DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: EQ3

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Retail Sales / Design Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-09-02

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive revenue growth through consultative sales and relationship building with customers seeking furniture and design solutions.

• Achieve and exceed individual sales targets, leveraging a commission-based compensation structure that directly rewards performance.

• Develop a deep understanding of EQ3's product catalog, including upholstery, dining, bedroom, and accessories, to effectively advise clients.

• Cultivate long-term customer relationships through proactive follow-up and personalized service, fostering repeat business and loyalty.

• Contribute to an exceptional customer experience by collaborating with the team and embodying the "Design for Life" philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a retail sales context, emphasizing commission-driven performance and consultative selling. While "Design Consultant" is the title, the core function is sales, with product knowledge and design interest serving as key enablers. The compensation structure, with a base hourly rate plus commission and a significant earning potential, highlights the performance-driven nature of this position. The emphasis on building client bases and achieving sales goals aligns with a traditional sales role, rather than a pure design advisory function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Engage proactively with customers upon entry, initiating conversations to understand their spatial needs, lifestyle requirements, and aesthetic preferences.

• Provide expert recommendations on furniture and accessory selections, ensuring solutions align with customer budgets and personal style.

• Present and articulate the value proposition of EQ3's diverse product collections, including upholstery, dining, bedroom furniture, and decorative accessories.

• Convert sales opportunities into closed deals by effectively addressing customer inquiries, overcoming objections, and guiding them through the purchasing process.

• Implement a structured follow-up strategy for prospective and existing clients to nurture leads, build rapport, and drive repeat sales.

• Proactively identify and develop new sales avenues and client relationships to expand personal sales territory and market reach.

• Consistently meet and surpass established individual sales quotas and performance metrics.

• Acquire and maintain comprehensive knowledge of EQ3's product lines, including materials, customization options, and design applications.

• Collaborate effectively with sales team members and store management to ensure a seamless and positive customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a sales-focused role. Phrases like "Turn customer conversations and opportunities into sales," "Consistently achieve and exceed individual sales goals," and "Develop your client base and generate new sales opportunities" underscore the primary objective of driving revenue. The role requires a proactive approach to sales development rather than passive order-taking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a strong foundation in communication and interpersonal skills is implicitly necessary, often developed through secondary education or equivalent experience.

Experience: Prior experience in a sales-oriented environment is highly valued, particularly in roles that involve direct customer interaction and performance-based compensation.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in retail sales, consultative sales, or commission-based sales environments.

• Strong goal orientation and a demonstrated drive to achieve and exceed performance metrics.

• Exceptional relationship-building capabilities, with a knack for connecting with diverse customer profiles.

• Confidence in customer follow-up and the ability to effectively close sales.

• High degree of self-motivation, proactivity, and accountability for results.

• A genuine interest in furniture, interior design, and quality home products.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as dictated by retail operational needs. Preferred Skills:

• Previous sales experience within the furniture or home décor industry.

• Familiarity with interior design principles or a background in interior design.

• Experience in specialized retail sectors such as appliances, automotive, jewelry, premium fashion, kitchens, or flooring, which share transferable sales methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "not required" mention for furniture or interior design experience, coupled with the "asset" phrasing, indicates that core sales acumen and a willingness to learn product specifics are prioritized. The list of relevant retail experience highlights transferable skills in consultative selling and customer engagement within potentially high-value transaction environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of successful sales cycles, from initial customer engagement to closing and post-sale follow-up, showcasing a structured approach to client management.

• Case studies illustrating how customer needs were identified and met with specific product solutions, highlighting consultative selling techniques.

• Examples of client relationship management strategies that led to repeat business or referrals, emphasizing long-term value creation.

• Evidence of achieving and exceeding sales targets, presented with quantifiable results and key performance indicators (KPIs). Process Documentation:

• Workflow examples outlining how customer interactions are managed from initial contact to sale completion, including lead qualification and follow-up protocols.

• Documentation of strategies used for client acquisition and database development to build a sustainable sales pipeline.

• Methods for tracking personal sales performance, analyzing trends, and identifying areas for improvement to drive ongoing success.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, candidates are expected to articulate their sales process and demonstrate results. The "What You'll Do" section implicitly requires candidates to be able to describe their approach to customer engagement, sales conversion, and relationship management. The emphasis on individual sales goals and client base development suggests that a candidate's ability to manage their own sales process effectively is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Hourly Rate: $18.00 - $25.00 CAD per hour.

• Commission: Additional commission on sales, directly tied to individual performance.

• Earning Potential: Approximately $65,000 - $75,000+ CAD per year for full-time Design Consultants. This range is an estimate and can be exceeded based on individual sales performance.

Benefits:

• Commission on sales: A significant variable component of compensation directly linked to revenue generation.

• Competitive benefits package: Comprehensive health and wellness benefits typically including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Paid time off: Includes vacation days and potentially sick leave, allowing for work-life balance.

• Employee discount program: Substantial discounts on EQ3 products, encouraging employees to experience the brand firsthand.

• Wellness programs: Initiatives focused on employee health and well-being.

• Professional development: Opportunities for training and skill enhancement.

• Career growth opportunities: Pathways for advancement within the EQ3 organization.

Working Hours: Full-time position, requiring availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays as per retail operational needs. Standard full-time hours are typically around 40 hours per week, with scheduling likely to be variable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary structure is clearly defined as a combination of a competitive hourly base and a performance-based commission. The stated earning potential provides a realistic target for motivated sales professionals. The benefits package is comprehensive, covering essential health needs, work-life balance, and employee perks, which are attractive to sales professionals seeking a stable and rewarding career. Regional research for Montreal, QC, indicates that an hourly rate of $18-$25 CAD, combined with commission, places this role within a competitive range for retail sales positions, especially for individuals with a strong sales aptitude and the potential to exceed targets.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: EQ3 operates within the Furniture and Home Goods Retail sector, focusing on modern design and quality craftsmanship. The company positions itself as a performance-driven retail business that values customer relationships and exceptional experiences.

Company Size: EQ3 is a significant player in the Canadian furniture market. While exact employee numbers aren't provided, the presence of multiple retail locations and a structured approach to training and development suggests a medium to large-sized organization, likely employing hundreds of individuals across its retail, design, and corporate functions.

Founded: EQ3 was founded in 2001. This relatively recent founding, compared to legacy brands, suggests a modern approach to business, design, and customer engagement, likely incorporating contemporary retail strategies and a focus on evolving market trends.

Team Structure:

• The Sales Team within EQ3 stores is likely composed of Design Consultants working under a Store Manager or Sales Manager. The team size will vary by store location, but collaboration is emphasized for delivering a unified customer experience.

• Reporting is likely hierarchical, with Design Consultants reporting to a Store Manager who oversees daily operations, sales performance, and team management.

• Cross-functional collaboration is crucial, particularly between sales staff and any in-store design support or administrative personnel, to ensure seamless customer transactions and issue resolution. Collaboration with corporate teams (e.g., marketing, logistics) may also occur indirectly through established processes. Methodology:

• Data Analysis: Performance tracking is central, with sales figures, conversion rates, and customer feedback likely analyzed to monitor individual and store performance, informing sales strategies and training needs.

• Workflow Planning: The retail environment necessitates structured workflows for customer engagement, sales processing, order management, and inventory handling to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Automation and Efficiency: While not explicitly detailed, standard retail POS systems and CRM tools likely support automation in sales transactions, customer data management, and potentially inventory tracking, enhancing operational efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.eq3.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "performance-driven" and focused on "customer relationships" and "entrepreneurial thinking," suggesting an environment where initiative and results are valued. The "Design for Life" philosophy indicates a commitment to quality and longevity, which influences product presentation and customer education.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at an Entry-Level Sales position. It serves as a foundational role for individuals looking to build a career in retail sales, customer relationship management, and potentially interior design or sales management within the furniture industry. The responsibilities focus on direct client interaction, sales generation, and product consultation.

Reporting Structure: Design Consultants typically report to a Store Manager or Sales Manager. This structure provides direct supervision, performance feedback, and guidance on sales techniques, product knowledge, and customer service standards.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of a Design Consultant is on direct revenue generation for EQ3. By successfully closing sales and building a loyal customer base, they directly contribute to the company's financial performance. Their ability to translate customer needs into sales also influences inventory turnover and customer satisfaction metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Specialization: Opportunity to become a senior Design Consultant, potentially specializing in specific product categories (e.g., custom upholstery, whole-home solutions) or developing expertise in high-net-worth client management.

• Sales Management: Progression into roles like Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager, involving team leadership, operational oversight, and strategic sales planning for a retail location.

• Design Expertise: While not a formal interior design role, extensive product knowledge and customer interaction can lead to informal design advisory roles or transitions into more specialized design positions within EQ3 or the broader design industry.

• Cross-functional roles: Potential to move into corporate roles related to sales training, product development liaison, or customer experience management, leveraging their front-line sales insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is clearly defined from an entry-level sales role to potential leadership in sales management or specialized sales roles. The emphasis on "entrepreneurial thinking" suggests that individuals who can demonstrate initiative in developing their client base may be fast-tracked for growth opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a retail store environment. The workspace is the EQ3 showroom located in Griffintown, Montreal. It's designed to showcase furniture and home goods, creating an aesthetically pleasing and inspiring atmosphere for customers.

Office Location(s): The specific location is 1155 Rue Wellington, Montréal, QC. This area is known for its vibrant commercial and residential development, making it an accessible and potentially high-traffic location for retail.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The showroom floor is a shared space where Design Consultants work alongside colleagues. This fosters a team-oriented atmosphere, encouraging knowledge sharing and mutual support in customer interactions.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Consultants will utilize Point of Sale (POS) systems for transactions, potentially a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for client tracking, and product information systems for catalog and inventory access.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with colleagues and management is expected, both for collaborative selling efforts and operational coordination (e.g., managing customer flow, assisting with product placement, handling inquiries).

Work Schedule: The role requires flexibility, with a need to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. This is typical for retail environments designed to cater to customer availability. Full-time status implies a commitment to approximately 40 hours per week, with shifts likely rotating to cover store operating hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is a customer-facing retail showroom. Success requires comfort in a dynamic, visually oriented space and the ability to engage with customers throughout the day. The schedule demands flexibility, which is common for roles in the retail sector aiming to maximize customer accessibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of the application and resume to assess relevant sales experience, interest in design, and availability.

• First Interview: A consultative interview focusing on sales skills, customer service approach, motivation for sales, and understanding of EQ3's brand. This may include behavioral questions and scenario-based questions related to sales interactions.

• In-Store Assessment/Second Interview: This stage might involve a practical demonstration of sales skills on the showroom floor, interacting with a hiring manager or senior team member, or a more in-depth discussion about product knowledge and sales strategy. A portfolio, if prepared, would be reviewed here to showcase past sales achievements and methodologies.

• Final Interview: Potentially with the Store Manager or a District Manager, focusing on cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and final confirmation of suitability for the role and compensation structure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: If you have a portfolio, highlight specific sales figures, revenue generated, conversion rates, and client retention statistics. Use clear numbers and percentages to demonstrate impact.

• Showcase Sales Process: Detail your approach to consultative selling, from needs assessment and solution presentation to closing and follow-up. Use case studies of successful sales to illustrate your methodology.

• Demonstrate Customer Relationship Building: Include examples of how you've built rapport, managed client expectations, and fostered long-term relationships that led to repeat business or referrals.

• Highlight Product Knowledge Application: If applicable, show how you've quickly learned and applied product knowledge in previous roles to effectively advise customers and drive sales.

Challenge Preparation:

• Sales Scenario Role-Playing: Be prepared for scenarios where you might need to handle objections, upsell products, or assist a customer with complex needs. Practice articulating your approach and solutions confidently.

• Product Knowledge Demonstration: While not explicitly required, showing an understanding of design principles or an eagerness to learn EQ3's product lines will be beneficial. Research EQ3's current collections and design philosophy.

• Motivation and Goals Discussion: Be ready to articulate why you are motivated by commission-based sales and how you set and achieve personal sales goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio is not explicitly mandated, candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare examples of their sales success, consultative approach, and customer relationship management skills. The interview process will likely assess not only sales aptitude but also cultural fit with EQ3's performance-driven and customer-centric values.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Point of Sale (POS) System: Essential for processing transactions, managing sales, and potentially tracking inventory. Proficiency in a modern retail POS system is expected.

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System: Likely used for managing customer data, tracking interactions, scheduling follow-ups, and analyzing sales pipeline. Familiarity with CRM principles and common platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or industry-specific CRMs) is beneficial.

• Product Information Management (PIM) System/Catalog: Access to and utilization of EQ3's digital product catalog, including specifications, pricing, customization options, and visual assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: Consultants will likely use or contribute to dashboards that track individual sales metrics, such as revenue, units sold, conversion rates, and average transaction value.

• CRM Reporting Tools: Ability to pull basic reports from the CRM to monitor personal sales pipeline and customer engagement activities.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Software: Used for client management, lead tracking, and communication logging.

• Communication Tools: Email, phone, and potentially messaging platforms for customer follow-up and internal team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific software names aren't listed, the role implies familiarity with standard retail technology for sales transactions, customer management, and product information access. The emphasis on individual sales goals and client relationships suggests that CRM proficiency will be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A strong emphasis on achieving and exceeding sales targets and contributing directly to the company's financial success.

• Customer-Centric: Prioritizing exceptional customer experiences, building relationships, and understanding individual client needs to provide tailored solutions.

• Quality & Design Focus: Commitment to the "Design for Life" philosophy, valuing authentic modern design, craftsmanship, and the longevity of products.

• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Encouraging initiative, proactivity, and a results-oriented mindset in developing sales opportunities and client bases.

• Team Collaboration: Working effectively with colleagues to ensure a cohesive and positive customer experience across the store.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented Sales: While individual performance is key, collaboration is vital for managing customer flow, sharing product knowledge, and ensuring a unified brand experience.

• Feedback Exchange: An environment where constructive feedback on sales techniques, customer interactions, and operational processes is likely encouraged to foster continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Sharing insights on customer preferences, successful sales strategies, and product features among team members to elevate collective performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to balance individual achievement with team support. The values emphasize results, customer satisfaction, and a dedication to design quality, creating an environment where sales professionals can thrive by leveraging their skills in a brand-aligned context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commission-Based Performance Pressure: The inherent challenge of relying on commission for a significant portion of income requires consistent high performance and resilience in the face of fluctuating sales cycles.

• Balancing Sales and Consultation: Effectively transitioning between a needs-based consultative approach and a results-driven sales closing requires strong interpersonal and strategic selling skills.

• Product Knowledge Acquisition: Mastering a diverse and extensive product catalog, including materials, customization, and design applications, is an ongoing learning curve.

• Market Competition: Operating in a competitive retail landscape requires continuous effort to differentiate EQ3's offerings and customer experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Training: Comprehensive training on EQ3's furniture lines, materials, design features, and styling principles.

• Sales Skills Enhancement: Opportunities to refine consultative selling techniques, negotiation skills, and customer relationship management through ongoing coaching and potentially workshops.

• Design Acumen Development: Exposure to modern design principles and trends through the EQ3 brand and product offerings, fostering a deeper understanding of interior aesthetics.

• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for progression into sales leadership roles, management positions, or specialized sales functions within EQ3.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for commission-based sales roles in the retail sector, emphasizing the need for resilience, continuous learning, and strong sales acumen. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering a clear career trajectory for motivated individuals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to understanding a customer's needs when they enter a retail showroom. How do you move from initial engagement to identifying their specific requirements?" (Focus on active listening, open-ended questions, and needs assessment techniques.)

• "How do you handle a customer who is hesitant or raises objections about price or product features? Walk me through a time you successfully overcame an objection." (Prepare to discuss objection handling strategies, value proposition articulation, and closing techniques.)

• "What motivates you in a sales role, especially one with a significant commission component? How do you stay motivated during slower periods?" (Highlight your drive for results, goal-setting strategies, and resilience.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about EQ3's 'Design for Life' philosophy? How does this resonate with your sales approach?" (Research EQ3's brand, products, and design ethos. Connect it to quality, customer satisfaction, and long-term relationships.)

• "Our team emphasizes collaboration. Describe a time you worked effectively with colleagues to achieve a common goal or enhance a customer's experience." (Provide examples of teamwork, knowledge sharing, or supporting team members.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to EQ3's overall success and customer satisfaction?" (Focus on your impact on revenue generation, customer loyalty, and brand representation.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Your Success: If you have a portfolio, be ready to present specific sales figures, revenue growth, and client retention rates. Use charts or graphs if possible to visually represent your impact.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, outline the customer's initial situation, your consultative approach, the solution you provided, and the positive outcome (e.g., sale closed, satisfied customer, repeat business).

• Highlight Your Process: Clearly articulate your step-by-step sales process, from prospecting and needs analysis to closing and follow-up, demonstrating a structured and effective methodology.

• Showcase Relationship Building: Provide examples of how you've built rapport, managed client expectations, and fostered long-term relationships that led to repeat business or referrals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strong sales fundamentals, a customer-centric approach, and a clear understanding of EQ3's brand values. Being able to articulate your sales process, quantify your achievements, and express enthusiasm for design and customer relationships will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the EQ3 careers portal (https://eq3-ltd.breezy.hr) or the provided link.

• Tailor your resume to highlight relevant retail sales experience, consultative selling skills, and any experience with commission-based compensation. Quantify achievements with numbers and metrics wherever possible.

• Prepare to discuss your sales process in detail, including how you engage customers, identify needs, present solutions, and close sales. Be ready to provide specific examples.

• Research EQ3's brand, design philosophy ("Design for Life"), and current product collections. Understand their target market and value proposition.

• Practice articulating your motivation for a commission-driven role and your ability to work independently and achieve sales targets.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.