Freelancing for MAC - Page 14

it can take a long time i know people who have freelanced for years b4 becoming permanent. even then u still have to interview all over again. its a long long process. as a freelancer lean all u can. you dont get the same training the rest of us get. your expected to already know it 

^^Thanks!! Wow you have been freelancing for a long time! So when u say you've been offered many full-time/part-time positions you mean from MAC or just other jobs?

 

And that whole not standing around and cleaning up everything thing is so totally me....i'm like a freaking squirrel! Lol! And i LOVE doing floorsets and setting up displays....seriously....its like doing a puzzle for me. So i am now pretty confident that i will be awesome at it. I hope they offer me a mor e permanent postiton soon tho...im supposed to start next week...i guess.

 

I'm just getting concerned bc i keep reading stories about ppl waiting WEEKS just to work. But then at the same time i wonder what area they live in. I live in Orlando and the malls near me are ALWAYS busy...esp MAC...i have never been in either MAC and its not crowded...its always jam packed.....so im hoping that plays a part in me getting more hours bc of them needing Freelancers to help.

 

But i won't know until i get my employee number.

Each situation is different, so in the meantime continue to learn from your fellow artists and study product knowledge.  ALWAYS be on time (early), consistent and have a positive attitude, and be willing to help in any capacity.   I have been freelancing since July of this year, and was offered a permanent position this week. 

 

It will happen for you girly!  Don't be afraid to ask questions, this group is fantastic!  Everyone is always helpful, and want to see you succeed!

 

Best wishes girly!  Keep us posted. 
 

 

I freaking love this place (this thread)...i went to a party last nite actually (MAC) and had a blast! I can already tell i may be working for MAC for a very long time....i absolutely love the atmosphere and the philanthropy....its just amazing. The passion that comes with this art.

 

You all are SOOOOO helpful! I talked to the manager that i did my paperwork w/last nite (she is so cool) and she said they haven't sent my employee number yet but i should be getting it soon....im beyond excited!!! I know ppl speak so negatively about MAC but honestly....it can't be any worse than working for Wal Mart....it just can't be...bc that was straight up plantation slavery!

 

I think im gonna really enjoy working here.

I received my Permanent Employee Number yesterday WHOOOOO.....

Nice!^ congrats!

I started this week! I love it! Still a lot to get used to. Everybody is really helpful. so far I've only been called in to one MAC counter. I'm thinking about calling other counters/stores to let them know I'm available. Or should I wait for them to call me?

nope call them! those who dont ask for food dont get fed. you have to beat down the doors to get anywhere in MAC 

Hi everyone, I am new to this board. I'm 22, a bank teller, and I am a mark. Cosmetics Rep, and Traci Lynn Jewelry consultant. I am very interested in make-up and beginning a freelance, consulting business, since I have my hand in cosmetics and jewelry. When throwing mark. Parties, we do demos on guests. So I know this will be a great way to showcase my skills and promote my business. I want to do Robert Jones Beauty Academy to federal a foundation on the technical side of make-up. And I was thinking, to build my experience I should do freelance at a cosmetics company. I work 25 hours at the bank. Do you think I should apply for freelance or part time, maybe 10 hours a week?? I know part time will allow me for get more training. Any suggestions??

HI! I am a feeleancer for MAC, also...I was wondering what you thought about permanent artists treating freelancers like crap?!

Wow!  That's not nice at all.  

its not big deal just brush it off. it happens it also the other way around. 

How so?

i have met freelancers who think they are the deal and know it all and when you try to help them out to better them they get all diva. and then they wonder why they dont work again and get called back for hours. for those freelancers that are willing to learn and take feedback i help them. i help everyone at my counter because were only as strong as our weakest link and i dont want that link to break so i push my freelancers like they are a permanent artist to better themselves and get them ready if a position opens up they are someone i would want to call a mac artist 

Definitely call different counters, in fact, physcially go to the counters, (dressed in M.A.C attire, and have that face beat), introduce yourself to the staff and mangers and let them know where have worked and are currently working and if they have any hours available, that you would love to be a support for their team.

Oh wow, I haven't really ever seen this. What happened exactly? Sorry that happened to you.

Hii all! I just got hired as a MAC freelancer and was wondering if i can include "MAC freelance MUA" on my business cards or is there anything against that? Also, can I include looks that I do in store for customers (with their permission of course) in my portfolio? 

 

I would ask a manager first about taking pictures. I don't think my old manager really would have been cool with it, because when you think about it is can come across as worrying more about taking pictures for your own private business than worrying about your job at the time... Maybe down the road, but it might not be your best bet as a new-er freelancer. =/ ... Also you can't give business cards out while you are at MAC- you can/will get fired for that if a manager sees you- so just keep that in mind. But I don't think there is an issue with putting it on a business card, as long as you aren't giving them out at counter. 

out side of MAC you dont work for MAC you can not advertise working for MAC either that is a NO NO only senior artist can do that or managers that have specific card designated to them from MAC 

 

Oh I didn't even know that, makes a lot of sense though. 

Hi to everybody on Specktra! Last Friday, I had my interview/demo and got hired for a Freelance/On-Call position! I have never been happier in my life! The process was so fun & it was not as scary as I thought! And I have to say before my interview, I was exploring questions and answers all over Specktra's threads and post to get some tips and answers. So thank you to everybody who replied on other threads.

After going through thr whole process, I learned that every single MAC interview is different. My experience was awesome! If anybody has questions, I would love to help out.

 

Anyways, I completed paperwork and all that stuff that day, so now I'm playing the waiting game to hear back. Any tips on what I can do now? Obviously I wait to hear from the manager to get my employee number, but do you guys recommend that I call to the stores around my area to see if they have any openings? And I want a permanent position, so any tips for that? The recruiter I spoke with told me just to work hard as freelance and it could happen that way. Another question I had was that I know permanent artists get training, updates, etc. As a freelancer, am I expected to learn about, purchase, and know about all the products I'm unfarmiliar with on my own? Just so many questions on where to start now! I'm so excited to work my first day. :) THANKS!

 

Don't call until you get your number. 

If you want to become permanent work your butt off at counter, and make sure managers are aware that you want to move up. 

I know that in my district some of the more frequently used freelancers went to update, but I'm not sure if it was a company wide thing, They definitely did not go to basic though, so start studying up on the company/products. 

When I got hired, my manager said that freelancers do not get any training so you'll just have to watch other artists.

 

As for calling other counters, I went to the other counter and spoke with the manager and gave her my info and then kept calling the counter that hired me to check if i got my number until i did. You just have to be persistent but not annoying... there's a very fine line between the two 

Good luck!

 

Oh yeah, very true!

Thanks! I got my employee number an also landed my first freelance gig for this upcoming black friday! What's the first freelance day like? I know my manager is gonna be there to help me, shes a sweetheart! and told me she is working that shift too so she can show me everything so I'm not just thrown in. As for other counters, I called a few and let them know I was interested and they took down my info. Should I call all the locations Im interested in working at, or will I get calls from them when they need me?

 

I think every freelancer is working black Friday lol

First day will depend on how familiar are you with the line. I was extremely familiar with MAC and the brushes so my first day was a breeze.

 

I actually haven't worked at the counter i got hired in yet, I have been getting calls from this other counter i called and went in to give my info. You should call any location you're interested in because they do not have a list of freelancers that's distributed to every counter. They usually call from the list they have from freelancers that call in and give their info so you have to call and tell them you're interested. Good luck!

 

It varies by mall I'm sure, but black Friday at my counter wasn't that bad. MAC doesn't have sales or anything, so we never got any busier than we were on like... a Saturday. 

Do freelancers get discounts of any kind yet? i saw some old posts from 2009 that say they don't but i thought maybe by now its changes?