Irish chain Superquinn has developed a new approach to store recruitment that focuses more on candidates’ attitudes and willingness to learn rather than previous skills and experience.

Instead of asking applicants to send in a CV and attend one-to-one interviews for positions, the chain now asks them to fill in an online ‘values’ questionnaire, and then selects those with potential to attend a group interview, said marketing manager Alison Hunter.

Here, they are asked to discuss a range of topics, with those displaying the best interpersonal skills and positive attitudes selected for formal interviews.

The approach had proved more successful than traditional methods, said Hunter: “You hire an attitude and teach skills. When you see how people interact in a group, you sometimes learn more about them than in a face-to-face interview.”

The method had been used to recruit staff at the chain’s first Superquinn Select neighbourhood store in Greystones, County Wicklow, which opened on November 16, said Hunter.

It was still too early to say whether the new format was a success, but initial signs were encouraging, said Hunter.

Several other sites were in the pipeline, she added.