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How To Land Your First Salon Job

For some of you, your first job out of beauty school might be your first job ever. Sure, you have your license, but that doesn't mean you have confidence in your skills just yet. You might even be wondering how someone who has never had a job and has little confidence in their skills can appeal to an industry that seems to want the very best?

Rest assured: you are not alone. Confidence is acquired over time; and remember, everyone who has a job used to be someone who didn’t have a job. Everyone starts somewhere and you can too! In the short term, here are some simple daily habits that may help speed up the process.

1) Be aware of your self-talk. How you coach yourself through a situation is either bringing you up or down. Each day you need to read affirming words, something to motivate you. You are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for and if you don’t start believing that then you’ll have a hard time finding an employer who will take a chance on you. You may not feel that you are completely qualified (spoiler alert: everyone feels that way at some point in their career) but you have to project the person and the personality that you know will win the trust and confidence of an employer and clients alike.
2) Take the time to make a list of what you do have confidence in. Even if you feel like you have a lot to learn, there should be some areas that you feel you could bring to a team. For example, you may feel that you create great blowouts or can sell retail or maybe you love to write and do social media and could help out with marketing posts. Make a list of these things and speak about those talents when you seek employment.
3) Be honest. When you interview for a job, don’t be afraid to say that you don’t have all the skills but that you are willing to do the work. Most salon and spa owners would much rather higher someone who is unskilled but has a great attitude than someone who is skilled but has a poor attitude.

At the end of the day, you’ve got to understand that you chose a people industry. The beauty industry is a profession where others rely on you to make them feel good and look great. If you can engage others, serve with a smile, and project confidence, you can succeed. Still don't feel confident that you'll land a job? You should:

  • Dress the part
  • Seek out a mentor
  • Be assertive
  • Continue to educate yourself: find books, watch motivational speakers, seek out training through programs like Dale Carnegie, Toastmasters, etc. and work to develop your people skills.

Trust me when I say that it is your attitude that determines your altitude. A little effort will go a long way toward improving your confidence. You can do it!

Photo: Shutterstock | stockfour

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About Michelle Max

Michelle Campbell is the Content Marketing Specialist for MiladyPro.