DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Bassett Furniture

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales / Retail / Interior Design

Date Posted: November 17, 2025

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead customer engagement and relationship building within a retail showroom environment, focusing on interior design and furniture sales.

• Leverage design expertise and sales acumen to guide clients through personalized consultations, leading to successful furniture selections and room makeovers.

• Drive revenue by meeting and exceeding sales targets through a consultative, relationship-selling approach.

• Utilize a combination of in-store, virtual, and in-home client interactions to maximize sales opportunities and customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and qualifications clearly indicate a sales-focused role within a retail interior design context. The emphasis on sales goals, commissioned sales, and building a client base positions this as a direct sales position with a design specialization, rather than a pure design or operations role. Therefore, the category has been broadened to include Sales and Retail alongside Interior Design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth interior design consultations with clients, assessing their needs, lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences to recommend suitable furniture and design solutions.

• Develop and present comprehensive design proposals, including space planning, color palettes, fabric selections, and furniture arrangements, to clients.

• Build and maintain a strong base of loyal clients through exceptional customer service, follow-up, and personalized design assistance, fostering long-term relationships.

• Actively manage and drive personal sales performance to consistently meet or exceed established sales goals and revenue targets within a commissioned sales environment.

• Stay current with the latest design trends, furniture construction knowledge, and product offerings to provide expert advice and inspire client confidence.

• Execute "relationship selling" techniques, transforming customer interactions into opportunities for design makeovers and significant sales.

• Perform virtual appointments and live chats to engage with a broader client base and offer design assistance remotely.

• Drive to customers' residences and businesses for in-home consultations and makeovers, providing a personalized and immersive design experience.

• Collaborate with showroom teams to ensure a seamless customer experience from initial consultation to final delivery.

• Maintain a polished image and professional demeanor at all times, reflecting the Bassett Furniture brand's commitment to quality and style.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description outlines responsibilities using descriptive language. This section translates those into actionable bullet points, emphasizing the sales and client management aspects crucial for this role. The inclusion of "virtual appointments" and "live chats" highlights the need for adaptability in client interaction methods.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background or strong interest in Interior Design, Fine Arts, Architecture, or a related creative field is highly beneficial.

Experience:

• Proven track record of success in a sales environment, demonstrating the ability to meet or exceed sales goals.

• Experience in a customer-facing role, with a focus on building relationships and providing excellent service.

• Previous experience in furniture sales, interior design, or a related retail sales capacity is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Passion for Design: An intrinsic interest in interior design, aesthetics, color theory, and current design trends.

• Exceptional Selling Skills: Proven ability to engage customers, understand their needs, overcome objections, and close sales effectively.

• Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to articulate design concepts clearly, listen actively to client needs, and build rapport.

• Clientele Building & Management: Self-motivated to develop and nurture a personal client base, fostering long-term loyalty.

• Color and Texture Coordination: Discernment and ability to coordinate colors and textures to create appealing and cohesive design schemes.

• Computer Proficiency: Basic computer skills for managing client information, accessing training materials, and potentially using design software or online communication tools.

• Positive Outlook & Friendly Personality: Ability to maintain a positive attitude and create a welcoming, approachable presence for clients.

• Listening Skills: Crucial for translating customer wants and needs into effective design choices.

• Career-Minded Professionalism: A commitment to professional conduct, reliability, and a long-term career orientation.

• Polished Image: Maintaining a professional and aesthetically pleasing appearance suitable for a retail design environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Interior Design Certification: Bassett offers its own certification training, making this a strong development opportunity.

• Furniture Construction Knowledge: Understanding of how furniture is made enhances credibility and client trust.

• Experience with Design Software: Familiarity with tools used for space planning or visualization.

• Virtual Sales Experience: Proficiency in conducting sales and consultations via video conferencing and online chat platforms.

• Automotive/Transportation: A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are necessary for in-home consultations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description lists many "qualifications" that are actually desired skills. This section categorizes them into required and preferred, and elaborates on their relevance to a sales-oriented design consultant role. The "0-2 years" experience level implies a strong emphasis on passion, trainability, and foundational sales/communication skills over extensive prior experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Project Examples: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct design projects (personal or professional) that highlight your ability to translate client needs into tangible design solutions. These could include mood boards, space plans, or before-and-after visuals.

• Sales Achievement Documentation: While not a formal portfolio piece, be prepared to articulate specific sales achievements, such as exceeding quotas, closing high-value deals, or building a significant client base, with quantifiable results if possible.

• Client Interaction Examples: Prepare to discuss how you have effectively listened to and understood client requirements, translating them into successful design outcomes. This can be demonstrated through case study narratives.

• Visual Merchandising Acumen: If applicable, provide examples or discuss your understanding of how to present products and design concepts effectively within a retail or showroom setting.

Process Documentation:

• Client Consultation Workflow: Be prepared to outline your typical process for engaging a new client, from initial greeting and needs assessment to presenting design solutions and closing the sale.

• Sales Cycle Management: Describe how you manage leads, follow up with prospects, and nurture client relationships throughout the sales cycle.

• Design Solution Presentation: Detail your approach to presenting design proposals, including how you incorporate product knowledge, trend insights, and client preferences.

• Post-Sale Follow-up: Outline your strategy for ensuring customer satisfaction after the sale, including any follow-up consultations or support.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a sales-focused role like this, a traditional "operations portfolio" is less relevant. However, candidates are expected to demonstrate their design thinking and sales capabilities. This section infers the need for a "portfolio" that showcases design work and sales success, and outlines the processes they should be prepared to discuss.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Annual Income: $70,000 - $105,000 based on commissioned sales performance.

• Top Performers: Potential to earn up to $135,000+ annually.

• Structure: Commission-based compensation on written business, with additional bonus opportunities. A base salary is not explicitly mentioned, indicating a strong reliance on commission.

Benefits:

• Paid Training: Comprehensive training programs designed to equip associates with product knowledge, sales techniques, and design skills.

• Health & Wellness: Health, Dental, and Vision coverage, along with Disability and Life Insurance.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company contributions (details not specified).

• Professional Development: Tuition assistance and ongoing learning opportunities throughout your career.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, sick days, and personal needs.

• Employee Perks: Generous employee discounts on Bassett Furniture products.

• Work Environment: Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art showroom.

• Career Advancement: Clear opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position requiring flexibility to work weekends and holidays as dictated by retail operational needs.

• Expect a varied pace environment, typical of retail settings, requiring adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated in the job description. The benefits are also clearly listed. The "working hours" are inferred from the need to work weekends and holidays and the description of a "varied paced retail environment." The compensation structure is primarily commissioned, which is a critical point for candidates to understand.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail / Home Furnishings Manufacturing

Company Size: Over 1,000 employees (inferred from LinkedIn data, though not explicitly stated in the job description). This indicates a well-established company with structured processes.

Founded: 1902. Bassett Furniture has a long-standing heritage, suggesting a blend of traditional values and modern innovation in its approach to business and customer service.

Team Structure:

• Design Consultant Team: Works within a retail showroom environment, likely reporting to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Will collaborate with delivery teams, design support staff, and potentially marketing or operations teams for customer issue resolution and showroom upkeep.

• Sales-Focused Environment: The culture is driven by sales performance, customer satisfaction, and building long-term client relationships.

Methodology:

• Relationship Selling: Emphasis on building personal connections with clients to understand and fulfill their design needs.

• Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly stated for this role, a company of this size likely uses sales data to track performance, identify trends, and inform strategies. Candidates are expected to contribute to sales data through their performance.

• Customer-Centric Approach: Focus on creating exceptional customer experiences through personalized consultations and design services.

• Continuous Learning: Commitment to ongoing training and development in product knowledge, sales techniques, and design skills.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights its long history, commitment to craftsmanship, and focus on innovation. This suggests a culture that values both tradition and forward-thinking approaches to furniture retail and customer engagement. The implied team structure is within a retail showroom setting.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-to-mid-level sales position within the retail operations and GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy of Bassett Furniture. It's a direct client-facing role focused on driving revenue through consultative sales.

Reporting Structure: Design Consultants typically report to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager. They are part of the sales team within a specific retail location.

Operations Impact: Design Consultants are pivotal to the company's revenue generation. Their ability to understand customer needs, recommend products, and close sales directly impacts store performance, customer loyalty, and overall brand perception. They are the frontline ambassadors of Bassett's design philosophy and customer service commitment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Consultant/Sales Specialist: Advancement to roles with higher earning potential, more complex client engagements, or specialization in specific product lines.

• Showroom Management: Potential to move into leadership roles such as Assistant Showroom Manager or Showroom Manager, overseeing sales teams and daily operations of a retail location.

• Design Certification: Bassett offers its own Interior Design certification program, providing a structured path for skill development and professional recognition.

• Regional Sales Roles: High-performing individuals may have opportunities to move into regional sales support or management positions.

• Training and Development: Continuous learning opportunities through Bassett's training programs, focusing on product, sales, and design expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is primarily sales-driven but offers growth paths into management and specialized design roles, reflecting a structured career progression within a retail environment. The "operations impact" is framed around revenue generation and customer experience, key GTM metrics.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work environment is a state-of-the-art Bassett Furniture retail showroom. This includes a customer-facing sales floor and potentially a design studio/work area. Additionally, the role requires travel to customers' residences and businesses for makeovers and consultations.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California. Specific showroom address details would be provided upon application.

Workspace Context:

• Showroom Environment: A dynamic, visually stimulating retail space designed to showcase furniture and inspire customers. Requires maintaining a clean, organized, and appealing presentation of products.

• Client Interaction Hub: The showroom serves as the primary location for client consultations, design presentations, and sales closing.

• Mobile Workspace: Travel to client locations is a significant part of the role, requiring adaptability to different environments and mobile client engagement.

• Technology Integration: Access to company systems for client management, product information, and potentially design visualization tools.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, requiring flexibility to work weekends and holidays, which are critical selling periods in retail.

• The schedule will likely be structured around showroom operating hours and client appointment availability, reflecting a varied pace typical of retail.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the dual nature of the work environment – the showroom and client-site visits – and highlights the need for adaptability and professionalism in both settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume, focusing on sales experience, passion for design, and communication skills.

• Phone/Video Interview: An initial conversation with a hiring manager to assess your personality, sales aptitude, and understanding of the role. Be prepared to discuss your sales successes and design interests.

• In-Person Interview/Audition: This will likely involve meeting with the showroom manager and potentially other sales team members. You may be asked to present a design concept, discuss a past sales success, or participate in a role-playing scenario to demonstrate your client interaction and sales approach.

• Portfolio Review: Be ready to present examples of your design work and discuss your sales achievements. This is where you showcase your ability to translate client needs into creative and commercially successful outcomes.

• Final Assessment: A discussion focused on cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and understanding of the commissioned sales environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest design projects that best demonstrate your ability to work with clients and create appealing spaces. Prioritize projects that show a range of styles or problem-solving.

• Quantify Sales Achievements: If possible, prepare to discuss specific sales figures, client acquisition numbers, or instances where you exceeded goals. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure these examples.

• Showcase Client Understanding: Be ready to articulate how you listened to client needs and translated them into your design solutions. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.

• Highlight Design Process: Walk interviewers through your design process, from initial consultation to final presentation, emphasizing how you manage client expectations and deliver value.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a scenario (e.g., a client with a specific room and budget) and asked to propose a design solution. Prepare to think on your feet, articulate your reasoning, and present a coherent plan.

• Sales Role-Play: Practice handling common sales objections, demonstrating consultative selling techniques, and closing a sale. Focus on active listening and problem-solving.

• Product Knowledge Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you would integrate knowledge of Bassett's product lines into your design recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a sales and design role, the "interview process" and "portfolio review" sections are tailored to assess both design sensibility and sales acumen. Emphasis is placed on practical demonstration of skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Likely a proprietary or industry-standard CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or an internal system) for managing client information, tracking leads, and monitoring sales activities.

• Point-of-Sale (POS) System: For processing transactions and managing sales orders within the showroom.

• Communication Tools: Email, phone systems, and potentially internal messaging platforms for team communication.

• Virtual Appointment Software: Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or specialized virtual showroom tools for conducting remote consultations and live chats.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Dashboards: Access to dashboards that track individual and showroom sales performance, conversion rates, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Reporting Tools: Ability to generate basic reports on client interactions, sales pipelines, and product interest.

CRM & Automation:

• Client Relationship Management Software: Essential for maintaining customer databases, scheduling follow-ups, and nurturing client relationships.

• Product Catalog & Design Software: Access to digital product catalogs, potentially 3D visualization tools, or space planning software to assist in design presentations.

• Website/E-commerce Integration: Understanding of how the online presence complements the in-store experience, including virtual appointment scheduling and live chat features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on sales enablement, client management, and customer interaction tools common in retail environments. Specific software names are not provided, so the description focuses on categories of tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Design: A fundamental value driving creativity, aesthetic appreciation, and a desire to create beautiful spaces.

• Customer Centricity: Prioritizing client needs, satisfaction, and building long-term, meaningful relationships.

• Sales Excellence: A commitment to achieving and exceeding sales goals through ethical and effective consultative selling.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Supporting colleagues, sharing best practices, and contributing to a positive and productive showroom environment.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Maintaining high standards of conduct, honesty, and a polished image in all interactions.

• Continuous Improvement: A willingness to learn, adapt to new trends, and enhance skills through training and experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Showroom Synergy: Working collaboratively with fellow Design Consultants and showroom management to create a cohesive customer experience and achieve collective sales targets.

• Client-Focused Teamwork: Sharing insights about client preferences or challenges to collectively improve service and sales strategies.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing design tips, sales techniques, and product knowledge with team members.

• Supportive Environment: Contributing to a positive atmosphere where team members support each other's success, particularly in a commissioned sales setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values both aesthetic passion and business results, emphasizing a customer-first, sales-driven approach within a collaborative retail setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commissioned Income Fluctuations: The primary challenge is managing income variability inherent in a commissioned sales structure; requires consistent client acquisition and sales closing.

• Balancing Design & Sales: Effectively merging creative design aspirations with the necessity of meeting sales targets and profit margins.

• Diverse Client Needs: Catering to a wide range of client tastes, budgets, and project scopes, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.

• Staying Current: Keeping abreast of rapidly evolving design trends, new product lines, and competitive market offerings.

• In-Home Consultations: Navigating client homes and businesses requires professionalism, adaptability, and efficient time management for travel and on-site work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Bassett Interior Design Certification: A structured program to gain formal recognition and enhance design expertise.

• Product Knowledge Expansion: Continuous learning about furniture construction, materials, customization options, and new collections.

• Sales Technique Refinement: Ongoing coaching and training on consultative selling, negotiation, and client relationship management.

• Trend Forecasting: Access to information and training on current and emerging interior design trends.

• Career Advancement Paths: Opportunities to progress into senior sales roles, management positions, or specialized design functions within Bassett.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the nature of commissioned sales and client-facing design work, while growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and career progression within the company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to understanding a client's design needs and translating them into furniture selections. Walk us through a past project where you successfully did this." (Focus on listening skills, needs assessment, and solution presentation.)

• "How do you approach selling in a commissioned environment? What strategies do you use to consistently meet or exceed sales goals?" (Focus on sales drive, goal orientation, and persuasive techniques.)

• "Imagine a client is hesitant about a particular fabric choice due to concerns about durability. How would you address this objection while still guiding them towards a suitable option?" (Focus on problem-solving, product knowledge application, and objection handling.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Bassett Furniture specifically, and why do you want to be a Design Consultant here?" (Research company history, values, and product lines.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative sales team?" (Focus on teamwork and professionalism.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each design project, explain the client's initial problem or vision, your proposed solution, the key design elements you incorporated, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Sales Impact: If possible, connect your design solutions to sales success (e.g., "This design approach led to a significant upsell on custom pieces").

• Showcase Versatility: If you have diverse examples, present them to show your ability to adapt to different styles and client needs.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, material selections, and how you managed client expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to assess both the candidate's design acumen and their sales capabilities, with a strong emphasis on practical application and problem-solving.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Dayforce portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight specific sales achievements, customer service experience, and any design-related skills or passions. Use keywords from the job description such as "interior design," "sales goals," "customer relationships," and "communication skills."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather examples of your design work (if applicable) and be ready to discuss specific sales successes. For design, focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to meet client needs. For sales, prepare to quantify your achievements.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse how you will articulate your passion for design, your sales capabilities, and your understanding of Bassett Furniture's brand. Prepare to answer common sales and design interview questions.

• Research Bassett Furniture: Familiarize yourself with their product lines, design philosophy, company history, and current market position. Understand what makes Bassett unique in the furniture retail industry.

⚠️ 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.