cover letters,HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

How to Write a Cover Letter

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 😉


Visit our job bank.

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

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alberta,beauty industry workers,holiday pay

Do you Qualify for Holiday Pay?

holiday pay

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.


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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Renting Chairs: Who is responsible for EI?

DO I HAVE TO PAY EI FOR CHAIR RENTERS?

Did you think Employment Insurance and Chair Renters would never come up in the same sentence?

In 2019, CTV NEWS Saskatoon did a report on how salon owners that rent our chairs are impacted by Employment Insurance fees imposed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

The report focuses on Stacey Zielinski , owner of The Beach Beauty Bar in Martensville, Saskatchewan. Like many others, Stacey was under the impression that chair renters are independent contractors and therefore are not governed under employment laws and regulations.

Luckily for Zielinski, her tab was not too high, as only 1/5 hairstylists was a chair renter. This got us thinking though,

how does this impact the industry?

What does this mean for salon owners who only rent out chairs?

Renting out chairs to hairstylists has always been an attractive option for salon owners. Renting out chairs produces consistent income, removes employee-related issues, and was formerly believed to eliminate the cost of wages and MERCS.  

It is widely believed that the salon owner does not pay money to the renter; but they do however collect money from the renter. Typically, the hairstylist pays a monthly fee to offer services to their growing clientele from an already established salon.  In exchange for this fee, the salon owner allows use of the chair and fixtures during operating hours.

Contrary to popular belief, salon owners are liable to pay Employment Insurance fees to the CRA for chair renters. Normally, independent contractors from other industries are not eligible for EI, however, there is an exception for barbers and hairstylists.

Normally, EI is paid to employees based on the hours worked per pay period. Because chair renters dictate their own hours, the CRA calculates EI fees on the number of days the chair renter offered services in the establishment.

Why is there an exception for barbers and hairstylists?

As it was explained by a CRA representative, this exception was put into place to secure the income of a hairstylist in the event that the salon owner is no longer able to provide the chair renter with a space to work from. Examples are salon owners who are evicted from their rented space or go out of business.  

What is the difference between independent contractors in the beauty industry versus other industries?

Nothing really. We searched for answers but could not find a clear explanation for this exception.

The exception to the exception.

While a salon owner must pay the employer portion of EI fees for independent contractors, this fee is eliminated IF the chair renter is incorporated.

What is the difference between a sole proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation?

All of the above are forms of entrepreneurship. They differ in a few ways including the annual costs and taxes payable to the CRA. The main difference is that in a sole proprietorship or partnership, the business is an extension of you (and your partners if applicable) whereas a corporation is viewed as an entity external to you.  It even has its own SIN, however, it’s called a BN (Business Number).

There are many benefits to registering your business as a corporation. Learn more.

Where does this legislation come from?

It is believed that this legislation was created to protect the income of women and single mothers based on the occupation’s demographic at the time the legislation was created.

Two conditions apply to this employment insurance regulation:

  1. The barber or hairstylist offers services out of the establishment.
  2. The barber or hairstylist is not the owner of the establishment.

What if the salon owner also owns the building?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter. Salon owners who own the building must also pay EI fees.

What if the hairstylist does not pay EI?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter. The onus is on the salon owner to pay the employer portion of a chair renter’s EI whether or not they pay their own premiums.

Does this legislation affect room rentals for esthetics services?

No, this legislation only applies to Hairstylists and Barbers at the time this article was published.


EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP 

Beauty Industry Resource Centre

(780) 604 2772

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alberta,beauty careers,beauty jobs,career and employment,career guidance,employment,job bank

Job Bank Alberta- Beauty Industry

job bank alberta
ESG Job Bank: Find or post beauty jobs in Alberta.

A job bank dedicated to beauty jobs

Our job bank is beauty industry-specific and accessed by beauty professionals looking for employment opportunities in Alberta, Canada.

About us

Executive Spa Group (ESG) is a beauty industry resource centre. In addition to one-on-one career and employment services, we offer free online resources to help employers connect with job seekers.

Browse job bank by Category

Job seekers can search for jobs based on job category. With 27 categories to choose from, our job bank accommodates many beauty industry employment opportunities.

Browse by Job Type

Job seekers can also search for opportunities based on job type.

ESG tips when job searching

job bank alberta
Photo credit: Andrew Neel
  • Contact ESG for help creating a resume
  • 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

ESG tips when interviewing

  • Arrive on time, no excuses!
  • Prepare “ready-to-go” answers using the STAR method
  • Create your own list of questions for them
  • Do not offer private information until an offer of employment has been made in writing

Check out some of our other resources:

TRAINING 411: Beauty Educator Directory

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assessment,benefits,disability supports,dres,government of alberta,resources,supports,tutor

Are there supports for beauty industry workers with disabilities?

DRES. Not “dress”

YES. 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.

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

Talk to a Career and Employment Consultant to see if you meet eligibility for DRES.

Now that you know about DRES, that “DRES” is quite lovely, don’t you agree?


EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

Beauty Industry Resource Centre

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Executive Spa Group

info@executivespagroup.com
(780) 604-2772
executivespagroup.com
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