There is this wonderful thing called the Alberta Human Rights Act. It applies to everyone, including employers who are interviewing potential employees.
This act was created by the Government of Alberta to promote fairness and equality. The act emphasizes 15 protected grounds which are off limits when asking interview questions.
The Alberta Learning Information System lists the following protected grounds (alisalberta.ca, 2024).
In other words, any questions regarding the items on the list above are deemed inappropriate. Take a look at this ALIS article on how to handle unacceptable questions.
Did you know we have a beauty industry job bank?
Our job bank is free, fast and easy to use. VIEW JOBS
EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP (780)604-2772 info@executivespagroup.com
Can you work in the beauty industry with a criminal record?
We all make mistakes, especially when we’re young! The consequence of having a criminal record can present itself in heartbreaking disappointment when it comes to employment. However, working in the beauty industry with a criminal record is possible.
If your passion is beauty industry-related, don’t let a criminal record deter you from achieving your dreams. The beauty industry in Canada is included under Personal Care ServicesCode 8121 in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This group is made up of businesses primarily engaged in providing personal care services (Statistics Canada, 2024). There are a number of occupations within Code 8121. For example, Hairstylist, Esthetician, and more specialized yet, Nail Technician, Lash Technician, PMU Artist, and so on.
In addition to encompassing a number of occupations, the beauty industry offers a variety of methods to earn money and not all require criminal record checks.
Methods of Employment in the Beauty Industry
Working in a Salon or Spa
Most employers in Personal Care Services are open to hiring Service Providers with criminal records depending on the offence and the amount of time that has passed since. An employer is more likely to be concerned with your education, experience, and perhaps social media following on a professional account. On the other hand, if a criminal background check reveals an assault or theft, you may want to be prepared with a response that will make the employer oversee the offence.
A few agencies in Alberta, Canada help people with criminal records find work. In particular, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta helps women in contact with the legal system.
Sole Proprietors
Many service providers go the sole proprietor route and rent a room or chair from an established salon, or start a home business. The ability to be your own boss makes having a criminal record irrelevant when working in the beauty industry.
Keep in mind that being your own boss takes discipline to succeed in the long run. We recommend starting as small as possible and working your way up. For instance, take a short course in an introductory skill (i.e Manicures and Pedicures) and build a small clientele from that service. As your clientele grows, learn more skills, gain new clients, earn more money!
Corporations
Corporations aren’t always big, faceless companies. Many of your neighbourhood storefront salons and spas are corporations. If you decide to incorporate your business, similar to a sole proprietorship, having a criminal record is irrelevant when you are your own boss.
EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP Beauty Industry Resource Centre (780) 604-2772 info@executivespagroup.com
Do you have any questions regarding work-related concerns?
The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta have set regulations for all Canadian employers and employees to abide by. This resource list includes contacts for regulations surrounding work-related concerns, specifically, employment standards, human rights, and workplace health and safety.
See our contact list below or contact us directly for more information.
Finding the right information can be cumbersome at times. We hope this online resource helps! Executive Spa Group is a career and employment consultants that specializes in beauty industry work related concerns.
ESG Job Bank: Find or post beauty jobs in Alberta.
A job bank dedicated to beauty jobs in Alberta, Canada
Are you looking for beauty jobs in Alberta, Canada? Our job bank is beauty industry-specific and accessed by beauty professionals looking for employment opportunities in Alberta, Canada.
About us
Executive Spa Group offers beauty industry resources online that relate to career and employment matters.
Whether you are a recent graduate or a beauty professional with vast experience, our Career and Employment Consultant can help you answer beauty industry career and employment related questions.
Resources include:
Résume critiquing
Résume development
Interview prep
Explaining gaps in employment
Working around lack-of or problem references
Employment Regulations and Standards
Employment or self-employment opportunities
Find both types of opportunities in our job bank! If you are seeking employment in an Alberta salon or spa, you can make our job bank work for you.
Or perhaps you are looking to rent a chair or a room within an existing establishment? If you are well-informed, renting space in your salon or spa can be an excellent method of secure income. Renting space in your salon/spa has pros and cons. Success in this personnel model depends primarily on 2 factors: your knowledge of rules and regulations on this topic, and the tenant/landlord relationship you conduct.
Browse by Job Type
Job seekers can also search for opportunities based on job type.
Tips when job searching
Use our template to help you create a resume and cover letter
Inform contacts used as references of your active job search
Avoid lengthy resume or cover letters
Keep job search records
Ensure voicemail is appropriate for job search
Tips when interviewing
Arrive on time, no excuses!
Prepare “ready-to-go” answers
Create your own list of questions for them
Do not offer private information until an offer of employment has been made in writing
Writing a resume is difficult when you lack work experience or the training required to do a specific job. However, even when you have experience and/or training, putting the words down on paper can still prove a challenging task.
We recommend breaking down your resume-writing into two components:
Prep Day
Typing Day
Prep Day
What is your job goal? Have you narrowed this down to the industry? The particular employer? The more research you do, the better your resume will look.
Now that you’ve thought about your goal, allow yourself some time to think about the skills you think you need to have for your goal. For example, if you want to start at a “ABC Salon and Spa” as a receptionist, ask yourself, “what skills does that receptionist need to have?”
Let’s brainstorm…a good receptionist…
has a friendly demeanour and a welcoming smile
knows about services and products sold
is able to answer questions from clients
needs to work well with people
knows basic math
is able to use point of sales and booking systems
has good phone manners
ensures the clean maintenance of the facility
supports the team
Now that we’ve thought about the skills you would need for that particular position, ask yourself:
“What skills do I have that relate?”
Don’t focus so much on your duties at your previous job, as much as the skills you applied there.
If you have little to no work experience, think about skills you may use on your free time. What are your hobbies? Do they include particular skills?
Now that we have a list of your skills to pick from for later, our second task is to think about the personality traits required for your goal.
For example, a good receptionist has the following traits:
friendly
punctual
organized
intuitive
research-oriented
Now that you’ve thought about the traits you would need for that particular position, ask yourself, “what traits do I have that relate?”
Typing Day
Now that you have well-though-out ideas, organizing them into a resume will be a breeze!
Types of Resumes
Chronological resume- your best bet if you have sufficient experience and the training required for your objective
Functional resume- an excellent choice for those with little to no work experience
Combo resume- best for those with skills from another industry not related to your job goal
