Benefit Cosmetics, all singing, all dancing, audition!

Just received my acceptance letter to HKUST, beginning in September, so a job for the Summer is on the cards to allowing me, upon my arrival in Hong Kong to travel freely and spend too much money on Kimonos and cosmos.

Bringing me to the topic of conversation, Benefit Cosmetics and the countless blogs I read before going to my audition detailing the overly intense pressurised environment in which you would be forced to master calligraphy to embellish extravagant works of art on customer's faces whom you had plucked from the crowd, preying especially upon old grannies and young toddlers. LIES.

I was in fact so shocked at how enjoyable the audition was after I had finished that I mentioned to the area manager about some of the horror stories displayed across the Internet, at which point she asked me if I might kindly write something in contrast to these!

So, here's a step by step method to passing a Benefit Cosmetics audition (with flying colours). Now, I don't claim to be professional in the area, I have never worked with make-up or cosmetics.. apart from the stuff I paste onto my face in copious amounts most mornings. And I have never, ever, worked in retail. It is from this why I assume they picked up on my forté in sales! ENOUGH ABOUT ME. More about getting this job..

The perks of which are; about £6.75 an hour, plus 2% commission on everything you sell and a sort of 'golden hello' in the form of £200 worth of free make-up when you start (£150 for part-time work).

STEP ONE - You've passed the telephone interview.
Easy peazy lemon squeezy. (Why do you want to work for Benefit over other cosmetics counters? What will you bring to the company? Any experience in Sales? Have you had to work towards targets? Can you tell me something about the company? Which of our products do you like? ETC.) Done.

STEP TWO - OMG, what am I going to wear!?

For me, they specified, black. At the audition three candidates out of seven got through. I wore black hareem trousers & a tee shirt. Another girl wore a black dress and the final girl wore black skinny jeans and a tee shirt. It doesn't matter. Shoes, be comfortable. Makeup, you don't have to be Leonardo Davinci (sp?).. Just appear presentable and to be wearing some makeup! Girls went with loads, girls went with minimal, it wasn't taken into consideration as much as you'd think. Plus they put more on you anyway so wear makeup that other things can be blended on top of! Hair, down, up, either, or, clean & tidy.

STEP THREE - The Arrival.

First impressions are everything. Fact. Be bright, bubbly, outgoing & friendly. Sickly sweet is always a bonus! Just MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOTICED. They love words like honey, babe, sweetie, lovely, darling.. but if they don't come out of your mouth naturally, don't say them, I didn't!

STEP FOUR - The chat about the company.

Have a Benefit product ready that's you're absolute favourite, and why you love it soooo much. Be overly enthusiastic and it's like O.M.G. AMAZING. Cringe, I know, but whatever, it's a good brand. Couple of things to know about the company, who founded it, when it was founded, they don't advertise which is why traffic stopping is so important, they want to give people a lasting experience to keep them coming back.
*FUN FACT OF THE BLOG* Benetint was actually created for an exotic dancer to make her nipples pink!

STEP FIVE - The role play & traffic stopping.

The following is what they're going to want you to do/say, and for the sake of the audition say/do it. When you're out traffic stopping, you can tailor it to make it more 'you', because disgustingly loving isn't everyone's cuppa! Okay, here goes..

You: *Approach customer, touch them on shoulder, be quite close to them* Hi honey! OMG, LOVE the bag! How are you today?
Customer: Fine thanks, you?
You: I'm great thanks! Now, can I ask, have you ever heard of Benefit Cosmetics?
Customer: No.
You: OMG! *literal shock horror face* You haven't?!?! Let me show you something, come with me!
Customer: Sorry, I don't have time.
You: Do you know what, snap! I've got about 5 minutes until my lunch, c'mon it won't take a second!

*Top tip* In the real deal, when you're approaching a real live person, maybe add in some stuff about you're not trying to sell them anything (eventhough ultimately you are) and that you're not taking any of their makeup off.

You'll practice this role play infront of the group, quite funny really.. but laugh on the inside.. people get really into it.

STEP 6 - The makeupper.

The products you'll normally use, although may vary slightly are:

Dr. Feelgood
You Rebel
Benetint/Posietint
High Beam

They show you how to apply them. I've never done makeup and it was easy. They'll also tell you what to talk about, some of the ingreidients.. if you read up on these before that's handy but it's stuff that can all be learn't on the day. You practice these on eachother.

STEP 7 - The audition.

They admit to you before you go out that it is a numbers thing, and it's all about bums on seats. Not about selling, but about getting people in. So just go and ask everyone, EVERYONE. And if you do that.. then there's no way you can't do it!

STEP 8 - The formal.

If you pass the audition, which you will - think positive. You're invited for a formal interview straight after.

Prepare for the following types of questions:
When have you dealt with a difficult customer/ what did you do?
What experience do you have in sales?
How do you feel about targets? Can you tell me about a time you've worked towards a target?
What qualities do you think you'll bring to the Benefit brand?
How do you feel about working as a team? Example of working as a team?
When have you had to deal with a sensitive subject and how did you go about it?


STEP 9 - You win some, you lose some!

They'll tell you on the spot (this happens very rarely, but was the case with me ;]), or within the next few days if you got the job.

All the best!

JHMM