How to Prepare for Your Job Interview in the Beauty Industry

If you’re getting ready to graduate from beauty school, you may be on the job hunt! Looking for your first job in the beauty industry is an exciting time where you can meet so many new people. Learn more about how to interview for your future careers and establish yourself in the industry!

Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is an essential part of marketing yourself. Building a strong online presence can help you reach new clients and make important connections with other professionals in the beauty industry.

During your time in school, make sure that you’re documenting all your work. We strongly recommend creating an Instagram account that is purely dedicated to your work. Try to keep the personal posts to a minimum, and showcase the work that you’re proud of. Future employers will often look job applicants up on social media to get a feel for their personality and see their work. Treat every post the way you would if you were working in a high-end salon. For great photos, we recommend:

• Use natural lighting or a ring light if available
• If natural lighting is not available, turn your client so any light source is shining on them, not behind them
• Make sure your phone camera is clean
• Don’t apply any dramatic filters or presets that could alter the colors
• Use location tags and hashtags

Don’t be afraid to show your best work! Your future employers will appreciate a visual portfolio and you can build your clientele through social media.

Create a Resume

When it comes to your resume, try to keep things simple! We suggest you keep everything to one page and use visual elements such as color blocking or a photo to stand out. Canva is a design website that has many free options for resumes that allow you to plug your information in. If you don’t have any past salon experience outside of school, don’t worry! Include any previous jobs you’ve had, especially if they’ve been in customer service. Showing you can work with people is a great asset in the beauty industry!

Do Your Research

Salon owners take a lot of pride in their space, so do some research on each location you apply at. We suggest reading through their website, any social media channels they have, and even Google reviews. Reviews in particular can help you determine what the salon environment is like.

If you want a first-hand experience of what the salon is like before your interview, schedule a service! This will allow you to speak directly with a stylist and get their feedback on the salon, management, and more. By the time you interview, you’ll be more comfortable in the salon and speaking with the owner about their space.

Practice Interviewing

While it may seem like an obvious suggestion, practicing your interviewing skills can pay off in a big way. Sit down in front of a mirror or ask a friend to help. Salon owners can have many questions for you, which may include:

• How did you hear about this salon?
• What makes you a competitive candidate for this job?
• Why do you want to work here?
• How did your education prepare you for the beauty industry?

We know that an interview can be a little stressful, but reviewing your responses continuously will help you remember them and answer with confidence. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, salon owners remember what it was like to be fresh out of school too! If they’ve contacted you for an interview, they’re already interested in you as a candidate. All you have to do is back up your experience and show them you’re excited to work.

Pick An Outfit

This is the easy part! Pick an outfit that is neutral, clean, and flattering. Steer away from the jeans or anything with holes, and go for nicer pants or a skirt. Confidence can come from a good outfit, so make sure it’s an outfit you love!

Follow Up

Don’t be afraid to reach out! After your interview, it’s always a good idea to send a thank you to your interviewer, whether by email or as a physical letter. Tell them you appreciate them taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with you. If you don’t hear back from them at all, it is always okay to reach out and ask for an update. If they’ve filled the position, they’ll let you know!

Learn More at Salon Success Academy!

Still have questions? Let us know! We’re more than happy to help our students and recent grads in their job search. Contact us today to learn more!

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