I applied online on a Friday and was called in for an interview the next Monday, to be interviewed on Tuesday. The interview was a group, and since there was only one Sephora position available, there were other managers watching the interview to see if they'd like to hire any of the others. They were very straightforward about it, which was nice since I might otherwise think it was a bait and switch.
There were supposed to be 4 people, but we ended up having only 3. We met in the offices and were immediately introduced to the blocks when we sat down.
They pass around an iPad with an image of a block structure (which you can spin to get different views) that you look at for 10 seconds. During the ten seconds you can view and instruct the group on how to build it. Then you have another 50 seconds for instructions only - no viewing and no touching the blocks. Then it's the next person's turn. You have a total of 15 minutes to complete it, and it must be accurate to be considered complete.
Next, we were each given a paper with 4 ideas on how to improve sales in a certain department. Everyone got a different department. For example, mine was the children's department. The ideas were - a small Disney theater with 36 seats for adults and children, a series of 6 xbox consoles with 4 controllers each, a carousel that seats 12 at a time, and an area for a 'fashion show' with costumes for the children.
We were also given a sheet of paper to take notes on. You decide which idea is most likely to increase sales and take notes on why, because it's presented to you like you'll be doing a presentation to EVERYONE in the room on what you chose. However, the notes will be taken after the 10 minutes is up and you will only have to discuss with the other applicants. Between you and the other applicants, you decide which idea is the best for the store, then that's it.
The -only- questions we were asked was to repeat our names and fill out a paper with our availability.
They promised to call us the next week and followed through. I was not offered the Sephora position, but they wanted to move forward with hiring me for elsewhere in JCPenney. They're currently running the background check, and will then call to schedule orientation. It may vary by location, but I was told that I will not be drug tested.