Job Description for a Perfume Associate
Perfume associates are hired guns who rock in-store special events. Representing various fragrance lines, they are paid to drive sales. Contracted either directly by the fragrance house or through a marketing agency, these savvy brand ambassadors understand fragrance composition and application techniques. They are loaded up with samples and "gifts" for purchasers. With lures in hand, these fragrance-divas entice customers into making scent purchases.
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Opportunity
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Some fragrance lines designate account executives, or perfume associates, to work 20 to 30 hours per week. Along with in-store promotions, these account representatives manage inventory and training for a territory that often spans a large area. Fragrance houses also contract with marketing agencies to hire promotional associates. These gigs take place during peak traffic hours on high-volume sales days. These freelance assignments are more plentiful in larger cities with denser populations.
Duties
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Perfume associates stock shelves, keep track of store inventory, train in-store staff and overall increase sales for their fragrance line. They often travel throughout a region working multiple store events per weekend. The job can pay well, but much is expected. The bottom line is always strictly monitored sales-per-hour quotas.
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Requirements
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Maintaining strong sales is the number one requirement for perfume associates. However, it is nearly impossible to get a chance to sell for a line if employers do not feel that you "look the part." Fragrance executives view potential perfume associates as the face of their brand. Understanding perfumery basics like layering, notes and scent interaction is prerequisite. You must speak the lingo of fragrance and project "street cred." While classroom learning and degrees help in executive office positions, success on the floor is measured by numbers, personality and professionalism.
Getting Started
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Breaking into the business takes a can-do attitude, and connections certainly help. Hit the stores in person and talk to line representatives behind the counters. Chat up perfume associates at events and find out what lines are looking for promoters. Simply saying "Nikki from Chanel told me Burberry needs coverage at Macy's" is the kind of talk that gets you in the door. From there personal sales totals, showing up on time, and good reviews from the store's cosmetics manager keep you going. Fragrance promotion is competitive. Bright personalities who are well-packaged and connected end up making it in. Top salespeople stay.
Rates
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Rates for perfume associates vary, ranging from about $11 to $25 per hour. The pay is higher in big cities like New York City, Los Angeles and Atlanta, and lower in less-populated locations. A salary survey by the Department of Labor put the hourly average at $14.70 in 1999, but rates for this type of work have remained fairly consistent for three decades. A perfume associate's personal production also affects hourly pay. Consistent high sales garners higher pay for the perfume associate.
Hours
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Average shifts fall between two and four hours, with four hours being the norm. Promotions are scheduled for peak shopping hours on traditionally heavy shopping days. Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons are prime days to pick up assignments.
Gear and Dress
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Perfume associates need a reliable car, as traveling quite a distance is common as are irregular hours. Often, the associate is responsible for bringing in boxes of samples, testers and gifts for promotions. Many times, the promoter brings a small table and table covering as well.
Most companies require the fragrance representative to dress in all black, with hair back and makeup applied. Closed-toe shoes are a normal requirement. Fashion sense is necessary, and perfume associates should dress to match their line. Even though perfume associates for Chanel and Betsey Johnson, for example, dress in black, the look is much different. One is more subdued and classic while the other appears more trendy and hip.
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References
- Photo Credit perfume bottle image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
