Interview Tips for Beauty Industry Job Seekers

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.

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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!

Visit our job bank.

EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Beauty Industry Resource Centre
(780) 604 2772
executivespagroup.com

Careers in Beauty for People with Disabilities

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
• power door openers

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

Beauty Industry Resource Centre

ATTN: Beauty Industry Employers

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

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 😉

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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

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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 😉

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Visit our job bank.

EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Beauty Industry Resource Centre
(780) 604 2772
executivespagroup.com

Holidays and Holiday Pay: Beauty Industry Employees

This information comes from Alberta’s Employment Standards Code. Whether you are FT, PT, or on Commission, the code applies to all employees who are NOT self-employed or contracted.

Now let’s begin…

Throughout the year, the following holidays are recognized by the code:

• January 1, New Year’s Day
• 3rd Monday in February, Family Day
• Friday before Easter (varies in March/April), Good Friday
• Monday after May 25, Victoria Day
• July 1, Canada Day
• 1st Monday in September, Labour Day
• 2nd Monday in October, Thanksgiving Day
• November 11, Remembrance Day
• December 25, Christmas Day

How old were you when you found out…?

• When July 1 falls on a Monday-Saturday, it is celebrated that day, however, when it falls on a Sunday, its celebrated the next day on Monday
• Employers can choose to designate Boxing Day, Easter Monday, or Heritage Day (1st Monday in August) as a holiday, however, it is NOT mandatory

Do you qualify for holiday pay?

Not everyone is eligible for holiday pay, to be eligible:

• 30 DAYS: You have to have worked at least 30 days before the holiday in question
• GOOD ATTENDANCE: You can ‘t have missed work the day before or the day after the holiday in question
• BE PRESENT: You have to have actually worked on the holiday in question (not refuse)

If you are eligible, and it is your REGULAR day of work, your employer either

• Pays your daily wage + 1.5X your wage for all hours worked; or
• Pays your daily wage + provides a day off with pay of average daily wage (If you accept this option, you must take your day off no later than your next vacation and on a day that would normally be a work day for you)

If you are eligible, and it is NOT your REGULAR day of work, your employer

• Pays you 1.5X your wage for your hours worked

Did you know?

• If you are on vacation when a general holiday occurs and it would be your regular day to work, you are still entitled to holiday pay
• Employees paid by commission are entitled to their daily wage + 1.5x their wage when they work on a holiday Ask Executive Spa Group how to calculate the hourly wage if you are paid by commission or visit the Alberta’s Employment Standard Code Fact Sheet

In the beauty industry, a lot of employees work irregular schedules where employees only work when there is work available, or work in predetermined, repetitive patterns that differ from your average M-F/9-5. Contact Executive Spa Group for questions regarding your eligibility for holiday pay based on your particular schedule.

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Beauty Industry Resource Centre
(780) 604-2772
info@executivespagroup.com

Check out some of our other resources:

TRAINING 411: Beauty Educator Directory

Alberta Beauty Industry Job Bank

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