Interview at Nordstrom-What is it like? What to know?...

I have an interview at Nordstrom and the person told me to just bring a resume with me, and didn't mention anything about a makeup demo. So I was wondering what I should know before the interview-what will they ask? Is it different questions than what's listed in the "what happens in a mac counter interview" And does Nordstrom typically have the interviewee do a makeup demo and would it be on the same day as the interview or a different day? Also, while it varies on location, about how much does MAC at Nordstrom pay for a part-time position and how much discount do you get?

*edit* Also, do you have to bring your own brushes to the makeup demo, and if so, what do you do if you don't have all mac brushes, i mean, i know which mac brushes are for what and how to use them, but I don't own them all.
 

giz2000

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by lipstickguru
I have an interview at Nordstrom and the person told me to just bring a resume with me, and didn't mention anything about a makeup demo. So I was wondering what I should know before the interview-what will they ask? Is it different questions than what's listed in the "what happens in a mac counter interview" And does Nordstrom typically have the interviewee do a makeup demo and would it be on the same day as the interview or a different day? Also, while it varies on location, about how much does MAC at Nordstrom pay for a part-time position and how much discount do you get?

*edit* Also, do you have to bring your own brushes to the makeup demo, and if so, what do you do if you don't have all mac brushes, i mean, i know which mac brushes are for what and how to use them, but I don't own them all.


I first started with MAC at Nordies...I interviewed, no makeup demo required. You are a Nordstrom employee, and get paid by Nordstrom (hourly plus commission and that varies w/your experience - the commission is 3%, and you can cross-sell from every line and department in the store). You do go to all MAC trainings (basic, update, etc) and get the 60% discount, just like a regular MAC employee. The main difference between Nordies MAC and "MAC" MAC is the dress code. It is WAY more conservative than MAC...no sleeveless, not too much cleavage (if any), no short skirts, etc. You have to uphold the Nordstrom image...which means that you can let loose with your makeup skills!

Hope this helps...if you have any other questions, let me know!
 

giz2000

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by lipstickguru
I have an interview at Nordstrom and the person told me to just bring a resume with me, and didn't mention anything about a makeup demo. So I was wondering what I should know before the interview-what will they ask? Is it different questions than what's listed in the "what happens in a mac counter interview" And does Nordstrom typically have the interviewee do a makeup demo and would it be on the same day as the interview or a different day? Also, while it varies on location, about how much does MAC at Nordstrom pay for a part-time position and how much discount do you get?

*edit* Also, do you have to bring your own brushes to the makeup demo, and if so, what do you do if you don't have all mac brushes, i mean, i know which mac brushes are for what and how to use them, but I don't own them all.


I first started with MAC at Nordies...I interviewed, no makeup demo required. You are a Nordstrom employee, and get paid by Nordstrom (hourly plus commission and that varies w/your experience - the commission is 3%, and you can cross-sell from every line and department in the store). You do go to all MAC trainings (basic, update, etc) and get the 60% discount, just like a regular MAC employee. The main difference between Nordies MAC and "MAC" MAC is the dress code. It is WAY more conservative than MAC...no sleeveless, not too much cleavage (if any), no short skirts, etc. You have to uphold the Nordstrom image...which means that you can let loose with your makeup skills!

Hope this helps...if you have any other questions, let me know!
 
Thanks for the information!

At Nordstrom is there a sales goal you have to meet and is it on a weekly or monthly basis? Also, are these the kinds of questions you were asked, and are there any other questions that I should keep in mind?
What can you contribute to MAC? How will you meet our sales goals? How would your previous co-workers describe you? What do you know about MAC?
 

bebs

Well-known member
when your done with your interview can you tell us how it goes.. I was thinking of going for a job there too -need to get one- and also how do you tell them you want to work at mac and not somewhere else in the store?
 
yeah, I'll post about the interview. and as for telling them you want to work at mac, what I had to do was fill out an application and check off I was interested in sales, and then check off that I was interested in the cosmetic department, and then for mac, after filling out the application I went to the counter and told them I filled out an app. and I gave a resume to the mac counter manager, and then had to wait until a position opened up. If they don't have an opening when you apply, keep checking in every now and then with the manager to see if something opens up.
 

shabdebaz

Well-known member
Make sure you emphasize that you can perform good customer service skills: effective communication, being customer-focused, displaying product knowledge and a having a professional attitude. Know a little bit about the history of MAC and their philosophies, also mention B2M, Viva Glam products and MAC Aids Fund and Kids Helping Kids.
 

shabdebaz

Well-known member
You can point out that you already know a lot about MAC products, but you won't be expected to have extensive product knowledge before you start working there. Just point out that knowing the products well (or knowing where to look when you need to -- Product Knowledge Manual) is one of the keys to good customer service.
 

giz2000

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by lipstickguru
Thanks for the information!

At Nordstrom is there a sales goal you have to meet and is it on a weekly or monthly basis? Also, are these the kinds of questions you were asked, and are there any other questions that I should keep in mind?
What can you contribute to MAC? How will you meet our sales goals? How would your previous co-workers describe you? What do you know about MAC?


They did not mention anything about sales goals in the initial interview...they go over this during your new hire training. The sales goals, BTW, are daily, and they include AUS (average unit sale) and IPT (Items per transaction)...they really want to see at least 3 items per sale, and depending on the manager, they are very strict about it.

Nordstrom is famous for looking for "people skills," how friendly you are, etc. over actual retail skills or product knowledge. They believe that anyone can be trained to sell. Chances are, the interview will not have much to do with MAC...remember, you are interviewing for Nordstrom, not MAC per se...DEFINITELY mention your interest in MAC, and if they try to sell you on getting into another line, think about it twice...it's not easy to "jump ship" later...are you interviewing with the department manager or with the MAC counter manager??
 
^Thanks for the info!

My interview was supposed to be for MAC, but when I got there they had me meet with the dept. manager b/c the MAC position had just been filled, but there were other positions still open for other counters, so I'm waiting to hear back from them, and am looking at different MAC locations to see if any of them have any openings.


And, bebs asked about what the interview was like, and these are the questions I remember the person asking:

Tell me about yourself.
Asked me about my makeup experience listed on my resume.
Do you like to lead or be led? Why?
Give me an example of when you led.
What do you know about Nordstrom?
Why do you want to work at Nordstrom?
How would you motivate your co-workers?
How do you feel about working under pressure?
Give me an example of a time when you had to balance more than 3 things while working.
What does customer service mean to you?
What would you say to a customer who walks up to the counter?
What did you like about your last job?
What didn't you like about your last job?
What are your two favorite brands?
What would your last employer say about you?
 

LineausBH58

Well-known member
this is some great info i am thinking about applying at nord. for mac in the very near future ...like tomorrow... thanks everyone
 

giz2000

Well-known member
Remember, Nordstrom is HUGE on customer service...you can (and are supposed to) bend over backwards for your customers...99.9% of the time, the customer gets what he or she wants...if you emphasize this willingness, they'll love you!
 

eponine

Well-known member
just in cause you don't know, if you end up getting hired on at nordstrom for another line, you have to stay with that line for a full year before you could transfer to mac.
 
I first started with MAC at Nordies...I interviewed, no makeup demo required. You are a Nordstrom employee, and get paid by Nordstrom (hourly plus commission and that varies w/your experience - the commission is 3%, and you can cross-sell from every line and department in the store). You do go to all MAC trainings (basic, update, etc) and get the 60% discount, just like a regular MAC employee. The main difference between Nordies MAC and "MAC" MAC is the dress code. It is WAY more conservative than MAC...no sleeveless, not too much cleavage (if any), no short skirts, etc. You have to uphold the Nordstrom image...which means that you can let loose with your makeup skills! Hope this helps...if you have any other questions, let me know!
Omg thank you so much for this info. I have an interview for Mac at Nordstrom and I wanted to know about the discount, some differences, and the pay. This helped. Thank you!
 

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