Were all growing older every single day. Its just a fact of life. But thank goodness there’s Vanessa Lee! She shows us how to age with grace and purpose in this interview and in her work as a world-famous medical aesthetician.
Vanessa is the owner of the beauty concept bar THE THINGS WE DO. She tells us how her ability to listen sets her apart as a founder and helps her understand what her clients want. We also learn why representation is important for a strong community, how to relax away from screens, and how to embrace what makes you unique through natural beauty.
Do you find beauty empowering? If so, how? Absolutely. Whenever I had a big test in college, I would get up earlier, give myself a good scrub in the shower, do my hair and makeup, and walk into class with the mindset of “I HAVE ARRIVED.” It always made me perform at my best. I felt beautiful because I took the time to take care of myself. For some people its working out and drinking a green smoothie. Yes, I agree that beauty can make you feel strong. It depends on how well you can describe what makes you feel beautiful and how well you can use that knowledge.
You will learn as you get older that you have two hands: one for helping yourself and the other for helping other people, as Maya Angelou said. How do you think your platform has affected your own identity? How do you think it has affected a larger community? We love Maya Angelou! Yes, it is known that most practitioners in my industry are white, and being a woman of color (and 90% of our staff is POC) in this field has brought so much to my attention unintentionally. First, clients tell us every week that they feel so at ease because the providers look like them. This is because representation is important. There was a young Black man who came in for facials and said he was so glad he found us because our website has a picture of our Black client DJ Dahi, which made him feel like this place was made just for him. All of this has made me want to talk about how few people of color work in my industry and why they shouldn’t be ignored. I want to be a part of the change by working with mentees and pushing the bigger pharmaceutical companies to be more open to hiring and training people from all backgrounds.
Scenario: Its been a long week, and youre finally coming home to rest. In order to take care of your mental health, what do you usually do? Do you take any short breaks during times of stress? For me, a hobby that I think more people should take up helps me relax and forget about things. I metal detect. It’s fun for me to walk on trails and take my CTX 3030 to the beach. I can do this for hours. Sometimes I’ve found interesting things, but what I enjoy most is the mindless scanning (which makes me move!) and the little treasures I find that make it worth it. I find it so important to enjoy something that doesnt involve work or a screen.
What advice do you have for other women who want to start their own business, whether it’s in the beauty industry or something else? Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. Going from being an employee to being your own boss is hard enough; you’ll face many challenges, but being with people who don’t want you to succeed is a trap. Believe in yourself and be in the company of people who contribute to your wellbeing and happiness. Everything else is distraction and poor energy that will drain you.
During your time as a medical aesthetician, when did you realize you had a special skill? How did you use this knowledge to start your own business? I knew I had something special when my patient list started growing quickly just from word of mouth. Patients began to tell me that they had never been treated by a doctor in the way I did, which confused me because I didn’t quite understand. I learned from talking to patients more that they thought their previous doctors didn’t really listen to them and tried to sell them procedures instead of telling them what was best for them. Some of them felt like they were being taken advantage of. I’m a good, solid injector, but I’m also a great listener, and I like to think I’m good at making people feel safe in my chair. Patients can tell when their provider really cares about them, which builds trust. Once patients trust their provider, they start telling everyone how great it is to find a doctor who gets them. Word spreads very quickly. When I started The Things We Do, I wanted everyone on the team to be an advocate for our patients and their natural beauty. It has grown in ways I never thought it would. Our clinics arent high intensity, intimidating mill house-style spaces. People instead like them because they make people feel calm and cared for, but they also have some of the best and most reputable injectors in the business using the newest techniques.
To you, what does natural beauty mean? When we say natural, we mean what feels authentic to you. We don’t try to make people look like their favorite celebrity or the latest Instagram filter. Instead, we try to make you look more rested, happier, and healthier by shaping your face, improving your skin health, and balancing your profile.
Part of your philosophy involves prioritizing inner beauty. When how we look is so important, how can we change our focus to what really matters? When I give a patient their beauty plan to address their concerns, they often ask, “What do you think? Do I really need this?” and my answer is always the same: “No.” I tell my patients that truthfully, none of us need any of this. As long as you’re having fun and focusing on what makes you happy, you’ll be fine! But, just like we don’t have to have certain bags or a matcha latte every morning, these skin and beauty solutions are there for you as an option. If our providers notice that a patient and procedures have an unhealthy relationship, we will gladly refer them to one of our recommended licensed therapists. These professionals can really help when the situation needs something more in-depth.
What tips would you give people who are interested in anti-aging treatments to help them get results that look natural? We like to use the term “age support” instead of “anti-aging.” For age support results that look the most natural, I recommend using actives at home that are right for your skin type (i.e. e. azelaic acid for redness, glycolic acid for acne and congestion on the skin’s surface, vitamin C for brightening, and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation and brightening. Always use sunscreen during the day. As far as treatments, I like to address the skin by type and concern as well. For fading brown spots and redness, I like gentle chemical peels. To dramatically smooth skin and reduce fine lines, microneedling is my favorite treatment. To thicken skin that is becoming thinner, PRFM is my favorite treatment, which uses natural growth factors from your own blood to stimulate your skin. There are a lot of options these days that can help your skin, but the best way to start is by addressing your main skin concern.
Do you have any advice for women who want to share their knowledge with a wider audience? I would tell them to grab a camera tonight and start talking! Start by recording yourself talking about three different topics, and you should be able to talk for twenty to thirty minutes. You can now cut and paste your videos to use on a lot of different sites, and you can start making shorts for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube right away. Recently, I talked to someone who knew that she wasn’t growing because she wasn’t content. She kept telling me, “I really need to get started, I just need to get started.” I finally told her to stop talking about what she needed to do and just do it! If you keep putting out high-quality content because you know how to do it, your niche will notice you and things will start to move. Just get started is my advice. It doesnt need to be perfect, it needs to be out there.
Don’t forget that in March, a portion of the proceeds from every item you buy, including great anti-aging skin care products, will be given to Movemeant, a non-profit that promotes physical activity to build values such as self-confidence, resilience, commitment, balance, and community. Head to our Female-Founded shop to support women while you look and feel amazing.
While a self-described social butterfly, I find empowerment in my independence. Planned trips by myself, dinner dates at new restaurants or parts of the city where the only people I have to talk to are the characters in the book I bring, and going to the local bar and getting to know the bartenders over a glass of wine… or three. When I spend time alone with myself, I feel brave, sure of myself, and ready to take on the world without anything else to protect me. It also gives me time to reflect, plan, journal and explore new places at my own pace.
Getting a job at Birchbox, the popular online monthly beauty subscription service, is an exciting opportunity for many job seekers. With its fun office culture, great perks, and cool product offerings, it’s no wonder so many want to work there
However, landing a job at Birchbox involves going through their rigorous interview process. In this competitive job market, you need to be thoroughly prepared to stand out from the crowd. That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide on the top Birchbox interview questions and the best ways to tackle them.
Overview of Birchbox’s Interview Process
The Birchbox interview process typically involves:
- An initial phone screen with a recruiter
- One or more technical interviews focused on your skills
- A final round interview where you meet with multiple team members
The questions aim to assess both your technical abilities as well as your fit with Birchbox’s culture and values. Some tips to ace the process:
- Research the company thoroughly to understand their brand and offerings
- Practice your answers to common technical and behavioral questions
- Prepare examples that showcase your skills and experience
- Ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in Birchbox
With preparation and practice you can feel confident tackling the Birchbox interview. Now let’s look at some of the top questions you may encounter.
Common Birchbox Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Tell me about yourself
This common icebreaker question allows Birchbox interviewers to learn more about your background. Focus on highlighting your experiences and skills that are most relevant to the role.
- Start with a brief overview of your current position and responsibilities
- Discuss your past experiences and major career achievements
- Emphasize transferable skills applicable to the role you are interviewing for
- Conclude with your strengths, values, and why you are interested in Birchbox
Example: “Currently, I work as a Marketing Coordinator at ABC Company where I handle social media campaigns and email marketing. In my 5 years of experience in digital marketing, I’ve executed successful campaigns that have exceeded click-through rate goals by over 15%. I’m skilled in data analysis, project management, and collaborating cross-functionally. Birchbox appeals to me because of the opportunity to blend my marketing experience with my passion for the beauty industry. I’m excited by the prospect of working for an industry disruptor known for its innovative marketing.”
Why do you want to work for Birchbox?
With this question, interviewers want to assess your genuine interest in the company. Convey passion and do your research beforehand on Birchbox’s history, mission, culture, and products.
- Show enthusiasm for the company and what makes it stand out
- Reference specific aspects of the brand or values that appeal to you
- Align your strengths and goals to the position and Birchbox’s needs
Example: “I’m really interested in working for Birchbox because of your unique approach to the beauty industry. I love how you’ve made discovering new products fun and accessible through your monthly boxes. I’m also drawn to your culture that values innovation, creativity, and collaboration. With my background in digital marketing and passion for beauty, I believe I would thrive here by helping engage customers and promote your mission of inspiring exploration and play.”
How would you describe our brand to a customer?
This tests your knowledge of Birchbox’s brand identity and messaging. Concisely convey what makes them special.
- Research their brand story, products, and differentiators
- Emphasize their approach to personalized beauty discovery through subscriptions
- Use descriptive words that capture their vibe: creative, innovative, playful
Example: “I would describe Birchbox as a brand focused on bringing the fun, discovery, and delight back to beauty shopping. Through your monthly subscription service, customers get to sample and learn about new products tailored to their preferences in a personalized and enjoyable way. Your brand offers the excitement of discovering new brands and products along with the convenience of shopping from home. Overall, Birchbox provides a unique beauty experience focused on exploration and playfulness.”
What experience do you have with social media marketing?
Many roles at Birchbox involve social media marketing, so this question tests your skills and knowledge. Focus on showcasing past campaign examples.
- Highlight specific platforms you have experience with and campaigns managed
- Discuss metrics you tracked and any results achieved
- Reference skills like data analysis, content creation, community engagement
Example: “I have over 4 years of experience executing social media campaigns for lifestyle brands. I’m proficient in platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. For example, for a previous food brand client, I created and managed an Instagram campaign that generated a 20% increase in engagement over 2 months through a mix of interactive polls, user-generated content, and giveaways. I’m skilled at developing social content calendars, tracking KPIs like engagement and reach, and analyzing data to optimize performance. My experience would allow me to create compelling social campaigns for Birchbox’s community.”
How would you go about improving our customer retention rate?
Here they want to assess your strategic thinking skills specific to their business. Focus your answer on initiatives that drive loyalty.
- Emphasize the importance of understanding why customers churn through surveys or data analysis
- Suggest tactics like loyalty programs, special offers for subscribers, enhanced personalization
- Reference your experience with retention programs if possible
Example: “The first step I would take in improving customer retention is to analyze data to better understand pain points in the customer journey. We could survey customers on why they canceled subscriptions and identify common themes. Beyond that, some initiatives could include launching a loyalty program to reward long-term subscribers, enhancing the personalization of boxes to better cater to customers’ needs, or providing special perks like early access to new products. My goal would be finding creative ways to drive engagement and demonstrate value to subscribers consistently over time, so they keep coming back.”
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This common question allows you to share qualities and skills you excel at while being upfront about areas you still need to develop.
- Discuss 3-4 key strengths relevant to the role like creativity, work ethic, communication skills
- Share 1-2 weaknesses and, more importantly, the steps you’re taking to improve them
- Emphasize that you are self-aware, ambitious, and dedicated to growth
Example: “My key strengths are creativity, organization, and teamwork. I thrive on coming up with innovative ideas and campaigns. I’m also extremely organized and methodical in my execution. Lastly, I excel at collaboration and view success as a team effort. In terms of weaknesses, public speaking is an area I’m working on improving. I’ve been taking a course focused on presentation skills and volunteer for company presentations to get more practice. I’m committed to identifying my weaknesses and actively developing them into strengths.”
How do you handle a difficult customer?
At Birchbox, customer service is critically important. With this question, interviewers want to see how you handle challenging situations professionally.
- Emphasize staying calm, showing empathy, and avoiding confrontation
- Focus on listening, understanding the customer’s perspective, and working towards a mutually satisfactory solution
- Reference Birchbox’s values like creativity and passion as guiding principles
Example: “When dealing with an upset customer, I make it a priority to first listen attentively to understand their concerns. I empathize and acknowledge their perspective before responding. If I need to involve my manager or a more senior representative, I try to do so discreetly to avoid exacerbating the situation. My goal is always to find a creative solution that leaves the customer satisfied, whether that involves replacing a damaged item or providing credits for future orders. At the end of the day, I want the customer walking away feeling appreciated and excited to order from Birchbox again.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question gauges your career aspirations and interest in growing with the company long-term. Recruiters want to hire candidates invested in their role.
- Demonstrate your desire to take on more responsibility and develop new skills over time
- Emphasize your goal of moving up within your department or expanding your expertise
- Share how you hope to be contributing to Birchbox’s growth and innovation
Example: “In 5 years, my goal is to have taken on greater responsibility and expanded the breadth of my digital marketing skillset. As I gain more specialized expertise in areas like paid advertising or website optimization, I hope to guide larger initiatives that help promote Birchbox’s mission. I aim to develop strong cross-functional relationships and eventually lead teams on creative marketing projects. I’m excited by the opportunity Birchbox provides to grow professionally while driving the success of an industry-leading brand. I see myself being an invaluable contributor who is eager to take on new challenges.”
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Along with preparing your answers, you should also go into Birchbox interviews with thoughtful questions for your interviewers. This demonstrates your engagement in the conversation and interest in the company.
Some good questions to ask include:
- How would you describe the work culture here? What do you think makes it unique?
- What are the most important skills and attributes for
Top Interview Questions for a Social Media Manager – Career Advice from BirchBox
FAQ
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want to work at this salon?
