After personality, the next key quality Chanel seeks is a willingness to learn (Image source: @chanelofficial/Instagram)
Chanel may be one of the world’s most-loved luxury houses, defined by heritage, craftsmanship, and exclusivity, but according to its top people executive, the secret is not pedigree or perfection but personality.
In her first-ever sit-down interview, Chanel’s chief people officer and chief operating officer Claire Isnard said the company prioritises who candidates are over where they come from. Speaking to Fortune, she emphasised that cultural alignment comes before credentials.
“When we look for talent, the first thing that we look for is personality. You know, values,” Isnard said. “The first thing that we look for is personality and the fit for the culture. Are they going to be a good fit with our high standards of excellence, integrity, collaboration, and long-term?”
“If people have big egos and want to work solo or are mercenaries doing things only for the short-term, they’re not going to fit,” Isnard added.
After personality, the next key quality Chanel seeks is a willingness to learn. A strong learning mindset, she explained, is essential in a business that balances tradition with constant evolution. Technical ability, while still important, ranks last, she noted.
“Skills come last,” she said, adding, “But the other two are absolutely necessary.”
Isnard also pushed back against the idea that Chanel recruits from a narrow, elite pipeline. Unlike many competitors, the brand does not concentrate its hiring efforts on “one or two” prestigious schools. The brand explores across a range of backgrounds to bring diverse perspectives and experiences on the table.
Isnard further emphasised that candidates who project self-importance, transactional motives, or a desire to work independently without collaboration are rejected.
Beyond resumes, Isnard pays close attention to how candidates describe their personal journeys. “I always ask, what is your story? What has shaped you, what has helped you to become the person that you are today?” she told Fortune.
She also noted that genuine curiosity is a strong signal of real interest. Candidates who ask thoughtful questions stand out from those simply drawn to the name on the door. “There is almost an emotional attachment to this brand,” Isnard said. “That’s why you need to go deeper.”