have also reported undergoing online assessments designed to evaluate personality traits, focusing on areas such as teamwork, customer service aptitude, and reliability.
The hiring process has sparked backlash online, with one Facebook user venting their frustration with the system.
‘Absolutely insane that to get a job at Woolworths now you have to submit a resume, talk to an AI chatbot, then record a video interview talking to yourself before you even get the chance to speak to a real human being,’ they said in a post.
Australians have been left stunned by the rigorous multi-step recruitment process Woolworths applicants must go through
‘Our parents’ generation walked in, shook someone’s hand, and started work the next week, but now, people are expected to perform for algorithms, smile at webcams, and pass automated personality tests just to earn enough to survive.
‘No wonder so many people feel disconnected from the workforce, the hiring process doesn’t even feel human anymore.’
Many Aussies agreed, saying the hiring process was over the top.
‘Woolworth’s recruitment needs an overhaul unless you are recruiting for executive roles or support staff,’ one said.
‘All that and you still barely get greeted or spoken to at a supermarket,’ a second said.
‘Imagine all the poor little 14 and 15-year-olds trying to get their first job and they’re chatting to an AI bot, recording a video chat, and passing personality tests,’ another said.
‘You then get in there and they haven’t even paid attention to what you said in any of the interviews,’ a fourth said.
Many also pointed out the ease with which they were able to successfully get a job working in a supermarket in the past.
‘I went for a job interview and at the end, the 2IC asked if I would wait outside for a few minutes,’ one said. ‘A few minutes later he came out and said, can you start Monday, and I worked there for almost ten years.’
‘I got my first job in 1994 after school in a supermarket,’ a second said. ‘Walked up to the manager, said “Got any jobs?’, he said “yeah” and I was there for four years.’
‘Late 80s I walked into Woolies looking for casual work,’ a third said. ‘They took me to the staff room to do a maths test, I failed, so they gave me a job in the deli,’ a third said.
The Daily Mail has contacted Woolworths for comment.
The supermarket giant isn’t the only company to use a similar approach to hiring, with many popular retailers like Coles, Kmart and Bunnings doing the same.
