Hi!! I am actually in the interview process for Macy's right now myself!
I found a Cosmetics Career Fair posting for today for positions in Cosmetics & Fragrances and I thought that was SO cool because it's a perfect way to get your foot in the door!! I applied previously to Nordstrom and Macy's and because I have been in banking/mortgage for 8 years, they probably laugh at my appliation LOL, like why is she wanting to work here?? So I got to SHOW them why I want to work in the beauty industry and utilize all of my experience in sales/service to benefit their store.
That is awesome that they are pursuing you!! When I confirmed that I was going to participate today, the email stated it would be a group sesson with other candidates for other departments, and they would match you to something they had available, if you qualified. So I brought a million resumes and cover letters, and was expecting to role-play and join in group discussion.
Well, I got there today and there were only TWO other girls!!!! We sat down with an HR/hiring lady (she had an accent so it was hard to retain everything she said... I was trying so hard to understand her!! haha!) and I thought "ok.... this is totally just an info session.. grrrr!!" But we introduced ourselves and she asked a few simple questions--
-- Why are you interested in working in beauty?
-- What does customer service mean for you?
-- What does working for Macy's mean for you?
-- Tell me about yourself, what brands you are familiar with/prefer, etc. general stuff
... and that's actually about it. She went over the commission (3% for your brand, 2% for other brands), that you need to sell a certain number of credit cards a week (I am okay with that because I worked in banking and sold financial products there), and that you need to be really flexible because your schedule can change from week to week, but they make the schedule 2 weeks in advance so that's fine with me. I put "any, any, any, any" on the availability grid thing because I so want to work in the industry!!
The other two girls were looking for flex/part-time nights/weekend work and did not seem too interested in being on-call. So the HR lady left to look at our applications and to see if she had a job match for us. We were filling out questionnaires in the meantime.
This fancy looking blonde tall guy came sauntering in, and said my name. I was shocked!!! He basically told me to stop filling out my questionnaire beause he would like to interview me. I said goodbye to the other girls (they were sweet and seemed happy for me) and I walked with him down to the floor. I thought we were going into a room to sit down (I had my purse and resumes so it was a little awkward) but he wanted to do a "live interview" on the floor with some of the ladies at the counter. He looked at me and my makeup and asked me about what brands I use and what I identify with, and he told me that he manages Origins, Chanel, Dior, Laura Mercier, and Lancome I think, but he had full-time (30 hours which I guess is full time to them) positions open in Chanel and Dior. He thought I'd be a good fit in Dior, so we walked over there and he asked how I feel about being runway trendy and how I identify with the brand. Dior is $$$ for me but I LOVE their stuff and their image, it's just a little unattainable for me right now. (I didn't tell him about the money part though LOL) But I don't really know anything about LM and I was honest with him about that-- I have heard great stuff about LM but I haven't personally tried any of it (the Macy's near me does not have that line).
So anyway, I happened to spend the afternoon with the Dior representative because the counter manager had to leave. They would like me to interview with her next week and he said about 3 times that he thinks I would be a good fit there. He didn't seem too worried about how adept I am at actually applying makeup on other people, he just warned me that you face a lot of rejection and have to remain upbeat, and just try to pull as many people as you can to the counter.
I couldn't get one person on that darn chair-- I almost did, but since there was that one MA there she was busy and that kinda turned the girls off. I did help the LM lady find a Dior product that someone wanted though LOL. It was pretty slow though because I was only there until about 6 PM. The MA invited me back to observe more tomorrow. The pulling people kind of scares me.... some people are pretty rude about it.. but I just kept focusing on how much I want the job and that drove me to walk up to girls. When they ask you questions, try to bring it back to sales-- and of course, customer service. I kept stating how the two correspond and tried to bring my points back to how I could drive product sales for Macy's. Like how my past experience would benefit THEM, because otherwise I would have gone on and on about how much I want to work in beauty LOL. The other two girls didn't really mention sales that much so the HR lady kept reminding them... so I think I stood out in that regard.
Wow, I just realized how long this is!! I wanted to reply just in case no one else does
Anyway, at first I was excited because I love Dior, buuut... it is hard to sell products to people that I can barely afford. On the other hand, I know their products deliver so I can feel good about selling it. I am flattered that he thinks I would fit in with Dior!! It always portrayed classic yet trendy and feminine to me. He could tell by looking at me that I would probably not be a good fit for Origins LOL
All-natural skincare? I need my Pro-activ, darnit LOL!! But I have tried some Origins products and loved them, so working there wouldn't be THAT far-fetched for me
I don't post on here much, but I had to sign on tonight to tell my story and to read about others' stories. Typing this all out is making me excited!!! I was like in disbelief earlier today. My point is that they may tell you what the process is, and based on their needs, it may end up being even more streamlined. I have a feeling they may not even place you in a group interview, based on what you wrote. The HR lady talked about group interviews and then more interviews, etc., so I was pretty surprised when the manager came in and took me away so quickly
I saw multiple "Macy's is hiring" signs up at the store so I think they really need people right now. Here's hoping this next week goes well!!!!
Oh, and btw, they did not discuss hourly rate at all. I already know I am going to take a big paycut from my current job but I need to get my foot in the door somehow!!
Good luck and let us know what happens!!!! Best wishes!!!!!!!
