Sephora is a French multinational retailer and a powerhouse in the beauty industry. Makeup enthusiasts yearn to work for this retail mecca and would love to be able to crack the code to a successful interview that ultimately results in a job offer. The key to a successful Sephora interview is to learn about the company and its products, demonstrate a desire to acquire new knowledge and display excellent customer service skills.
In this article, you will gain first-hand knowledge of many Sephora interview questions and be guided on how to answer them successfully. Sephora is a significant employer, but exactly what type of employee are they explicitly seeking?
To qualify for a job at Sephora, candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of the company’s products and services and a passion for customer service. Therefore, while preparing for your job interview with Sephora, be sure to:
- Get to know the company in-depth
- Acquire a complete understanding of their history and philosophy
- Become familiar with the services and products they offer
Having a firm grasp of these concepts about the company will give you a leg up on the competition.
Yvette Nichols, Sephora’s vice president of talent acquisition, explains what she looks for in new hires:
“We’re looking for people who demonstrate a “can-do” spirit and approach problem-solving from a place of “why not?”
So, as you can see, attitude is everything at Sephora!
Allow me to give you a glimpse of the hiring process at Sephora. This is basically a three-step process but can also vary based on the position you are applying for.
Hiring Process at Sephora
- Submit an Online Application – visit the careers site to apply.
The application will ask for information about your background and qualifications, when a reasonable start date would be, and where you would prefer to work. Upon submission, you should expect to hear something within a few days.
- Phone Interview
Be prepared for a recruiter to contact you for a phone interview. They will be honing in on your customer service and communication skills, plus your overall enthusiasm for the position. They, in turn, will go over the job requirements and what will be expected of you if hired.
- In-Person Interview
During this face-to-face interview, you can demonstrate your abilities and why you are the best person for the position. Expect to be evaluated on behavioral situations and questioned about your experience and skill set.
If Sephora makes you an offer of employment and you accept, a background check will be conducted prior to hiring.
Overlooked Considerations
If I may go one step further in preparing for the interview, I would like to highlight some obvious but often overlooked points:
- CAREFULLY read the job description so you can apply your qualifications and experience closely to it. So often, what one says in the interview is unrelated to the job you are interviewing for.
- To control your body language and delivery, practice answering interview questions out loud.
- Be ready to ask the interviewer some insightful questions. It will show that you put some thought into the company and position. However, NEVER ask questions regarding information easily accessible online or public knowledge because this will show you did not do your homework.
- Dress professionally but with a bit of your own individuality and style. (Business Chic)
- Remember to bring some copies of your resume and references to the interview.
- Prepare to explain any gaps in your employment history.
Just a Heads Up
Sephora also offers Internship programs. An internship is open to juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The internship application period runs from January to March annually, and the 10-week program runs from mid-June to mid-August. You will receive payment but not college credits.
Sephora also participates in job fairs across the country. Filling out your profile on the career website will keep you informed of such events and happenings.
At this point, it is time for the probing interview questions you anticipate during your job interview with Sephora. Remember, being prepared is the key to success. So let’s unveil the secrets to a successful job interview by knowing and answering some top interview questions.
Interview Questions and Answers
- What makes you want to work for Sephora?
If you have experienced any positive aspects of their products, mention them. For example, consider bringing up the “assisted self-service sales mode,” which allows customers to pre-test products before purchasing them. (hint: Sephora started this concept)
Or share a positive customer service experience you appreciated in one of their stores. Retail is all about customer service, so this would be a great subject.
- What do you know about Sephora?
Provide a little history about the company and mention the services and products they offer. For instance:
It is one of the world’s leading beauty retailers, with over 2,700 retail stores across 35 countries, and was founded in 1969. LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) owns Sephora. A unique shopping experience, makeovers, and beauty classes are just some of the services Sephora offers. The company sells over 1,500 makeup brands and counting.
- Can you tell me about your experience working in the beauty industry?
People without an interest in beauty or makeup are unlikely to apply for Sephora employment. It is reasonable to assume that you must be interested in or have experience in beauty. Certainly, discuss your passion for beauty and, of course, any related experience you may have. For example, you may be a makeup artist or a sales rep for a prestige brand. Talk about some of the products sold by Sephora and the latest beauty trends.
If you do not have any work-related experience, prove your knowledge and usage of some of the prominent brands sold at Sephora and understand how important it is for the woman’s confidence to feel good and look good.
- In what ways would you handle a difficult customer?
Most customers just want to be heard and understood. Therefore, explain that you would listen to the customer’s complaint and acknowledge their concerns. You would treat them with respect while working toward a mutually acceptable solution. Be compassionate and offer alternatives without compromising Sephora’s standards. (provide your personal experience)
- Are you familiar with Sephora’s loyalty program?
Make sure you are knowledgeable about this program because this is huge. So what is it?
It is a program that rewards customers for being loyal shoppers by providing benefits. Points are earned with each purchase, offering redemption for free product samples or discounts. These customers are given early access to new product launches, personal product recommendations, and an invitation to special events.
- What does excellent customer service mean to you?
Custom service is the backbone of any retailer. Therefore, really think about this one. For example:
Excellent customer service means providing the customer with a positive shopping experience. Treat them with the utmost respect and tailor recommendations to their needs. Always strive to exceed their expectations.
By building a rapport of trust, you give the customer a feeling of safety and assurance that their interests are being taken care of. (provide your personal experience)
- How well do you work under pressure?
You need to be able to function under pressure in this business, so tell them how you do this. Here is a sample answer:
I always remain calm when in a high-pressure environment. Problem-solving is my strong suit, so I prioritize and manage the situation efficiently. Courtesy to the customer is my top priority.
- What’s the best way to stay on top of the latest beauty trends?
This question will test your actual knowledge of the beauty industry. Be sure to say that you read blogs and magazines about beauty. Perhaps you go to an industry tradeshow or conference. Always follow social media for new products, trends, or cultural changes. (provide specific examples if possible)
- In what ways does beauty influence your life?
Upon meeting you, the manager should immediately recognize that you value beauty highly.
Dress professionally with a full face of makeup (not overdone) and beautifully manicured nails. Mention some of Sephora’s products that are your favorites and why. Try mentioning some of their latest launches so the interviewer sees you stay current with the industry.
When customers see the products on you and your beautiful appearance, they will subconsciously want to have them and trust your judgment.
- What importance do you place on teamwork?
Sephora relies on teamwork, so prove its importance in your answer.
Teamwork is imperative when working in retail. Having a diverse team provides accessibility to a variety of imagination and creativity, which drives innovation and engagement. An employee’s attitude determines the customer’s shopping experience; a positive team spirit reflects that attitude.
There are more than 20,000 employees around the world working at Sephora. Have you thought about joining them?
The last three interview questions come directly from Yvette Nichols, Sephora’s vice president of talent acquisition. They are quite noteworthy and require some thought.
- “Tell me about a time you encountered a challenge and even failed. What did you learn from that experience?”
Interview questions such as “Tell me about a time at work” allow employers to gauge your behavior or attitude in a particular situation. They also seek insight into your general behavior and attitude, so it is essential to be as specific as possible when answering this question. An effective way to answer behavioral interview questions is to use the STAR method.
- “Tell me about the best leader you’ve ever worked for. What about them made them a great leader?”
This will give the interviewer a glimpse into what you perceive as an exceptional leader. They want to decipher what characteristics you possess as a leader. You may provide insight into your professional and personal life through the information you provide in your response.
- “Tell me about your favorite job or assignment. What is it about that experience that you loved?”
Knowing about your favorite job experience can help managers envision you working in their company and how well you may mesh with other employees.
Their goal is to determine your best work environment based on your viewpoints, personality traits, and work preferences.
A Few Final Thoughts
It is evident from Sephora’s interview questions and answers that the company places a high value on customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving. Additionally, they value dedication to the beauty industry and devotion to providing exceptional customer service. With these qualifications in mind, you should prepare thoroughly for the interview to make a strong impression and show you are the right fit for the job.
By researching the company and its products, exhibiting a desire to learn, and showcasing your customer service skills, you can be well on your way to a successful interview with Sephora.
