From Freelance to Permanent employee

[FacesbyNiki]

Go where you feel you would get the most for YOU. Don't go because it's the glamour of working in a store. To me, I didn't care either way. You can always move up in the company. My girl, went from working at a counter, to MAC store and now is a trainer in Phillly. I am so proud of her.

[Bernadette]

I know a lot of MAC employees have started out as freelance/on-call and landed permanent positions. It seems fairly comon for people to start there. Do any of you have any suggestions on speeding up this process, letting managers know and remember your interest in doing so, etc.?
Wednesday is my first day working a shift, besides trainings I've done and I want to be permanent already haha
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[MisStarrlight]

Be as helpful as possible, let everyone know you're interested & check the postings if you're willing to work at any other locations.

[giz2000]

Be the freelancer every counter loves...I guarantee you'll be offered a perm position in no time!

How do you do that? By busting your butt when you're there...a good freelancer should work hard, be on top of things, and be part of th counter team. Usually, you'll end up at the same counters time and time again. They'll get to know you and how you work. Good luck!

[amoona]

I only freelanced a handful of times before I got a perm position. All I did was take a trip downtown SF (which a majority of my region's counters are) and introduced myself to all the managers and asked them if they had any part-time positions avaliable because I was interested. The second manager I asked gave me an interview on the spot!

But you gotta remember that they can only hire you perm if they have the hours. The counter I was hired at for freelance/on-call wanted me to work there part-time but they didn't have the hours to give me.

[calbear]

Besides what everyone else said -

Always call back when you are called for a freelance shift even if you can't make it. We will stop calling someone if they don't call back - just out of sheer courtesy.

Always be on time - and never miss a shift if you agreee to work it (unless it is absolutely necessary and make sure to call) You get 'dinged' and that info is shared with other counters/stores.

Try to see how the counter works and get in and do your part. If they want you to answer the phone like the other associates then when the phone rings - attempt to get it. Some stores don't require you to do something like that - but if they do, don't act like it's not 'your job'. Cleaning is everyone's job so do it as often as possible when there are no customers.

Learn from everyone around you. If someone has on a look you wanna learn - then ask so you can broaden your skills. Always think about learning all you can to broaden your skills. It really helps to keep your eyes open so you can see what's going on and learn and know what's happening around you (who's hiring and who's not) Like amoona said some stores just don't have the hours to hire so keep that in mind.

that's all I can think of for right now.

[Hennys]

I was hired as a freelancer about 2 months ago and have yet to work due to having no hours available, so I applied to a new MAC counter opening up for a perm position, and actually got called for an interview!

The bad news is they want me to do ANOTHER demo. I am so irritated, I barely could handle the stress of the first one. I thought once you are hired as a freelancer and passed the demo, you wouldn't have to do another.

My questions is: the interview is being conducted at the new location, but the counter is not even built yet, so how will the demo go? Will they just bring in a bunch of products and I'll have to play it by ear?

Also, it is a Macy's location (I used to work there and have good relationships built), will the Macy's cosmetics manager be involved in the interview or no?

Any help would be really, really appreciated!

[baybehbekah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hennys

I was hired as a freelancer about 2 months ago and have yet to work due to having no hours available, so I applied to a new MAC counter opening up for a perm position, and actually got called for an interview!

The bad news is they want me to do ANOTHER demo. I am so irritated, I barely could handle the stress of the first one. I thought once you are hired as a freelancer and passed the demo, you wouldn't have to do another.

My questions is: the interview is being conducted at the new location, but the counter is not even built yet, so how will the demo go? Will they just bring in a bunch of products and I'll have to play it by ear?

Also, it is a Macy's location (I used to work there and have good relationships built), will the Macy's cosmetics manager be involved in the interview or no?

Any help would be really, really appreciated!

i dont know how your demo would go because of the construction but you won't have to interview with macy's. you are totally all mac and in a whole other world you'll do macy's training but it is super easy and you typically get it done in once day

[Hennys]

Thanks for the response baybehbekah

[glamdoll]

This thread was very helpful! I now have a (M.A.C) home, in a MAC Pro store

[baybehbekah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glamdoll

This thread was very helpful! I now have a (M.A.C) home, in a MAC Pro store

ooo! you're permanent at the pro store?! how exciting! congrats!

[glamdoll]

Quote:

Originally Posted by baybehbekah

ooo! you're permanent at the pro store?! how exciting! congrats!

Thanks! yeah, Im part time I'm super happy and excited <3

[miss_supra]

Eeek, my interview for a permanent position is next week. I am stressing more now than I did as tyring out for a freelancer!

[perfectbrows]

Hey Hey
i just got my call for bloomingdales to audition.... iam so nervous please any advice what to do what to expext do i breath auditioning for freelance artist here in HotATL ... hELP ME i have work for dior estee lauder salesdriven but MAC IS THE BIG LEAGUE .. a little imtemenated (oops?) any advice friends
help a sista out

Thanls Muc
DBrown

[miss_supra]

Eek, my interview is tomorrow with the MRO

[Esess]

Hey, I mentioned in my other thread that when I did my paperwork for Freelance, the manager told me that they don't "do much on-call". Well read in alot of threads that you should introduce yourself at counters and stores an let them know that you want to work, what do you ladies think about sending a little "hello" type card. Then following up with a quick visit. This is just something I was thinking about and wanted to get some feedback.

[~LadyLocks~]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has given input/advice on this subject. It has been very helpful to me! I'm a freelancer and hope to become permanent at some point so I will keep all this in mind.

And wow, I feel soooo luck that my region gives discounts LOL

[siameserosa]

I recently got hired as a freelance artist and was so excited!! I think they are giving me the runaround, they said they had plenty of hours now they said they dont??? Then they are taking weeks to give me my mac number? Has anyone else had this problem, this is my dream and now I am so upset,!

[Ruby_Woo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siameserosa

I recently got hired as a freelance artist and was so excited!! I think they are giving me the runaround, they said they had plenty of hours now they said they dont??? Then they are taking weeks to give me my mac number? Has anyone else had this problem, this is my dream and now I am so upset,!

I don't believe they are giving you the run around, freelance hours have been cut a lot because of the economy. There are very little hours available, and the ones that are available are usually given to freelancers that have been there for a while.

It can take up to a month to get your employee number with mac. I waited 3 weeks for my freelance and 4 for my permanent number. Just hang in there, there are alot of things they do up in HR in NY so it takes time.

I don't think you should be upset, when something is worth it you can wait it out. Just think about it, it could be worse, you could have been not hired at all.

HTH.

[siameserosa]

Thanks your right I just want it sooo bad and want to work, I haven't had a job for months, it just gets really frustrating!

[siameserosa]

I dont understand your quote at the end!! You gotta start somewhere right??? Again I really appreciate your support!!

[ktinagapay]

nordstroms is cutting hours and I got laid off today (im a mac artist) along with FIVE of my coworkers. .....is this happening to anyone else?!

perfect way to start the holiday season!

SO STRESSED OUT,
Krystina Gapay

[babyjazy21]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktinagapay

nordstroms is cutting hours and I got laid off today (im a mac artist) along with FIVE of my coworkers. .....is this happening to anyone else?!

perfect way to start the holiday season!

SO STRESSED OUT,
Krystina Gapay

I'm so sorry to hear that. But I really think it's going on everywhere not just MAC but a lot of other companies are laying people off. I'm a freelance makeup artist for MAC and I haven't worked for 2 months!! It's pretty frustrating!
Btw where r u located?

[ktinagapay]

i worked at the walnut creek counter...broadway plaza. its like in the eastbay. yeah i wasnt laid off by MAC, it was a nordstroms deal. we went from 13 people at that counter to now 8, and it gets pretty busy there. but i get it...we also get lots of returns. =/ im at a panic right now, i have two weeks to find a second stable job to go along with the free-lancing that probably is at a freeze right now too. and the MAC sets are on discount, so you knoooowww the economy is just taken a toll. well i hope the best for ALL of us.

[glittersugarlip]

I was wondering if the freelance/oncall hours are being cut around the bay area .... eeek i haven't worked for a good month! i'm going to call some counters around to make sure.