Interview at MAC!!

Nov 20, 2011

Teri J.

so i have an interview at MAC coming up and im kind of nervous! is there anyone who works for MAC that could lend some advice =] 

Nov 20, 2011

Shelley W.

I've never worked at a cosmetic counter but as I customer I have a some sage advice to share. Please,please,please be a customer service all-star because in the past everytime I stepped into a MAC store I wasn't treated with the upmost respect. Artists would blow me off when I was had money to blow and the one's that did assist me weren't very good at upselling other products to me which was a bummer since I love to get product suggestions from an artist who is willing to show me how to use it. Show me and nine times out of ten I will buy it. From your beautifully applied makeup I'm sure you will land the job so I'm speaking as though you already have it. :) Just think positive. Let us know how it went for you. 

Nov 21, 2011

Angel M.

@Terri They will want to know why you want to work for MAC and some other standard interview question to be honest I don't think they care about the answer just the delivery. Be upbeat, act excited about the brand and have your makeup done...it should mirror the makeup you see on MAC artist. Clothes should be black and edgy (depending on the mac you're interviewing with) All and all just go there looking like one of them and be super excited to be there. If they like you they will have you come back to do a makeup application to show what you are capable of.

@Shelley I'm sorry to hear about your experience. And I feel that I owe you an explaination because when I freelance for a vendor I can tell that customers are looking for more than I'm able to give them. MAC hires makeup artist, Macy's hires sales associates. People at MAC counters are hired by MAC not Macy's. Make-up Artist are not sales associates and speaking from my own experience I am never going to try to push upon you something that you do not want or ask for. My goal as an artist is to impower my client to tell me what she wants/needs to feel beautiful. I do think there is a serious break down in communication because most clients can not articulate what they are looking for and instead of telling the artist what they like they want the artist to tell them what looks good on them...then the artist will want to know what looks you normally like and it is a vicious circle because again, most clients are looking to be told what to like. I'm am usually very upfront with this run around and I will tell clients if you are looking to be told what to buy I am not the person to help you. Reason being, I can tell a client that a vibrant blue would look great on her but if she doesn't like blue she is not going to wear it no matter how much I insist. Makeup is as subjective as fragrance and what I like might not be what you like. Maybe you should go to the counter with a bare face and tell the artist that you're looking to buy makeup and you want him/her to make you up. Schedule an appointment for it so you know the artist has time to show you everything. I also say pictures speak a thousand words. You have no idea the confusion I've come across with clients asking for a glow when they really want to be matte or one client asking to be bronzed like Oprah Winfrey when she was darker than Oprah. And please don't get me started with the clients looking for a new lipstick shade and after you show them 100 they end up buying the same lip color they been using because that's the lip color they LIKE. I avoid working in retail at all cost because I know I am not skilled at selling a person on an idea. I simply apply makeup and its easier as an artist for me to work with photographers and designers who can give me a clear explination of what they are looking for and allow for my creativity to go from there. I do believe some clients are expecting too much and often give too little to go off of. I hope this clears some of the issues you're facing at your local MAC counters and stores or at least gives you the perspective from the artist stand point.  

Nov 21, 2011

Shelley W.

@ Angel M. . I did everything in which you suggested. Going in with a bare face and booking appointments for makeovers/lessons. I would literally tell the artist point blank that I'm open for experimentation. If I like what I see when finished then I will buy the complete look. Not asking the rep to straight up lie or be dishonest to make a sale. I'm the complete opposite of the customer profiles you stated in your above response. I enjoy for an artist to be an artist and to show me looks that would look great on me. Those that work in stand alone stores and at counters need to make money as well to gain a regular following to keep their jobs intact (they have quotas to follow and maintain) so its unnerving to have negative experiences at a store time after time. I think that an artist should never group all customers in the same bag....not all of us are wishy washy. 

Nov 21, 2011

Megan N.

@teri like angel said, MAC will ask you standard questions, like what do you like about our company, what do you know about us, why do you want to work for us...etc. just make sure when you do answer, to be very outgoing, but be yourself. just try to feel as comfortable as possible, and you should do fine. make sure to dress in all black, but trendy. MAC always wants you to be in with the latest trends.

@angel you were pretty dead on when it comes to dealing with certain customers. i work for MAC, and i get customers coming in expecting me to tell them what will look good on them. and when i chose something that would compliment their eyes, face shape, skin color etc... they end up not liking it and stick to something they already have, or choosing something SO simliar to it. there really is a lot of miscommunication when it comes to the artist and customers.

@shelley i wish i had more customers like you were they want to experiment with colors and with a fun look, but in my area no one ever wants that. they are so stuck on their everyday makeup routine that they are afraid to add a little color or do something a little different with their look. maybe you should just come to my MAC counter and i'll help you out! :) 

Nov 23, 2011

Shelley W.

@Megan N. I wish you were in Jacksonville,FL. It's sad to think that women don't enjoy experimenting. I can only wear "Touch" lipstick so many times before I even grow bored of it. lol.

Nov 23, 2011

Myrna P.

I hope you got it

Dec 2, 2011

Mama Day T.

What's the latest scoop??

Dec 2, 2011

Teri J.

hey everyone i just did a kind of a video update on that interview!! just basically telling how it was!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TeriJeni?feature=mhee