Want a Salon Career Change?
7 Tips on How to Find Your Dream Salon
If you want to understand what salon owners are looking for when they hire experienced stylists or recent graduates, you’ll find a wealth of information in Jeff Grissler’s powerful book, How to Get a J.O.B. in a Salon. Whether you are looking for a new position in a different salon, a recent Cosmetology graduate, or wanting to step up your performance in your current salon, Jeff offers 7 tips on how to land that stylist or colorist job you desire.
1. First impressions
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make it count. Your future client or even your next employer may be sitting right next you. Always look like a beauty professional when you step out your front door.
2. Look the part
Represent the beauty industry by dressing, accessorizing and wearing a hair style that reflects the type of salon environment you seek. You should reflect the culture and image of that dream salon. If you don’t wear it, how can you sell an image as a stylist? You are in the beauty industry and are on stage every day.
3. Visit many salons
Check out as many locations as possible until you find the one that is right for you. Talk to the receptionist, observe the layout and flow of the salon, review the menu of services, study clients as they come and go, soak up as much as you can about the image and culture of each salon. What feels right to you?
4. Practice growing clientele
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and this is the absolute truth in the salon industry. As an artist working with shears, product, hair color, pins and a creative mix of tools, you must experiment and perfect your signature style and quality of work. Practice on mannequin heads, friends, family – any head of willing hair! The more practiced you are – your skill grow. You’ll find yourself in demand by clients which translated directly to your ability to find the right salon for you.
5. Celebrate your success
Be proud of your work! Track and celebrate your success with a portfolio. Snap before and after photos that reflect your skills and have made clients sing your praises. Share your work with new clients and potential employers. As you present your work with passion and enthusiasm, you naturally and authentically sell yourself. It’s helpful to include your retail sales accomplishments, whether in school or in a previous salon, if they are numbers that reflect your effort to increase revenue. Include certificates of advanced educational classes or shows you attend, anything that demonstrates your desire to continue learning and improving your skills.
6. Be a mentor
Early in your career, it’s helpful to find a mentor that pushes you to learn and inspires you to follow your heart. During your career you’ll cross paths with stylists who embody the energy, style, creativity and talent that reflects the “you” – you wish to be.
7. Pay it forward
Pass on what you have learned to the next generation of stylists and colorists. Salon owners and fellow team members will look up to you as a mentor and motivator, just as you found that person when starting your salon career.
For more tips on preparing for interviews, dressing appropriately, language to use, creating an effective resume and understanding what salon owners are looking for in stylists, Jeff’s book, How to Get a J.O.B. in a Salon, is a must-read! Available now in the BTC Bookstore.
