You have worked so hard to get hired at your dream salon or spa, and you are well on your way to getting established in your new career. In the beginning phases of your career, you might be very focused on getting acclimated and building your client base, but don’t lose sight of the future. In a few months or perhaps a year, you’ll be asked to demonstrate your worth to your salon or spa owner or manager during your first performance review. Are you prepared?

I remember my first performance review, it was terrible. I was extremely nervous and not prepared. Because of my lack of preparation, I found myself not being able to focus on what my manager was sharing with me. Needless to say, it wasn’t a great experience. To help you avoid a poor performance review keep these three things in mind.

1. Know How You're Being Measured: The key to a successful performance review is what happens during the three, six or twelve months before the actual review. During these months it’s your responsibility to build a solid working relationship with your supervisor and make certain you know exactly what is expected of you (like specific measurable items: percentage booked, average service/retail tickets, rebooking, and continued education, etc). In other words, do you have individual goals that need to be achieved?
2. Write It Down: To help you prepare for your review I recommend you spend some time summarizing your achievements and writing them down, much like you did when you created your resume. Think about what you’ve accomplished since you begin your job. Make certain you mention specifics results. Let me give you a few examples: I completed ___ number of advanced training classes, I have increased my average service/retail ticket by __%, I supported my fellow co-workers at ______. Date these too!
3. Consider Your Manager's Perspective: When you sit down for your review be prepared to WOW your manager/owner. Once again, much like you did in your initial job interview, you want to remind them about why they hired you and how you contribute to the team, the salon or spa, and the business as a whole. You’ll want to share what you have accomplished and what effects those accomplishments have contributed to the overall success of the team.

Remember, a performance review is a two-way street. It’s an opportunity to discuss with your supervisor what you accomplished and discuss areas of improvement. To show your investment in the review, create a list of specific questions you would like to ask your supervisor to help you achieve your overall goals within the company. Trust me: nothing impresses a manager more than when an employee comes prepared.

With a little preparation, your performance review will be less stressful, help you be more open to constructive feedback and leave the meeting feeling confident.   

Photo: Shutterstock | PhotoMediaGroup

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