Next Steps - WHSmith

Before You Apply

While we are really keen for you to apply, we don’t want you to waste your time. So before you go any further, there are some important questions you need to answer. Do you have the right to work in the UK? Do you have a National Insurance number? And can you provide employment, character or educational references and contact details for up to the past five years (role dependant)? If you can answer ‘yes’, that’s great news as you can apply to work at WHSmith. However, you still might also like to think about how you’d fit in – is WHSmith the right place for you? Find out by reading Why WHSmith?

When you apply, we’ll aim to respond via email. That means you need a valid email address. Please be aware that our emails can sometimes end up in your ‘Junk Mail’ folder so please don’t forget to check this as well as your Inbox.

Application Process

You’ll need to apply online – it should take you about 15 minutes. There are clear instructions at every stage and if you need to take a break, don’t worry, you can save your application and finish it later. Once we have your application, we’ll look at it carefully to see if you’re right for the role. If you haven’t received a phone call or an invitation to interview email after two to three weeks, unfortunately you haven’t been successful on this occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

I do not have a National Insurance number, will this affect my application?

No - but please ensure that you choose the relevant ‘I do not have an NI number’ option throughout the application process. You can discuss this further with the hiring manager later on.

Do you have Work Experience/Internship/Placement opportunities?

We consider work experience placements in our stores on a case by case basis. You should speak to your local Store Manager. Occasionally, there are placements/internships available within our Head Offices. They will be advertised here along with our other Head Office roles.

I have submitted an application or just attended an interview; when can I expect to hear back from you?

At WHSmith, we try to get back to all applicants within two to three weeks of receiving their application. However, when we get lots of applications, this is not always possible. If you haven’t heard anything after this time, please assume you have been unsuccessful. If you’ve recently attended an interview, you should have been advised of when you can expect to hear back from us. This should be no longer than one to two weeks after the interview. We will be in touch via email or telephone.

Can you keep my CV on file for future opportunities?

We are working to build a pipeline of future talent and would welcome the opportunity to keep in contact (with your permission). We recommend that you keep your candidate portal (within this website) up to date and keep a close eye on our current vacancies by clicking here.

I am trying to apply for a vacancy, however am experiencing technical difficulties. What should I do?

If you are experiencing technical difficulties, it may be due to the device that you’re using. We would advise you to try again using Google Chrome on your device. If you are still experiencing issues, please email recruitmentteam@whsmith.co.uk with a screenshot of the issue. We’ll try to solve it with the help of our technical support.

I have a profile set up, but I can't remember my username/password. What do I do?

Select the ‘forgot your username’ or ‘forgot your password’ link on the login page. Through this link, you can obtain your username or reset your password. If your problem remains unsolved, we recommend that you set up a new account. You will need to register with an alternative email address.

I am interested in working in my local store; can I give a CV to the Store Manager rather than apply online?

No - you need to make an online application. You can do this by clicking here and searching for jobs in your local area.

Will WHSmith sponsor my UK working visa?

Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor work visas.

I already work for WHSmith and am interested in moving internally; how do I do this?

Please visit the intranet and click on the ’Careers’ link at the bottom of the home page to view all current vacancies. Please note that you will need to discuss the role with your current line manager and obtain their endorsement before applying for an internal position. Once you apply via the intranet, an email will be sent to your line manager for feedback and approval.

Do you have opportunities for under 18s?

In some stores we're able to employ young workers from 13 or 14 years old up to 17 years old. This is subject to the Children and Families Act, Health and Safety Regulations and the Education and Skills Act. For stores selling age-restricted products, such as lottery tickets and tobacco, there are additional legal requirements. All applications are considered on a case by case basis. However, please be aware that due to ‘lone working’ requirements and unsocial working hours these opportunities are limited within our Travel store locations. If you’re under 18 and would like to work in one of our stores, we recommend that you contact your Local Education Authority to check what the legal restrictions are. You should then find out from the specific store if these restrictions can be met. If you’ve done all that and would like to apply, go to our Job Search and Apply page.