The author, Silvia Sanchez, graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Psychology and has over 15 years of experience in the career-consulting field.
While the start-up days of any business are nerve-wracking, they are arguably the most exciting time as well. Here are some ideas to help you grow your beauty business:
Carrying your business card is always a good idea, especially during those start-up days. For example, if someone compliments your nails, as a Nail Technician you can say, “I did them!” as you give them your business card, and there- you just got yourself a new client, who might get you another 2 clients, and so on.
Find as many places to advertise for free online.
Avoid paper advertisements as they create garbage and may annoy potential clients.
Make use of online booking, there are some free options, do your research!
Always keep your conversations positive when you meet new people. A good service provider makes the service all about the client.
Social Media Pages
Create a professional social media page. The platform choices are endless! For example, a professional Instagram page is a perfect portfolio as you post before and after pictures of your work. It requires pictures only, so you do not have to worry about writing anything. Give yourself an easy user name for people to remember. Remember, the beauty industry is visual, people will judge your work based on what they see.
One on one interactions
Word of Mouth is a slow and steady climb for marketing yourself. However, it results in the strongest foundation possible for your business. Here are example of things your clients might judge:
At ESG, we understand interviews can be a scary thing, so we decided to share some interview tips with beauty industry job seekers.
Before we start, let’s keep in mind a few things…
Things to remember:
Both parties want to make a deal
First, show you have the skills required
Second, find out if you are actually interested in the job
SETTING UP THE INTERVIEW
Try to follow these steps:
Find out as much as you can: Who is interviewing you and what are their positions in the salon/spa?
Always answer your phone professionally while looking for work
Voicemail- make sure your message reflects your professionalism
DURING THE INTERVIEW
Things to remember:
They don’t know you, or your skills and knowledge. Explain yourself thoroughly when answering questions
Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions such as pay and benefits
Body language. Refrain from crossing your arms, slouching, etc.
Ask to rephrase if you do not understand the question
Ask if you can take notes. Writing down questions helps some people concentrate and also gives you the opportunity to come back to a question if you get stuck. Clarify to the interviewer that you intend to leave your notes behind
Thank the interviewer
Typical Questions
1. Questions about you and your skills “Tell me about yourself/Strengths/weaknesses.” Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The interviewer wants to ensure you are working on your current weaknesses.
2. “What if” questions “Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker.” The interviewer wants to know how you have actually handled conflict, not how you hope to handle conflict in a best-case scenario.
3. Your interest in the spa/salon “Why do you want to work here?” The interviewer is looking for commitment. NEVER give a vague answer. Show the interviewer you’ve done your research.
4. Plans and expectations “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” The interviewer wants to make sure that you are motivated enough to be promoted in time.
We recommend you write down answers to all the questions above and practice reciting them before your interview. Writing your answers will prepare your response and avoid those awkward “ummm”s.
Be prepared for a technical interview if your first meeting goes well!
We hope our interview tips help. Good luck on your interview!
We often don’t see disabled people working in the Personal Care industry, specifically, in beauty occupations. However, many services are ideal for a person with mobility issues. For example, Nail Techs or Lash Techs sit for most of their day.
Training in certain services can prove to form a lucrative career for a person with a mobile disability. For instance, self-employed Lash Techs charge around $80 for 1 hour of service.
Are there government supports to help me find employment?
There are there supports for beauty industry workers with disabilities. Disability Related Employment Supports a.k.a. ‘DRES‘ is a provincial employment support that funds supports or services for Albertans to help them find and maintain employment.
There are also supports for employers who want to hire people with disabilities.
If the eligibility criteria for all parties are met, you may find supports in:
education/training,
job search, and
the workplace
Examples of eligible assistive services:
job coach
note taker
academic aide
tutor
Examples of eligible assistive technology:
Set-up, installation and training on use of specialized equipment and/or software
ramps
wheelchair lifts
widening doorways
making a washroom accessible
raising lowering or adapting a work station
adapting equipment for the specific use of a person with a disability
We would like to invite you to post your current/future job posting with Executive Spa Group.
Our job bank is free, fast and easy to use. You can post multiple listings for up to 30 days at a time. Candidates submit their resume and other application material directly to you, thereby affording you full control of the screening and hiring process.
By advertising in our Job Bank, you will ensure your posting is seen by thousands of beauty professional job seekers across Alberta.
No account necessary
Simply complete our template outlining the skill set you require and submit it for posting. It’s that easy. And because Executive Spa Group specializes in the beauty industry, you’ll find it easy to specify exactly what you’re looking for.
Why post with Executive Spa Group?
Alberta Beauty Industry-focused
Visited by Service Providers in Alberta looking for their next employment opportunity
Attracts top industry employers and job seekers
Contains up-to-date job listings in Alberta
Easy-to-use
Always free to use!
Click here to begin posting your job listings with Executive Spa Group.
Executive Spa Group (780) 604 2772 executivespagroup.com
How to write cover letters for beauty industry jobs.
Cover Letter Template for Beauty Industry Jobs
The cover letter seems to be going the way of the dodo in the beauty industry. However, they are an important piece of your application package when done right. Not only do they express a bit about your professional background, they give the employer hints about your language skills, plus the way they can expect you to express yourself verbally.
In the beauty industry, language is very important as it is the number one tool we use to build relationships with our clients.
Get that salon/spa job with an effective cover letter!
Every cover letter needs to be customized. This makes applying for employment a bothersome process. It prevents you from sending a mass email with your résumé to all employers all at once.
However, employers do not like receiving application packages that were obviously sent to the masses. It is quite apparent when an applicant has not taken the time to research the potential employer and is applying anywhere and everywhere. These are the résumés that end up in the shred pile before anyone gets a chance to review them.
As a beauty industry resource centre, we encourage all service providers looking for employment to use a cover letter in the application package. In this article, we will share the basic information that should be included in your cover letter. Follow the template we provide, and customizing a cover letter will be much easier 😉
BEAUTY INDUSTRY COVER LETTER OUTLINE
Your Full Name Your address City, Province, Postal Code
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
Name of Recipient Recipient’s position Company Full Name Street address City, Province, Postal Code
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
DATE
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
RE: Position Title (Job Reference Number, if available)
(BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE)
GREETING: Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
*TIP: Address the person by last name. To be gender-neutral, don’t use Mr./Ms. and use the person’s full name instead (e.g. Dear Taylor Smith). If you do not know who to address, use “To whom this may concern”. This is the ONLY time you should be using this greeting.
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
FIRST PARAGRAPH: Why are you writing? Explain your reason. If you are applying for a specific job, state how you heard about the opportunity (newspaper? Online job bank? Word of Mouth? Etc.). If you’re not applying for a specific job, say WHY you are interested in working for this organization.
*TIP: Give one brief reason why you want to work for that spa/salon- do you like the product line they carry? Do you enjoy performing the specific services they offer? Etc.) If someone referred you to the employer, name that person (for example, ‘Anna Thompson, your Head of Esthetics’, suggested I write to you).
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S): Why do you think you are a good fit for this position in this spa/salon? Point out any key experience (including volunteer, training or school experience) that qualifies you for the position.
*TIP: Keep your paragraphs short. If you are responding to a job posting, explain how your skills and experience match those described in the posting.
*EXTRA TIP: Use similar language that they did on the job posting. Similar, not identical.
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
LAST PARAGRAPH: State that a résumé (and if available, a portfolio) is enclosed for more information. Request an interview by expressing that you would like to meet, and offer to provide additional information if needed.
*TIP: Include your phone number in the last paragraph so that piece of information is readily available should the employer want to contact you immediately.
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
SIGN-OFF: Sincerely,
SPACE FOR SIGNATURE…SPACE FOR SIGNATURE…SPACE FOR SIGNATURE SPACE FOR SIGNATURE…SPACE FOR SIGNATURE…
Your Full Name
*TIP: If you are delivering your resumé in person, leave three lines for your signature before your name. If you’re sending it electronically, you don’t need to leave space before your name.
BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE…BLANK SPACE
Enclosure
We hope this cover letter template helps. Best of luck in your job search, and remember, looking for a job IS a job! Consciously dedicate time daily to job searching, even if it’s half an hour per day. The bigger you cast your net, the sooner you’ll reel in the fish 😉
