20 Benefit Cosmetics Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at Benefit Cosmetics, you’ll want to be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions.

Benefit Cosmetics is known for its high-quality makeup products, so it’s no surprise that the company is looking for candidates who are passionate about makeup and have a strong knowledge of the industry. In your interview, you’ll likely be asked about your experience with makeup, your thoughts on the latest trends, and how you would handle assisting a customer.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Benefit Cosmetics interview questions. With these questions in mind, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job at Benefit Cosmetics.

Benefit Cosmetics Interview Process

The interview process at Benefit Cosmetics is quite long and detailed. It starts with a video interview, followed by a zoom call where you have to apply makeup and answer questions. If you are successful in this stage, you will be invited to a store approval interview. Finally, if you are successful in all of these stages, you will be offered the job.

1. Why do you want to work at Benefit Cosmetics?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on the organization and are excited about its mission, values or products.

Example: “I want to work at Benefit Cosmetics because I am passionate about makeup and beauty products. Your brand is known for creating innovative products that make women feel confident and beautiful. I think it would be a great fit for me to use my skills as a makeup artist to create looks that enhance customers’ natural beauty.”

2. What are your long-term career goals? How does this role fit in with those goals?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have goals and ambitions beyond this role. It’s also an opportunity for you to explain how your skills, experience and personality make you a good fit for the job.

Example: “I’ve always wanted to work in cosmetics, but I’m also passionate about helping others. This position would allow me to do both by working with customers who are looking for makeup products and learning from my colleagues on how to help them succeed.”

3. Do you have any experience working as a makeup artist?

If you have experience working as a makeup artist, the interviewer may ask you to describe your previous work. If you don’t have any professional experience, you can talk about how you’ve used makeup in the past and what products you prefer.

Example: “I worked as a freelance makeup artist for three years before I started my current position at Benefit Cosmetics. During that time, I learned how to apply makeup to different skin tones and types, which helped me develop an eye for color matching and blending. I also developed a passion for using natural ingredients in my makeup products.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had an upset customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation where you had an upset customer and how you would try to resolve the issue. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to calm the customer down and make them feel better.

Example: “I once had a customer who was unhappy with her order because she thought it took too long to arrive. I apologized for any inconvenience and explained that we ship orders within two business days of receiving the order. She seemed satisfied with my response and said she understood why it took so long.”

5. What is one of the first things you would do if you were hired for this position?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate plans their workday. It also gives you insight into what they value in their own work ethic. Your answer should show that you have a plan for your day and are motivated by results.

Example: “The first thing I would do if I were hired for this position is read through all of the company’s policies and procedures. I want to make sure I am familiar with everything from our return policy to our social media guidelines. Next, I would take some time to look at the current makeup line and create a list of products I think could be improved or expanded upon. Finally, I would start working on my first project.”

6. Describe your personal style and how you think it fits into the company’s image.

Employers ask this question to see if you fit into the company’s culture. They want employees who are passionate about their work and enjoy being part of a team. When answering, try to describe your personal style in detail. Explain how it relates to makeup or beauty products.

Example: “I have always been interested in fashion and beauty. I love trying new styles and colors. My personal style is very colorful and bold. I think my passion for color and creativity would be an asset to Benefit Cosmetics because I could help customers find the right products for their unique style.”

7. What is your favorite Benefit product?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new coworker. It also gives you the opportunity to show that you are passionate about makeup and beauty products. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a product that you have used in the past or one that you would like to try.

Example: “My favorite Benefit product is the POREfessional primer. I love how smooth it makes my skin feel and how long it keeps my makeup looking fresh throughout the day. I’ve tried other primers before, but none of them compare to this one.”

8. If you were hired today, what would be your first action item?

This question is a great way to determine how much research you’ve done on the company and what your goals are for your first day. When answering this question, make sure you mention something that will benefit the company or help it grow.

Example: “If I were hired today, my first action item would be to learn more about the products Benefit Cosmetics offers. I’d also want to familiarize myself with the brand’s social media accounts so I can interact with customers and followers.”

9. When was the last time you received feedback from a team member or supervisor?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you respond to constructive criticism. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any feedback you received and what steps you took to improve or change your behavior based on that feedback.

Example: “Last week, my supervisor gave me some constructive criticism about how I was interacting with customers in our store. She said that she noticed I had been rushing through customer service interactions and not being as friendly as usual. After hearing her feedback, I decided to take a few extra minutes during each interaction to make sure I was smiling and speaking clearly so that I could provide the best customer service possible.”

10. In what ways do you think you could help grow our client relationships?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are eager to help the company grow. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific ways you have helped other companies grow in the past.

Example: “I think my customer service skills and ability to communicate with clients would help me grow our client relationships. I am always willing to answer questions or concerns from customers and make sure they feel comfortable reaching out to us if they need anything. In my last role, I was able to increase sales by 10% within six months of starting because of my communication skills.”

11. What do you know about the brand?

This question is a great way to see how much research you’ve done on the company. Benefit Cosmetics wants to know that you’re interested in working for them and have taken the time to learn about their brand. To answer this question, explain what drew you to the company and what you like most about it.

Example: “I first heard of Benefit Cosmetics when I was looking for new makeup products online. I read reviews of many different brands before deciding to try out Benefit Cosmetics because of all the positive feedback. I love the quality of your products and the unique packaging. It’s clear that you put a lot of thought into creating an enjoyable shopping experience for your customers.”

12. Are you familiar with all of our products? Which ones are your favorites?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your makeup knowledge and how you can help customers with their beauty needs. When answering this question, make sure to mention the products that you are most familiar with and why they’re your favorites.

Example: “I am very familiar with all of Benefit Cosmetics’ products because I have used them in my previous job as a sales associate at Sephora. My favorite product from Benefit Cosmetics is the POREfessional Face Primer because it’s lightweight but still provides excellent coverage. It also helps keep my skin looking matte throughout the day.”

13. How do you keep up to date on beauty trends?

Employers may ask this question to see if you’re interested in the latest makeup trends. They want someone who can use their creativity and skills to create unique looks for customers. In your answer, share how you stay up-to-date on beauty news and what resources you use.

Example: “I love following beauty bloggers online because they always have new tips and tricks to try. I also subscribe to a few magazines that feature different styles of makeup each month. I find it helpful to read about other people’s experiences with certain products or techniques.”

14. Have you ever worked in retail before?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience in customer service. If you have worked in retail before, share a story of how you helped a customer and what the outcome was. This can show employers that you are familiar with working in retail and know how to help customers.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for three years now. I enjoy helping people find products they need and answering their questions. One time, a woman came into the store looking for a concealer but didn’t know which one she should get. I showed her all of our options and explained how each product works. She ended up buying two concealers from us.”

15. What kind of training have you completed that relates to this role?

Benefit Cosmetics is a makeup company that offers training to its employees. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with makeup and how you learned the skills needed for this role. If you have any formal training, be sure to mention it in your answer.

Example: “I completed an online course on applying makeup professionally through Makeup Forever Academy. I also took a class at my local community college where we learned about different types of makeup products and application techniques.”

16. How comfortable are you speaking in front of customers?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with public speaking. If the company has an in-store makeup artist, this role may require you to speak to customers about products and services. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any experience you have with public speaking or customer service.

Example: “I’ve worked as a freelance makeup artist for several years now, so I’m very comfortable speaking in front of customers. In fact, I find that my clients often feel more comfortable when I explain what I am doing while applying their makeup.”

17. Would you say you’re a self starter, or do you prefer to be given direction?

This question is designed to determine how you work independently and with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were given direction but still managed to complete the task successfully.

Example: “I am definitely someone who prefers to be given direction rather than being a self-starter. I find that this helps me learn what my manager expects from me and ensures that I’m doing everything correctly. However, if I don’t have anyone giving me directions, I will ask questions until I understand exactly what’s expected of me.”

18. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a plan for your career. They want to know that you are motivated and driven, so they can be sure you will stay with the company for a long time. When answering this question, make sure you show that you are ambitious and willing to work hard to achieve your goals.

Example: “I am hoping to become a manager in five years. I would like to continue working at Benefit Cosmetics because I love the products and the company culture. However, I also hope to advance my career here by becoming a manager.”

19. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the past year, and how did you solve it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you overcame challenges in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you faced a challenge at work or school and were able to overcome it.

Example: “The biggest challenge I’ve had recently was finding a job after graduating college. I applied for many positions but didn’t get any interviews until I found one that I really wanted. I knew I needed to stand out from other applicants so I researched the company and tailored my resume and cover letter to highlight my relevant experience and education.”

20. What is your availability?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. Before your interview, check out the company’s website or job description to see what their typical work schedule is like. If you are unsure of when the position requires you to be available, explain that you would be willing to learn and adapt to any changes in scheduling.

Example: “I am typically able to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, I understand that schedules often change depending on business needs. If there were ever a time where my availability needed to change, I would be happy to adjust my schedule as needed.”