There is fierce competition for vacancies in the beauty industry these days, which means that getting that dream job isn’t always as easy as it seems.
With school leavers, those looking for a change in career and experienced therapists all competing for limited opportunities, it can be vital for you to know how to maximise your chances.
Experience
The level of experience you hold can be the key to getting an interview and even securing a position. If you are new to the industry, then work experience is a fantastic way to hone your skills and give your CV a boost. Many colleges have relationships with local salons or have their own salon on site. This means that your college can help you to obtain a place to supplement your learning. This is usually unpaid and can range from a few days to the length of a term. If you are not part of such a relationship, then use your initiative and contact as many salon businesses as you can to arrange your own work experience.
Once you have a placement, make sure you use your time there wisely. Watch the therapists in the business carefully to pick up as many hints and tips as possible. This will not only include details of the treatments, but also customer relations, retailing and best practice. This can all be extremely valuable knowledge when you begin working yourself.
Types Of Employer
When looking for a job, it easy to fall into the trap of looking purely at high street salons. However, there are a lot of other opportunities available that you may not have considered, such as working in spas, hotels, cruise ships and even airlines. If you are already an experienced therapist, you may even find yourself passing on your knowledge to others in a teaching role.
When applying for jobs, you need to make your CV stand out from the rest. This means you need to be able to offer what your fellow applicants cannot. Increasing your number of skills can be a great way to do this. You can embark on a number of short courses to give you qualifications in a wider range of treatments, or enhance your knowledge of a treatment by attending training with a specific and sought-after brand.
Job Adverts
It can be easy to simply look for vacancies amongst the traditional newspaper and online adverts. Whilst it is important to keep your eye on these, there are other ways to find salons looking for staff. Some will advertise through a notice in their window, whilst others may post on industry forums or social media sites such as Facebook. Make sure that you follow as many salons as possible, as well local groups that permit recruitment advertising.
If you really want to take the bull by the horns, then don’t be afraid to approach a few salons directly and ask if they have any vacancies. Aim to speak to the salon manager or owner, as even if there are no roles currently available, if you impress them they may keep your details in case a position becomes available.
Part-Time Roles
Whilst most budding therapists are aiming for a full-time role, you should not discount part-time work if you can afford it. Working during the less popular hours of evenings and weekends can gain you yet more experience for your CV, but also gives you the chance to work your way up the ladder within a business. As you become more skilled and experienced you may have the opportunity to increase your hours and take on more responsibility. This path will take time, but can be an effective means to an end.
Your Application
So, once you have found the vacancy that you want, you must make sure your application is a winning one. If the salon has an application form, make sure you complete it carefully. Read all of the questions before you to attempt to answer any of them so that you know exactly what you need to write. If you are required to submit a CV, make sure that you send it with a covering letter. This not only shows a degree of courtesy, but also gives you the chance to introduce yourself in a more personal way than the CV allows. Do not be tempted to simply send the same letter with applications; modify it so that the employer knows you are interested in them and can see your enthusiasm.
Your CV
Your Curriculum Vitae should be neatly typed and free of spelling mistakes and errors. Do not be tempted to rely on your spell-checker as these are not fool-proof; ask someone to proof-read your CV to double check it. Your CV should list all of your education and qualifications as well as any experience and previous jobs. You should also give the details of two referees that the recruiter can contact, these could be previous employers or people who know you. It is often wise to check with people before putting them on your CV. It may sound obvious, but make sure you include your full name and contact details on the CV; after all, you want to know that you got the interview!
The Interview
It may seem like common sense, but when you arrive for your interview, make sure that you are smart and punctual; you would be surprised how many people are not! Throughout the interview, make sure you are clear and polite whilst remaining friendly. An interview is not just a time for the employer to question you, it is also an opportunity for you to find out more about the job and the business so go prepared with a few questions of your own.
In an interview for a beauty job, you may be required to perform a trade test, so ensure that you have a clean, smart uniform with you. Usually, you will be informed about any trade tests before your interview, so this is a time to establish whether you are required to take any of your own products or tools with you.
You cannot guarantee being offered every job you apply for, but if you follow these pointers you can help to give yourself the best chance of getting the job that you strive for.
Good luck!