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
For those interested in becoming cosmetology instructors, meet Lisa. She has some insight to share with you before you embark on your beauty educator journey. Lisa spent 10 years as a cosmetology educator at the Eveline Charles Academy. While she has since moved on to a managerial position at the Hair Loft, she looks back at her days as a beauty educator with nostalgia.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH STUDENTS?
My biggest challenge with students was to keep them excited/interested in the topic of choice for the day. It’s not always fun learning and practicing perm wraps or finger waves or even learning brand new techniques that your hands and mind have never tried. Having well-planned out theory and practical curriculums really helps.
MEMORABLE DAYS
The most fun aspects of being an educator was seeing them all the way through. You get a sense of pride in mentoring the future of our industry. Plus, you really get to know each student , their individuality, and hilarious moments you will never forget.
The worst part of educating is feeling responsible for their success even when they don’t see it themselves.
SKILLS OF A GREAT BEAUTY EDUCATOR
If I was hiring an instructor, the number one quality I would look for is their technical abilities and knowledge of the industry. It is important that all instructors are passing quality techniques down to the next generation.
After technical ability, I’m looking for someone who has a kind , patient, and passionate personality.
PRIDE IN YOUR STUDENTS
When I look back on my teaching career the funny thing about it is seeing my past students succeeding and even surpassing me! I went to a Calgary hair show in the fall. Not only did I see a ton of my previous students, but I was overcome with pride to see one of them as a platform artist educating the future generation herself.
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:
If your work culture and mission are not parallel to your personal values, it is only a matter of time before you decide no amount of money is worth your time at your current job.
Changing careers is scary but its more common than you think. We have a theory based on observations, our knowledge of human behaviour, and our understanding of social psychology: We go through multiple career changes due to an abundance of career options, and our values changing as we mature.
Many people choose the now-known-as Personal Care Services industry. There are several ways to join, but first we recommend becoming fully informed before making life-changing decisions. We believe choosing a career is dependent among many factors, for example, interests, abilities, work values, personal values, and future life plans.
Where to begin…
ALIS is a great place to start your research. This website will help you gather information about the credentials necessary to reach your goal, and what you can expect in terms of job duties, salary and wages, occupational outlook, plus more!
In addition, if employment is your goal, review job banks in order to have an idea of how likely you are to find a job after training.
However, if you are interested in self-employment, a great tool to start with is the Business Link.
At ESG, we specialize in beauty industry careers. If you are thinking about changing careers. furthering your education, or transitioning back to employment, we can provide industry information and career and employment consulting to help you make the right decision.
