I was hired internally and knew of the opening when it became available, since I was already a part-time associate. I'd known for a while that it would open up, so I'd been talking to the former full-timer quite a bit. I'd also tried to show more initiative at work and take responsibility for new things. The store manager posted ads on a few websites, considered half a dozen resumes, and interviewed one other person. I definitely had the advantage since I already worked there and knew the company, managers, and job expectations well, but I still needed to prove myself. The full-timer at many boutiques is almost an assistant manager: the manager's right-hand man/woman, the one responsible for the most sales, the person who knows how to do operational tasks and can fill in for the manager when needed. External candidates will need to get online and fill out a quick application, then take an assessment that takes at least 35 minutes. The assessment is mostly valuable, I've found (unlike some of the ones other companies use.) It gauges your customer service and sales instincts, your ambition, and your level of passiveness-assertiveness-aggressiveness. If you pass, your information is sent to the manager. I recommend taking the additional step of bringing them your resume in person (while dressed well), or at least emailing it or calling them to introduce yourself. My manager and I sat down for about 30 minutes in the backroom of the store. If you're an external candidate, you will probably fill out some paperwork before the interview. He asked me several questions. Some I remember: * What interests you in this position? * What skills make you a good fit for this role? * Where do you want to be in 5 years? Even though no one explicitly asked me to, I figured it was a good idea to have my resume there, along with a list I'd made of thoughts I had about the position and how I'd do in it. I also listed things I wanted to improve on. I took the job description and made bullet points in response to each requirement or task it listed. That was definitely a good idea. I was more prepared and it showed I took the job seriously. He raised a few small concerns he had, and I spoke to those as well as I could. One of them surprised me, but I kept calm. Overall I felt it went well. I also had a new understanding of what the manager's needs were. After the manager decided I should get the second interview (within a day or so), I spoke with the district manager on the phone for about 45 minutes about the job. It was more of a conversation than an interview, really. I asked him about what qualities successful full-timers have and what he saw as strengths and opportunities for both me and the store. If he hadn't already met me, I don't know if the interview would have been in person. Generally they are. The manager and district manager chose me for the job (yay!) They liked that I took the job seriously and had prepared for the interviews and engaged with them well. They also were happy to promote someone who already knew the basic tasks and company culture. After that, all I had to do was get approved and negotiate my pay. I didn't need a background check, since it had been done when I was hired part-time, but new employees would. (I know people who were almost hired there but didn't pass their check. One of them had a public intoxication arrest a few years prior when he was in college.) Other people in this position came from luxury retail backgrounds and found the opening online. Many managers also recruit from nearby stores and have people in mind for their next opening. It's crucial to dress professionally for the interview. The ideal outfit is a dark suit, since that's the dress code, but if you can't buy that until you have an offer, wear a light suit or dress pants/skirt and a nice blouse or Oxford shirt. Since this is a sales position, managers want to see a friendly and professional attitude and good communication skills. Once you're hired, you're eligible for health insurance after 90 days. (Get it. The plans are reasonably priced and cover everything I've ever needed with low co-pays.) If you don't need to give your current job two week's notice, the manager may have you start earlier.

There are three interviews, first with a store manager then district manager and a phone interview. But they move super quick i was hired within a week! They ask alot of questions relating to who you are and how to handle different situations.