Working at Merle Norman Cosmetics in Los Angeles, CA: 8 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in Los Angeles, CA Area

"A company that really shows an interest in its employees."

"Supported Owner"

What do you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"Fellow employees"

What don't you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"Hostile work environment"

"Good products, but company lacked willingness to develop marketing tactics to appeal to a user base younger than 60 years old, and sales were declining. Resistant to change overall (in early 2000)."

What do you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"I enjoyed the cosmetics industry in general, working with franchisees, and creative process of developing promotions and supporting materials."

What don't you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"Company was resistant to change -- at the time, they had never done any cross-promotions with other companies, did not have a website, had never done any targeted direct mail where results were tracked, etc. Considering the aging of their existing customer base at the time, they needed to do something to try to bring in new users, but didn't want to try anything new."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I would recommend hiring more people from outside industries to learn more about other marketing and promotions tactics. Corporate culture definitely - ironically - had a male-bias. Definitely a glass ceiling for female managers."

"Merle Norman was a GREAT job."

What do you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"The company was great and they treated their employees very well."

"Employees skew to older demographic, like product line. Very traditional, very formal structure."

What do you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"Once you get used to the Merle Norman Way you can ride your job out to retirement, unless you are in marketing."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"You cannot be too dressed up for an interview, since a dress code is in place for employees. Men in suits/shirts/ties/dress shoes, women should probably be in dresses. Some Dept. heads are notorious for poor interviewing skills, and the interview process will involve at least 3 full interviews before a job is offered, at least on a skilled/management/professional level."

What don't you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"A bit too formal, a bit too structured, innovation is not prized except in IT."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Set uniform policies for all departments, and enforce them rigidly. There is a tendency to let each Dept. head tweak the policies to suit his/her own."

What do you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"Had cafeteria for employees, Dental office on site. Management was experienced and knowledgeable."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Things are done the old fashioned way, but good company overall. Demand a high salary going in."

What don't you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"Low pay, poor location. Near the airport!"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Continue to look for ways to improve the company, need to get more updated on management philosophy."

What do you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"they have a good product"

What don't you like about working at Merle Norman Cosmetics?

"no compensation"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"have more reviews for the employees"