Working for Sephora - Page 14

I haven't worked for Sephora, but a couple of my friends have. One worked inside JCPenney and one worked at a free standing store. When you work at the ones inside JCPenney, you work for JCPenney, not Sephora. One thing both of them told me is that pay is based on experience, so you can really negotiate salary there if you are experienced in cosmetics. I have always heard wonderful things through the years from people that have worked for JCPenney. And now, they have a new-ish CEO that is really revamping the stores and making them better. The only downside I could see is when they have extended hours during the holidays. JCPenney is open until midnight a lot during the Christmas season. Other than that, I don't know of any other negatives.

 

And yes, I think you should give her a phone call. :) Good luck!

Forgot to add - my friend that worked at Sephora inside JCPenney made $17 an hour to start. He also got quarterly bonuses for making sales goals, etc. He, at that time had about 20+ years experience in the cosmetics industry and had worked for Estee Lauder, Lancome, YSL, La Mer, Trish McEvoy at major dept stores Saks, Nordstrom and Younkers. Sephora/JCPenney brought him in as a senior product consultant.

 

My other friend had no cosmetics experience before landing her job at the freestanding Sephora. Just retail experience, not sure how many years of retail, but probably not tons as she was only 20 when she got the job there. She made $9 an hour to start as well as quarterly bonuses for meeting and exceeding sales goals.

 

 

 

 

Hope that helps a bit and again, good luck!

Thank you so much! I didn't have time to call them today. I will tomorrow when I go on break at work. I just hate feeling like a bother, but I really want this. lol.

Just joined to thank everyone that has contributed their experiences in this thread so far! I interviewed for a position with a new Sephora inside JCPenney that is opening by my house. The position was a full time spot, Senior Education Consultant, and I felt well-qualified, but I think I was too nervous in my interview because I wanted the job so much. :( I didn't get it, but it wasn't a total rejection- I was offered a part time sales consultant position, which I had to turn down because I need a full time cash flow right now. Tomorrow morning I'm interviewing for a full time Beauty Advisor spot at a local Macy's, so I've appreciated the insights in those threads on here, too. Best of luck to everyone in your interviews and endeavors... if I can leave you with any advice, it is to be passionate, be ready to give specific examples of your awesomeness from your previous jobs, and really emphasize your ability to close sales. 

Hey people I am a Color Lead for Sephora, if you have any questions please feel free to message me!

Its an hourly position ...

Recently got hired for Overnight Recovery position, and I have managed to not ask about pay and I start work in two days.
 If the pay is low, I plan to ditch it. 

Anybody here once worked overnight recovery? or know somebody that does/has? What is the pay like?

It's graveyard shift doing all the dirty work, I expect the pay to be decent relative to an areas minimum wage.

I know this is an old thread, but I have an interview tommorrow with Sephora, and I am in Canada too.  I have some questions about how things are done, like is training done while the store is open?, or is it done before the store opens? I have never seen anyone train staff at our Sephora, and I shop there all the time.

I had my interview, and it was just by myself.  I was told that there is two parts- and that I would have to do another interview- this time doing a makeover, since I was interested in color.  This was Fri, and she said I would get a call on Mon to set up a time.  Well, Mon has come and gone, and no phone call.  Hope that is not a bad sign  I'm kinda getting nervous now.  I did feel good about the interview. I am a little older, so that kinda shakes my confidence a bit. 
 

 

You should call them! Maybe they forgot or have been busy. Don't let your opportunity slip away by waiting for them to call.

Thanks! I did call them today, and they HAVE been busy.  I was going crazy-totally stressed out, and I just couldn't wait anymore.  They said they would call me tomorrow since today was the supervisors day off.  They told me that it was good that I called.  So I guess it was OK, I just didn't want to sound too desperate.  I still have to have my second interview- probably will be on Thurs.  So crazy what we have to go through to get this job!!  Since they want me to do a makeover on one of their staff, any suggestions on what I should do?, and what to wear to the second interview would be helpful as well  Thanks in advance!!!

In case you didn't have your interview yet: 

 

Go with a look you can do very well. Know that the focus at Sephora inside JCPenney is COLOR. :-)  If you want to be safe, go with a green or plum smokey eye...not grey or brown. You can also take hints from their Look Book or any of the pictures you see in the store. At Sephora inside JCPenney we do 'Express Services,' not makeovers. They likely aren't going to expect you to do a full on makeover as that isn't what we do in stores.  It's not like a position at MAC. They will probably ask you to color match foundation and perhaps do a cheek/lip service or an eye service. Practice and consider your looks beforehand. Take time to choose your products...and make sure you're practicing good hygiene. Ask them where their tools, sanitizer, etc are beforehand...and organize them so you're not scattering about. :)  

 

P.S. it took nearly 2 full months and 5 interviews for me to get hired as a Beauty Leader. It was a long process but very much worth it...and I appreciated the process. :) 

Also, those concerned about their look when applying to Sephora inside JCPenney shouldn't be. Our dress code is simple...we are given costumes. If you are interviewing, wear all black...slacks and a nice shirt/blouse is fine. Hair can be any color, any style. Makeup can be as far out as can be...or toned down....although wearing color (as opposed to neutrals) is better. You have to wear at least 2 eye shadow colors. You may have tattoos and facial/body piercings. If you have any tattoos that could be deemed offensive, cover them. If you have  gauges, just wear the jewelry that fills the holes in. If you wear jewelry, make sure it is very toned down and understated. Small loops or studs is best. The focus is on the face and nails...not on wearing trendy clothes or jewelry. Don't be afraid to be yourself just because it's Sephora inside JCPenney. We are not hired  by JCPenney...we are hired by Sephora. We follow Sephora's dress code, rules, etc :) 

Hi all- thinking about applying at a sephora.. Just relocated to a new area,, was previously working at mac. Only thing is I have a surface piercing on my wrist.. Would this be a problem?

Thanks for the great advice!  I did have my second interview- and  I had to do an eye look on one of the other girls that work there! Talk about nerve wracking!   I think it went well, and the manager watched as I did it.  She then told me that they liked me, and that I should hear back from them either that night, or the next day.  She said she didn't have the authority to hire me, as she was the assistant(don't remember what her position was called)  She also said that I was probably going to get it.  Two days later, I still have not heard back from them.  What do I do now?  It is a long weekend here in Canada, so maybe there is a delay because of that.  I am not good at waiting, I have never had to wait this long before to find out if I have a job or not...  I think if they don't call soon I will have to call them- just to keep my sanity!!  Oh by the way, I don't work at a JCPenney Sephora.  However, it is a very small store, and in a mall.
 

It's the weekend, I wouldn't expect to hear anything until the weekend is over. Busiest time in retail and all that. If you haven't heard anything by Monday afternoon, I'd call. Good luck!

Hi again!  I did call on Monday, and they said that because of the long weekend, they were still trying to get in contact with my references.  I can't do any more about it, so now I just wait and see.  I will keep you updated!
 

Hello,

 

So, I totally applied to Sephora about a month ago. I am a college graduate, I have 10 years experience in Retail and I am pursuing a career in the beauty and cosmetic industry. In years to come I really want to run my own business. I wrote an excellent cover letter and got a call back in 5 days for a group interview. I totally was shocked when it was only 3 of us interviewing. The other two girls had worked for Ulta and were very barbie like. One girl even told the Store Director that she gave away free things at her current job, which was very shocking for me. Being in retail unless approved by management you should never ever give away anything for free...anyway. So the interview went well and 4 days later I received a call back for a second interview. The interview consisted of me sitting in the office with the Store Director. My interview was an hour long. Meanwhile all my references have been called, I am pretty sure they did a background check and everything. Unfortunately though I don't think I got the job. I had the interview a week from today and training starts Tuesday, July 10th. It is a location that is relocating to where I live, and I would of thought since I have a current job they would have called me by now. She told me she would make her final decisions either by last Friday or over the weekend and I could expect a call next week....which is now this week. I called yesterday, but no one in the store answered. I am assuming it was closed. Today is the 4th of July and I am assuming that they are closed today. I left a message on the Store Director line telling her how much I enjoyed our interview and I hope to hear from her soon. What do you guys think? Do you think I have a shot. I know they asked all my references questions about Management? So...hmm.. I am wondering, Praying hoping....please let me know what you guys think.

 

Thanks.

Well, I totally know how you are feeling!  I had my last interview a week ago today as well, so I am not as sure as I was last week.  They did call yesterday, to tell me that they were having problems reaching my references, and could I give them some new ones.  So I did, and now I wait. Nothing more we can do- I have a job that I like right now as well, but I am just not getting enough hours to make it worth my while.  So If I don't get it, I still have this job(which is in a local drugstore in the cosmetics dept)  Hope it all works out for you, and me!
 

Well all of my waiting was worth it! I just got hired yesterday! Its part-time for now, but she said that I have the potential to move up soon! I am soooo super excited. And this is a brand new store that is moving to a new location! YAY! I am so happy!  

 

Just keep on trucking! You will get the job! Good luck to you! 

 

 

 

!!!!!   I haven't heard from them yet...but I am excited for you!  Let us know how you like it, and what its like!
 

So after almost 4 weeks of wondering, and waiting, Sephora called today, and offered me a job!!I was hoping to be hired for color, but she said I would be skincare to start, and would be doing both.  I sure hope so, because I have read that they don't switch it up very often.  I can do it, because I have had experience in my previous jobs with skincare, its just not my passion.  But I am very relieved, and excited, and ready to go!  She wants me to start training next week- wish me luck, and if you have any advice to give me as I start this new job, I would love to hear it!!!
 

ACTUALLY, not true. Employees in Sephora in JCP are the same as employees in Sephora independent. It's just more like a shoppe than a store. Definitely not a lower quality employee, same benefits, etc. So please be nice not elitist. Thanks! :)

Thanks for clarifying that Sephora inside JCPenney are Sephora employees.....though I am confused by that since you apply for those positions through JCPenney.

 

Also, not sure who you are addressing as being elitist? 

I was wondering if anyone knew where to find a list of positions and descriptions for freestanding Sephoras? I know the store director, color lead, skincare lead, ect but was also wondering if anyone knew about the opportunities in education jobs as well or brand representatives (even though I know they are not hired through sephora). Thanks!!

Hi everyone!

 

I'm a former MAC makeup artist thinking about applying to Sephora.  I had a questions though.  Did you guys see job postings for positions at your local Sephora, or did you just walk in there and hand in your resume?  

 

Thanks everyone!

I just walked in, and handed in my resume.  They then wanted me to fill out an application, and that was it.
 

Hi can you provide an any information on these two positions in a new Sephora at JCP .  Which position is higher up? Any ideas on pay? Any information on either of these positions would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

1. Sephora Senior Education Consultant and

2. Service Lead Expert Job  

I am currently an SEC and I love my job :)  A service lead expert is not part of SiJCP though.  In SiJCP they have 3-4 full time positions depending on the store.  The Beauty Leader, The Senior Education Consultant (some stores have 2) and the Operations Consultant.  They also have part-time Product Consultants (depends on the store for how many, usually 4-5).  The SEC works under the Beauty Leader to help coach, educate, and lead the team.  You have to be the example in the store of excellent client service and educate the team on agendas the company gives you as well as any other product knowledge/techniques they need.  It's also important to be organized and on top of required training and analyzing sales.  The pay honestly depends on location, store, experience, ect but you do get monthly bonuses depending on % of sales goals and you get gratis monthly.  You do have to be available to work some nights and pretty much every weekend, but it's worth it :)  Let me know if you'd like to know anything else!

Thanks so much for answering! They are advertising for both positions. I wasn't sure which one to apply for. I have 12 years retail experience. The last several years were in management, but haven't worked in retail since 1997. Since then I have 7 years management experience. I took the last two years off and I'm looking for something fun where I don't have to work 60 hours. I know the pay will be much lower, but I'm ok with that.