Working for Sephora
- Thread starter jeanna
- Start date
kiss montaque
Member
I would call tmw and ask to speak to a manager and tell them you filled out the application. I also would ask if it is OK to bring in your resume. Give your name so when they go through the applications your name will be somewhat familiar. Hope this helps
Thanks!
Cetlaly Hannaly
New member
what did they ask on the interview, i have no experience and i want this job 
dmimima
New member
I recently got a job at Sephora! I'm so excited. Its only a seasonal cashier position, but I am really interested in staying permanently. I told them that in all two interviews, and so they are definitely aware that I am interested in working there permanently. My question is; how difficult is it to secure a permeant spot? I left a pretty secure job (Yes, I know it was risky, but I hated my job and was looking for something new anyway). I've read that it is easier to secure a spot once you're already hired, is that true? Any advice, besides obviously doing a good job and showing up lol, to secure my a spot? Also, tomorrow is my orientation. What should I expect and how long is it?
sammii_jynx
Member
Current cast member here! Hopefully I can provide some answers for everyone, either here or in a PM.
I've been with Sephora for about eight months now, and I actually opened a new store, so my experiences are a little atypical in regards to training.
First things first!
What are they looking for?
Retail experience! It doesn't need to be cosmetics retail, though that most definitely is a point in your favor. First and foremost. Sephora is a business, we want to know that you're capable of selling to clients and adding on. Barring retail experience, customer service and/or an emphasis on being a team player and a people person. Also, since the company is now moving towards online applications, please make sure that your email is appropriate. There's nothing more cringe worthy than reading some ridiculously inappropriate email address and its a surefire way for the hiring manager to reject you. Being a licensed cosmetologist or a licensed esthetician isn't a requirement, but it lends you some credibility. I personally work with about five girls who have licenses in various things. We want bubbly, personable, responsible, and drama free people.
How do you ace your interview?
For the love of god, please come dressed to impress. Hair done, makeup done, and looking good. Look put together. Nice slacks or a skirt, paired with a dressier shirt and nice shoes mean a lot. We've seen girls come in with sneakers and short shorts with last nights makeup still on to interview. Also, please be nice to the cast members in store. We do talk, and leadership does ask our opinions on candidates if we interact with them.
In my store, it's not uncommon for there to be two to three interviews. There will be an interview with either the Store Director (store manager) and/or the Specialist (assistant store manager). Sometimes they're group interviews, sometimes they're one on one. They will talk to you about Sephora, the brand, the core values, LVMH, etc. Then they will launch into the interview. They'll ask the typical "where do you see yourself in five-ten years?", "why Sephora?", "are there any restrictions on your time?" Then, they'll give you hypothetical questions, "what do you do if you saw or heard your coworker planning to call out sick in order to get out of work to do something?" (Correct answer is to tell a member of leadership, by the way.) or "what would you do if you saw a coworker steal?" (report it immediately).
Then comes the demo. If you're interviewing for a holiday position, its always a roleplay on what you would do with certain situations at the registers. If you're interviewing for a permanent position, its a tossup between registers or selling. Depends on who's doing the demo. There will be no makeup demos.
THEY DO CALL REFERENCES. PLEASE HAVE THREE OR MORE.
Preferably more than three, as then they'll have options in case someone doesn't pick up.
Final notes, from a cast member to you, please don't call the store over and over asking about where we are on hiring. Yes, it's wonderful that you're calling to check in/say thank you. But after two or three times, you're just annoying the cast and the hiring manager(s).
Best of luck!
I've been with Sephora for about eight months now, and I actually opened a new store, so my experiences are a little atypical in regards to training.
First things first!
What are they looking for?
Retail experience! It doesn't need to be cosmetics retail, though that most definitely is a point in your favor. First and foremost. Sephora is a business, we want to know that you're capable of selling to clients and adding on. Barring retail experience, customer service and/or an emphasis on being a team player and a people person. Also, since the company is now moving towards online applications, please make sure that your email is appropriate. There's nothing more cringe worthy than reading some ridiculously inappropriate email address and its a surefire way for the hiring manager to reject you. Being a licensed cosmetologist or a licensed esthetician isn't a requirement, but it lends you some credibility. I personally work with about five girls who have licenses in various things. We want bubbly, personable, responsible, and drama free people.
How do you ace your interview?
For the love of god, please come dressed to impress. Hair done, makeup done, and looking good. Look put together. Nice slacks or a skirt, paired with a dressier shirt and nice shoes mean a lot. We've seen girls come in with sneakers and short shorts with last nights makeup still on to interview. Also, please be nice to the cast members in store. We do talk, and leadership does ask our opinions on candidates if we interact with them.
In my store, it's not uncommon for there to be two to three interviews. There will be an interview with either the Store Director (store manager) and/or the Specialist (assistant store manager). Sometimes they're group interviews, sometimes they're one on one. They will talk to you about Sephora, the brand, the core values, LVMH, etc. Then they will launch into the interview. They'll ask the typical "where do you see yourself in five-ten years?", "why Sephora?", "are there any restrictions on your time?" Then, they'll give you hypothetical questions, "what do you do if you saw or heard your coworker planning to call out sick in order to get out of work to do something?" (Correct answer is to tell a member of leadership, by the way.) or "what would you do if you saw a coworker steal?" (report it immediately).
Then comes the demo. If you're interviewing for a holiday position, its always a roleplay on what you would do with certain situations at the registers. If you're interviewing for a permanent position, its a tossup between registers or selling. Depends on who's doing the demo. There will be no makeup demos.
THEY DO CALL REFERENCES. PLEASE HAVE THREE OR MORE.
Preferably more than three, as then they'll have options in case someone doesn't pick up.
Final notes, from a cast member to you, please don't call the store over and over asking about where we are on hiring. Yes, it's wonderful that you're calling to check in/say thank you. But after two or three times, you're just annoying the cast and the hiring manager(s).
Best of luck!
sammii_jynx
Member
As much as the company says otherwise, SiJCPs and freestanding Sephoras are really, really different. My discount (castmember at a freestanding Sephora location) is 40% for all Sephora brand items (cosmetics, skincare, and brushes too!), then there's 20% off all other items. On occasion, some brands will give us an extra 20% on top of our 20%, for example in March it was Kat Von D and Illamasqua. Or, like now for the holiday season, our discount got bumped to 30% on all brands. Sephora collection remained at 40%.
HTH
HTH
cocotears
Well-known member
That's a great discount! I knew they were super different, I just wanted to know how different. I had applied for some seasonal Sephora positions, but never got a call back. Depending on how life goes, I may try again for a non-seasonal position. Thanks for your help!
sammii_jynx
Member
No problem!
Just remain persistent. Be regular in the store, polite, friendly, etc. And get to know who the leadership team is. We're honestly more likely to hire someone we know than a random joe schmoe off the streets. :]
sugarrxbomb
Well-known member
I have a group interview on Tuesday! I'm nervous and excited!
MakeupBySharon
New member
Yes, i want to apply for Sephora but before i do i just wanted to know how your interview went, what did they ask you? and basically how did you get hired? and how much do they pay?
MakeupBySharon
New member
Yes, i want to apply for Sephora but before i do i just wanted to know how your interview went, what did they ask you? and basically how did you get hired? and how much do they pay?
NormaS30
Member
I just recently got hired for a seasonal position at Sephora as of yesterday! Here's my experience...
I applied on Sunday, and got a call a couple days later. I got called in to do a group interview with two other girls. The manager was super nice. She asked the basic questions, why Sephora? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How are you a team player? No questions about knowing brands at Sephora or anything related. I can tell at Sephora they are really looking to hire people with good customer skills and be very personable. After the interview I got called 4 days later and was offered a position. I am so excited and tomorrow is my first day. All together my hiring process took about a week to a week and half. Hope this helped anyone!
I applied on Sunday, and got a call a couple days later. I got called in to do a group interview with two other girls. The manager was super nice. She asked the basic questions, why Sephora? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How are you a team player? No questions about knowing brands at Sephora or anything related. I can tell at Sephora they are really looking to hire people with good customer skills and be very personable. After the interview I got called 4 days later and was offered a position. I am so excited and tomorrow is my first day. All together my hiring process took about a week to a week and half. Hope this helped anyone!
sugarrxbomb
Well-known member
Two questions. 1. Is it a good sign that they're checking my references? 2. If you are hired as seasonal, how many days do you typically work a week? I know it depends on the store and the current employee's schedules. I was told at my interview that there are 30 employees there.
MissTT
Well-known member
1. Reference checks are always a good thing! 2. Again, the needs vary at each store so no one can tell you. It just depends on store traffic. If it's dead you'll work less. If it's a busy locale you'll work more.I do have a question about working seasonal..I know I got hired to work during the holidays but Im curious, do you work both Christmas and NYEs or one or the other?
Thanks.
It depends on the staffing needs of the store. No one can really answer that for you. With you being there to essentially fill in it's plausible you'd be scheduled for both.
Quote: Originally Posted by sugarrxbomb
Two questions. 1. Is it a good sign that they're checking my references? 2. If you are hired as seasonal, how many days do you typically work a week? I know it depends on the store and the current employee's schedules. I was told at my interview that there are 30 employees there.
