What was your experience level when you started working for MAC?

[GlamFace]

I stopped by a new MAC counter in Macys, I've always wondered how much experience the artists have, so I decided to ask the artist/manager? that was working. She told me that she's hired people with very little experience and others with 20 years..and that MAC offers tons of training.. I have very little experience..I've taken a couple of classes recently..that's about it..she offered me an application. BUT..

I've been reading through these posts and it seems that the interview/demo process is pretty extensive. ...and I don't know much about MAC products. (shadows and lipglass are all i personally wear from MAC) Do you think it would be better to start at another counter and get more experience for awhile?...There is one closer to me that's hiring. I want to be prepared..and knowledgable. Also what's the average length of time after you apply that you start working..is it ever in the same month? Any advice would be appreciated..thanks.

 

[giz2000]

I say you go for it...what's the worse that can happen? You can start out as a freelancer and get some experience, then apply for a permanent position.

I started with no retail makeup experience whatsoever. I did use MAC products for many years before applying, and was good at applying it on others (better than on myself!). Your personality and ability at sales also speaks volumes. Remember, this is a sales job, not strictly a MA position. Doing MU is only a part of working for MAC...they want sales and they want you to meet your sales goals. MAC is a business, after all. There are days when you won't do makeup on anyone, and you have to sell, stock, clean, etc.

This is not said to discourage you at all. Just make sure you have the whole picture of what the job entails. It IS a fun job for the most part, but it can be crazy some days, and working with the public is not for everyone.

It takes some time from the time you apply until the time you interview and, hopefully, get hired. Like I said, go for it...you have nothing to lose! Good luck!

 

[Tara20]

I would just like to say thankyou for the post above as i have an interview tomorrow for a regioal operations managers in the uk, and my biggest worry was lack of experience (i have loads of retail management exp though).
Also i would say if they were willing to speak to me with no expeirence i say go for it ive heard there training is amazing.
Tara x

 

[lightsinsorrow]

I agree with everything giz2000 said. Also-

When I applied, I had zero MA experience (I'd only worked on friends and coworkers at that point and had never been to cosmetology school) but had lots of retail experience. 90% of the girls at the group interview I went to had some kind of MA experience and had official schooling in makeup artistry so I was the self-taught underdog. Just make sure you do an amazing job on your demo. It's easy to look good on paper, but if you can't demonstrate your skill on the floor, you won't cut it. Practice A LOT on your model prior to your interview. Practice a day to night look as well as face charts off the MAC site. It also helps to be familiar with the products and brushes. The biggest mistake people make is not talking throughout the demo. You have to explain (and thus make a sale) EVERYTHING that you are doing. Talk about color placement, texture, blending, formula, etc.

I landed an interview on the spot when I went to turn in my resume. I had my second interview about two weeks after that (which was the regional group interview/demo). I had my demo on a Tuesday and they told us that they'd give everyone an answer by the end of the week. I got a call early Thursday morning and went in to do my paperwork on Friday. So my hiring process was pretty quick and painless.

 

[devin]

When I started working for MAC I had no mu experience, other than a wedding I had done and mu on my friends and family and no previous retail experience either. I had to do three demo's and four interviews, but it paid off in the end. I ended applying at just about every MAC here in Houston. I got hired as a freelance artist, worked freelance for one day and got hired as a permanent artist after my first day freelancing. So give it a shot.

 

[Bre]

That's all quite strange - I've been told that here (Australia) to gain a position as a MA with Mac you need at least 3-4 years of professional experience and a portfolio of work.

I wonder why the requirements are different from US and UK. Does anyone know?

 

[tarteheart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlamFace I've been reading through these posts and it seems that the interview/demo process is pretty extensive. ...and I don't know much about MAC products.

Definitely "study" from the MAC website. To get through the demo, you need to know products; what products are best for your model, what colors and textures work well together. Know that products and tools work best when used with other products and tools -- this is how you will make your sales. As examples, use and sell Prep + Prime Lip, lip pencil, and lipstick together; use and sell Fluidline, the 266 brush, and Zoom Lash together; use and sell concealer, foundation, and Blot powder together, and so on. It helps to look at facecharts to see what products/colors tend to be used in combination. Even if you have never used a product personally, you need to know of the product and show your interviewers that you can sell it. Hope that helps!

 

[MizMac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bre That's all quite strange - I've been told that here (Australia) to gain a position as a MA with Mac you need at least 3-4 years of professional experience and a portfolio of work. I wonder why the requirements are different from US and UK. Does anyone know?

When I started working for MAC 3 years ago they really wanted you to have a makeup backround. Over the years they changed it more to a retail aspect. My friend was a MAC MA in Austrailia and she was supprised when she came here and how different the hiring process was.

 

[MisStarrlight]

I had some theatre makeup experience & 3 weeks retail experience. No book to show or anything, but everyone said I killed my demo & really knew the line...so that probably helped.

 

[FacesbyNiki]

Before working at Clinique, I had none at all but always loved the art of make up. Then I worked at Clinique and learn the basics. I didn't really learn fun stuff until I became friends with a MAC MA and she showed me alot of cool stuff that I should've known already.

 

[GlamFace]

Thanks guys! I turned my application in a few days ago to one of the MA..and am studying the website ..hopefully they will call me for an interview.