Any advice about applying to MAC? I'm so nervous!

[dudeitsrenee]

Hi everyone!

I'm pretty new here, but I'm already an addict. Haha.

Anyway, I've always wanted to work at MAC, ever since I started wearing makeup. I wear almost nothing outside of MAC and am always in the store.

A few months ago, my cousin got married, and a MA from MAC did all of the makeup for the wedding. I was a bridesmaid, and she did my face first, and we talked about makeup like old friends. Then I sat behind her and carefully watched her do eleven other faces. When she was done, she told me how impressed she was with my knowledge of makeup and MAC history, and told me that I should come into the store to apply when I turned eighteen. Since then, I've purchased all of the products she used on me for the wedding from her in the store, and I see her frequently. She continuously reminds me to apply when I'm eighteen.

Well, I'm turning eighteen in four months, and now that it's closing in, I'm nervous! I felt so confident since I'm already close to a MA until I started to see how much goes into the application process. I'm excellent at applying makeup and I have a portfolio I made for fun with pictures of myself, friends, my mom, even guys. But I have no professional experience unless you count my friends giving me ten bucks to do their prom makeup.

I'm also still in high school.. After all, I'm only just turning eighteen.

I don't know what to expect at all and now I'm really starting to think I won't get the job. I know I shouldn't have that mentality, but I'm just so scared! I keep hearing that they want experience, they want flexible schedules, they want a demo. Ahh!!

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Does the fact that I have no actual training - or the fact that I'm still in high school - make me a definite no? Or should I apply anyway? I know what to wear to the interview and all that jazz.. I'm just worried that I won't get an interview at all.

 

[MAC*GIRL08]

Hi,

It sounds like you really want to give this a shot and I think you should go for it! However you said that you don't think that you could get an interview.
I know your young, but don't think so negative, you will only set yourself up for failure. It's not about how much formal training you've had. You just need to know how to apply makeup correctly and by MAC standards. I would start doing makeup on family and friends and take pix - start a portfolio, that's what I did - nothing professional but at least something that shows your abilities.
ALSO any RETAIL experience is highly sought. Your appearance, personality, and customer interaction/service is what they really look for and availability, you must work weekends or every other. So I would work on a resume, a portfolio and still reasearch the company. Drop off several resumes at your local MAC counters. Again that's what I did and I recieved a call a cpl months later, and went on 4 interviews - including 2 demos and I was hired as a permament PT MU.
As far as what to expect - there is tons of information on this site take advantage and read everything, check out my threads on my actual MAC interview and how the process works. It differs from region to region but it's good info and will help you tremendously with your future endeavors in pursuing a career with MAC - Hope this helped and good luck!!!!!

 

[chocolategoddes]

LOL, i'm just like you.
Right when I turn 18, I'm applying for MAC (except I'm still 16)
I remember spending a whole evening going through this sub-forum, just reading every post. You learn a lot about the application and hiring process of MAC and other cosmetic retailers.
I wouldn't apply if you were still in high school because I doubt MAC would want to hire a high school student. I don't think training/ cosmetology school is neccessary. Neither is a portfolio in some cases, though I guess it can't hurt.
Just be confident. And good luck

!!!

 

[dudeitsrenee]

Thanks! I actually already gave you a "Thanks" with the button.. This reply is to tell you that the episode of Kenan and Kel quoted in your signature is my favorite episode of any sitcom, ever, in all eternity.