MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions - Page 2

Congrats to the ladies who landed the job. I come to the right place, my interview is next Tuesday and I am SOOOO NERVOUS!! Basically, I taught myself everything I know, and I know I dont know everything. I did not know that I need to talk and try to sell while doing my models makeup! Now Im SUPER nervous
Advice please!

Thank you that was so helpful! I just went into MAC here in Bath the other day and they offered me the job interview. The question and answer section went well but I'm a little nervous about my demo. I've done plenty of stage makeup but when I'm doing makeovers on people I know I use my fingers on the whole. Will it count against me if I use products instinctively rather than by the book?

DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERS!!! Whatever you do..

Ahh I know this! Heehee I'm just saying will it matter if i just use the brushes they way I think they'll work for me? I am learning with brushes atm but i'll proably use the wrong ones or something....

Oh ok.

Yeah, use them the way you know how.

I just wanted to share my demo interview for a free-lance position because it was a bit different than the other experiences I've read about on here.

I found out on a Tuesday and my interview was that Friday. I asked my sister-in-law to be my model. I've never done her makeup but because of the short notice and the interview being at 2:30 it worked out quite well for her schedule. Plus she is really beautiful, has amazing features and the most to die for lashes you will ever see, I swear it looks like she's wearing flasies even when she has no mascara on.
I was told to have her wear all black.
We showed up about ten minutes before the interview. The counter was swamped so we had to wait for a few minutes for the manager to be available.
I was shown where we would be sitting and was given the option of whether I wanted Tamsin (my sis-in-law) to face the window or away from it. I chose for her to face the window because I felt the natural light was better.
I was handed a random group of brushes including the #150, #190, #217, #224 and #263. I was shown where the various products were, given a brief over-view of the different powders and foundations and was shown where the various applicators were.
I asked for a petrie dish, some rubbing alcohol and sanitizer.
I followed typical santizing prodecures which are out-line in other posts on here.
I wasn't given a face chart and instead was given this scenario
"Your customer is a bride that is getting married today, doesn't usually wear makeup but wants to try some plums on here eyes."
I had a few minutes to gather the products I wanted to use and was given 45 minutes to complete the look.
They were so busy that they didn't seem to watch me that closely which kind of made me sad because I was filling Tamsin with info on the products, what I was doing, how I was doing it, why, prices, you name it.
They did let me know when I had about 15 minutes left which was nice.
At the end the manager that had set me up came over along with the district manager who I had my second interview with and they also brought over a trainer that was there that day. Ah I was so nervous!
They were all very sweet, gave me helpful feedback and that was it!
They told me that they would clean up and they insisted saying it was faster when they did it

I will add that I was very careful about sanitization and when I touched Tamsin's face I placed a tissue between my hand and her skin.

That's about all I can think of!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

My demo was a tad bit different so I'll share it while it's still fresh in my mind.

I went to the counter with my cousin (my model) and there were two other girls there for the demo interview. The assistant manager gave us a run down of the sanitation procedure and then she said that the manager would come to give us our scenario. The manager told us that we'd have 20 minutes to do our demo. Yeah ONLY 20 minutes!!! Within that 20 minutes we had to get all our products, sanitize everything, and complete the make-up demo. She told us that our model was new to MAC and was going to meet with her boyfriend and his parents for the first time. She said to be sure to remember the current trends.

I rushed to get everything I could and started doing the demo. I introduced myself to my model and started with her eyes right away. I explained to her why I was started with her eyes, because it's easier to clean up the fall out without retouching all her foundation, and explained to her every step I did including what brushes I was using. I did a neutral look for her. I used Nylon e/s as a highlight, Jete e/s (Danse) on her lid because it was neutral but it still had the color to add to her look, I used All That Glitter e/s in her crease, Sable e/s on her outer third, and Carbon e/s outer v. I explained to her that she could make Carbon a very dark an intense color or she could make it very sheer to just add depth to the eyes. I did it very sheer on her because of her scenario. I lined her lid with blacktrack but in a rush I skipped lining her lower lashline.

I then applied Strobe Cream to her skin for a moisturizer and explained to her how important it was to use a moisturizer. I told her that often I wear Strobe Cream alone if I don't put on any foundation. Then I applied PP Face and told her how it evens out her skin and adds a layer between her skin and her foundation. Then I applied her foundation and set it with a powder. I used Sunbasque blush on her and showed her out to apply it.

I lined her lips with a lip combo from Danse, I forgot exactly what I used for this.

I just had enough time to spray some Fix+ on her before time was up. Then the managers come up and asked me to tell them what I did. I made sure to break everything down as much as possible and tell them every single product I used, why I used it, and the purpose of it.

They asked me if I could do anything different what would it be. I told them that I wanted to make the lips a little darker and I had to skip putting liner on the lower lashline so I could finish everything else. They said that's the only recommendations they had but told me that I did a great job for the time I had. Hopefully they ment it and weren't just being nice haha.

They went to go talk to the other girls and told me to just hang out. I took that time to put everything back where it was supposed to be and make sure my station was clean. Throughout the demo I used a lot of tissues haha. I used them to place between my hand and her skin and to wipe off all the shadows and blush and all that stuff. I made sure to throw away everything after I used it.

They said that they'd give me a call after the weekend madness was done so now I'm juse waiting. So I guess not all demos are the usual 30 minutes! :-\ Hopefully they realized the time crunch.

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

GREAT description, Amoona!!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Hello, all. I just left my demo for MAC at the local Nordstrom. It went really well, I think. I wanted to give the details for anyone who's curious before I forget!

My model, Tammy, and I got there about 15 minutes early, but they didn't make us wait a bit. The counter manager waved as soon as she saw me, and I introduced her to Tammy. Then we were both introduced to Danny, one of the trainers.

They showed us where Tammy would sit, and collected some things like brush cleaner, disposable mascara wands and lip gloss applicators, a sharpener, hand sanitizer, the brushes and two petri dishes. I also asked about alcohol to dip the lippies in, and he grabbed that, too.

He told me he wanted me to do a neutral look that included a full face (concealer, foundation, powder, blush), at least 2 eye shadows, mascara and brows and liner, and at least 3 products on the lips. He asked me how familiar I was with the MAC line (pretty familiar, I told him) and if I had any questions. I asked him to run through the sanitizing process for me, even though I felt pretty comfortable from reading Specktra. During his explanation, I watched him think about telling me about the hand sanitizer, but then he pulled his hand back and didn't say anything about it. I made sure he saw me use it once I started. So there's a tip: listen for what they don't say, as well as for what they do tell you!

He told me I had a half an hour to do the look, but could take as much time as I wanted to collect what I needed. Sanitizing time was to be done in the half hour time limit, for me. I took Tammy with me and we talked as I selected things. For example, I asked her what colors she usually wears, what types of blush she is comfortable with, and about her skin. She told me about her skin problems (redness, shadows under the eyes, some lines). Then we got started.

I talked about using brushes (she doesn't now-she uses sponges and the applicators that come with the makeup she buys) and why I liked them. I put on Strobe Cream and Prep + Prime face, and explained why I had chosen those (not going to go into it here- ya'll know what these products are!) I applied Prep+Prime Eye in light. Honestly, that's the first time I've ever used that! I'm a Urban Decay Primer Potion addict, frankly. I let the primer sit as I poured out the foundation and concealers, and explained that this exactly what I do at home- let it kind of "settle". Then I put on the foundation (Mineralized Satinfinish)and concealer (Select Cover-up). I used the same brush I had used for the Strobe Cream and Prep+Prime (the 190- which I actually don't own but now MUST HAVE!) for the foundation and told her why I did that. I used the 194 for the concealer.

Then I started on her eyes. I used Phloof! on the lid and Tempting on the crease. I didn't take the color all the way up to the brow because of her eye shape and because this was supposed to be a "natural" look. I shaded her brows with the Brow Shader and a very battered 263 (that's all they had that was appropriate). On the eyes I used a 242 and a 224 to blend. I took Tempting into the outer V and under the lashes, and explained why I did that (her eye shape, etc...). I quickly lined with Teddy only on the upper lid, then I used Zoom Lash in black, I talked about those products a bit as I applied them (totally BS'ing, because I've never used either one! Thank you, Specktra!). I used the hilighter from the Brow Shader at the end of the whole application, to show her how that pulls the whole look together.

I went back, then, and used the Mineralized Skinfinish Natural to powder and even out the color a bit more, and then added the powder blush we had picked (I think it was Springsheen, but I can't be 100% sure). That was also my first experience with the 187 brush. Of course, I am totally in love and want one. (I've been holding off on brush purchases, 'cause I'd rather wait 'til I have a discount! )

I quickly lined her lips with Whirl and shaded in the lips a bit with it, topped it with a lipstick (I have no idea what color I grabbed, but it looked good!) and Viva Glam VI lipglass. I used the disposable applicator for the lipglass, and some raggedy looking brush for the lipstick. I have no idea what the hell that was, because they'd scratched the # off of it, but it was the only thing that looked right-ish. Man, that was a wretched brush!

I purposely picked VG VI l/g not only because it's my favorite lipglass EVER, but also for its versatility and because it gave me an easy opening to talk about Viva Glam, the MAC Aids Fund, and then I mentioned Back 2 MAC while I was talking about the company philosophy. SWEET!

I stepped back, took a look, and asked if it was ok for me to run and grab something I had forgotten. The trainer said it was, so I scurried off to grab my beloved Fix+. I described the product and told her how I carry a smalled decanted bottle with me in my purse for touch-ups during the day, then warned her to close her eyes and spritzed her. I took another look and was fairly satisfied, so I handed her a mirror. I treated her like a customer the whole way through and basically ignored the trainer except the the Fix+ thing and the one time I realized I had stuck a brush on an eyeshadow I hadn't sanitized. He went and grabbed me a new brush. OOPS! Lesson learned: sanitize everything first, don't do it as you go along, like I mistakenly tried to do.

Meanwhile, the counter manager had come by once or twice, and so did one of the employees who whispered "we've been talking about you!" and winked. The counter manager chased him off.

By the way, I was done with a few minutes to spare, which didn't hurt! This is a really busy counter and since it's Nordstrom, they do a lot of makeovers because they're free (no obligation to buy unless it's New Year's Eve or Prom).

So, the trainer took a look and asked me what I'd do differently or what I wasn't happy with. I told him I was not pleased with the foundation color I selected, and he asked me why I chose that one. I told him (in a more professional way than this) that Tammy and I had looked at the colors and she had been scared of the NC colors, even though that's what she needed to counteract some redness she had (even though she's cool complected). But what I picked looked good, it just could have looked better, he said, and told me later that I had to do what the customer wanted, ultimately.

So he then handed me a bright purple eyeshadow. I forgot to look at what it was, but I'm betting that was Purple Shower. He told me that my customer wanted to try brighter colors, but wasn't sure how to wear them. I was to tell her how to ease into them and then apply it. I told her I love to use colors like that with Tempting (aha! it was already on her eyes- don't think I didn't think that through in advance, guys! ). I asked her if she'd like me to apply it, and of course she said "sure!". I put Tempting over the lid (remember, it had only been in the crease and outer v) and then used the purple in the inner corner about midway across the lid. I explained the blending and that she could wear these bright colors sheerly or more intensely and explained how. She preferred to keep it sheer. I showed her the mirror when I was done, and she really liked it. YAY!

And that's about it. She went and looked at shoes while he and I went and chatted for a few minutes. He told me the MRO wasn't going to be down in this area for awhile, and they couldn't wait for her 'cause they're down two full-time people so he'd handle the interview/follow-up (I guess normally she would have done that part?). He asked me some typical interview questions including about my availability, asked if I had any questions for him, and then told me that the counter manager or Cosmetics Dept. manager would be in touch. I went back and thanked everyone and we left.

Now I wait...

Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention: the trainer told me he wasn't going to be next to me the whole time, partially because he said he would watch me from further away to observe my body language and how I interacted with the customer. So, tip #3: just 'cause they ain't right there, don't mean they ain't watchin'!

Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to make sure I got it all in there... Thanks for reading this far, if you did!

*jen

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

good luck girl..you're gonna get it

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Jen, sounds like you kicked ass! I'm so proud of you!!!
and Congrats on getting the job!!!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Thanks for such detailed descriptions of your demos, girls!

claresauntie I was wondering about it actually, if you are allowed to use fingers for the application of Strobe Cream or Prep+Prime - I guess not. I haven't used this products myself.
What about regular moisturisers or the new skincare line that MAC came out with - how do you apply those product on people @ MAC? I'm wondering because I might have to do the demo as well! A bit terrified about that! I just went through a group interview and was invited for an individual one. :dancey:

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I was specifically told not to use my fingers at all. Remember, you're trying to sell the brushes, too, not just the makeup!

I haven't used the new products, nor the regular moisturizers. I've used some cleansers and many many of the color products, but not a lot of the skincare line. (the Lightful stuff isn't even at my new counter yet). I have used Prep + Prime Face (LOVE IT!). I figured: go with what you know. And if what you know is what you've heard on Specktra, well then: at least you've got the leg up on someone who doesn't have Specktra!

Read over all the demo posts obsessively and come up with a game plan for moisturizer and primer. Remember, you don't really have to be able to talk about the ingredients and so forth right now- just make sure you talk about the benefits of exfoliation and moisturizer and so forth, and apply everything well. That's what they're looking for at this point. And you do use a moisturizer, right? So practice with the one you have and the brush you have. It's basically the same principal once you get there, even if the products are different. I'd never used a foundation brush before, and did just fine!

And then kind of think through some of the ways you'd handle the different makeup scenarios people have described and play with the options in your head. Also look at the current face charts, since some people have to do one of those Looks.

You know, you may even want to go down to the counter (or another nearby) when it's not too busy and ask someone if you can momentarily borrow their 190 brush. Use it to apply Strobe Cream or another moisturizer to your hand, then the P+P F. See how they feel to you... The MA should be fairly nice about lending you the brush just for a sec. Tell him/her that you are thinking about buying these products and want to see how they work so you can think it over.

Anyway, there's my (more than) 2 cents. Feel free to PM me if you anything you think I can help with.

Keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!


*j

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I know this wasn't directed towards me but just some advice ... NEVER USE YOUR FINGERS!! When you're applying on a customer at the counter you can not use your fingers for two reason. One you want to sell the brushes, and two it's just not clean. Plus you just shouldn't apply moistuerizer and primer with your fingers because the oils in your fingers mix with the product and all that stuff. I always use the 190 on myself and customers at the counter.

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Thank you, girls! I can always rely on great answers here!
Amoona: sweetie, my questions are for everybody who is willing to share their knowledge and I appreciate your input! Mixing oil from my fingers with the product - that's a good call, I didn't think about that one. I remeber, that when I was at Clinique counter, the girl there had no troubles puting moistureizer on my face with her fingers - I wonder if they don't have policies like MAC?

Claresauntie: thank you for a detailed answer, hon. I do have a foundation brush (not from MAC) and I really love the control over my foundation that I have with it. Thanks for great tips - I probably will ask you some ?s once I have a demo interview arranged.

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Feel free to PM me, too, my dear. Ready, willing and able to help whenever called upon!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Thanks for posting all of your DEMO experiences!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I must say that this sticky has helped me so much in prepping for my demo tomorrow! Props to all you ladies and your amazingness!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Thank you so much for this in depth account. Especially for the tips and utiziling the knowledge of MAC products; great to know. Sounds like you'll be a hit.

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

I had mine today.
I turned up 20 minutes early and had a play with the make-up with my model (friend from current job!) and then I went to ask where the trainer was.
She told me about the sanitizing (I made sure I did it!) and then told me to a smoky eyed look. So I ran off and grabbed everything - concealers, foundation, liner, eyeshadows, lipgloss.

So I did concealer & foundation first, forgetting that smoky eyes is gonna cause problems with fallout... I used the 190 brush and just a small pointy brush for concealer (number rubbed off!), then applied Dollymix blusher on the cheekbone to the hairline with the 187 (I had 6 of them on the belt they gave me!).

I put Phloof! All over the lid as a wash of colour and highlight, then along the crease and outer V worked in Knight Divine. Then she asked me to start explaining to the model, as though she is a customer, how to achieve the look at home. Oops! I forgot about that when I was doing it! So I backtracked a bit and mentioned what I had done so far and then explained what I'm doing next, and why and with which brush. I packed Black Tied onto the lid under the line I'd created with Knight Divine, then after blending with some Knight Divine on the brush I went on to do eyeliner. I used Fluidline in Blacktrack, on top of which I put on some more Black Tied.

Then I went to put mascara on, oops, I'd forgotten to pick some up. I ran to the mascara stand and grabbed one, and it was empty! Oh noes! The trainer ran off and grabbed me one and I cleaned up the eyeshadow a bit while I waited. So I did mascara.
Then I applied Viva Glam V lipgloss, mentioning to the trainer I liked the Viva Glam thing and how it all goes to AIDS charities. She asked me if I knew which charities the money last went to and I sorta laughed and said 'no!' apologetically, and she told me

Then she told me time was up and I worried a bit. She told me what I'd done well, what I could improve, what she prefers to do with certain things (foundation and concealer after eyes, which I said 'I should have done but was worried about the time limit), and how to improve my brush technique (hold more towards the end of the brush than right at the metal bit).

She was asking me questions all through about my previous experience and other things from my CV. She asked a couple of 'would you be ok with theme days' etc questions. I was like 'no problem, who doesn't like to dress up!!'
I now have the agonizing wait to find if I get the job!

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I know you posted this awhile ago, but I am SO grateful it's on here! I have my demo tomorrow and your description really really helped give me ideas about how to talk to my 'customer' THANK YOU!!

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.........

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Soooooo, my demo was AWESOME. I've never had more fun in my life.

Quick run down? Sure. (skip this if you want to!)

I got there w/ my sister (aka my model) and was told that I could start right away OR wait for the counter manager (I opted to wait...) so we went and matched her foundation/concealer and looked at brow stuff (which I ended up not using anyways...) -- And apparently I was chatting it up with the regional trainer person and didn't even know it. Hahaha! Nice.

So the CM came and told me that she knows I've got the techniques and she wants me to take into account my sisters age (18) and do something for day wear. She said she WAS NOT going to hover because she hates it when people do it to her, but she'd just check in...Being no dummy, I asked my "client" what kind of look she was looking for... she said everyday but with a splash of color. So I strobe cream'd her, prep and primed her, and mineralize satinfinished her =P Harmony for a contour, Dame for a blush and we're onto the eyes. We used Honesty, Shroom, and Patina with a "color pop" of Freshwater on the bottom...(thank you leesha for being such an inspiration!!!!!!!!) Teddy kohl for the liner, X for the mascara...charcoal brown (lightly) for brows...Rosebound l/l, Syrup l/s, and Nymphette l/g and we're good to go! THEY LOVED IT! (one staff member who I get along with pretty well tried to "intimidate me" as a joke...hover...keep checking in...but it didn't work...muahahah!)

The CM looked at me and said "ok, VAMP it up like I know you can!"...alright...an inner corner of Fade, a wash of Tilt...Flashtrack on the crease blended up, Black Tied in the outer >...Top it off with some more shroom to blend out the lines (which my blending is "impeccable" according to the CM), a nude l/l (by now I've forgotten what I used...), High Tea l/s and Instant Gold lustreglass...

the CM came over, checked my work, didn't critique it at ALL (which I thought was weird...I was looking for some CC!) but anyways, told me she'd talked about me to her RM and the RT earlier, and she'd call me the first of the week to fill out my paperwork

I was pretty surprised that they just let me at it...I had a whole set of brushes to use, no time limit (but I aimed for under 1/2 hour, and then 10 minutes to transform...and I kept it within that!), and she didn't even go through the sanitizing stuff with me..."because you already know how to do it" Haha. Theater background definately helps. Anyways, it was SUCH a great experience!!

So I'm a FL/OC for our counter now

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this whole thread is great! i just got a call back to do the demo and i can't wait!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

OK deep breath here goes...

My demo was on wednesday and I got the position and had so much fun so I'll get as much in here as I can!!

I arrived early, full faced with lashes on and my bare faced model... The trainer who would be holding my interview introduced herself and also all the girls on the counter which I thought was quite nice so I felt at ease right away. She asked one of the girls to show me around the counter and all the products (at this point I went with her even though I knew all the products, I asked her a bit about what foundation would be best as my model suffers from excema and she recommended the most suitable one which i really appreciated)

back at the area I was going to be working at the trainer asked if I had my portfolio with me and I didnt!!!! But she said it was ok and that she had heard good things about it from my first interview so not worry (wish I had took it again though!)... She then said she would grab me some brushes but I told her I had all my own cleaned and ready, she said I could use them as long as they were MAC and when she looked she said 'wow good collection!'

She said I had 30 minutes to do a daytime to nightime look, and that she wouldnt be constantly there but to give her a shout when I had finished daytime before I started nightime. She gave me 5 minutes to get everything together that I needed but told me not to worry if I forgot anything. I made sure I asked her about sanitising the products and she seemed very impressed, she said most people dont even think about that in the interview, it can be taught later... I was pretty pleased I knew already, I kept my station immaculate all the way through, threw all rubbish away immediately and placed everything in perfect order on tissues on the counter in front of my model.

So I got started (if anyone wants me to go into major detail about every product used then just ask and I will... I made up my model for daytime using 25 minutes (I had a plan here) the trainer said it was gorgeous and loved the colours but did I realise I only had 5 minutes left??!! I told her what I wanted to do was show my customer that a nighttime look can be achieved quickly (for example for drinks after work) with just a few products in a few minutes... I used my 5 minutes to maximum effect, did dark cats eyes and really made an impact with a few products, she looked great! I had spoke to my model like a customer all the way through, naming products, brushes, placement, effect etc

The trainer came over and said she loved it, to which I said 'actually theres one thing Im not happy with' (I wanted the eyes to be darker in the corners like jet black) so she gave me a minute to do whatever it took to make it perfect, when I had done it she said 'now THATS perfect!' She asked me to explain why i had used what i had so i literally named every product and explained how it had contibuted to my final look so she knew there was a thought behind my work...

She only gave me praise really, she said I had picked the prefect foundation colour, she loved the shapes I had made on the eyes, had good blending etc...

Afterwards, she asked me model to have a wander around and I had a seperate interview with her, it lasted about twenty minutes where she asked me what i liked about mac, what would i bring to their team, what do i expect a day to be like on counter, what i knew about colour correction - quite a varied few actually!

I offered to put my products away and she told me not to worry and that I should hear back within 7-10 days... I walked out of the store, round the corner and she rang and offered me the job straight away!!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Good on ya girl!! You'll have a ball!!
xxxxxx

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

thank you to all your ladies for your storiesss!!! you guys are soo inspiring.. lol.. makes me wanna start practicing on my three brothers right now!

re: MAC Demo Interviews - descriptions & questions

Thank you so much for this useful post as every bit of info helps for doing the best!!