How To Break Into The Corporate Skincare Industry & Land The Dream Job

If you ask anyone who works for a skincare brand (or the beauty industry in general), there’s a very good chance they will tell you that it’s an inspiring field, filled with creative, hard-working people, cutting-edge innovation, and the occasional (OK, never-ending) heated debate over which holy-grail product is worth adding to your routine (spoiler alert, the answer is always the award-winning Alpha Beta Daily Peels).

If that sounds like your dream job, keep reading to learn DDG’s Executive Director of People and Culture Amanda Plasse’s insider tips on how to best prepare to interview at a clinical skincare brand.

Pick Your Path

Before you start scrolling the job boards, ask yourself what am I really good at? There are many different career paths within each skincare brand, so if you are just starting out or are looking to switch industries, it's okay to explore different avenues. On the corporate side, some of the most common career paths are product research and development, marketing, education, social media management, public relations, influencer marketing, finance, and human resources, but keep in mind that departments look different from brand to brand.  

! Pro Tip: If you need help determining where you may be a good fit, read through different job descriptions across all departments to see what piques your interests. Or, if you're feeling bold, you can also reach out to the job poster over LinkedIn (which would be me for DDG) and ask for an informational call to learn more about a specific role or future openings at the brand. Shoot your shot because you never know who may open a door for you.

Do Your Homework & Come Prepared: 

An easy way to stand out during the interview process is by doing your research. Before you submit your application, do a Google search of the company for any brand news and look up the company's mission statement. If there's a way to naturally speak to recent brand activity or values in your cover letter, do it. It will help you stand out against the competition. 

Once you’ve secured the initial interview, it’s time to put your detective hat on. Comb through the brand's website, social media, and reviews, as well as research the people that you will be speaking with. You should have a strong understanding of the brand's products, goals, recent campaigns, and initiatives and be ready to discuss them. Trust me, these questions always come up, and there’s nothing worse than being asked an easy question that was just a quick Google search away.

! Pro Tip: Another great way to prepare for the interview is to go to a store that carries the brand (like Sephora or Nordstrom) to sample the products and look at their marketing displays. 9 times out of 10 your interviewer will ask if you have tried the brand. You will want to be knowledgeable and able to speak to the products. Talking about textures, packaging, and formulas will show them you know your stuff. 

Stay Ahead Of The Curve

The skincare industry is all about the next big thing, whether it's innovative product launches, new viral TikTok trends, or the next up-and-coming influencer. There's always something buzzworthy to discuss, so it's crucial to stay in the know (especially if you're applying for a job in PR, influencer relations, marketing, social media management, or product development). In addition to studying the brand that you're interviewing for, it's also important to pay attention to industry trends and competitor activity. This will show your passion for the industry as a whole. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to be dialed in with insights directly from beauty experts and executives themselves.

! Pro Tip: Some of our favorite platforms to keep our finger on the pulse of industry news and trends are:

• Beauty Publications: Allure.com, WWD.com, BeautyMatter.com, NewBeauty.com, Glossy.com 
• Beauty Podcasts: Gloss Angeles, Fat Mascara, Lipstick on the Rim, Eyewitness Beauty, Beauty Is Your Business 
• Trade Magazines: NewBeauty Magazine, American Spa Magazine, Skin Inc. Magazine 

Network & Build Relationships In The Industry

Networking is crucial in this industry and is a great way to learn about new positions and meet mentors in your field. If you live in a city that's a beauty hub like New York, LA, or Miami, attend industry gatherings (such as seminars, workshops, and masterclasses) and introduce yourself to people. I know it's easier said than done, but you never know who's in the room. If you don't live in one of those cities, don't count yourself out! There are online professional organizations, like CEW, that offer beauty mentorship programs and host virtual networking events to connect beauty industry newbies and pros across the country.