client advisor

beauty advisor

sales executive

counter manager

retail sales associate

Clarins USA

I have worked as a Sales Development Specialist in the Retail industry for nearly three years now, and it has been a wonderful experience in terms of the skills I have acquired.  I progress as servicing several large key accounts with our brands.  I have found as I have progressed, my company does not have the culture I was seeking.  I understand the turnover of our cosmetic industry has change tremendously in terms of volume and growth but there is a steady of decrease of hours and turn around that my Account Executive just put her notice in.  I am seeking a more collaborative environment in which I can use the many skills I have while also building upon them.  Given my success as Account Manager and Sales Specialist, I have developed a good sense of project management skills, such as laying out goals and a pan for several teams, interacting with clients to meet client needs, and managing work in a way that has enabled me and my team to deliver wonderful work products. In my new role I am now seeking the challenge of using my skills within a larger, more established company.  I am seeking the challenge of managing larger teams, working with co-workers. I thrive in fast-paced environments, so the fact that the job you are offering is expected to involve brisk work and long term client’s attention is attractive to me. 
In my prior jobs, my work included three main areas of responsibility.  First, I was in charge of brining in new accounts, this included phone initiatives and face to face. This is what you would consider my prospecting phase, by using my analytical skills, presentation skills, research skills and persuasion skills.  Basically I act as a hunter, by researching firms and finding the right clients that would have use for our product. Second, I was responsible for managing the company’s relationship with that core client, setting up a portfolio and giving directions in which our team would give them the satisfaction of taking control of their event.  This meant nurturing the relationship with them by meeting with representatives and ensuring that our work and products was addressing their needs.  Finally, I served as a liaison between the team and my superiors, so that my superiors would staff her people for the completion of the project.
In all of my sales roles I played a part in meeting with the client’s executives to gatekeeper; small to large business owners of sorts of industries, and to pharmacies, doctors to ensure my product work well for them and their clients. 
During my career I have had anywhere from 1 to 2 counties to several countries.  Boost revenue 13% by redefining performance standards and territory alignment/assignments to improve sales efficiency. Ranked #4 out 88 also ranked #1 out 122 generating highest market share growth.  Won numerous outstanding awards.

I can only speak for the Chicago market and the payroll department at the corporate office.  This was most certainty the worst professional experience I've had due to lack of leadership, training and communication from Account Executive and her direct supervisor.  There were some bizarre hiring decisions made that negatively affected the team and the overall moral.  New hire paperwork was never put through leading to employees not getting paid for one month (or more in some cases).  Payroll was not helpful or proactive in getting employees paid once this was presented to them and refused to overnight paychecks despite the many request and urgency of situation. 

There were many promises made for new hire training but essentially associates were simply thrown in and asked "to wing it" because it wasn't rocket science.  There were no product manuals or price list provided and none available at the counters to review prior to speaking with clients. When executives came to the locations they seemed to just gather in groups to chat but provided no training or guidance.  All of their conversations with the team were centered around "sale, sale, sale" and goals were constantly at the forefront.  I'm a firm believer in lead by example and felt the executives rarely, if ever assisted with the overall sales or success of their respective teams.  Even the national trainer stood around and seemed to just gossip about the sales team rather than get his hands dirty and allow us to observe his "amazing sales techniques" or application style.  In my previous positions the executives and trainers were considered the rock stars when they visited the locations, and truly mentored the team by getting on the floor themselves and producing.  I'm certain the executives have a lot of corporate reports and responsibilities to deal with but ultimately the company can not flourish without education and ultimately sales.  

The communication was almost non existent and there was always blame placed on the executives that were previously terminated.  And the worst part was the highly aggressive recruiting tactics that were expected which were openly mocked by the other counters as well as potential clients.  I unfortunately witnessed  shoppers getting followed and harassed after stating "not interested" numerous times which gives the overall appearance of desperation for the brand. Surely a company of this caliber can devise a sales and marketing strategy that doesn't solely rely on badgering shoppers while they are in the location.

I went to work days in which were best for sales and marketing; usually wednesday, Thursday, friday, and saturday. Along the following daily tasks, assisting staff and customers was part of everyday.

Wednesdays I touched based with floor manager for the events of the upcoming week; the manger was in charge of providing visuals for upcoming demonstrations and events.

Thursdays I put together displays and merchandised the store.
Friday I met with the floor associates to get everyone excited and ready to sell...I brought them coffee, chocolate, lunch so we were all ready to go.  

Saturday was our big sales day ; we did our best to create a light hearted atmosphere with music, good customer service, doing our best to create a good experience for all of us.  We met quarterly to recap and plan for the seasons.  

 
The hardest part of my job was coordinating with the store and other's schedules to meet, but where there is a will there is a way. :)

The most enjoyable part of my job was all the planning and executing events. I also loved helping customers find what they were looking for and going the extra mile to make sure they were satisfied and returned.

- A typical day a work would be, managing employees within my department. We would monitor sales, pay salaries and commissions, update skin care specialist and store data, was responsible for over 900 stores...and Clarins Skin Care Specialist in those stores.
- Coworkers included employees in my department "Demonstration Department", along with other departments including accounts payable/receivable, customer service, distribution.
- The hardest part was communicating with Regional Account Managers and the stores to confirm adequate staffing and salary and commissions.
-The most enjoyable was building relationships with all of the people I worked with.  Working with skin care specialist to help achieve their goals, and when reached able to pay them their bonuses.....great feeling of accomplishment

I believe that there should be potential to grow with the company as you consistently create sales, as I did. However, this company did not allow a chance for stability. I enjoyed the clientele and also the organic products used in some of their product ingredients. The hardest part of the job is when the retail doors don't book enough appointments. I learned that you have keep yourself progressing because the leadership does not give you a chance to work and prove yourself and also, your schedule may change at the very last minute so you can not depend on any set schedule.

This is a retail job, you will be on your feet most of the time and will not get the respect you deserve from the doors you go to. The company does not care about your opinions, so if you are looking for growth this is not the position you want to get into. Also work can become very demotivating when you work with people who are only out to get customers' money, and not truly listen to what customers' needs are. It's a shame that the culture has come to this! Please hire articulate individuals who represent the brand better!

Some co-workers are excellent to work with, but majority are very dishonest and gossipy. Overall, most of my co-workers are not happy with this position.

Clarins is a dying breed. Great products, but packaging and advertising is horrible. Really wonderful products and research. American know nothing about how great this line is. Too bad they will not step into this century because they could be number one!
The economy may take this line down. But in Europe this line is number one. All the products are great. Esp the body products. They really work! Make up is not one of their strengths. Americans prefer to cover their problem skin. European women take care of their skin and are happy to show it off with less make up. They need a great commercial or celebrity to shoot this line to the top.

A typical day at work is running behind customers asking them to try our skincare. The expectation is that you call your family and friends , customers basically go door to door or business to business and have an outsource event  to sell Clarins skincare. Had to report hourly how many people you sat down, how many were new, what did they buy, average unit sale, items per transactions etc. Best part of the job making women happy and look beautiful. The hardest part of the job is chasing customers down to sit and watching those in charge run the business with do as I say not as I do attitude.

Acct Execs rely heavily on ADS for doing their job... My old AE never stepped foot into a store except when she had to meet the higher ups.... The rest of the time, her fleet of ADSs would scatter in a frenzy whereever the market was failing...Like Mighty Mouse...to save the day.... Expectation far exceeds the experience.... And is definitely not a GLAM job by any means.  Clarins USA is failing miserably in its attempt to conduct business in the same light as Jacques Courtin Clarins' vision.  Management and corporate create a very defeatist attitude on the front line.  They create an impossible numbers game along with daily edits to scheduling.  For goodness sake, don't give them any ideas or feedback!!!  

I have been with the company for over 15 yrs.  When I started it was the most amazing company to work for .  We had phenomal training, education and upper management respected and knew your skills and what you had to offer to the line.  Now hours have been cut from 27 to 20 and now to 18 hrs a week.  No benefits for part timers,  job loyalty for long term employees that have dedicated so much of their lives to the line is not considered anymore.  Love the line but respect for the people who create and bring in business needs to be recognized!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Client advisor 101 salaries reported	$26.05 per hour
Beauty advisor 26 salaries reported	$21.16 per hour
Sales executive 6 salaries reported	$75,417 per year
Counter manager 13 salaries reported	$22.70 per hour
Retail sales associate 15 salaries reported	$26.00 per hour

Working at Clarins USA: Company Overview and Reviews

Clarins USA

Clarins USA Ratings

Popular jobs at Clarins USA

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected