Working for Sephora

[sophistichic]

Re: Just turned in an application to Sephora

Well I would not call on Sunday, just because it's Veterans Day/Remembrance Day... I don't work at Sephora but I work at a Clinique counter. I started out at 15 bucks/hour and basically they want their employees to look "fresh" and professional so they didn't want anyone to have A LOT of makeup on. I hope I helped... somehow.

 

[xcutiepie331x]

questions about sephora

Hey everyone. I was thinking about applying at sephora. For those of you who work there, how is it? Do you enjoy working there? I was also wondering how much is the average starting wage there? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!

 

[meowgoezdacow]

Re: questions about sephora

to add to the questions lol: are their hours really flexible?? like if i wanted to work 5-cl on weekdays, is that possible? is the job tedious or more fun?

 

[MissVanessa]

Re: questions about sephora

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcutiepie331x Hey everyone. I was thinking about applying at sephora. For those of you who work there, how is it? Do you enjoy working there? I was also wondering how much is the average starting wage there? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!

Let's just say that I got hired and only made it a month. I was ABSOLUTELY miserable. But then again I was working in th SoHo store in New York City. The starting range out here has to do with how much experience you have and what position you're hired for. It ranges from $10-$15 an hour. I got hired as an artist but was really unhappy with the way they run things there. I'm a trained arist, but they pretty much just threw me out on the floor and expected me to know everything about the brands there. I wasn't really trained on anything and they didn't really make an effort to make sure I knew what was going on. It was really uncomfortable to have someone approach me and not have any idea about the brands. I know it all takes time...but still. On the positive side, they give great gratis, and I got to work with some great people. A lot of them had been there for years so there had to be something there that I wasn't seeeing just yet. Hope that helps a little.

 

[MissVanessa]

Re: questions about sephora

Quote:

Originally Posted by meowgoezdacow to add to the questions lol: are their hours really flexible?? like if i wanted to work 5-cl on weekdays, is that possible? is the job tedious or more fun?

I think it depends on your store specifically- how many employees they have and how much coverage they need. I worked at the one in SoHo in NYC and they pretty much had me working 8-9 hour days and 40 hours a week. EVERYONE had a shift that long, and they really weren't flexible in the slightest bit. I think if they had more employees they would be able to give shorter shifts and split the hours more evenly. It just depends on your store.

 

[MissVanessa]

Re: Just turned in an application to Sephora

Dress code= Black shoes, black slacks and they'll give you a jacket if you're permanent, or a shirt if you're there for the holidays. Not really too much freedom there. As far as makeup you have to wear a minumum of lipgloss/lipstick, mascara, and a complexion product. (tinted moisturizer, foundation, powder) Otherwise, you can wear whatever make up you want.

 

[DiorBabe32]

First time working in Cosmetics

Hey everyone. I'm new to this Site and I found it looking around for help with an interview (group) that i've got with Sephora tomorrow.

I've never worked retail before, i'll flat out say that now (unless a safeway counts lol). I think its something I could be really good at, and everyone has to start somewhere right?

I currently work full time/salary, and I need this as a second job to pay off a huge mechanic bill. I figured that I would excel in Cosmetics retail because I know the products like the back of my hand, I’ve actually spent probably close to $1000 at Sephora since July this year. I’m also really good at working with people, as I do a lot of PR where I work right now.

Anyways, I dropped off my resume on Wednesday and I talked briefly with a manager who asked me to come in for a group interview this Friday (tomorrow) in the evening. I’ve never been for a group interview, and since I’ve also never worked in Cosmetics, I was hoping you guys would have some good advice for me! I’ve already read a few things, such as wearing black (coincidentally I was wearing mostly black when I talked to the manager), wearing earth tones or doing make up well (I wear brighter colors than earth tones really…maybe I’ll go with ‘Designer’ by Lancome and a simple Lip Fusion clear gloss for my interview), and appearing very personable in the group interview.

But can you tell me, what would make me stand out from others in the interviewing process? How MUCH will they expect me to know about the products?

So it’s a bit of a desperate plea for help, but I want this job pretty badly! I figure if Ive got to work a 2nd job during the holiday season, it may as well be somewhere that I’ll completely enjoy working!

Thanks,

 

[j babyy]

Re: Just turned in an application to Sephora

i got offered a job there and they offered to pay me $10 and i said no thank you... i live in california as well

 

[Macnarsandlove]

Re: First time working in Cosmetics

bump i have the same exact situation coming up. group interview at sephora, lots of retail experience, none in mu. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[xcutiepie331x]

I just turned in my application to sephora and i was wondering how the interview process goes. What specific questions do they ask? Do you have to do a demo? and for those of you who work there or have worked there, is it fun and enjoyable or more of a tedious job? Also, how flexible are they with hours. I am a full time college student and I am only available for six hour shifts like around 2-7 or 8. Would they be okay with that? Also, around how much is the starting pay (you dont have to answer this) Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[karholla]

i just had a interview at sephora for a key holder/color lead manager. was wondering if anyone knows what the wage is like there.

 

[SunshineOne]

Bumping.....

 

[mebabygirl86]

Re: questions about sephora

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissVanessa Let's just say that I got hired and only made it a month. I was ABSOLUTELY miserable. But then again I was working in th SoHo store in New York City. The starting range out here has to do with how much experience you have and what position you're hired for. It ranges from $10-$15 an hour. I got hired as an artist but was really unhappy with the way they run things there. I'm a trained arist, but they pretty much just threw me out on the floor and expected me to know everything about the brands there. I wasn't really trained on anything and they didn't really make an effort to make sure I knew what was going on. It was really uncomfortable to have someone approach me and not have any idea about the brands. I know it all takes time...but still. On the positive side, they give great gratis, and I got to work with some great people. A lot of them had been there for years so there had to be something there that I wasn't seeeing just yet. Hope that helps a little.

OMG,thats the one that im interviewing for next week tuesday,u got me scared gurl.I have a group interview as well,i hope everything goes smoothly though

 

[Pink_Ruve]

Ahhh this thread is so helpful!!! I applied at sephora early on this month. I still haven't heard back from them yet. Ive been calling them to find out the status of my application, when I called on wednesday they told me that the manager would be going over the applications that night. I called back thursday and she still had not gone over them. Friday I called and they had no clue. And when I called today they just took down my name and number and said they would get back to me but its almost closing time and i still havent heard anything. Ahhh im so stressed about this! I really want to work there, because I'm looking to become a makeup artist, but I dont feel as though I am prepared to work at MAC yet. Did sephora take a long time to get back to the people on here that applied?? I have retail experience and experience with working as well.

 

[scorplove]

Re: Working for MAC/Sephora

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantAffordMAC Everytime I go into MAC or Sephora (lucky me, I have both in the same mall close-by..) I ask an artist what you have to do to get a job there. One MAC artist told me that you just have to do a full face of makeup. Another one (same store) said you have to have a lot of experience, do a full face, and no they werent hiring (which i didnt ask) At Sephora, a lady told me "You have to be an actual artist to work here" when I told her that I was a licensed cosmetologist she just shook her head and said "No you have to be like, an actual artist, with a big background" I'm just wondering what you really have to do to get a job at MAC and/or Sephora. I'm tired of going into MAC and asking them because so many of them are rude to me.... In addition to this, I'm wondering about the MAC Pro thing. I heard a lot about this, but I'm still not sure what you need. Like I said, I'm a beginning cosmetologist with ZERO makeup training.

I know this is an old post, but Sephora is LYING to you. Those girls/women are NOT experienced worldly makeup artists. Some may have a makeup background, but not all of them.

MAC is a different story. They want you to have some training and experience, but they're not fanatical about it. A couple of friends told me that as long as you can replicate the looks they want you to do, you'll be fine. Just pay attention to sanitation procedures and don't rush.

I've tried twice to get work at two different Sephora stores by me and was turned down. It was a group interview (3 of us) at one store and the manager asked us all types of questions which I believed I answered pretty well. Didn't get the job. The other Sephora was the year before for the Christmas holidays, but they didn't hire me either. I could only work certain hours and I didn't have a retail background. I do now, so maybe things will be different. I also plan on asking for $15 an hour. I don't know if they'll pay it, because I can't get a grip on how much these stores pay. I just know that I will NOT be underbidding myself just in case.

 

[Pink_Ruve]

So I called Sephora back again, and I was transferred to some rude woman. She pretty much said that Its a sephora policy that once you submit your application your not allowed to call. I'm sorry but I have never heard such a rule.......

 

[mae13]

A lot of stores have a 'don't call us, we'll call you' policy when it comes to interviews, especially if they get a large volume of applications.

 

[darkwater_soul]

BUMP.

Answering some questions I have seen around this thread -

1.) If you are a student YOU WILL NOT BE HIRED, unless you are a beauty school/ esthetician/ hair school student. period. I've only seen one person kept on after holidays who was student, and that's because our entire STORE petitioned our Director and DM to keep her!!

2.) Pay rates usually start at around 9 -11, depending on the area and what you are being hired for. Also depends on experience, although none is needed. The only salaried positions at the store level is Specialist (asst. manager) or Store Director.

3.) Sephora is an amazing place to work, with great medical and health benefits, 401k matching plan, GRATIS (!!!!) out the wazoo, amazing trainings, and the possibility of travel and promotion within the company. Don't get me wrong - it's hard at times. There are hard and fast rules to abide by, dress code standards, a different language to speak with, and a different culture. But it is worth it.

4.) Depending on your location and what you are hiring for, they can be flexible. Don't count on too many 10 hour a week MA spots though... they'd rather hire 1 really good sales/MUA for 40 hours than 3 or 4 parttimers... odd I know, but they aren't big on parttimers it seems. We only have 2 or 3 at my store for 9 months of the year.

5.) As with any place of work, if they don't call you for an interview within 3 days of turning in your app, call and ask to speak with a manager. If they still don't call back after that, don't pester. It won't get you the job. Sephora, I also have noticed, is like the cool kid's club - if people like you, they'll hire you. Go to that Sephora a few times a week for a couple of weeks all dolled up, and make friendly with the cast (other workers there). They'll get to like you, and casually mention that you might want to work there. They'll basically get you the job. Same thing goes if you go in and not talk to anyone, or be a bitch or snooty. Those same cast members WILL go to the management, and let them know who says what. And that WILL keep you from getting hired, unfortunately.

HTH.

 

[xxManBeaterxx]

I dont think the non beauty school students apply to all stores? My friend is studying busniess in college and she works for sephora.

The sephora at my store has a lot of middle aged women, i think the store here is pretty laid back, half the people who work in there have white hair and horrible makeup lol.

 

[astronaut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pale blue I worked at Sephora for awhile as an MA awhile back, but I never had a group interview...I just interviewed with the Asst. Manager and the Store Manager...but they also called them Asst. Director and Director, and the store was "the stage". It was sort of odd. This was also when you HAD to wear a bright red lipstick to work everyday, and you had to wear one black glove. The Michael Jackson glove jokes were plentiful lol... Of course it's not like that now. Good luck with the interview jeanna, I'm sure you'll do great

That sounds fierce lol