Hair Stylist

Education means something a little different in the beauty industry than in most other job markets. Your education as a hair stylist could be working under someone else who was talented and taught you first hand. Alternatively, you may have attended a beauty school and had a more formal education. If you've been working in the field for a while, make sure you address any continuing education you've received over the years. As trends come in and out of style, hair stylists often have to learn new techniques or how to use new tools, and it's important to show that you've kept up with the changes. If you've never worked in the field, but you attended a beauty school, talk about any experience you received during that education, such as working in an apprenticeship or in an on-campus salon.

☛ Be sure to arrive a little before the appointment. It's always better to wait outside and take a minute to compose yourself than it is to rush when you're running late. Try to give yourself plenty of time for traffic.

☛ Don't chew gum, play with your hair, bite your nails, or fidget. And do not dress casually, eg. jeans or provocative clothes. At a minimum, adhere to a smart, casual attire.

☛ Shake hands with people and look them in the eye. It shows confidence and openness.

☛ In the interview, relax, but use your best manners. Remember to just breathe when you feel nervous.

☛ Discuss what you have to offer the salon, such as energy and a fresh perspective.

☛ Research the salon at which you are applying by perusing its website, online reviews, etc. Discuss various aspects of the salon with the person interviewing you, as that knowledge is an expression of interest and sincerity.

☛ Keep the conversation professional, upbeat, and to-the-point. Don't ramble and don't criticize teachers or previous employers. Do not discuss any personal issues or political/religious views.

☛ Be prepared to let the salon owner know why you left your previous job or career. If you left on less-than-optimal terms, cast the situation in a positive light, such as: It wasn't the right place for me, or I needed more support to grow.

☛ If you have to do nails during the interview, make sure your tools and products are neat and in a professional-looking toolbox. (If you have to bring a model, she should look as professional as you do.)

☛ Be prepared to discuss your career goals and expectations for this job, such as mentoring or continuing education. It is okay to ask what the work environment at the salon or spa is like and what type of products are used and retailed.

☛ Don't appear to be only interested in the money. Most owners feel it is acceptable to inquire about how the company compensates, but to wait until the second interview to discuss how much (see page 14 for information on different compensation systems).

☛ When discussing work hours, try to be flexible and open to the needs of the salon, but forthright about your own limitations. If you have to be limited on certain days, try to offer more time elsewhere on the schedule.

Be prepared to answer more than just "yes" or "no" questions. Practice your responses to these interview questions by role-playing with classmates or a friend.

☛ What service do you find the most enjoyable to do? Which is the least?

☛ How will you market yourself and draw in your clientele?

☛ Why is it important to get manicures and pedicures?

☛ How personable are you with your clients?

☛ What will your reaction be if a client says she doesn't like your work and wants a refund?

☛ Are you willing to promote others in the salon and how?

☛ If you were experiencing a conflict with a fellow employee, how would you handle the situation?

☛ What are the possible consequences of using dirty implements?

☛ What are your strengths and weaknesses?

☛ How long does it take you to do a full set of gel? What about a full set of acrylic?

Hairstyle trends are very important because many of your clients will be men and women who enjoy a more modern look. There are many ways for you to keep up with trends in hairstyles, and your employer will want to know your favored method. "I have subscriptions to multiple fashion magazines and I pay close attention to what is trendy in large cities around the world. I also ask my clients about any hairstyles they have seen or in which they may be interested. In some cases, I ask them to show me a picture of the hairstyle in a magazine. It not only helps me stay knowledgeable, but it builds rapport with the clients" is a fantastic answer.

As a hair stylist, it is your job to help your clients put their best faces forward every day of their lives. You will need to project confidence and communication skills in order to get the job, so be sure to practice these answers a few days before your interview.

Hair stylists are responsible for much more than simply cutting and styling hair. They must schedule appointments, provide advice over the telephone, give consultations, work with clients to find a style that meets their wants as well as their needs and much more. As such, your employer will want to ensure that you are capable of multitasking. "I was once the only stylist available to answer the phone, work with clients and restock supplies. In this situation, it is important to assess the needs of the clients first and perform other tasks in between as needed" is a fantastic answer. It shows that you will always put the needs of the clients first, but that you will not forget your other duties.

An apprenticeship enables aspiring hairdressers to learn their trade in the workplace environment, whilst studying to gain theory and qualifications. Usually, apprenticeships are taken by people aged 16 or over, to allow them to earn money whilst gaining experience. An apprenticeship in hairdressing will normally involve candidates working in the salon every day, and then spending 1 or 2 days at college. However, there are some salons who teach both theory and practical skills. In these cases, candidates will only need to enroll in college if their Maths and English skills are not up to scratch.

Usually, it takes between 3 and 5 years to become fully qualified as a hairdresser in the UK. This can depend upon if you are taking further courses in salon management, or where you start with your training.

If you are to make your clients happy with your skills and expertise, you must be able to communicate and listen effectively. Your client may know the hairstyle he or she wants, but if you are not prepared to listen very carefully, you could end up with a very dissatisfied customer on your hands. "I understand that each client also has a personal style. I take the time to listen to the client and then relay my ideas. In the event that a client shows me a picture of a hairstyle that is not quite possible for any reason, I take the time to explain why and offer alternatives that will work better." This answer shows that you respect your clients and that you are prepared to work hard to meet their needs.

There are a number of advantages to taking an apprenticeship, instead of studying full time at college:

☛ Your learning group will be much smaller than at college. This means that you will have much more one to one time with whomever is teaching you.

☛ You will earn money whilst you are learning key skills.

☛ You will gain fantastic practical experience from the front line of the hair salon.

☛ You will hugely increase your employability, as you'll have more industry experience than if you had spent your time learning at college. You are also more likely to gain employment with the salon you trained at, since you have already built up a relationship with the staff.

As a hair stylist, you will have to discuss with your customer what kind of style they are looking for. You may have customers who will provide you with pictures of celebrities cut from a magazine, pictures of themselves from some other point in time or perhaps just a description of what they're looking for. Your job is to listen to the client and help them to choose a variation of the style that will work for their hair type, face shape and typical beauty routine. Explain to the interviewer what questions you would ask the client to get to this result, and how you will explain your suggestions. Be sure to talk about how you will deal with a client who disagrees with your assertion. You should give the client good advice, but be willing to ultimately give them the haircut they want, regardless of whether or not you agree with it.