From Freelance to Permanent employee

[MissMisah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calbear

I'm at the MAC Sunvalley store - stop by sometime and say hi ;-) I am the Black girl with the black and blue hair. You can do the same at other counters and just introduce yourself and let them know you wanna work. It really helps cause then they will have your face in mind when they need someone.

ps and look good when you stop by the stores so they know you can rock it.

haha darn. i went to th walnut creek nordies in whatever it was i was wearing while i was shopping today, and ust introduced myself. i was pretty laid back-- makeup included. oh well...id really like to be considered for the antioch counter cuz that one's the closest. i felt like a geek tho. the MA was all "can i help u?" and i was just like.."uhhh, im just stopping by to say HI and introduce myself..." hahahahaha....

[calbear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMisah

haha darn. i went to th walnut creek nordies in whatever it was i was wearing while i was shopping today, and ust introduced myself. i was pretty laid back-- makeup included. oh well...id really like to be considered for the antioch counter cuz that one's the closest. i felt like a geek tho. the MA was all "can i help u?" and i was just like.."uhhh, im just stopping by to say HI and introduce myself..." hahahahaha....

don't worry about it - you are still getting your name and your face out there. The folks at Antioch are real sweet so still stop by and stop by soon cause the Untamed event is coming up in September and you wanna make sure they know you by then. AND don't feel like a geek, it may feel weird but you will be glad you did it ;-)

[FacesbyNiki]

Congrats to everyone!

[angela]

Quote:

Originally Posted by giz2000

Congrats!

You know what the funny part is? I have a WAAAY higher AUS/IPT now as a freelancer than when I was part of a counter? I used to struggle to keep a 3-4 IPT, and as a freelancer, I average 9-10 IPT...what is that????? :confused:

holy &#%! 9-10 IPT??? what's your secret? are you bribing customers?? haha im just joking girl yea im struggling to keep a 3 IPT. i've only been working for over a month, so im still learning. You have a lot of experience so i think that comes hand in hand with product knowledge and being better able to give customers exactly what they want and then some. you ROCK! keep it up! my managers would LOVE to have you freelance at our counter here in SF!

[angela]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Congratulations Angela! Glad it worked out for you!

awww thanks Janice! i love your avatar!! you look stunnninggg!!

[drea2447]

.....

[SARAHluvsMAC]

if you are going to keep another job probably freelace would be better because you can make your own hours

[giz2000]

I have to agree. I was permanent at a counter and I left to freelance because the hours were too much for me, plus I usually got stuck working Sundays. You can work freelance up to 29 hours a week...you can also take just a few days a week or even 1 day per week (that's what I have been doing lately, as I am going to school and have a family to take care of). As long as you don't turn down work too often, you'll get called. You have a lot of flexibility as a freelancer, too.

The downside is that you don't get the 60% discount or the gratis...but for me that was a small price to pay so that I could actually have a life outside work.

[sty]

Hey ladies! You all are soooo helpful. I love this forum!

Well I'm a licensed cosmetologist and for the longest I've always wanted to work for MAC since a good friend of mine in NY told me about the line.

Anyway, I was always told by other MA's at the stores that I should apply, so finally I did and landed an interview at the only store here in my area. According to the managers I did excellent, they ranted and raved about how well I did, although I thought I did just ok, but I took my friend and you guys advice about talking thru everything. Well upon the verbal interveiw, they were pretty much telling me I had the position, but they had to do a couple more interviews. Long story short on this interview, they chose the two other girls whom they said had "more years experience"...yes, I was very disappointed, they had me souped up with all the praise.

Well just this past monday, I got a call from a counter manager who said the store manager gave them my number and they really was impressed with me and wanted to get me a position with MAC somehow....so we set the interview and the counter manager says she's really impressed with me too and loves my communication, however, i became a bit skeptical about the counter position from all the manager was telling me about working at the counter. The rude customers that curse them out, how it's more stressful, how they get constant backlash from the surrounding counters because of their music, no training, they kinda just put you out there, and other discouraging things, the interview itself went well , but yet again, she had to interview two more girls and she'll call me by next week....wow, all this praise, can you just hire me all ready! LOL

well after the interview i went to the store to get a couple of things and talked to the manager that interviewed me there earlier last week and she said that the counter customers are soooo different from the stores customers, they are more respectful and patient, and don't treat you like you are working behind a counter...they see you more as a makeupartist professional...whereas they see the counter girls, sometimes, as just that. And I believe this to be true, i've seen this with my own eyes from being a customer for years at the store.

NOw the manager at the store said they want me and I have the freelance positon there, but the counter job is more permanent and I'd hate to be a fool to not take the counter and so many other m/u/a would love to have the opp to be able to choose. I love the store because of the atmosphere and how excited I get and the style I'll have to bring, whereas the counter, I think I'd feel so blah, yet I would still be working for MAC, would have the 60% discount, and would have my feet in the door to move up if I work hard.

I'm in a dilemma, and I don't mean to come off cocky, but I really wanna make the right decision...because I am not one to deal with being called out of my name over one darn eyeshadow! It's not that serious. i'm thinking, why would MAC allow their employees to be treated like that and have to wait on people that conduct themselves in that way?

Oh and I hope I didn't offend anyone that works for either, not my intentions at all

Opinions, suggestions, or heck what would you do????????:confused:

sorry so lengthy

[whitnie]

oh how i would love to be in such a dilemma!!!

anyways, i can't offer you any advice based on experience since i do not work for mac, but i can tell you that i do have friends at the mac counter in my area and they all have a great time at work...as far as the ish they get from the other counters....my friend who works there just says that the other counters see the girls laughin playin their music havin a good time and they get "jealous" (in her words, not mine!)

a lot of the stuff you heard is true, but they left out how much fun it can be!! so basically I'm not trying to sway you either way, just don't be scared of the counter! lol

[MisStarrlight]

The answer to your issue has to come down to money...

The pay rate is the same for permanent and freelance positions, but the hours that you work/the money you bring home is not.

With a freelance position you are able to work the hours you want (by accepting or declining a shift when they offer it to you). During the Holiday season you will be getting a lot of hours, but after New Year's it drops off to almost nothing....I went 2 months without a call last year.

With a permanent position you have guarenteed minimum hours that you will be working. And a counter isn't really all that bad, but after you've been there a while (6 months) you can post for any other positions that open up and possibly transfer to a store.

Sooo....if you do not have another source of income, the permanent counter position is your best bet at stability, but if you have the means and want it, go ahead and take the freelance job.

[maxcat]

Counter: Regular paycheck, staff discount, gratis.
Freelance: Totally irregular paycheck, no discount, no gratis.

[sty]

Thanks ladies. Yeah, I guess if it was based solely on money, then the perm job will do. I guess the fear of the unknown is what has me feeling like this is a hard decision. I will have to decide next week. I'll let you guys, if you care, lol, know what happens. I really did want someone to speak on what the counter managers said about the customers at counters vs. at the store...wanting to know if this happens where you are too? Thanks again!

[maxcat]

It's actually more the people you work with than whether it's a store or a counter. They're the people you work with day in and day out. Ideally, you're a team with a great levelheaded manager, which is what I've got! The customers- most are fine and normal. Remember physics - for every action is an equal opposite reaction... For every mirror-throwing cursing namecalling nutbar there is a fantabulous person who will make it all worthwhile.

[sadieboo]

Do you have any experience with retail? I only ask because you seemed surprised at what the counter manager told you about working at a counter. I took a counter position with Bobbi Brown about a month ago. I had retail experience from a long time ago and was ready for the hours, the other counters, and yes, sometimes the customers. But I can tell you this - I absolutely LOVE working with cosmetics and if you do too, then the bad stuff kind of melts away. Department store retail is what it is. Not to say you won't sometimes want to strangle someone or go on a 45 minute venting rant!

Do let us know what you decide!

[MisStarrlight]

Maxcat's got it exactly right.

I prefer working at my counter, compared to the store that I started at. The atmosphere is much better.

In my experience, the only real difference in the customers is that the ones that come to the counter are not as devoted to MAC as the ones in the store. They like that one-stop-shopping...that, or they are just picking up a few quick things. The average person doesn't care about the differences between the store and the counter and will go wherever is convienent for them at that moment. There are 3 MACs at the mall that I started at (2 counters & 1 store) I never understood how the counters got any business....why didn't the people just go upstairs to the MAC store? And then I realized that most people don't know/care and will buy their MAC wherever they are at.
The ones that do shop solely at a MAC store (ok, not all of them) think that they are entitled and know everything there is to know about MAC, where-as the ones that shop around are much more down to earth & eager to learn.

You'll get crazies at both the counter and the store. I get maybe 1 crazy a week at counter....they become a joke after a while.

And as far as sales go, the counter tends to be smaller sales, 1-2 items (because they're not exclusive to MAC), but if you're friendly and know your stuff you'll be able to boost up your sales.

Now don't everyone go jumping down my throat....Yes, I know, 'You shop only at MAC stores and are not like that,' or some other defense about being a counter shopper....but these are my experiences working at both locations, and I am not calling you out by name-especially considering that I've never met any of you-I don't think.

Ok, I think that's it...just had to put that disclaimer. hehehe
Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.

[giz2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxcat

Counter: Regular paycheck, staff discount, gratis.
Freelance: Totally irregular paycheck, no discount, no gratis.

The flip side:

Permanent - little flexibility in schedule, work most Sundays, holidays, etc.
Freelance - major flexibility, PRO Card discount (hey, 40% is better than nothing! )

It depends on what's important to you. I left a permanent position and everything that came with it because I had no life outside of work. I have a family and wanted to spend time with them to (plus I couldn't go to school like I wanted to). Freelancing has given me the freedom to stay working with MAC AND to do everything else I want to do...but thats just me!!

[giz2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxcat

It's actually more the people you work with than whether it's a store or a counter. They're the people you work with day in and day out. Ideally, you're a team with a great levelheaded manager, which is what I've got! The customers- most are fine and normal. Remember physics - for every action is an equal opposite reaction... For every mirror-throwing cursing namecalling nutbar there is a fantabulous person who will make it all worthwhile.

Very true...even though I am pro-freelance (for my own reasons), I loved the girls at my counter (and still love to freelance there as much as possible). They become like family since you spend so much time together...there are some counters where some of the MAs are a bit much to handle and those aren't as much fun...

[honeebee]

When you initially told me about this, I was wondering if the counter manager told you all this, to see if you were serious about the position. I'm sure they've probably had plenty of people apply because of the presumed glamour of working at MAC. Then once the person starts, they see it isn't what they thought it was. First and foremost, this is a retail positon, freelance or permanent, which means you're are going to have to deal with all types of personalities. Personally, I would go for the permanent position.

[VeronikaJ]

Okay well first off, I want to say that you explained yourself very well and come off as an intelligent and caring person. Just had to say that, I am a teacher and I love to see proper grammar and/or language use! Random

I would take the permanent positon if you are looking for a steady position. Yeah, working at the store might be different but freelancing is VERY different- You don't have a discount (maybe if you apply for the PRO card, but you are just given your discount when you are permanent), you also do not receive gratis with the new launches, you are not allowed to use the register to ring up sales, you don't attend regular store meetings, you do not go to Update and Basic training, and (unfortunately) you don't get a lot of respect from the permanent staff until you pay your dues. HOWEVER, you have two rate of pay schedules- you have "freelance" rate of pay which is typically about $3 more an hour and "on-call" rate of pay which is less. Usually, depending on region, "freelance" rate of pay is substantially more than the permanents pay rate which is the same no matter what.

If this is going to be your only income and you truly want to move up in the company I would take the permanent position at the counter and just remember you are working for MAC not the department store MAC is in. I have worked as both a permanent artist and as a freelance, at a store and a counter-Permanent is better in almost all ways. Unless, you have a seperate full time job and doing make-up is just a hobby.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for the best

[calbear]

Just as an FYI - depending on your region you can get a freelancer discount at your local store (even if you don't have a pro card). SOme regions offer the freelancers 30% with a valid id and paystub showing work within the last 30 days. So ask around in your region. (i.e. Northern Cal gives it but Southern Cal doesn't)

[giz2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calbear

Just as an FYI - depending on your region you can get a freelancer discount at your local store (even if you don't have a pro card). SOme regions offer the freelancers 30% with a valid id and paystub showing work within the last 30 days. So ask around in your region. (i.e. Northern Cal gives it but Southern Cal doesn't)

South FL doesn't either....

[sty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeronikaJ

Okay well first off, I want to say that you explained yourself very well and come off as an intelligent and caring person. Just had to say that, I am a teacher and I love to see proper grammar and/or language use! :) Random

I would take the permanent positon if you are looking for a steady position. Yeah, working at the store might be different but freelancing is VERY different- You don't have a discount (maybe if you apply for the PRO card, but you are just given your discount when you are permanent), you also do not receive gratis with the new launches, you are not allowed to use the register to ring up sales, you don't attend regular store meetings, you do not go to Update and Basic training, and (unfortunately) you don't get a lot of respect from the permanent staff until you pay your dues. HOWEVER, you have two rate of pay schedules- you have "freelance" rate of pay which is typically about $3 more an hour and "on-call" rate of pay which is less. Usually, depending on region, "freelance" rate of pay is substantially more than the permanents pay rate which is the same no matter what.

If this is going to be your only income and you truly want to move up in the company I would take the permanent position at the counter and just remember you are working for MAC not the department store MAC is in. I have worked as both a permanent artist and as a freelance, at a store and a counter-Permanent is better in almost all ways. Unless, you have a seperate full time job and doing make-up is just a hobby.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for the best

\

Wow, thanks for the compliment! I was not expecting that at all

Great info you provided, especially about the pay schedules, Thanks!

When you are hired as a freelancer, are you expected to pretty much know a great deal of what there is to know about the MAC and their products, being there is no training? Do they still give employees the MAC Bible on CD????

They don't let freelancers ring up products? I didn't know that. I wonder why?

[sty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeebee

When you initially told me about this, I was wondering if the counter manager told you all this, to see if you were serious about the position. I'm sure they've probably had plenty of people apply because of the presumed glamour of working at MAC. Then once the person starts, they see it isn't what they thought it was. First and foremost, this is a retail positon, freelance or permanent, which means you're are going to have to deal with all types of personalities. Personally, I would go for the permanent position.

LOVE your pic, your skin looks beautiful!!!!!

Yeah, I think it's possible that's what she could have been attempting. I think she was "keeping it real" with me a bit more than the stores. She said she told me all those things so that I would know what I was getting into. Speaking for myself, I think it is the idea of the glamour of working for MAC, yet, I still think I will do fine selling the products because I adore it so much, cosmetics in general. It's it the feared excessive pressure of selling. Everyone may think, well, heck, why did you apply or just turn down the positions, but I do want to this. This is within my element. Makeup and beauty

I think I am leaning more towards the permanent position, but hmmm... if that doesn't work out, will they later allow you to go to freelancing instead?

[calbear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sty

\

Wow, thanks for the compliment! I was not expecting that at all

Great info you provided, especially about the pay schedules, Thanks!

When you are hired as a freelancer, are you expected to pretty much know a great deal of what there is to know about the MAC and their products, being there is no training? Do they still give employees the MAC Bible on CD????

They don't let freelancers ring up products? I didn't know that. I wonder why?

As a freelancer you get nothing....not a piece of traing, a MAC bible, or a helpful hint ;-) Some regions will have a one-day training but that is rare and not all freelancers get to go. Some places don't even give you a set of brushes to work with while you are there.

As far as ringing goes - some Macy's allow freelancers to ring (either under an old number, rotation of the employees on duty at that time or just under the manager). Nordies and stores typically do not allow freelancers to ring. If I remember correctly - the ringing situation is bit about the partnered locations rules as well as MAC's. At a MAC store, we have to have a number to even get into the system so that all things done on the computer are tracked - some locations don't really care but I saw people ringing under others intentionally.