If you just graduated from beauty school and are starting your search for a cosmetology job or esthetician job, you need to prepare for the interview process. Keep reading to discover tips on interviewing for a job that are sure to land you that job offer.
Finding the right job in the beauty industry can be daunting, especially if you just graduated from beauty school. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success in the job search process is to be prepared for every interview that comes your way. From maintaining eye contact to crafting a professional social media profile, here are some tips on interviewing for a job in the beauty industry successfully.
Before your interview, you need to learn as much as possible about the salon you’re going to. Check out their website or social media to get a feel for how they do business. You can also book an appointment before your job interview and see how the salon operates from a client perspective. This research will provide crucial insight into their business practices and general salon atmosphere, teaching you how to dress and present yourself.
Many cosmetologists and estheticians start in the beauty industry by promoting their work online. Consider setting up a business profile for your work and setting your personal account to private. When potential employers look for you online, the first thing they’ll see is your professional profile and outstanding work. This is a great way to make an excellent first impression.
On the day of your interview, make sure you arrive early. In the world of business, “on time” often means “late.” Giving yourself a buffer period lets you navigate disruptions like traffic and shows the salon that you’re committed to working with them. Consider arriving 10-15 minutes early for your job interview.
During your job interview, actively listen to the interviewer’s questions and answer them directly. Skirting around difficult questions typically isn’t a good sign and can make you look unprepared. Answer questions as honestly and directly as you can.
Maintaining eye contact is critical for interview success. It demonstrates that you are attentive and interested in what the interviewer says. A lack of eye contact can be seen as impolite and unprofessional. However, try not to bore a hole into the interviewer’s soul—just speak to them as you would any other professional.
Your body language communicates more than you think. Much like maintaining eye contact, it indicates attentiveness and professionalism. Try to sit straight and lean in toward the interviewer when they speak to you to communicate that you’re engaged and interested in the conversation.
One crucial tip for interviewing for a job is to make yourself stand out. Salons often interview many candidates for an open position, and many beauty graduates provide the same generic answers to interview questions. During your interview, speak honestly and from your personal experience. This can help set you apart from other candidates that claim every salon is their “dream job.”
In addition, you can make yourself stand out by leaving handwritten notes or personalized copies of your resume and portfolio. These tangible items remind the interviewer or hiring manager of you when they review applications.
Interviews can be nerve-racking experiences, especially if you’re just starting your beauty career. It’s important to remember that the person sitting across from you is just another human being discussing a shared interest. They’re as passionate about the beauty industry as you are, and they’ve been in your shoes before. Take a deep breath, gather yourself, and speak confidently about your skills and qualifications. You went to school for this, after all!
Your interview preparation isn’t complete if you aren’t ready to answer common interview questions. Keep these questions in mind when researching a salon, but know that each salon is different and can ask you a variety of questions.
Aside from doing research ahead of time, you need to prepare a few key items for your interview. Don’t forget to bring these into every interview!
Bringing your portfolio into the interview is a must. Aside from your social media profile, your portfolio is where you showcase your work. Having a physical copy on hand is essential for describing the work you do. Remember, however, that your portfolio is only as good as the weakest piece of work. You need to choose examples strategically to highlight your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Although you likely sent over a copy of your resume before the interview, make sure you bring a few copies of your resume to the salon. You might be interviewing with multiple people, and you should be able to give them each a copy for review.
Always bring a pen and paper to your interview. These tools allow you to take notes that you can refer back to when it’s time to ask a few of your own questions.
How you present yourself in an interview is critical for making a good impression. Here are a few tips on how you should dress and present yourself when interviewing for a cosmetology job or esthetician job.
Be sure to wear clean, wrinkle-free clothes to your interview. Avoid jeans, short skirts and dresses, and low-cut tops. While these articles of clothing are great for everyday wear, they can come across as unprofessional in your interview.
One of the most important tips for interviewing for a job in the beauty industry is to showcase your skills. Make sure your hair, makeup, and nails reflect your experience and training. Salons are more inclined to hire an esthetician or cosmetologist that is well put together.
At Brillare Beauty Institute, we provide our students with a hands-on learning environment that teaches them the skills they need to succeed in the beauty industry. Explore our esthetician and cosmetology courses to learn more about our students’ qualifications!
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