Following the application process I had a phone interview 1.5 weeks later. After phone interview is the physical interview with Regional, followed by VP interview, and finally an interview with Human Resources.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Understanding of the business and the future needs. Ability to travel/drive? Willingness to relocate? Short term/ long term goals. Previous work experience.
I applied online. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at Benefit Cosmetics (Lincoln, England) in May 2012
Interview
Had a phone interview first. Then turn up to a department store to traffic stop and make someone up with a group of other girls, which I wasn't expecting. Girls were being eliminated one by one. It was very nerve wracking. We had to do that for 4 customers and we were pushed to sell even in the interview. It was an exhausting experience. Then you had to wait to be stored approved, which was like being interviewed all over again. It was all very unorganised and tiring. Alot was promised but nothing ever came from the promises
I applied through other source. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Benefit Cosmetics (Columbus, OH) in Nov 2019
Interview
Multi Level management interview. Warm, friendly, and thorough. There was an opportunity to attend a Benefit counter event to better determine if it was a culture fit. I found this a nice touch.
I applied online. I interviewed at Benefit Cosmetics
Interview
There were three stages, the first is a brief phone interview, which I was told I passed on the phone. Then a traditional face-to-face interview was arranged for the following week. I was told that if I got through the face-to-face interview I would have to come back that evening. The evening part was 2 hours on the make up counter traffic stopping. This is a horrible way to expect people to work, basically harassing customers in other areas of the department store in the hope that they will come up to the Benefit counter to try some products and fall for their one liner sales pitches. 5 minutes were spent showing/explaining to me their products. After this I had to find 'customers' and do their make-up, with no training, and no product knowledge other than the few Benefit products I use myself. It didn't matter if I made a mess of the make-up, I was told I could wipe it off. It's all about sales, sales, sales. I got 5 people to the counter but only one sale of mascara. I thought it must have been obvious to their potential customer that I didn't have the knowledge of the product. I had to keep asking the price of everything. These traits are what they want in your interview: be very outgoing, bubbly, able to chit chat, and you need to be pushy and sell the product.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How do you keep your team motivated to keep getting out there (traffic stopping) when the counter is quiet?