Shiseido Interview Questions
& Process

Had a call with a recruiter, she said she would follow up with next steps. I didn’t hear back for 2 weeks, and had to follow up twice. She then rejected me, but I don’t think she would’ve reached out if I hadn’t. Didn’t feel like they genuinely care about the interview process or find the right candidate. I also heard that they recently layed off 300 employees and removed 2 floors from their coporate office. It doesn’t sound like a great environment so I don’t recommend seeking a job with them as they don’t seem to respect their candidates. It seems like a overworked company with fast turnovers.

The interview started with HR, who asked some basic behavioral questions and confirmed the info on my application. Then I met with the hiring manager. This part was more in-depth about my past work. The hiring manager wasn't very professional though. She was yawning a lot and seemed uninterested in what I was saying, like she had a rough night. Her outfit was also super casual, so I wasn't sure if it was a formal thing or just a chat, which I thought was a bit rude.

I interviewed with Shiseido France on November 7 for a position I was genuinely excited about. Unfortunately, despite multiple follow-ups on my part, including contacting the HR Director, I received no response—neither positive nor negative. This lack of consideration for candidates is disappointing, especially since the job posting has been repeatedly advertised for weeks. It leaves the impression that the company is either looking for a “unicorn” or unsure what to do with the applications they receive. Candidates invest significant time and energy in preparing and attending interviews, and it’s only fair to expect a minimum level of respect through a clear and honest response. I strongly urge Shiseido to reconsider their recruitment practices to better value the talents applying to their company. Experiences like this tarnish the reputation of an otherwise renowned organization.

The interview process involved two steps. First, I met with two female managers from the e-commerce team. They started with introductions and then asked about my prior work history and skills. The discussion covered my knowledge of the brand, understanding of the role (including my reasons for applying), insights into the cosmetics industry, market trends, and marketing strategies. They also inquired about my job search history, educational background, and how my previous experience, like managing electronic data, performing data analysis, UI design, and customer data analysis, fits the role. This part lasted about 1.5 hours and was quite engaging, with them showing a lot of interest in my academics and relevant skills. The second stage was a one-on-one with the HR head. This conversation was more laid-back, focusing on my visual studies major. The HR head also discussed the various technical tools used in e-commerce management, like tech, design, and backend development, and outlined a potential career path, which was a really positive takeaway.