I can’t say I am familiar with the questions in the online application section, perhaps this is new since my gaining employment with the business.
I can state that our store in particular has a large amount of Team from differing cultural backgrounds; Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Indian, Asian, Nepalese, Australian so on & so forth. But obviously I cannot speak for other stores. I can say in my opinion I believe that Bunnings is an employment haven for those wanting any kind of work, be it Fulltime, Parttime or Casual. We have a few people in our store that do have issues with Language barriers & therefore as a frontline in retail can experience many issues when dealing with customers. Therefore these Team Members are placed into positions which limit their first-point contact with customers until they can gain a better knowledge of our language for those main reasons. It is very frustrating for a customer to try to get help from someone that either A) Does not understand a word they speak or B) Cannot decode exactly what the customer wants. This happens on occasion with us trying to help customers too! It is not a personal attack on someone because they cannot understand it is simply business.
In our store we help those with language barriers to better understand. E.g: Our Training Officer sits with Team Members who have a lack of pc skills or Language difficulties & goes through training sessions with them individually. It still allows them to be involved with what’s happening in the store & gives them some satisfaction in knowing they CAN achieve what everyone else in the store can achieve.

I suggest to keep ur chin up & keep a keen eye on every aspect of the job application, with Bunnings & elsewhere. I’m sure Bunnings isn’t the only place that practices this kind of application method. Unfortunately it obviously shows that it is there for a reason. If you can’t demonstrate to be capable of using the application system then maybe retail is not the position for you. It’s harder on the job for you & the business if you aren’t capable.

I mean no disrespect here for your friend D. But I am sure that if he shows his willingness to work then eventually it will pay off. Sadly it’s an unsteady economic right now & finding employment is a hard task. I do wish him well

I wonder about this new online application business - it’s designed by US human resources experts to select applicants of a certain type which, when you go into bunnings, seems to be overwhelmingly bright, white anglosaxon european kids. Many bunnings stores are in communities full of asian, indian and african people who are contributing to bunnings profits the same as everyone else, but I doubt most of them would have a chance of answering the questions properly - and all for an after-school job filling shelves. D has no family here and is just in need of a bit of help to get on to the first rung of the employment ladder, but bunnings doesn’t seem to be an equal opportunity employer.

Has anyone else had experience of the online application? Any tips for success?
poppynat33

The obvious place to enquire was the Service Desk where I was met with smiles and offers of help, that was until I advised the young lady that I wanted details about the advertised position.

Her response caught me completely, and what’s more the smile and helpfulness rapidly disappeared. “Why would you want that job, it is just soooooooo stressful”.

So the job is stressful is it? What a wonderful representation of the company that pays her wages. If the job is sooooo stressful then why are you still there?

By her own admission she stated that jobs at Bunnings are obviously soooooooo stressful!!! Where is her loyalty to her company? I am pleased she works for Bunnings because if she was my employee and spoke to a customer in that tone she would be dismissed instantly.

What a wonderful introduction to the world according to Bunnings.

It was an absolutely wonderful PR exercise, well done Bunnings.

I was eventually referred to another young lady who I was informed was a Department Manager. Once again I was greeted with smiles and offering all the appearances of wanting to assist. That was until I explained the reason of my visit.

Her tone changed completely also, and so began what I considered to be an interrogation that would have done the Gestapo proud.

She tried to intimidate me by describing how much was involved in the position and how I would have to fit into the Bunnings “team”. Really, I would have to fit into the team irrespective of my qualifications. It really was beginning to sound like an adult version of MacDonalds. The exception being they are taking to adults not some pimply faced 15 year old kid. (No offence intended to all pimply faced kids).

The interrogation continued by being asked if I was a local, well it was obvious that I wasn’t however I did explain that I owned a house and other real estate in the town and I intended to move to Port Macquarie in the near future.

I was then asked as to my qualifications, I advised the young lady of my qualifications and her response was simply, “Well with all your qualifications why don’t you just go back to Sydney and get a job?

Up until that point in time I always considered that every Australian had the right of freedom to live and work where ever they pleased. Apparently not, it appears now that approval has to be sought and approved by some arrogant, self opinionated upstart who is employed at Bunnings.

To anyone considering seeking employment at Bunnings I wish you well.

I am interested in hearing direct about other Bunnings horror stories.
robbo1945@hotmail.com

I have worked at Bunnings for a little while now and I have to agree with ‘Harden up ‘. Bunnings is a great place to work. Nearly all of the team members are very positive and actually enjoy their jobs which is not always the way in a large retail store. I have found the management so far to be pretty easy to get along with. The fact is some people will fit in well and some wont, but it is a great place to work. The pay is actually above average for retail.

I have been at Bunnings for a few weeks now and I LOVE it. Everyone is treated equally and everyone is happy. Maybe it’s just that the both of you didn’t fit in. Sounds like it anyway. And as for the rate of pay I guess you only get paid for what your worth to them. I am getting a better hourly rate than some of our friends.
Goodluck finding a better job with all the perks!
Chin up you’ll get there lol……..

My rate was the lowest Ive been paid yet i had to put up wtih my team manager (who incidentaly woudlnt have know how to do the job we were doing if it was spelt out to her) constantly complaining that i was the most expensive person there and how i was being paid more than my team mates (really professional…NOT!)

I’d never work there again.

Kaz, I am still working with Bunnings but not sure if I can or am too late to help you. The best option is to call your local or closest store & ask to speak to the community events prganiser for that store. You will probably have to leave your details for a call back or may be lucky enough to catch the person on the day.
Good luck