Before an interview, you should always visit a boutique within the brand. When secret shopping a boutique, never mention to the existing team that you are applying for a position within the brand. You should always experience the brand firsthand as a customer.
Luxury Retail Interview Guide
Observe the team’s sense of style. This is who the company has chosen to represent their brand, so it is important to pay attention to their appearance and how they operate. Below are a few points to consider while visiting the boutique.
- How do the sales associates approach you, and how do they present themselves?
- How is the product merchandised?
- How many team members are on the floor?
- If you work with a sales associate, make sure to get his or her card.
- Try something on. What do you think of the fit, fabrication, design and texture?
- What is in the window display, and what is the main focus this season?
- What is the color story for the season?
- What is the level of service in the fitting room?
- When shopping at the boutiques, look at every collection. You should be comfortable talking about every category.
- Who are the managers within the store and what are they doing (are they on the floor, working with customers, etc.)?
When you leave, take note of your experience. If the interviewer asks if you have visited a boutique, this is a great way to initiate a conversation. This demonstrates that you are fully invested in the process and have researched the brand thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with current news in the industry. The following websites are excellent resources:
For more preparation and interview tips, download the rest of the Luxury Retail Interview Guide (below).
