20 Mary Kay Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a Mary Kay interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with beauty products, your customer service skills, and your ability to sell Mary Kay products. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work independently and meet sales goals. To help you prepare for your interview, we have compiled a list of sample Mary Kay interview questions and answers.

Mary Kay Interview Process

The interview process at Mary Kay is generally pretty straightforward. You can expect to have a phone screen with HR, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager and/or team. If you’re applying for an internship, you may only have one or two interviews. The difficulty of the interviews will vary depending on the position you’re applying for. For entry-level positions, you can expect mostly behavioral questions. For more technical positions, you may be asked to take a skills test or do a presentation. Overall, the interview experience is generally positive, with most people finding the staff to be friendly and helpful.

1. What do you know about Mary Kay?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. You can use this opportunity to show that you have researched the company, understand what it does and know how it operates.

Example: “I’ve been using Mary Kay for years now because I love the quality of their products. I also appreciate the fact that they are cruelty-free and don’t test on animals. The company has an excellent reputation in my community, so I feel confident buying from them. I am always looking for new ways to try out their products.”

2. Why are you interested in becoming a consultant for Mary Kay?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the company and its products. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific product or service that you like and why you enjoy using it.

Example: “I am interested in becoming a consultant because I love the Mary Kay brand. I have been using their products for years now, and they are my go-to when I need to treat myself. The quality of the products is amazing, and I would love to share them with others.”

3. Do you have any experience selling products, if so what were they and how did you sell them?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience selling products and how you did it. It’s also a good way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality, as they can get an idea of what type of person you are based on the types of products you’ve sold in the past.

Example: “In my previous position, I was responsible for selling makeup and skin care products. I would use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to post pictures of myself wearing the products and write captions that explained why people should buy them. I found this method to be very effective because many of my followers were already familiar with the brand and knew that I used their products regularly.”

4. How would you go about acquiring new customers to buy your product?

This question is a great way to see how you would approach marketing and sales. It’s important for Mary Kay consultants to have strong customer service skills, but they also need to be able to market their products effectively. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand the importance of both aspects of this job.

Example: “I believe in providing excellent customer service to everyone I interact with. This means listening to my customers’ needs and making sure they’re happy with their purchases. In addition to this, I would use social media to promote my business and interact with potential clients. I think it’s important to build relationships with your followers so they feel comfortable purchasing from you.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had an unhappy 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 handle conflict and if you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, try to emphasize that you are a problem solver who can help customers find solutions to their problems.

Example: “I once had a customer who was unhappy with her order because she thought she would receive a different color lipstick than what she ordered. I explained to her that we cannot guarantee colors when ordering online. She seemed disappointed but understood my response. I offered to send her another lipstick of the same color at no charge or give her a refund. She decided to keep the lipstick and said she would be sure to read the product description in the future.”

6. Describe a time where someone gave you feedback on the way you handled something that was difficult but helpful, how did it change the way you did things?

This question is a great way to show your ability to accept feedback and use it to improve yourself. When answering this question, try to think of an example where you were able to take constructive criticism and apply it to your work or personal life.

Example: “When I first started working as a sales representative for Mary Kay, my manager gave me some feedback on the way I was presenting myself at events. She told me that I needed to be more outgoing and friendly when talking with customers. At first, I felt like she was criticizing me, but after taking a few deep breaths, I realized she was just trying to help me become a better salesperson. After her advice, I made sure to smile more often and greet everyone who came up to our booth.”

7. Can you recall a negative situation with a customer that resulted in a positive outcome?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle customer service challenges. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you’re willing to go above and beyond for customers.

Example: “In my last role, I had a client who was unhappy with her order because she didn’t receive one of the products she ordered. She called me multiple times about this issue, and each time I explained to her that we were waiting on an item to arrive in our warehouse so we could ship it out to her. After several weeks, the product still hadn’t arrived, so I contacted the company myself to find out what happened. They told me they would send another shipment right away. The next day, the product arrived at our office, and I shipped it out to the customer.”

8. Have you ever had trouble meeting sales goals? If so, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to challenges and whether you have any experience with sales quotas. Your answer should show that you are willing to work hard to meet your goals, even if it means working overtime or taking on additional responsibilities.

Example: “In my previous role as a makeup artist, I had trouble meeting my monthly quota of selling five products per client. At first, I was worried about losing my job because of this, but then I decided to take action by reaching out to clients who hadn’t scheduled their next appointment yet. This helped me reach my quota for the month.”

9. What is your experience with working independently?

Mary Kay is a direct sales company, which means you’ll be working independently to sell products and recruit new consultants. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this type of work and how well you can manage your time and responsibilities.

Example: “I’ve worked as a freelance writer for the past five years, so I’m used to managing my own schedule and setting my own deadlines. In fact, I prefer working on my own because it gives me more freedom to set my own hours and take breaks when I need them. However, I am also very good at collaborating with others and sharing ideas.”

10. What motivates you most?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It can also help you determine if they are motivated by money or other factors, such as helping others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that motivates you personally.

Example: “I am most motivated by my family. I love being able to provide for them and make their lives better. In fact, when I was younger, I wanted to become a doctor because of how much I loved helping people. However, after taking some science classes in high school, I realized that sales would allow me to help people while still working from home.”

11. Are you comfortable using social media as a platform to promote your business?

Mary Kay is a company that relies heavily on social media to promote its products. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience using social media and how comfortable you are with it. If you don’t have much experience, consider taking some time to learn about the different platforms before your interview.

Example: “I am very familiar with social media and I use it regularly to connect with my friends and family. However, I haven’t used it as a platform to promote any of my businesses in the past. I would be happy to learn more about Mary Kay’s social media strategy.”

12. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the steps you took to fix the mistake or improve upon it.

Example: “When I first started working as a sales representative for Mary Kay, I was so excited about my new position that I wanted to make sure I sold as many products as possible. One day, I called a customer who had already placed an order and asked if they would like to add more items to their purchase. The customer said no, but I still added the extra item to their order anyway. They were upset when they received their package because of the additional product. I apologized profusely and offered to send them a gift card in exchange for their inconvenience.”

13. What kind of tools do you use to keep yourself organized?

Mary Kay is a company that requires its representatives to be organized and efficient. Your answer should show the interviewer you have an effective system for keeping track of your work, clients and other tasks.

Example: “I use several different tools to stay organized. I keep all my client information in a database program so I can easily access it when needed. I also use a calendar app on my phone to schedule appointments with clients and set reminders for myself. Finally, I use a task management app to create lists of things I need to do each day.”

14. What is one thing you can bring to this company that no other candidate could?

This question is a great way to show your unique skills and talents. It’s also an opportunity for you to highlight any experience that relates to the job description.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of social media marketing, which I believe would be beneficial to Mary Kay Global because it’s important to reach customers where they are. In my previous role as a freelance writer, I wrote several articles about beauty care products and how to use them. This helped me develop a strong following on social media, so I know what types of content resonate with people.”

15. What does your ideal work environment look like?

Mary Kay is a direct sales company, so your ideal work environment may be one where you can interact with customers and sell products. Your answer should show the interviewer that you are comfortable in this type of setting. You can also use this question to explain why you’re interested in working for Mary Kay.

Example: “I am an outgoing person who loves interacting with people. I would thrive in a work environment where I could talk to customers about beauty care products and help them find what they need. I think my customer service skills make me a great fit for Mary Kay.”

16. What makes you stand out from other consultants?

This question is a great way to show your unique personality and how you can contribute to the Mary Kay brand. Your answer should highlight your strengths, skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate for this role.

Example: “I believe my ability to connect with others makes me stand out from other consultants. I am always willing to listen to what people have to say and offer them advice on which products they might like best. My outgoing nature also helps me build strong relationships with customers and other consultants. I love helping others feel confident in their appearance.”

17. What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to become a Mary Kay Consultant?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how you can help others succeed. Your answer should include a piece of advice that you have learned from your own experience as a Mary Kay Consultant or through research about the company.

Example: “One piece of advice I would give someone who wants to become a Mary Kay Consultant is to be confident in their abilities. When I first started my career, I was nervous about selling products because I didn’t think I could do it. However, after talking with other consultants, I realized that anyone can sell beauty products if they are willing to put in the effort. If you want to become a consultant, just remember that you can do it.”

18. How would you deal with an upset client over the phone?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. It’s important for representatives of Mary Kay to be able to handle difficult situations with clients and remain calm, friendly and professional. Your answer should show that you can empathize with the client and resolve their issue as quickly as possible.

Example: “I would first apologize to the client for any inconvenience they experienced. Then I would listen carefully to what they have to say and try to understand their concerns. If there was something I could do to help them, I would offer it immediately. If not, I would explain why and provide information on how to get in touch if they need further assistance.”

19. Have you been in a leadership role before? If so, tell me about it.

This question is a great way to see if you have experience in leadership. If you haven’t, it’s okay to say so and explain what kind of leader you are.

Example: “I’ve been in a leadership role before as the head cheerleader for my high school football team. I was responsible for leading practices, making sure we had enough people at games and encouraging everyone on the team. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed being able to help others succeed.”

20. Provide an example of how you handle conflict within a team.

When working in a team environment, it’s important to be able to resolve conflicts and disagreements. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you can work well with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager for a marketing firm, I had a disagreement with one of my coworkers about how we should approach a client who was looking for more social media engagement. We both had different ideas about what would be best for the company, but instead of letting our disagreement escalate, we talked through our ideas and came up with a compromise that satisfied both of us.”