All About Retail: Sales Associates, Management, etc.

[christrinity]

^^ I know when I worked in Vuitton, our supervisor who worked directly under the store manager had come straight out of her college degree in marketing I think! Though she may have had some retail experince part time in a shoe store during college, and another part time job in a bank or something like that.

 

[PinkPrincess113]

wow thanks! i guess i shall look into some part time retail experience at a shoe store i hope they give discounts haha

 

[Alesso]

Hi all,

does anyone know how much does Hermés starts at for full time sales associate?

I am getting a second interview soon on the phone...

 

[LetThemEatCake]

I dont know...maybe $20? I never worked high-end retail, just curious, what have you done to qualify for the job at Hermes? Genuinely sincerely interested, as I am trying to get on at Neiman Marcus, where, coincidentally in the same shopping center, there is an Hermes.

 

[Alesso]

Luxury retailers generally asks for 2-3 years high end retail experiences.

The requirements are generally not that high, it's more of the timing.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

Timing is everything, true, but how do you get your luxury-retail experience if you cant get a chance? keep looking to other places? I mean you've got to start somewhere. They'll (NM) expect the same probably, I just hope my knowledge of their entire inventory of beauty care can outshine that I dont have any luxury retail selling experience.

 

[Alesso]

What brands of beauty care?

I actually don't have that many years of luxury experience. I just put "3 years of retail with experience in luxury selling environment". I was at COACH for almost an year, and they pretty much hire anyone, and it's considered luxury retailer.

That was my path... Or you could follow your originally path and go for Neiman Marcus. I don't think they require high-end retailing experience?

 

[LetThemEatCake]

I think they want a year of high-end retail experience. Well I've had over a year as retail in a store, wasnt luxury by any means though....anyhow I am familiar with all these brands by having used close to or the entire line for awhile as I had quite a large sum of money throughout my early twenties I blew and that's another story, but I have used all these (not all are at NM, but about 95% are
Amore Pacific, Chanel, Chantecaille, Cle De Peau Beaute, Shiseido, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Lancome, Clinique (I was young and dumb) Darphin, Erno Laszlo, Guerlain, Kiehl's, La Mer, Natura Bisse, La Prairie, Babor, Prescriptives, ReVive, Sisley-Paris, Elizabeth Arden, Guinot Paris, YSL, Luzern Labs, Biologique Recherche, Dermalogica, Eminence, Aveda (these last three were the lines/brands I used in beauty school - , except I like some Dermalogica and Eminence)

 

[Alesso]

LetThemEatCake, you were right on the money. It IS around $20 an hour! LOL (for junior sales)

I am sad to leave Brooks Brothers though

 

[nicestthing]

I've got a job interview with Urban Outfitters on Wednesday and was wondering if anyone can advise me what to wear?
Thanks.

by the way, the got back to me really quickly! sent my application on Thursday laaate night and got a ring from them on the next day!

 

[BetteT]

What to Wear to an Interview for a Job or an Internship in the Fashion Industry?






Read that thread, above ... there's lots of tips already in there about gearing your look to the potential employer. That's what you need to do ... wear what the other sales people wear, but just a bit nicer. If it's a trendy juniors shop like UO ... then wear something that's trendy and young, but make it look like you are ready to work hard, not go clubbing. Do some research ... see if they have a dress code ... go into the shop ahead of time, and see what the managers and sales clerks wear and take you cue from that. Look like you already have the job you want.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

nicestthing

I worked at Urban. They'll totally hire you. They hire just about everybody they interview, so make sure to stand out. Just dress cute and hip and like the people who work there do. I wish I could dress casual like that at Neiman's if I get the job. No Converses and ripped jeans there. Suit and tie.

 

[christrinity]

It was like that at Vuitton, suit and tie only! Couldn't even wear just all black with really nice sweater and shirt, had to be a hideous brown suit and tie. Definitely wasn't a fan!

 

[Desi]

I've got a job interview with Urban Outfitters on Wednesday and was wondering if anyone can advise me what to wear?
Thanks.

by the way, the got back to me really quickly! sent my application on Thursday laaate night and got a ring from them on the next day!

i don't know if it is the same style of interview as the US branch. I really just wore whatever like most of the applicants. Don't dress slobby is all I can say. BetteT is pretty much on point, don't pop in with a suit or bring your electric guitar to the interview.

 

[Alesso]

Hi guys,

I left Brooks Brothers to accept the job offer at Hermes. It's the toughest decision I have ever made, and I feel really bad about it.

Did I made the right choice?

 

[aldn]

I feel if you believe in the product you're going to be selling you made a sound choice.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

Working at Hermes...what a dream, well being behind the counter at Hermes, bringing down bags, that would be fun for me, I like to get to know the customer/client (I think client sounds more appropriate) and familiarize myself with their likes, their dislikes, so that you could get in touch with them and offer up something that came in that you think they'll like.

Next week I will go into NM's temporary office and try to get a contact number for who is hiring or ask if there is someone available I could talk to, how do I present myself when I begin to talk? I dont want to start stumbling over words. I have some anxiety at first, I try to act natural though, be myself. Is it OK if I bring a resume with me in case there is someone on hand and not just a receptionist?

 

[aldn]

should totally have your resume in a cute attatche. = )

 

[MTRLB]

Ok.
Now I'm sandwich in between these two brands - Dior Homme and GUCCI.
I have yet to go for GUCCI's interview. but has already been through the first interview with CD. Second one coming up next monday with the GM. When I flipped through this thread, I kinda realise most high end boutique are in commission based. its either LVMH or GUCCI.
Personally, I adore Dior homme. The look and the jeans!! Lol. For GUCCI, if you are really base on sales, my bet would be on GUCCI, since they are hands down more popular to a wider market. I would really really love to join Dior since someone mentioned it was good to be under such a huge corporation - LVMH. You would get referred to if your performance was good.
CD commission was complexed. The commission is split into 3 sector.
First - commission by country.
Second - commission by store.
Third - commission by individual.

You are given an amount per transaction(eg. USD4.8 - one transaction). Then you multiple the amount with the percentage hit based on target then multiple on a percentage which you draw the commission. I hope I get this right. But it's somewhere like that. the basic salary was a bit pathetic though. but with the overall commission, based in Singapore - which we need to cut 20% on our basic salary for a compulsory saving fund, I could take home at least SGD1.9k - 2k. That was the least expected.

Over at GUCCI, I'm assuming the same commission scheme. However, I'll just wait for the rest. I've actually applied for Prada too. anyway, I have a good feeling on Dior Homme. Good Luck for my second interview!

 

[Alesso]

I would wait to find out the pay structure for GUCCI as well; I'd personally prefer Dior, but the system sounds really awkward.