Lidl has an online test for some roles, and its graduate schemes in Great Britain include an online assessment. Lidl doesn't publish what the test contains, how long it takes or how it's scored. Its application support page says the Talent Acquisition team will tell you if your role includes one.
Everything below comes from Lidl's own careers sites in Great Britain (careers.lidl.co.uk) and the US (careers.lidl.com), linked as we go. Lidl GB publishes far more detail, so most of the process below is the GB one. Where Lidl doesn't say something, we say so rather than guess.
Lidl hiring process at a glance
| Stage | What happens (Lidl GB) | What Lidl says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Upload a CV to your candidate profile, answer the mandatory questions and confirm your right to work in the UK | Reviewed in 7 to 14 days; wait the full 14 days before following up |
| 2. Online test | Some roles only. Talent Acquisition will tell you if it applies | Not published |
| 3. Telephone interview | You book a slot if your application succeeds. Graduate roles have a video interview instead | Not published |
| 4. Face-to-face interview | Two interviewers ask scripted questions and take notes | 30 to 90 minutes, longer if there's an assessment task |
| 5. Outcome | A contract by email if you're successful, or an email if not | A manager calls one week before your start date |
Lidl GB says there is only a two-stage interview process for all its roles: the telephone interview and the face-to-face interview. Its graduate schemes have a video interview and an assessment day instead.
What is the Lidl hiring process?
You apply online, take an online test if the role needs one, then have a telephone interview and a face-to-face interview. Lidl GB says you should hear back within 14 days of applying, including whether you've been shortlisted for a first-stage interview.
In the US, Lidl's application tips describe the process as "simple & straightforward" and competitive, and say you'll attend two interviews before joining. Lidl US doesn't publish an online test or a timeline.
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How do you apply to Lidl?
Apply through the job search on Lidl's careers site. What Lidl GB's support page says:
- Upload an up-to-date CV to your candidate profile. Lidl can't accept CVs by email.
- Answer the mandatory questions. The equal opportunities survey is optional.
- Confirm you're eligible to work in the UK.
- Lidl assesses applications on three things: your hours (your availability against what the role needs), your experience, and the accuracy of your CV.
- No individual feedback is given at the application stage.
Lidl US asks for your resume, an online form covering your availability and other commitments, and any notice period you owe your current employer. It sends an email to acknowledge your application and says the review "may take a while" because of the number of applicants.
Does Lidl have an online assessment?
Yes, for some roles. Lidl GB says some roles include an online test and that its Talent Acquisition team will advise if yours does. Its graduate schemes list an online assessment as the second of four stages.
Lidl doesn't publish what the test contains, how long it takes, how it's scored or whether there's a pass mark. Its FAQ sends adjustment requests for the online test to a support address at Aon, an assessment provider, so Aon appears to run it. Lidl doesn't say which Aon test it uses. Treat question counts and pass marks on prep sites as unconfirmed.
If your test shows you workplace scenarios and asks what you would do, it's a situational judgement format. Our guide to situational judgement tests explains how that format works in general. Our guide to psychometric assessments covers the wider family of ability and personality tests.
If a medical condition, disability or learning difficulty could affect your test, Lidl GB asks you to request adjustments using the contact details in its FAQ.
What happens in the Lidl telephone interview?
If your application succeeds, Lidl GB asks you to book a telephone interview slot. Lidl describes it as a chance for you to learn more about the role too. It doesn't publish how long the call lasts or what it asks.
For graduate roles, a video interview replaces the telephone stage. Our guide to one-way video interviews explains how recorded interviews generally work. Lidl doesn't say whether its video interview is live or recorded.
What happens in the Lidl face-to-face interview?
Lidl GB's face-to-face interview is with a Store Manager, Department Manager or the relevant Team Manager, and the details are confirmed by email. Two interviewers ask scripted questions and take notes. It lasts 30 to 90 minutes, and longer if there's an assessment task, which you'll be told about in advance.
Lidl US says you'll attend two interviews but doesn't describe their format.
What is the Lidl graduate assessment process?
Lidl GB's graduate FAQs list four stages: an online application, an online assessment, a video interview and an assessment day. Lidl doesn't describe what the assessment day includes.
Other points from the same FAQ:
- Any degree discipline is accepted, with a 2:2 or above.
- Most programmes are advertised in January. The Head Office Graduate Buying Programme is advertised in October.
- Programmes typically start on 1 September.
- Lidl GB doesn't offer visa sponsorship for graduate programmes.
The Retail Graduate Management Programme runs for 23 months, with placements in sales, logistics and supply chain in the first year. Lidl says it looks for confident communicators with a hands-on approach, an interest in how operations work, and resilience in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
What happens after the Lidl interview?
If you're successful, Lidl GB sends your contract by email. You complete your personal details before signing and receive a training schedule, and a manager calls you one week before you start.
If you're unsuccessful, you'll be told by email. You can ask your recruiter for feedback; Lidl says hiring managers give feedback on every candidate they meet. You must wait six months before applying for the same role again, though you can apply for other roles at any time.
Lidl GB also carries out reference checks, financial checks for certain roles, and a Disclosure and Barring Service check if requested. Candidates who pass an interview for a vacancy that's already filled can join the Lidl Candidate Community. Store and warehouse candidates there won't need to interview again; head office, regional office and early careers candidates will.
What does Lidl look for?
Lidl GB's values are five statements:
| Lidl GB value | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| We thrive together and surpass our own limits | Ambitious goals, developing yourself, turning challenges into solutions |
| We put People at the centre of what we do | Treating colleagues fairly, speaking to people directly, valuing diversity |
| We believe each other and in each other | Open, honest communication, being dependable, learning from mistakes |
| We dream big while staying down to Earth | Being approachable, focusing on results, keeping things simple, keeping your word |
| We are stronger together than we are alone | Standing up for each other and combining strengths |
Lidl US publishes company principles that start with customer satisfaction as the highest priority and include working to defined processes, short decision paths and simple work processes, fairness and constructive feedback. For store roles, Lidl US says you need to work varied shifts including nights, weekends and holidays, switch between tasks quickly in a fast-paced environment, and lift product cases over 50 lbs.
What questions are asked in a Lidl interview?
Lidl doesn't publish its interview questions. Lidl GB says its face-to-face interviews use scripted questions, and its FAQ mentions the STAR technique for interview answers. The questions below are ones to prepare for, built from Lidl's values, its principles and what its job pages ask of you. Our STAR method guide explains the structure.
1. Why do you want to work at Lidl?
Be specific. Lidl US puts customer satisfaction first in its company principles, and Lidl GB's values include keeping things simple. Connect one of those to something you've noticed as a shopper, and to the role you've applied for.
2. What hours can you work?
Lidl GB assesses applications partly on your hours against what the role needs, and Lidl US store roles need nights, weekends and holidays. Give an honest answer that matches your application.
3. Tell me about a time you worked in a fast-paced environment.
Lidl US describes its environment as fast-paced and says store staff switch job functions quickly. Pick a busy shift, a deadline or a peak period, and say how you kept on top of several tasks.
4. How would you keep a customer happy when the store is busy?
Lidl US calls customer satisfaction its highest priority. Show you'd acknowledge the customer, solve what you can quickly and get help when you can't, without leaving the checkout or the shop floor unattended.
5. Tell me about a time you followed a process exactly.
Lidl's principles say it works to defined processes and procedures and keeps work processes simple. Choose an example where following a procedure carefully mattered, such as cash handling, safety or stock rotation.
6. Describe a time you made a mistake. What did you learn?
One of Lidl GB's values treats mistakes as chances to learn. Own the mistake, say what you did to fix it and what you now do differently.
7. Tell me about a time you supported a colleague.
"We are stronger together than we are alone" is a Lidl GB value. Describe a time you stepped in to help a teammate, and what it meant for the team's work.
8. How do you handle feedback?
Lidl US lists recognition and constructive feedback as part of its daily working environment. Give an example of feedback you received, what you changed and the result.
9. Give an example of a time you set yourself an ambitious goal.
Lidl GB's first value is about surpassing your own limits. Choose a goal from work, study or sport, and be clear about what you did to reach it.
10. Are you comfortable with the physical side of the job?
Lidl US store roles involve lifting product cases over 50 lbs. Answer honestly and mention any similar work you've done.
11. For management roles: how would you lead a team through a difficult shift?
Lidl's principles include fostering leadership growth, and its GB values ask you to treat colleagues fairly and speak to them directly. Explain how you'd set priorities, communicate them and support the team.
12. Do you have any questions for us?
Lidl US suggests bringing questions for the interviewer. Ask about training, the shift pattern or how people progress.
For a wider bank of practice questions, see our list of behavioural interview questions.
How to prepare for the Lidl hiring process
- Check your CV's accuracy. Lidl GB names it as one of three things it assesses.
- Make sure your stated hours are realistic. Availability is assessed too.
- Ask whether your role has an online test, and do it somewhere quiet in one sitting if it does. Request adjustments early if you need them.
- Prepare five or six STAR stories covering busy periods, customers, teamwork, processes, mistakes and feedback.
- Read Lidl's values for your country and link each story to one of them.
- Practise out loud, ideally in a mock interview. Lidl's own advice is to practise, make eye contact and know your CV well enough to give specific examples.
- Bring copies of your CV, references and two or three questions, as Lidl US suggests.
Practising realistic work tasks
Scripted interviews reward prepared examples. Online tests reward judgement, which improves with practice on realistic tasks. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs free practice job simulations for your role. It isn't affiliated with Lidl and doesn't use Lidl's tests or questions.
FAQs
Is the Lidl online test hard?
Lidl doesn't publish what the test contains or a pass mark, so there's no reliable answer. Do it when you won't be interrupted and read each question fully.
How long does Lidl take to get back to you?
Lidl GB says you should hear back within 14 days of applying, and asks you to wait the full 14 days before following up. Lidl US says its review may take a while because of the number of applicants.
How many interviews does Lidl have?
Two for most roles. Lidl GB says all its roles have a two-stage interview process, a telephone interview then a face-to-face interview, and Lidl US says you'll attend two interviews. Lidl GB's graduate schemes have a video interview and an assessment day instead.
Can I reapply to Lidl if I'm unsuccessful?
Yes, but Lidl GB asks you to wait six months before applying for the same role again. You can apply for other roles at any time.
Can I use AI for my Lidl application?
Lidl GB says AI can help with drafts, spelling and interview practice, but warns that AI-written answers often sound generic and advises against sharing personal details with AI tools.
Does Lidl sponsor visas?
Lidl GB says it can sponsor visas for permanent roles needing niche skills or specific languages, but not for its graduate programmes.
Sources
Lidl's own careers pages, checked 27 October 2026:
- careers.lidl.co.uk: Application support
- careers.lidl.co.uk: FAQs
- careers.lidl.co.uk: Graduate FAQs
- careers.lidl.co.uk: Retail Graduate Management Programme
- careers.lidl.co.uk: Our values
- careers.lidl.com: Application tips
- careers.lidl.com: FAQs
- careers.lidl.com: Company principles
- careers.lidl.com: Stores