Getting a Job a Lush...
So I have recently just got a job at Lush as a Christmas temp, so I thought I would write a blog post about it because as far as job interviews go Lush's process is pretty original and I know that posts on blogs like this really helped me in prepping for the interview. Now obviously this is isn't a step by step guide on how to get the job with any guaranties of results but this is what I did.
Cover letter/Cv:
So obviously each shop is different and will ask for different things, when it came to Cv/Cover letter I had to send mine is via email, I tried to be as upbeat and friendly as possible and Express the passion I have for cosmetics especially ones that specialised in being eco friendly and animal friendly. Your Cv is your chance to be noticed because not everyone who applies will get the job, in my store I think around 170 people applied for the job and around 40 got through to group interviews) so try stand out as much as you can, if you have a certain store you go into a lot, say it in your cover letter just try stand out.
Group interviews:
Now this really does vary from store to store and each group will do it differently but I can give a rough outline on what it may be like. So in my interview there was around 20 people which was one of two interviews so there was 40 all together across the two interviews, when we arrived we were split into groups of around 7 per group and each group had a different task to do, one about the productions (you didnt need product knowledge for this but the stuff I knew really helped me) one just a general getting to know you task and one was a product demo. Each group got a go at each task with a member of staff watching and taking notes. Obviously yet again you need to try stand out here because not everyone will go onto the trial shifts, I don't actually know how many from my interview went onto trial shifts but it could be anything from 20/40 to say 5/40. My advice would be just as confident and friendly as you can, any product knowledge you do have use it to your advantage, lush love people being quirky and themselves so it's not the kinda interview where you have to hide your bright blue hair and being super sensible, obviously be professional but being your quirky self as much as you can.
Speaking of hair, as far as outfit goes my advice is COLOUR be bright. If you get invited to the group interview the email will say something along the lines of "the interview is quite informal, dress how you feel comfortable" now I wouldn't advice turning up in joggers and a sweatshirt, however you really don't need to dress in a suit or blazer. I wore black jeans a dark flowy top and a bright mint and pink coloured scarf so it really is about putting your own spin on things.
Trial shift:
So if you are one of the lucky ones who gets a trial shift, here is my advice first of all don't worry about nerves, you're going to be nervous it's natural but the staff at lush are by far the nicest staff ever and even if it seems to be going awfully it'll be going better than you think.
Let me tell you a story;
The day of my trial shift I was oh so nervous and walking to my bus stop I was even trying to rehearse what I'd say, I had planned to be in the city centre an hour befor my shift so set off a good two hours earlier, going well so far...and this is where it all went wrong. I ended up stood at the bus stop for over an hour and no bus had show up so as you can imagine whilst already nervous I was now pushing it for time, as no bus seemed to coming I called the store and told them the issue and explained I was going to be late which they were totally fine with and just told me to try get there asap, I then jumped into a taxi and motored as fast as I could to the shop. I arrived half an hour after my trial shift was due to start and got there very flustered. But the staff were so so lovely they told me it was nothing to worry about and gave me a further ten mins to calm down a bit and get a feel for the shop so I wasn't starting my trial shift all stressed and flustered. The rest of the shift went really well and lasted around about an hour and a half. My shift was split into two sections, you are given a quick health and safety brief and given an outline of a few products and how to demos and then the floor is yours. After around 45 mins/1 hr you're then given feed back, even if your doing amazingly you will still be given something to do a bit better don't worry. And then that's it really. I found out I got the job about a week later and even though the trial itself went well I really thought I hadn't got it because I was late. So even if you think it's going horribly it can't have gone as bad as mine and I still got in. They're looking for people who are confident, bubbly and aren't afraid to chat to the public as if they were you best friend, ask open questions and don't be afraid to be demos. I obviously wouldn't advise turning up half an hour late in a flurry but if you are running late, call ahead and let them know,
Hope this helped and I wish you potential future lushies the best of luck, if any of you spend up with jobs or have interview stories let me know Where to find me:
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