I applied in-person. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Forever 21 (Atlanta, GA) in Apr 2011
Interview
I saw that Forever 21 was looking for a visual merchandiser by doing an internet search, so I first applied online. I never heard anything so I decided to go to the store in person to fill out an application. While filling out the app in the store, someone told me to just come back and bring it in with my resume the next week (can't remember which day they said) when the store manager would be doing interviews.
I came the next week on interview day and there were about 10-12 girls in total waiting to interview. The store manager came out and led us to a quiet area in the mall not far from the store where we could all stand in a circle. She told us about the store and the positions she was looking for (sales, visuals, and a housekeeper). She then asked us questions that we all took turns asking. We also had to role play selling our outfit to either the whole group or someone we chose to role play with. Most of the people there were in interested in being sales associates, however 3 other girls and I were there for visuals. The visuals people were asked to come back the next week with portfolios if we had them to speak to the visual manager at the store.
The next interview with just the visual people was pretty short and casual. There were the girls from the previous interview and another girl I hadn't seen before. The visual manager was pretty young, but professional and asked us questions about how we get fashion inspiration, who's our favorite designer, etc. Then she took our resumes/applications and looked at our portfolios. She told us that the next step would be an interview with the district visual manager and we would get a call.
I did get a call I believe the next week to come in that Thursday for the final interview and was encouraged to bring in images of fashion inspiration or style if I did not have a portfolio. I did have a portfolio, but decided to add more pics that showed my sense of style using pictures of forever 21 clothing that I found online, hoping it would help. This interview was still a group one, but had only 2 other girls (however I knew the manager had at least one other group interview to do). The manager explained how visuals work at the company and made sure we knew that it is not an easy job. She then asked us questions about what we would do in certain situations concerning merchandising. Finally we were asked to go in the store and pick a collection of 5 outfits that fit a theme that we came up with as if we were going to style a window. After presenting my outfits to the manager I was told that a decision would be made in about 2 weeks. I did not get a call :(
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Forever 21 (Newport Beach, CA) in Jan 2011
Interview
I came in for a open call. I was nervous because the stack of applications where very high. I got a call a few days later for an interview. I had a great interview that lasted about 15 mins. I was later called about a week later to come in for a second interview. at this interview I was to merchandise a fixture. it took about an hour. after that I got a call two days later saying i got the job!
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Forever 21 (Charlotte, NC) in Sep 2010
Interview
I applied to Forever 21 online about 6 months ago, and in the last month they contacted me twice, after I declined the first time. The second time, I accepted the interview, went to the interview at the date and time they gave me, and the Store Manager had no idea who I was. Luckily, she had the time to interview me on the spot and loved me. I came back the next day and interviewed with the Field Visual Merchandise Manager, repeated the presentation and was told she would speak with DM. At the time, there was no DM to interview with but the pay tripped them up for a week, Finally, after two weeks, I got my offer.