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MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions - Page 7

post #181 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

lol...no i wouldnt do that, it would be very obvious, however what you should do is keep your port in your car, so you can always say something like "i actually have my port in my car from an interview this morning, do you want to take a look?" then you can just run out and grab it. even still, i dont think you need it. i never had photos or anything to show when i started, and during my time there i never saw applicants bring any in, so it's def not something they really look for. but if you feel that your images are pretty strong, then by all means show them if they are interested

Quote:
Originally Posted by Candee Sparks View Post
Aww thanks so much, that helped brighten my spirits! Also, do you think it'd be a good idea to "conveniently" have shots from my portfolio with me when I go to turn in my application? I sometimes have employees that will start up conversations and not sure if I should have some kind of picture material with me so I don't come off as pushy.
post #182 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

hi friends.

so both my initial and demo interviews were just me and the managers/trainer. i finished my demo on wednesday (in which i ROCKED the foundation!!!!!) and i think it went well, but who knows! when i originally got my application, it was given (without me prompting) to me and the next day i had the first interview. that was a week ago today (5/7) and i had the demo on 5/5.

even though i really tried to dig for feedback, the only thing the trainer critiqued my efficiency, she said i need to do and talk at the same time. then she said they had a couple other candidates and that i'll get a call in a week to a week and a half.

my insecurities would like to think she was bluffing about other candidates, since the mua dragged me over to a corner of the counter to fill out the app, but i'm not sure. what did your timelines look like? i know some have done first and demo interviews in one day...
post #183 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I did my demo on monday and was told I would get a call for the next interview and Im still waiting. The first time though I waited 2 months! So basically if they say they will call, THEY WILL! I thought they would have forgotten but NOPE! be patient and if its too much just call the counter. HTH!
post #184 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I think I got a call about 3-4 weeks afterwards. It's different for everyone!
post #185 of 290

mac demo interview.

i dont know if asking this is ridiculous but.. for the demo interview. how are you suppose to apply the makeup when you dont really know the process as far as sanitation goes? for example.. applying a base such as a paint pot.. or applying liner such as fluidline. are we already suppose to know how to scrape out some product and put it on a palette? or are we suppose use the back of our hand?
post #186 of 290

Re: mac demo interview.

*moving to Working for Cosmetics Retailers*
post #187 of 290

Re: mac demo interview.

never use the back of your hand for anything. They have little plastic spatulas, and if they're out of those you can use the tops of a mascara wand, or a lip applicator, or anything hard and scrape some out, put it on a tissue or the glass discs then use it
post #188 of 290

Re: mac demo interview.

*merging with MAC demo thread*
post #189 of 290

mac demo interview.

i dont know if asking this is ridiculous but.. for the demo interview. how are you suppose to apply the makeup when you dont really know the process as far as sanitation goes? for example.. applying paint pots or fluidlines. are we supposed to already know how to scrape some product out? or something? how does it work?
post #190 of 290

Re: mac demo interview.

*moving to Working for Cosmetic Retailers*
post #191 of 290

Nightmare Demo

Alright... so this is seriously bothering me, and I don't know why im having such a hard time but I need to get some input with ya'll (aka: people who understand how weird this is)
so WTF i have had the hardest time understanding this.

I had my demo at MAC today... my interview was AMAZING! Ammmmaaaazinnng. I rocked it. It was on a thursday I think? And my demo was today, tuesday.
It was at 2pm... I got there at like 1:52 with my model.
Went to the counter, introduced myself, said HEY i'm here for my demo! (all poppy and smiley what not) and they were like "what? demo? hmm. whose demo, you? thats weird. who interviewed you? oh thats nice, she didn't tell us we had an interview. oh well. i guess you can take a seat right there."

So I stand around... the store mgr shows me my area blah blah, gives me a belt brush and my customer is going to be "a lawyer who has 15 mins to get ready"..... ok
i went with plums, as my model was a WOC with *beautiful* radiant, flawless skin
her foundation was badass
her blush was badass
her eyeshadow was badass
her lips... i got a little weird with pro-longwear, but we talked about what I would've done to fix and i gave a pretty impressive answer
and i didnt fill in the brows, just used a little bit of brow get (hers were dark and thick, yet very defined)

i got done right on time (was spraying the fix+ as she said time was up)

here's the thing... nobody was near me when I was talking to my "customer", applying the makeup... anything. They didn't hear me talk about the powder finishes, brush numbers/uses, non-synthetic fibers being humanely gathered, Viva glam, B2M; she didn't see me disinfect ANYTHING! (ugh), she didn't see my technique, she didn't hear me describe every single brush and skincare product...etc... and well when it was my turn to receive constructive criticism I took it well (agreed), answered their questions EXTREMELY WELL... not to mention my outfit and face were ROCKIN.

The entire time I was applying makeup they were standing by the register. While I was picking out my colors, the MA had an argument with a customer and they were being pretty weird to each other, and at one point the MA asked the customer "sooo what did you come in here for then?" (in my head i was like GUUUUUUURRRLLLLLL! ) So the entire time I was doing my demo, they were maybe 20-30 ft away talking crap on the other side of the counter about this lady. I felt awful... i studied my ass off for DAYS, both on here and maccosmetics.com, just to get ignored and then when i'm done with the face they were just like yeah whatever. I literally spoke to them 1 minute before my demo, and 2 minutes after.
is this normal? i guess I expected her to come see my progress, ask me about why I chose what I did etc etc, and all i got was "why did u chose to mix 2 foundations?" (because one was too orange, and the other was too dark... NW45-NW50).

i guess this upsets me so much more because this is the 2nd counter that I've had shady things happen at. The first one, I went in for my interview about a month ago, just for the person on the clock to tell me the person i was supposed to interview with (i was at the right place, btw) was on vacation all week.

weird???? or am I freaking out?

TIA for any feedback, this is bugging the shit out of me. I had an interview at sephora but the SM had some emergency family issues and the hiring process has been delayed, so, although i am a mac lover, im wondering if i should just forget about it.
post #192 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

so sorry can't help u here...but just waiting to read the responses to your tragic situation..sounds like you rocked it with everything..except the folks who were supposed to monitor your work..
post #193 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

Quote:
Originally Posted by LatteQueen View Post
so sorry can't help u here...but just waiting to read the responses to your tragic situation..sounds like you rocked it with everything..except the folks who were supposed to monitor your work..
im waiting too... it was so awful, i know the makeup looked good but i just wanted to cry!
post #194 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

oh man that really blows...If I were in your shoes I'd call the person who interviewed you and explain to them exactly what you explained to us and tell them that you feel like your skills and knowledge weren't even acknowledged and that you'd really like to do it again with someone watching you.

and no that's not normal. Probably whoever interviewed you forgot to give a heads up to the counter that you were supposed to be doing your demo, so maybe thats why no one was paying attn to you...no one knew about you.

give it another shot
post #195 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

Quote:
Originally Posted by LC View Post
oh man that really blows...If I were in your shoes I'd call the person who interviewed you and explain to them exactly what you explained to us and tell them that you feel like your skills and knowledge weren't even acknowledged and that you'd really like to do it again with someone watching you.

and no that's not normal. Probably whoever interviewed you forgot to give a heads up to the counter that you were supposed to be doing your demo, so maybe thats why no one was paying attn to you...no one knew about you.

give it another shot
I want to do that, but I'm worried it'll sound naggy... I'm a total MAC girl, but all this makes me wonder if I really wanna work there
post #196 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

Quote:
Originally Posted by QueenBam View Post
I want to do that, but I'm worried it'll sound naggy... I'm a total MAC girl, but all this makes me wonder if I really wanna work there
Trust me it's very worth it The pay would be almost double what sephora would offer you. Things get much better once you're on the "inside" with mac, trust me

i really don't think you'd sound naggy, just word it right.

keep trying, don't get discouraged.
post #197 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

Quote:
Originally Posted by LC View Post
Trust me it's very worth it The pay would be almost double what sephora would offer you. Things get much better once you're on the "inside" with mac, trust me

i really don't think you'd sound naggy, just word it right.

keep trying, don't get discouraged.
I got it She said they thought I did great... so i guess my final product must've been just fine, haha. Well, I applied for freelance and she wants me to interview once more for permanent but i'm pretty much in, right?? haha YAAAAAY
post #198 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I'm still waiting. It had been a week when I called back after my first interview. She said they were doing call backs next week(which is this week now) so I hope I get a callback for a demo interview.

Do they usually only hire for perm positions through freelancers? Do they just promote them to part time? Or will they still hire for part time from outside the company? I guess I'm just worried and it'd be nice to know if new people applying for part time positions still get hired over freelancers. It would make sense if they only promoted from within, but that would suck for me.
post #199 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

i got hired for perm and wasn't a freelancer first. actually everyone that worked at my store was hired outside the company and was not a freelancer first.
post #200 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by LC View Post
i got hired for perm and wasn't a freelancer first. actually everyone that worked at my store was hired outside the company and was not a freelancer first.


Woohoo!
That gives me lots of hope
post #201 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I applied for full time/part time got hired as a freelancer... freelanced 1 shift and got hired as a perm part time that same week because a poisition opened up. =)
They hire from outside AND from whithin the company... so don't worry. But it's true that it's very hard to be hired immediately as a full time... as they can only have a certain amount of full time employees and the turn over rate is low. So most of people will start as a part time... full times they 30h and up to 37.5 . Usually only managers get 40
post #202 of 290

Re: Nightmare Demo

Quote:
Originally Posted by QueenBam View Post
I got it She said they thought I did great... so i guess my final product must've been just fine, haha. Well, I applied for freelance and she wants me to interview once more for permanent but i'm pretty much in, right?? haha YAAAAAY
OK an update on this....
Basically I didn't get a call to interview with any store managers, after the recruiter already had hired me. AAAAAND so I email her, and she says the position she had for me got filled up.

What.

the.

hell.



then she emails me again... a fulltime counter position just opened at nordstroms in dallas. i had a phone screening interview today, and i have another one next week with the cosmetics director. then i'll probably have another one with the CM.... that'll be 5 interviews. GAH!
this is very exhausting :[
if it wasn't for my love for mac, i would've already said fuck it! lol
post #203 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Full time? That's nice! Those full time positions don't come that often so tha'ts a great thing!
Good luck
post #204 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Sorry, I didn't mean full time.... i meant permanent.
post #205 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

good job! I went through 4 interviews myself and it dragged out so I can feel your pain it's totally worth it though!
post #206 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

So I finally turned in my application today. To my surprise, the manager was just finishing up the makeup on a girl when she asked if I'd be up for a chat when she was done. So of course I said yes and played with some To The Beach stuff in the meantime and when we finally were alone and got to talking it was magical, I seriously felt right at home and I know we hit it off so well. I did some chatting about the products, told her my story and before I knew it she was asking me what day I'd be free to demo. Of course I said as soon as she wanted me to come in so she booked me for this coming Tuesday, the 15th at 4pm. I'm just so shocked, and she said it was great that I came in today because they had an opening for a part-time position that they have yet to find anyone to fill. I'm so excited, beyond words. The idea that my dream job could be my first job is just unreal!

Sorry, had to rant! I'm just so flabbergasted with today's events, had to share!
post #207 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Lets us know what it goes =)
Make sure to check all the great advices about demos already posted here in specktra.
Good Luck!!!
post #208 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by aninhabr85 View Post
Lets us know what it goes =)
Make sure to check all the great advices about demos already posted here in specktra.
Good Luck!!!
Thank you and I'll be sure to! Course I'm absolutely nervous and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who pretty much has panic attacks in anticipation. But like a lot of people have said, you just gotta have confidence because it SHINES.

I am guy in case there are those who don't know and I went to the mall with curly, frizzy hair, dirty sneakers, baggy jeans that had black hair dye stains on them and a 4 year old Hollister hoodie when I turned in my application. I honestly thought I'd turn it in, they'd laugh at me after I left because of how homely I looked and that'd be the end of it but I just walked up there with confidence and before I knew it, me and the manager were talking about pigments and other industry topics. I know a lot of the people who will browse this will be women but I keep on getting told how ironic and lucky my situation was so I just want to share every bit of info I can come across.

Also, something I found awesome is that if your confident you recognize a shadow or a lip product, don't feel afraid to ask about them if its the shade your thinking of. Granted, I couldn't see the managers up close but I asked if she was wearing Pink Bronze pigment -- which I actually corrected myself because I mistook it for Amber Lights I believe or some shadow like that. I think it was word vomit that I mentioned Pink Bronze.) But as soon as I mentioned a pigment, you should have seen her eyes light up. Flexing your knowledge of products (modestly) can get you brownie points!
post #209 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

One of my biggest fears in the demo is how will I know what color foundation to use on my model? I used to work for Clinique and know how to match their foundations but I was taught this AFTER I was hired (no demos involved there) so I'm not quite sure how to 'guess' what color my model is. It took me some time to get the hang of it at Clinique so don't want to waste a lot of valuable time foundation matching!

Do they tell you to put on a full face or do you just automatically assume? I haven't even passed the oral part yet and I'm already freaking out about the demo!

Thank you to all who have posted in this thread, it has been so helpful!
post #210 of 290

Re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by jillybean View Post
One of my biggest fears in the demo is how will I know what color foundation to use on my model? I used to work for Clinique and know how to match their foundations but I was taught this AFTER I was hired (no demos involved there) so I'm not quite sure how to 'guess' what color my model is. It took me some time to get the hang of it at Clinique so don't want to waste a lot of valuable time foundation matching!

Do they tell you to put on a full face or do you just automatically assume? I haven't even passed the oral part yet and I'm already freaking out about the demo!

Thank you to all who have posted in this thread, it has been so helpful!
Who ever is managing you should be able to give you more insight on what to use in terms of foundation so it really doesn't hurt to ask questions. As for skin, keep it simple. I used Fix+ spray to prime my friend's face, then I went in with a 130 brush and Mineralized Satinfinish in NW20 followed by Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Light to set the foundation. My manager explained to me that NW is more for people who have pink tones to their skin while NC is for people who have more of a yellow tone to their skin but then again, I could have gotten that completely backwards.

If you have the chance to gather your own products for the demo (which some places I guess gather it for you or something?) take the time to get a second opinion on what to use for skin. They don't expect you to know everything and if anything, they just want to see you in action, want to see how well you communicate and sell the product, etc. I never actually had a formal interview so I'm not sure what that's even like so I'm no help here.
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