How to Get the Most Out of Your Salon Externship

Practice makes perfect. If you want real salon experience, get in a real salon! A salon externship is the best way to practice your skills, develop your art, and learn the business of running a salon. Make sure you get the most out of your salon externship with these 6 tips:

Be Prompt

Plan out your day before you start it. From what you wear to where you’ll stop for coffee, have a plan. Nothing says you’re dedicated more than making it to work on time –better yet, early. When you arrive early you give yourself plenty of time to prep and get ready for an awesome day of working and learning. Look ahead and see who your first client is and prepare everything you will need so you don’t keep them waiting. Being ready and well-organized will impress your clients and your supervisors.

Observe Everything

You can learn so much at your salon externship –IF you pay attention. Note what your co-workers do, from how they style hair and treat clients to how they interact with one another. What would you do the same? How would you do things differently? Pay especially close attention to the way the salon is run. You could learn what to expect in your first job out of cosmetology school or gain tips on how to run your own salon someday!

Take Notes

Notes will help you remember everything you learn so you can refresh your memory later on. What did you do well that you’d want to do again? What could you do even better? And most importantly, what did you learn from the others you were lucky enough to watch in action. A three ring binder with tabs to separate different topics is a great tool. Or, use your smartphone or tablet and jot notes on breaks and after work to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

[ctt template=”5″ link=”Fpf6f” via=”no” ]Consider feedback from your externship supervisors as one more lesson from the experts[/ctt]Remain Level Headed

While on your externship, you might encounter a difficult client or a challenging situation. Address the problem with an open mind. Remain calm and listen to what others tell you. Consider their feedback as one more lesson you get to learn from the experts. After all, this is all a learning situation.

Keep Contacts

Whether it is the receptionist at the salon or the owner’s significant other, it is important to keep in touch with the contacts you meet during your externship. Clients and coworkers all might be able to positively impact your future career. Sometime great opportunities arise when you least expect it, so always be on the lookout for a chance to network.

Think Ahead

You’re almost finished with your externship, now what? Keep a list of all of the projects you worked on so when you update your resume, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile you have examples of all you’ve done. This information will also be helpful when you interview for jobs. Make your work visible to the world on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. Display your proudest accomplishments, techniques and tips.

An externship is a great way to get salon experience and possibly land a job once you’ve passed the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology State Licensing Exam. At Salon Success Academy after 1,200 hours of instruction, we’ll allow you to take a mock exam. We’ll provide you with important feedback, including detailed notes with areas to improve. Turn your passion into a lifelong, rewarding career. Call 877-987-4247, today!