Beauty Career jobs are out there and we are going to learn interviewing techniques to put you ahead.
We are going to break down the process into 4 Steps. Take notes, chickie, and you will be off to a great start. Now let's go get you a new job.
I couldn't help myself! I love Zohan. But this scene makes me think of where you are right now. Dreaming of landing your first beauty job. In any language, you gotta relate.
Before you put on the black pants and grab a pen to hit the pavement you should think ahead about what to expect. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared!
It's not enough to look nice and have your own pen to fill out applications, not if you are searching for the best salon that is suitable for YOU. Can you imagine how disappointing it would be to find THE salon where you want desperately to do your apprenticeship only to be denied because you weren't properly prepared?
In order to have all the right answers you first need to know what Managers are looking for. They are looking for much more than a pretty face who can do a roller set. Read What Managers Hire before leaving the house. Maybe some of it will surprise you. This will certainly help prepare you to start your beauty career.
You are starting your Beauty Career.
I want you to get that job. It's time to start your beauty career and I'm so excited for you to start making money. I can't explain the pure joy of your pockets filling up with cash tips. Not to mention you are making a difference in someone's life by giving them a prettier image. Ok, ok, let's get started.
Job Hunting Preparations
You are starting your Beauty Career.
You are starting your Beauty Career.
Awesome, we are really getting somewhere, aren't we?! You are hanging in there. Stay with me, folks. We are going to get your beauty career started very soon.
Now that we have everything organized and mapped out, let's talk about actually walking into the Salon ready to apply for a position.
As we reviewed in Body Language, you want your body to tell your story. And your story is not of a scared new cosmetology school graduate looking for a job.
Your story is of a confident, licensed professional hair stylist seeking the best opportunity to begin her beauty career and help grow a salon!
You have to admit that reading that actually pulls your head up a little, doesn't it?
Do the Power Pose for 2 minutes before leaving home. Before getting out of your car do it again mentally. Breathe in the confidence, breathe out any doubt about yourself. For the Power Pose refresher watch the video below. It's only 5 minutes and worth every second. This alone could help you win the chair.
Before leaving your car also double check that you have 2 ink pens, notebook, Ipad or smartphone, resumes, cover letters and references. Take a peak in your rear view mirror and check your teeth, lipstick, hair and eyes. If you are shiney, apply face powder. Your look is your first impression and you are applying for a beauty career in a Salon, not Subway.
Walk into the Salon "ON." Your every move is up for critique by Salon employees and management. From the first step in, stylists recognize their own! They are already working out if they like you. Make it easy by looking like them and making eye contact with a smile. It is so important that you tailor your look to match the Salon. You want them to "see" you as easily becoming part of the team.
Some of this sounds silly but everything we do has a purpose, to make you look like the best candidate for an opening in a Salon.
Go to the front desk and ask if the manager is available. If at all possible you want to put your resume in HER hands, rather than a receptionist.
If she is not in, go with this: Introduce yourself to whoever is at the desk. Ask if an assistant manager is available. Tell them you would like to leave your resume for the manager. Put a cover letter with it. This will help introduce you to the manager and give her an idea of what you are looking for. Ask for the manager's name and the best time to catch her in the salon at a slow time. Thank them for their time and say you will call back when "Manager's Name" is in. (Make the notes in your notebook before you forget.)
This way you have made a positive and professional impression on the staff. Believe me when I tell you that they will share that information. Stylists love to talk!
If you go into a franchise salon I suggest you apply online BEFORE going for the face to face. Apply online, then go to the salon. You will probably need to fill out an application there too. Same goes with asking for the manager. Do the same as above.
If the Manager is there: Ask the desk person if it is alright if you wait until she is available. If the manager has any sense she will want to meet you. I believe in nurturing all talent and never letting a stylist leave the salon without me meeting them and telling them our current position. Our business is fast paced and you never know when you will need a stylist on the fly! So even is she is busy, you meeting her and putting a resume in her hand will only a take a minute.
When the manager comes to you, stretch your arm out and shake her hand correctly. Introduce yourself, state your business, tell her you realize she is very busy and you appreciate her taking a moment for you.
From my hiring experience, I will always take a few minutes to do a pre-interview to determine if the applicant is worth a real interview. I make this call based on her appearance, her demeanor, her personality. Anything related to skill I will gather during an interview and technical interview. I can usually tell quickly though if a stylist is a good fit for our team. So you can see now how all the preparation I showed you comes into play here. A lot of it will determine if you get past the handshake! Prepare correctly and you will easily make it to the office!
Be ready to interview. You may get lucky with a few that have the time to talk to you and have the immediate need for a stylist.
Now that the resumes are out there you have to stay on top of it. You need to make call backs and work those contacts. I realize how intimidating this can be, honest I do. I have my own anxieties! But I want you to keep this thought in your head:
You are a licensed professional hair stylist. Salons NEED you and your strengths. You have a uniqueness that will help a salon make more income. I know you need them but they definitely need you as well. You are NOT bugging a manager! She wants employees that WANT to work for her salon By calling her back you are proving that you are very interested. This is a good thing! So don't see it as a negative or be scared. You are a professional and so is she. If you just wait for them to come to you it may not happen. You have to be pro-active.
You can do it!
You are starting your Beauty Career.
Be somewhere quiet to make your call backs. Power Pose before making the call and it will go smoothly. Smile while you are talking and she will feel it. Now Do It! I like to think of this girl as the manager. It's ok to reach out to her. Remember, she needs good employees. She is happy to talk to you. |
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You have some interviews set up now! You are doing great so far. And I know you are prepared for the questions you may be asked in an interview. You should be feeling very confident. Keep a positive attitude. You almost have a beauty career.
Let's talk about a few factors that can put you behind the chair. Keep in mind during the interview that you want her to see how you will be an asset to the salon.
The salon's needs should come first. Your needs are secondary. You are only beginning your beauty career. You have to gain experience before it can be all about you.
This is common sense but SMILE! Sounds silly, doesn't it? You wouldn't believe how many applicants don't smile. And if they won't smile at me when they want a job I don't believe they will smile at our clients.
Shake the managers hand in a firm, professional manner.
Maintain eye contact.
Let her do the talking in the beginning. She will lead the interview. Answer her questions in a positive fashion. Stay away from anything negative. Don't ramble.
Try to make a personal connection. Look around her office for anything you can comment on. See a picture of her kids? "Oh, what beautiful children you have!" Is there an award on the wall? Ask about it. People like the opportunity to brag. It relaxes you and helps you make a connection.
Want another beauty career POWER MOVE to secretly push you ahead?
People don't realize it, but we are attracted to people who act like us! You can make this work for you and she won't even realize it.
We also like people who look like us. AND we like people who like us. So if you can give any cue to an interviewer that you like her or respect her, she will most likely reciprocate the feeling. And darling, if she likes you, well, you are closing in on that chair.
You are starting your Beauty Career.
You want to seal the deal now. You have given the manager everything she needs to hire you. You made a great impression on her and if you followed the techniques, I promise you are ahead of other applicants!
You won't get beauty career job offers from everyone but you never know what the future holds. Things can change fast in this industry. A salon may not have an opening this week but next week it may lose 2 stylists. Then the manager will be going through the file. Let's make sure that you are the first one that comes to mind.
Pull out those Thank You cards you bought when you got your notebook. Write a Thank You note to every manager you spoke to. Even if you didn't get an interview, write a note to her thanking her for considering you for any future opening. Only make a note for managers you actually met. Hand deliver them to the salon with the manager's name on the envelope. It's ok to just drop it off with the receptionist.
You know what might be a nice touch? Adding a small picture of yourself doing something interesting, like a 2 thumbs up with a big smile, or you doing a blow out.
Can you see how this makes you really stand out from other stylists? You are interesting. You are smart and witty and creative. I want you on my team!
I've interviewed a lot of people. Honestly, most are disappointing. Managers are looking for a diamond in a sea of rocks. I've often joked that the hiring pool is very shallow. There may be a lot of stylists out there but not a lot of stars.
Show a manager how bright you shine and she will invest in you!
I sincerely hope you found this page helpful to get your beauty career started.
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Help me help other new professionals start their beauty career and pay it forward.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
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