How to get a job on a make up counter in the UK

If I got one, so can you!!

(With help from a lovely lady in our H.R department)

1. Research, reasearch. research!

Look into the brand/ brands your applying for. Think which company would suit you best. 

For instance here in the UK MAC likes to take people with make-up artistry/counter experience. So if you're a noob like me, that's probably not the best place to start.

Clinque, Bobbi Brown, Lancome,Estee Lauder, Chanel, YSL and Dior and many others like a strong retail background, so if you have some retail or beauty experience make sure to ham these up in your C.V.

Benefit and Smashbox seem to look for young vibrant personalities so if you're a tad younger/ school leaving age this may fit you more than say Creme de la Mer.

Any jobs where you demonstrated products or fragrance on customers is well received. If you did make sure to really describe these well in your C.V and application.

I applied for Bumble and Bumble before securing a place at my counter and didn't get it as I had no hairdressing experience.. Make sure to fully ask what experience they expect from you. I had 4 interviews before they told me they wanted a hairdressing NVQ!

Don't waste your time on brands that want certain experience or qualifications if you have none, there are plenty out there that will happily train you!!

Type make up brands into google for some inspiration, there are hundreds out there, don't only go for the big giant companies, spread your net far and wide.

Pick some brands you believe will fit you and that you can sell with integrity. By that I mean.. I hate benefit make-up, I know some people love it, but it does nothing for me. Therefore I wouldn't be comfortable selling their products.

 Think about any high end or counter brands you tried and liked or used regularly, maybe start with them.

Remember you will be expected to wear this stuff day in day out too- pick wisely!

Head on to the company website, click careers and there you go!

2. Online Application

Make sure to read into the company's history fully, grab a few quotes and the company's ethos- make sure to slip these into your application somewhere!!

It shows you have researched the company well and agree with their ethos. 

For example:

Clinique- Clinique, founded in 1968, is the first dermatologist-created, prestige cosmetics brand. Its customized approach and innovative products have made it one of the world’s leading skin care authorities. Sold in 130 countries and territories, its mission is to provide the highest quality, most effective products to enhance every skin type and concern.

So maybe you'd say "I admire Clinique's customised approach to skincare and as a representative of the company I'd hope to provide great advice to enable my customer to help enhance enhance her skin type and address any concerns" 

Blah blah blah you get the gist. Basically make their mission statement fit you.

Do that and your application will stand out a mile.

It only takes a quick google search and is well worth it.

With some companies they will have a little quiz thrown in the application, so they will ask you for example "how would you identify a customer's skincare needs?"

Sounded crazy to me, considering I had never worked on a counter, but as you start working this will become second knowledge. 

Thankfully google is my friend!

I responded to this with: "I would ask her what her main concern was. (line/wrinkes) Whether her skin felt tight after washing. (dryness) Or oily in certain areas (oily/combination).

In hindsight I see there are far better replies, but if you come across any trick questions like those head to google rather than try to wing it.

Make sure you C.V is up to date and has any relevant sales, retail, customer service, make-up or beauty related jobs described well.

3.  Apply at a counter

This isn't done much anymore, but if you do find a company that does it the old fashioned way here are some top tips. 

We have thrown many many C.Vs in the bin, our company uses mainly online applications, but we didn't even give these girls the website address.

The one who showed up in a tracksuit with no make-up on?! The one who was really really rude to me! The only that looked really p***ed off. The one that tried on all our testers with her friends, messed up the counter then asked for a job. The one that spilt a mcflurry over the counter. The one that had on really badly applied orange cakey make up.

*Show up in nice smart clothes

*Actually be wearing make up when you go to enquire

*Make sure your make up is nicely applied that day

*Be nice and friendly

*Show a genuine interest in the products

*Don't be rude and dismissive to the sales staff but DO ask for the counter manager

*Smile and show you're the kind of person they'd like to work with!!

*Treat the counter with respect, try not to mess it up- It might be your job to clean it up one day!

* Don't for the love of god go in eating mcdonalds.

4. The telephone interview

It seems most companies do this now. I find these really really hard, it's hard to gauge someone's reaction over the phone.

If you have got this far really put the work in now, get onto google, wikipedia, the company's webiste. 

Really cram about the product line and the brand, whether they own any other companies etc.

Our HR lady tell us this is the hurdle where most people fall. And she says it's down to research!

Not to sound to geeky here, but before my interview I knew my C.V was weak. So I studied the brand like it was my GCSE's all over again.

I made notes, highlighted, went to a few counters and tried some of the products and listened to the sales pitch (top tip).

I also went onto a site called glassdoor.com they have many of the questions from previous phone interviews on there.

Write your answers down and learn them!

Some top things to bring into your phone interview- your favourite product (by the brand), why you love make-up/beauty/skincare, your experience at the company's counter, the fact you want to stay with this company and "grow" your career. Where you would like to be in 5 years time? Area manager (of course!)

The fact you are "target driven" and love to make sales without being overly pushy. That you believe in giving great customer care, as you like to be treated well when you shop. 

If it is a luxury/high end brand focus some of your patter on giving a great experience to the customer.

Make sure to find a quiet place to answer the call and select a slot where you will have up to an hour free- mine lasted 45mins! 

You may also be held in a queue so make sure to ring 5-10 minutes before.

Smile as you talk, this works! It instantly makes you sound much more likeable!

Watch your accent.. Now regional accents are lovely- I mean no slang don't say things like "innit" and try to cut out any "erms and ahs", this lady can't see you so will be judging you by your voice and words alone.

Be friendly and polite! Try to build a rapport with your interviewer! She's human too! 

Don't overly friendly, a male friend of mine had a phone interview for MAC and told the lady she had a beautiful voice. He never got the job. Don't be a creeper like him.

And relax! Don't be too nervous, have your notes in-front of you, don't read them script-style just refer to "buzz" words and key phrases.

Good luck future counter girl!!

Next time- the face to face interview!

C.G x