20 MAC Cosmetics Interview Questions and Answers

MAC Cosmetics is a world-renowned makeup company with a wide range of products for all types of people. The company is known for its quality products and its commitment to customer satisfaction.

When it comes to interviews, MAC Cosmetics is no different. The company is known for its thorough and comprehensive interview process.

MAC Cosmetics interview questions will focus on your technical skills as well as knowledge of different types of makeup, where they come from, and how they’re applied. Some interview questions will be about whether you went to makeup school or if you learned to apply makeup on the job. MAC Cosmetics interview questions will also center around your customer service skills.

Want your interview to be a success? Prepare for these six MAC Cosmetics interview questions.

MAC Cosmetics Interview Process

The interview process at MAC Cosmetics can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, the process is typically shorter and less difficult than it is for managerial positions. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with most applicants finding the staff to be friendly and helpful.

The length of the hiring process also varies depending on the position you are applying for. Entry-level positions may only require one or two interviews, while managerial positions may require several rounds of interviews. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. Entry-level positions typically have easier interviews than managerial positions.

Overall, the interview experience at MAC Cosmetics is generally positive. Applicants report feeling welcomed and comfortable during the interview process. The staff is typically friendly and helpful, and the interview process is not overly long or difficult.

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

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about MAC Cosmetics that interests you or how your skills and experience make you a great candidate for the position.

Example: “I want to work at MAC Cosmetics because I am passionate about makeup artistry and creating unique looks for clients. I have been working as a freelance makeup artist for five years now, and my goal is to become an in-house makeup artist so I can continue to grow my career with a reputable brand. In addition to being passionate about makeup, I also love helping others feel confident in themselves through beauty.”

2. What is your favorite product from the MAC line and why?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about the MAC brand. It also allows you to show your knowledge of the products and their uses. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a product that you have used in the past and enjoyed.

Example: “My favorite product from the MAC line would have to be the lipsticks. I love the variety of colors they offer, as well as the different finishes. In my last position, I was responsible for helping customers find the right lipstick shade for them. I always made sure to recommend a color based on their skin tone and what look they were going for.”

3. How long have you been working as a makeup artist?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you a little better and see how long you’ve been in your field. It can also show them how much experience you have working with MAC products. If you’re applying for a position as a makeup artist, it’s important that you have some experience using MAC products.

Example: “I’ve been working as a makeup artist for five years now. I started out doing freelance work for friends and family members before getting my certification from MAC. After that, I worked at a local salon where I learned more about MAC products and got comfortable using them on clients.”

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your intentions for the future. If you’re unsure of what you want to do, explain that you are looking for an opportunity where you can learn more skills and grow as a professional.

Example: “I would like to continue working in cosmetics, but I’m not sure exactly what type of job I’ll be doing. I am open to learning new things, so I think MAC Cosmetics would be a great place to start my career because of its reputation for training employees.”

5. Do you think you can handle the high-pressure environment of retail?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle the fast-paced environment of retail. In your answer, explain how you can stay calm and focused in a high-pressure situation. You can also mention any specific skills that will help you succeed in a retail environment.

Example: “I think I can handle the high-pressure environment of retail because I have experience working in a busy salon where I had to multitask between customers. I am used to being under pressure and know how to prioritize my tasks so I can meet deadlines. I also have excellent communication skills, which is important when interacting with customers.”

6. Describe your experience with using point of sale systems.

Point of sale systems are a common feature in retail environments, and MAC Cosmetics is no exception. Your interviewer may ask this question to gauge your experience with using these systems and how you might fit into their existing team. If you have previous experience working with point of sale systems, describe the type of system you used and what your responsibilities were. If you don’t have any prior experience, explain that you’re familiar with the concept of point of sale systems and would be willing to learn one if necessary.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail for five years now, and I’ve had plenty of experience using point of sale systems. In my current role as a makeup artist at a salon, I use a POS system to ring up customers’ purchases. The system allows me to enter each customer’s order quickly so they can get back to shopping or enjoying our services.”

7. Tell me about your customer service style, are you more on the assertive side or the passive side.

MAC Cosmetics is a makeup brand that focuses on customer service. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you would interact with customers in their store. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences to show the interviewer what kind of person you are when interacting with others.

Example: “I am definitely more assertive than passive, but I try to be respectful at all times. When working as a sales associate for a clothing boutique, I had a customer who was looking for a specific dress. She asked me if we had it in her size, and I told her that we didn’t have it in her size but that she could order it online. She became upset and said that she wanted to try it on before buying it. I apologized and offered to look through our inventory again. After searching through our stock twice, I found the dress in her size. She was happy and bought the dress.”

8. When did you realize that you wanted to become a makeup artist?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are passionate about this career. It also helps them see if your passion for makeup artistry is long-standing or recent. When answering, try to think of a specific moment that made you realize this was what you wanted to do with your life.

Example: “Ever since I was a little girl, I loved playing dress up and putting on my mom’s makeup. She would let me play in her makeup bag and experiment with different looks. As I got older, I started watching YouTube videos on how to apply makeup like a professional. This inspired me to take some classes at my local beauty supply store. After taking those classes, I knew this was something I could make into a career.”

9. Who is someone that you look up to when it comes to beauty?

MAC Cosmetics is a company that values creativity and innovation. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have an interest in beauty beyond your own makeup preferences. It also shows them how you can apply what you’ve learned from others to your work as a MAC Cosmetics artist.

Example: “I admire my mother for her ability to create beautiful looks with very little resources. She taught me that it’s not about having all of the right tools, but rather using what you have creatively. I think this has helped me become more resourceful when working on projects.”

10. Are you comfortable working late hours?

MAC Cosmetics is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The company also has extended hours during holidays and special occasions. If you are interviewing for a position that requires working late hours, it’s important to let your interviewer know that you’re comfortable with this schedule.

Example: “I am very comfortable working late hours because I have done so in previous positions. In my last role as a makeup artist at a salon, I was often scheduled to work until 8 or 9 p.m. on weeknights and sometimes even later on weekends. This was fine with me since I enjoy making customers happy.”

11. How would you approach a customer who was upset about an item they purchased?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your problem-solving abilities, communication skills and conflict resolution skills.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset about an item they purchased because it didn’t look like what they saw online. I asked them if they wanted to return the product or exchange it for another one. They decided to exchange it for another color of the same product. I helped them find the right color by looking at swatches on my phone and comparing them to their original purchase. The customer left happy with their new purchase.”

12. Can you tell us about some new trends that have caught your attention recently?

This question is a great way to see how much you know about the makeup industry and what trends are popular. It’s also an opportunity for you to show your creativity and passion for MAC Cosmetics products. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the new products that have been released recently or discuss why you like certain colors or styles.

Example: “I’ve noticed that many people are starting to use more bold colors on their eyes. I think this is because they’re looking for something fun and exciting to wear during the summer months. Another trend I’m noticing is that women are using less foundation and instead opting for tinted moisturizers. This is probably due to the fact that they want to look natural but still put in effort with their makeup.”

13. Have you ever had any experience managing a team?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company. If you have experience managing a team, describe what motivated them to work hard for you. If you don’t have direct management experience, you can talk about any other leadership roles you’ve had in the past.

Example: “I’ve never been in a position of authority where I could hire or fire employees, but I did manage my sorority’s social media accounts. This was an unpaid position, but it helped me learn more about marketing and public relations. My sorority members were all very active on social media, so we decided to create a cohesive brand across our platforms. We worked together to come up with ideas for new content and ways to improve our existing content.”

14. What kind of management style do you use?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit in with their team. MAC Cosmetics is a large company, so it’s likely that your direct supervisor will be someone who has been working there for some time. Your answer should show that you’re open to learning from more experienced employees and are willing to take direction when necessary.

Example: “I’ve worked in both highly structured environments and ones where I had more freedom to make decisions on my own. In either case, I try to listen to what others have to say before making any final decisions. I find this helps me learn from other people’s experiences and makes sure I’m not missing anything important. I also like to delegate tasks to those who are best suited to do them, which allows everyone to feel like they’re contributing.”

15. Are you familiar with social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter?

Social media platforms are a great way to promote MAC Cosmetics products and services. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using these platforms, as well as how they can be used to benefit the company. In your answer, explain which social media platforms you use and why you enjoy them. Share any previous experience with these platforms or other similar ones.

Example: “I am very familiar with Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I’ve been using Instagram for several years now, mostly because it’s a fun way to share my makeup creations with others. I also love that I can connect with other beauty bloggers and influencers on Instagram. Facebook is another platform I use regularly. I find it helpful to keep up with friends and family members through Facebook Messenger. As for Twitter, I only recently started using it but already feel comfortable tweeting about different topics.”

16. What is one thing you would change about MAC if you could?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your creativity and problem-solving skills. Your answer should show that you are passionate about MAC products, but also willing to make improvements when necessary.

Example: “I would change the price of some of their products. I understand why they charge what they do, but it can be hard for customers who want to try out new products without spending too much money. I think there could be a happy medium where MAC still makes a profit while making their products more accessible.”

17. Provide an example of a time where you successfully exceeded sales goals.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach your work and whether you are a self-motivated individual. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you were working toward a goal and achieved more than what was expected.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a sales quota that I needed to meet each week. One week, I exceeded my quota by 20%. My manager praised me for my performance and gave me additional responsibilities within the company. This helped me gain confidence in my abilities as a MAC makeup artist and inspired me to continue exceeding expectations.”

18. If hired, how will you contribute to the company culture?

MAC Cosmetics is a fun and creative company that values its employees’ opinions. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with the rest of the team. In your answer, try to highlight some of your unique skills or talents. You can also talk about what you enjoy doing for fun.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who loves helping others. I think these are great qualities for someone working in cosmetics because they help me stay focused on my work while still being friendly and helpful to customers. I also love art and fashion, so MAC is a perfect place for me to express myself creatively.”

19. Do you consider yourself to be creative?

MAC Cosmetics is a company that relies on its employees’ creativity. The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have the ability to be creative and innovative when needed. In your answer, share an example of a time when you used your creativity to solve a problem or create something new.

Example: “I definitely consider myself to be creative. I’ve always been able to come up with unique ideas for projects and assignments in my previous roles. For instance, at my last job, we had a client who wanted a bold look but didn’t want to use too much color. I suggested using glitter instead of color to achieve the same effect without being overwhelming. My idea was a hit, and the client loved her final look.”

20. How would you describe your personal sense of style?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personal style and how it aligns with MAC Cosmetics. Your answer should include an example of a time you used your own sense of style to create a unique look for a client.

Example: “My personal sense of style is very eclectic, which I think makes me a great fit for this position. In my last role as a makeup artist, I had a client who wanted a bold look but didn’t want to go too over-the-top. I suggested we use bright colors on her eyes and lips while keeping her face natural. She loved the final look and said she felt like a pop star.”