I applied online. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Macy's (Seattle, WA) in Nov 2013
Interview
I applied online and received an email response back 14 hours later to schedule the initial interview. I met with the Cosmetics Manager who was very easy to talk to and who had a very pleasant demeanor--it was like we were two friends who were meeting again after being apart for a year or two. She asked typical interview questions that pertained to my prior managerial experience, and asked a couple of scenario questions (What would you do if...?). Though I initially applied for the position with a specific vendor, she thought I would be a better fit with another, and at the end of my interview (which went very well) she said the vendor rep would be in touch with me in the next few days. She also talked to me a bit on how to approach the next interview and coached me through some possible questions. The feedback was great!
Because it was a holiday weekend, I wasn't alarmed that it was 3 days later that she called me back to inform me that the vendor had been out of town and would contact me the next business day.
She did. My 2nd interview was scheduled for the following day (7 days after the 1st) and I met with the vendor. At first I wasn't sure how it went. Aside from asking questions geared toward getting to know me and my prior exposure/experience with the brand, the only real thing she asked was what I would do if one of my employees was performing sub-par to the brand expectations. My response was in multiple parts (below).
On the way out I ran into the department manager who, after talking to the vendor rep said she'd really liked me, putting me at ease a bit. She said they had to complete a few interviews that week and she'd be in touch with me by the end of the week with a decision.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What would you do if an employee failed to meet brand expectations in performance?
Recieved phone call to come in for in-person interview. Was told to expect an email from the brand tep for a 2nd and final interview. This didn't happen. I followed up a few times to ensure I hadn't missed any communication and was blatantly given the run around and lied to by the hiring manager. She didn't make eye contact during the interview and yawned several times throughout. Had they not wanted to move forward with me then they should have communicated next steps properly vs telling me lies that I'm still being considered and should hear from the rep soon for my 2nd interview. I wouldn't trust working for an individual who's communication and behavior just demonstrated they lack proper training and skills themselves to communicated with applicants. If I can't trust that what you tell me is 100% true at face value then I'm afraid it would have been a bad start to a relationship anyway. Disappointed in my interviewer and the folling communication and lack f respect and integrity shown to me.
After 30 minutes of sitting in waiting area for the interviewer to come(and me getting no response when I reached out to let the person who set up the interview know Id been waiting), I got up and left. Complete disregard for my time.
The Store Manager was kind and informative. The interview process was fast and there was a second interview with the ASM, In person for both interviews, and there was little time between communication and interviews.