Interview for Clinique - what the hell to wear??

[emsyj]

I've got an interview tomorrow for a job as a Clinique counter lady . I have no clue what to wear. Pre-DD (and for a short while post-DD) I was a solicitor and so all my 'work attire' is quite formal. The most 'trendy' formal wear I can muster is an Isabella Oliver wrap dress, but I'm worried I will look really out of place in what is basically an office type outfit.

Obviously I need to look smart, but have a vague idea that I should be aiming for 'trendy' rather than 'office'. Help??

i'd say smart with a trendy twist. i used to work as a Lancome counter girl, I wore a smart blouse, city shorts and heels for my interview. A wrap dress would be lovely, maybe add some chunky jewelry?

I know a clinque girl - she wears a red suit , hair twisted up in a bun
She looks like super nanny for make up but pencil thin

Do you mean Clarins Gumby? Clinique wear white...

Do you think a wrap dress is trendy enough then? I am old 32 so not a young whippersnapper - but I have tons of gaudy jewellery!

Gumby, isn't it a white coat dress...white as white can be?! Virgin cabin crew are the red suits!

X post there.

I'd wear something you feel comfortble and smart in but concentrate on grooming and accessories, they all seem to have lovely watches and earrings, diamond studs (or similar) clean lines etc. I wouldn't wear lots of chunky stuff. Classic and understated is Clinique, isn't it.

I have a cheap crappy watch, but can do diamond studs! And an understated diamond necklace.

I need to buy shoes on the way - the only pair of smart shoes I've got are skyscraper heels that used to live under my desk, only coming out for meetings. I can't walk far in them and they are steel heel tips so may fall on my arse walking through the shiny floors in the store.

I am going to feel an utter tool at this interview, aren't I?

I think you are looking at this the wrong way.
I know someone who went to work on the E Arden counter- bit older age range.

Not sure what she wore for interview but she is not mega fashionable.

what is more important is your personality and your ability to SELL, That is what they want. Friendly, outgoing, groomed, and can SELL.

Are you aware of the pressure you will be under to meet sales targets etc?

Yeah, that's ok. Believe it or not, law is essentially about sales too - selling more advice, more 'products' and getting the cash in. Also, I have a hobby business that I run from home selling wedding dresses, so I sell as a hobby too! I get nice feedback from brides (even brides who don't end up ordering their dress from me) so I am reasonably confident that I can do all the talkie stuff, although I will never (and would not want to) be an 'Apprentice' style pressure-selling-deal-closer.

Going back to what to wear then, many of the assts on the high end counters- Chanel etc- wear black trouser suits- so I'd turn up in a trouser or skirt suit, or a nice plain shift dress with short sleeves, and look "classic"- Clinique put you in a white coat so what you wear for interview is not that important IMO as long as you are clean, smart, and well groomed.

Dunno why I feel the need to comment becuae S&B is so not my thang but ...
you will be applying make-up to customers. You will need nice, clean, soft, manicured etc etc hands.

Just a quickie re interview. Try to stop thinking too much about you. Focus on the company ethos and what you can do for their customers. How you look is important, but what you say is more important. What are they getting when they employ you? Someone who really wants to work for that company and has alot to offer them?

As someone who has interviewed many "counter ladies" in my time (not for Clinique), you should look smart and well groomed. A wrap dress if fine. Apply make up (sounds obvious for this type of job but you'd be surprised!), paint your nails and make sure your shoes are polished.

Not sure what preparation you've done but if time before your interview, visit a counter look at the layout, what attracts a customers attention? Try out and have an opinion about a few products, consider why customer service is important...

Try to relax and don't forget to smile!

Clinique is a great company to work for so good luck.

Thanks for all the new posts! I always wear makeup, but I do need to pay some attention to my nails as they normally get rather forgotten - that's my next job (interview not til 3.45pm).

I have been asked to go to a counter for a skin consultation before the interview, so I will be doing that, and I am reasonably familiar with quite a few of the products (not all of them though, only the ones I use or that my sister uses).

I've got a short sleeved shift dress that I'm thinking might be more appropriate - with a posh cardi that I got from Damsel in a Dress? <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=en&biw=1163&bih=517&tbm=isch&tbnid=aD-Anun1UtdSgM:&imgrefurl=www.polyvore.com/damsel_in_dress_katlin_ruffle/thing%3Fid%3D22496241&docid=RMGTeNl76fzmPM&itg=1&imgurl=www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing%253F.out%253Djpg%2526size%253Dl%2526tid%253D22496241&w=300&h=300&ei=0Xp1T-2zDaya1AWTsM2zDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=406&vpy=185&dur=22&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=131&ty=114&sig=107945346174162943221&page=4&tbnh=149&tbnw=149&start=55&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:55" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this

Or skip the cardi??

Sorry been in meetings all day, either of your dress options seem perfect. How did the interview go?

I think it was okay, you can never tell tho can you? I think I managed to answer all the stuff about targets, brand knowledge etc - I will find out within a week...

I would love a job with Clinique or any make up/skin care company for that matter, where did you hear of the vacancy OP if you don't mind my asking ?

Do you live in Heswall, Heswall?? Just idly curious - I live on the Wirral.

Take a look at current vacancies with Estee Lauder group companies here.

I aspire to living in Heswall, I'm not far from the shell garage/devon doorway but too far for my liking ;-)
Thank you for the information

Heswall, contact the brands directly but also speak to the dept manager in department stores, Boots stores etc as they often pass on application forms to brands.