Boots No7 job interview Help!

[OneofPansPeople]

After too many years of being a sahm I have a job interview.
It's 2 1/2 hours long, I have to find customers willing to let me do a makeover on them.
I am no make up artist, I thought I'd be trained to do that kind of thing.
If you work for them please help me , I've got the willies and might cancel.

What you've never been trained and you've to grab randoms and do their make up?

Blimey,

Op, learn all their products. What for what skin tone and look. Including moisturisers, primers, the lot, as you need to prove you can sell the full range.

Ask the customer what look they want. What they usually wear. If it's make up for a special occasion, or just every day.

And find a store that offers this and go get it done to youtself.

I've been having a look at their products, but the idea of grabbing randoms and applying their make-up 😕
God forbid anyone wants eyeliner, my hands will be shaking.
I can't imagine many willing volunteers on a busy Saturday who just want to get on with their shopping.

Get a mate to hang about in the mascaras and you can approach her - unless they have models on stand by for you to practice on?

No we have to grab someone and I don't know at which point of the 2 and a half hour selection process this will be.
Plus I have no friends

Hopeful bump

Sorry I don't work for them, but here's a youtube video from a couple of years ago, showing a quick no7 makeover:

There's also a videos on youtube showing how to apply makeup to someone else, like this one: - it looks like comments are worth reading too for extra tips!

I think it would be helpful to be aware of hygiene- not putting a used brush into the product.

They may well have someone to support you with the makeover- they will be looking at how confident you are chatting to customers, and persuading them to try products.

Pick 1 foundation which is on promotion and offer a trial of that to the customer. It's not so much trying to get someone looking dolled up, but more being able to push the products. When you approach someone, it will be easier to offer one product, then build it up when theyre in the seat.

Easiest products to start with are a primer, foundation, then blush/bronze. They have those devices that match the foundation shade.

Look up make up tutorials on youtube, search for the 'natural look' ones to get some easy tips and practice on yourself, on dh, anyone you can in the meantime.

In the interview, pick someone with good eyebrows already, so all you need to do to them is brush some product through.

It would really help if you knew someone who could loiter round for you though, to get a guaranteed bum on the seat. Maybe an MNer could pitch in?

The biggest focus of their business is their skincare. They have just brought out some new products for turning back the clock on ageing!! Focus on the skincare if you don't know much about makeup, although that said they have also just brought out some new palettes & a new lipstick which is exactly the same colour as charlottes tiburys famous "pillow talk" at a fraction of the cost. You should definitely focus in the interview on your love of their products and the history of No7. If you get the job you will have to grab people on their way past the counter to be able to hit your daily targets... So this is a good chance to see if you can do it. Think about it logically though, if you were out browsing & someone asked you if you had a few minutes would you mind helping? I know I wouldn't. Best advice though is get on the website and get the product knowledge, they are amazing products at a fantastic price, if you understand what they are and how they work you can sell them 😀

I'd second asking anyone on here for anyone who lives in the area and wouldn't mind to linger in boots, even if a couple could do a half hour slot during your time. No harm in asking and good luck for the interview.
Which boots is it?

Oh and eyeliner, you probably wont but, if you get asked to do it - use a thin brush and eyeshadow instead, and go for a smoky liner look, then you don't have to be precise

OP if you're anywhere near Reading let me know, I'll come and let you do my makeup and love it

The test here op, is do you know their products, across the range, and use them and recommend them appropriately. The second challenge is how you approach customers. You can't be insulting them by insinuating they need a make over.

More if you see someone at the displays, ask if they wish you to apply the products for them so they csn try the product, ask if they are interested in trying the skin care or the foundations, tell them they'd look great with a certain colour of eye shadow ask what their normal routine is,

I suspect they will plant someone to be made over, no way they are letting some random loose on the public in their name, you won't even be in uniform.

The girls in my local branch don't have a uniform, they dress in black which is how I have been asked to dress.
Thanks so much for the help and offer of model
Unfortunately not in Reading.
I think I've been so long out of the whole work thing I'm clueless. Everything you all say seems so obvious, but my confidence is floor level currently and I'm just thinking 'duh' you idiot.

I'm really surprised this is the interview process for No7. Surely a straightforward role play with the interviewer would be better - what if you poked some random customer in the eye with a mascara wand?! I'm sure you won't but it seems irresponsible of Boots to let someone with no experience loose on the public in their name...

I'm sure you'll be fine though - lots of product research and watch lots of youtube makeup videos. Would you're DH let you practice on him?

Ah, shame you're not in Reading.

Well, good luck to you anyway OP, just remember to be confident in yourself (and chances are they may have planted someone for the make up!) just learn the products and you'll do great. Good luck!

How did you get on?

I work for another big counter so cant help specifically with No7 but from experience it’s more like a PP said, they’re looking at how you interact with customers rather than your actual skills. They will assume you have some basic makeup skills as you’ve applied to a makeup counter but won’t be expecting you to be at their standard at interview.

They will be looking for

Can you chat naturally to a customer.

Are you comfortable approaching strangers as you would be expected to do this if you were quiet while on shift to get people sat down.

Can you confidently chat about products to the customer and link to why they need them ALL

A lot of our job now is teaching people how to use the products at home so can you talk the customer through what you’re doing so they would be able to recreate

Good luck

pickle It's not until next Saturday.
@definitelyshouldknowbetter what are your good openers if you are quiet and have to approach someone?
Do you wander over to other parts of the store for custom if you are quiet?

I worked for Clinique and used to approach customers to ask if they would like a makeover in a minute using and if I couldn't do a makover in a minute then I would give them a sample as a thank you.

I'd use three really simple products...Chubby Stick/gloss, a bright blusher (a gorgeous pink) and an eyebrow definer.

Each item was less than £15.00 (at the time I was working for them), each item was quick and easy to use, and generally you can make a big difference with a lip colour, blush and brows.

I'd generally get a great response, it was good fun, my customers engaged with it, because I didn't do any "sales pitch" and when Is done, I said, I'll note down what I used, and if you would like me to go through anything again then pop by.

To be honest I wasn't cut out for the hard sell, the targets, and the insanity of my area manager, but i did have good fun.

Best of luck

Can you get to another branch of boots before next week and have no 7 do your make up....

So I’d approach someone with a smile, you’re lucky in a boots as you’ve got all the self select options so I’d go for someone looking there already and offer them a free consultation by saying something like “Hi, my names xxxxxx, we’re doing a free summer make up master class over at No7 today, if you’ve got ten minutes pop over and I’ll sit you down”

The most important thing is to be friendly and chatty, keep the conversation going with the client while still showing them multiple products because they’ll be looking at how you link sell.

When you’re looking for a customer to sit down look for someone who is browsing rather than jst grabbing a few bits as they’re more likely to say yes, if you get a yes first off it will boost your confidence rather than getting a few nos.

Any other questions ask away!

How did it go @OneofPansPeople ?