Seeking Employment Chapter # 30

Chapter Objectives: Discuss the essentials of becoming test-wise Explain the steps involved in preparing for employment List and describe the various types of salon businesses Write and achievement-oriented resume and prepare an employment portfolio Explain how to explore the job market and research potential employers Be prepared to complete an effective employment interview

Ch # 30 Key Terms: Deductive Reasoning – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Employment Portfolio – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Resume – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

Ch # 30 Key Terms: Test-wise – Having a complete and thorough knowledge of the subject matter, and __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Transferable skills – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Work Ethic – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________ for your clients, employer and salon team

Success Once you become successful you owe your success to no one but yourself because you created it, people may have helped you along the way however you owned it and you alone achieved it.

Cosmetology Industry No matter what changes occur in the economy, there are often more jobs available for entry-level cosmetology professionals than there are people to fill them. This is a tremendous advantage for you upon completion of this course, your high school diploma, and passing the state board testing. Our industry is constantly evolving providing many areas of specialty for you.

Preparing for the test Factors that affect how well you will perform on tests are: physical and psychological state your memory time management skills in reading, writing, note taking, and general learning MOST IMPORTANT – ______________________________________

Test-Wise Practicing _____________________________________ Having a planned __________________ study schedule Reading content carefully and becoming an active studier _____________________________________________ Developing a __________________________________ Taking _______________________________________ Organizing and reviewing handouts Reviewing past quizzes and tests Listening carefully in class for _____________________ about what could be expected on the test

Holistic Test-Wise Develop a positive attitude toward taking the test Get plenty of rest the night before the test Dress comfortably Anticipate some anxiety _________________________________

On the day of the test Relax and try to slow down physically If possible, review the material lightly the day of the exam ____________________________________________________________________ Have a self-confident attitude Be alert, calm, and ready for the challenge _____________________________________ to all verbal directions before beginning If there is anything that you do not understand ________________________________________ Skim the entire test before beginning Budget your time – do not spend too much time on any one questions Wear a watch so you can monitor the time (NJ testing center does not permit this) Answer the easiest questions first Scan all questions first, because it may provide you with a clue for the more difficult questions Mark the questions you skip so you can find them again later Read each question carefully to make sure that you know exactly what the question is asking Answer as many questions as possible Questions that you are unsure of you should make an ________________________________ Review the test when you are done before submitting Only make changes to answers if there is a good reason to do so make sure that you completed all basic information such as name and date

Deductive Reasoning __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

Deductive Reasoning Strategies __________________________________________ – the more answers you can eliminate the better your chances of identifying the correct one ___________________________________________– look for qualifying conditions such as: usually, commonly, in most instances, never, or always Study the stem – (the basic question) look for a match between the stem and one of the choices Watch for grammatical clues – if the last word in a stem is “an” the answer must begin with a vowel rather than a consonant Looking at similar or related questions can provide clues

True / False Test Format Strategies: Watch for _________________________: all, most, some, none, always, usually, sometimes, never, little, no, equal, less, good, bad Absolutes: all, none, always, & never are generally not true For a statement to be true, the entire statement must be true Long statements are more likely to be true than short statements(It takes more detail to provide truthful, factual information)

Multiple Choice Strategies: ___________________________________________, including all the choices Look for the ______________ answer, more than one might be true Eliminate incorrect answers by crossing them out ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ When two choices are opposite one is probably right and one is probably wrong depending on the number of other choices “All of the above” types of responses are ___________ the correct response Pay special attention to words such as not, except, and but The answer to one question may be in the stem of another If all else fails at least take a guess, it is better to try

Preparing for employment What do you really want out of a career in cosmetology? What particular areas within the beauty industry are the most interesting to you? What are your strongest practical skills, and in what ways do you wish to use them? What personal qualities will help you have a successful career?

Preparing for employment: Ask yourself: Do you want to work in a big city or small town? Are you compatible with a sophisticated, exclusive salon or a trendy salon? Which clientele are you able to communicate with more effectively? Do you want to start out slowly are carefully or do you want to jump in and throw everything into your career from the starting gate? Will you be in this industry throughout your working career or is this just a stopover? Will you only work a 30 or 40 hour week or will you go the extra mile when opportunities are available? How ambitious are you and how many risks are you willing to take?

How to get the job you want Several key personal characteristics that will not only help you get the position you want, but will help you keep it are: Motivation – having _____________________________ Integrity – _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Good technical and communication skills – you MUST develop BOTH to reach the level of success you desire Strong work ethic – means taking pride in your work, and committing yourself to consistently doing a good job for your clients, employer, and salon team Enthusiasm – your _________________________ from and expand your skills and knowledge

Salon Statistics In the US alone there are approx 313 thousand salons and approx 1.6 million active cosmetology professionals

Types of Salons: Small Independent: ______________________________________ Makes up the majority of professional salons The average independent salon has three styling chairs ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Their image, décor, services, prices and clientele all reflect the owner’s experience and taste

Types of Salons: Independent Salon Chains: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Range from basic hair salons to full-service salons and day spas Some larger salons also employ education directors and style directors, and practitioners are often hired to manage particular locations

Types of Salons: Large National Salon Chains ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ They can be budget or value priced, haircut only or full service, mid- price or high end. Some salon chains operate________________________________ Mgmt and marketing professionals at the ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Many newly licensed cosmetology professionals seek their first jobs in national chain salons because of the ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Because these chains are widespread, employees have the opportunity to transfer from one location to another

Types of Salons: Franchise Salons: ____________________ a chain salon organization They have a national name and consistent image and business formula throughout the chain Are _________________________________________ Owners receive a business plan and can take advantage of national marketing campaigns Decisions as size, location, décor, and prices are determined in advance by the parent company Generally not owned by practitioners, but by investors who seek a return on their investment

Types of Salons: Basic Value-Prices Operations: Located in ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ These operations depend on a high volume of _____________________________________ They often hire recent cosmetology graduates and generally pay them by the hour, sometimes adding commission style bonuses if individual sales pass a certain level Haircuts are usually reasonable priced and practitioners are trained to work fast with no frills

Types of Salons: Mid-Priced Full Service Salons: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ They run strong marketing programs to encourage client returns and referrals These salons train their professional styling team to be as productive and profitable as possible Here you will have the opportunity to build a relationship with clients that may extend over time

Types of Salons: High-End “Image” Salons or Day Spas: Employs well trained professionals and salon assistants who offer _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ such as a 5 minute head, neck, and shoulder massage as part of the shampoo and luxurious spa manicures and pedicures Located in trendy, upscale sections of large cities, elegant mansions, high rent offices and retail towers or luxury hotels and resorts Clients expect _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Types of Salons: Booth Rental: Also called _______________________ Least expensive way of owning one’s own business __________________________________

Resume Development Resume – ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ The average time that a potential employer will spend scanning your resume is about _____________________ Focus on your ______________________________________ statements rather than your duties and responsibilities Add numbers or percentages whenever possible

Resume Guidelines __________________________________ Print it on __________________ white, buff, or gray bond paper Include your name, address, phone number, and email address on both the resume and your cover letter (professional email) List recent, relevant work experience List relevant education and the name of the institution from which you graduated, as well as relevant courses attended

Questions to ponder for resume: How many regular clients do I serve? How many clients do I serve weekly? What was my service ticket average? What was my client retention rate? What percentage of my client revenue came from retailing? What percentage of my client revenue came from color or texture services? Did you receive any honors during your course of training? Were you ever selected “student of the month”? Did you receive special recognition for your attendance or academic progress? Did you win any cosmetology related competitions while in school? What was your attendance average while in school? Did you work with the student body to organize any fundraisers?, what were the results?

Do’s & Don’ts of Resumes __________________________ – use clear concise sentences, avoid overwriting, choose a basic font _________________________ – use vocabulary and language that will be understood by your potential employer ____________________– you have 20 seconds or less to impress ____________________ – emphasize and the skills you used to achieve them ______________________ – highlight info that is relevant to the position you are seeking ______________________________– skills that you have already mastered at another job that you can put to use in a new position _____________________________ – such as achieved, coordinated, developed, increased, maintained, and strengthened ____________________________ – poorly structured layout will not reflect well on you

Do’s & Don’ts of Resumes: ___________________ – do not state your salary history or reason for leaving your former employment ___________________ – Misinformation or untruthful statements usually catch up with you ___________________________ – employers are really only interested in references that can speak about your professional ability Expect too much – Don’t have unrealistic expectations of what your resume can accomplish

Resume Example See Attached at the end of hand out…….

Employment Portfolio __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ The portfolio like the resume, should be prepared in a way that projects professionalism Nothing should be handwritten

Powerful Portfolios include: Diplomas Awards and achievements Current resume Letters of reference from former employers Summary of continuing education Copies of training certificates Statement of membership in industry or other professional organizations Statement of relevant civic affiliations or community activities Before and after photos Brief statement about why you have chosen a career in cosmetology

Targeting the establishment Accept that you probably will not begin in your dream job Do not wait until graduation to begin your search Locate a salon that serves the type of clients you with to serve Make a list area salons or establishments – the yellow pages or www.anywho.com will be helpful for this Follow newspapers, televisions, and radio for salon advertising

Field Research A great way to find out about jobs is to actually get out there and use your eyes, ears, and any other sense that can help you gather information Networking allows your to establish contacts that may eventually lead to a job, and helps you gain valuable information about the workings of carious establishments You might even make contact ______________________________________

The Salon Visit When you visit a salon take along a checklist to ensure that you observe all the key areas that might ultimately affect your decision making After your visit always remember to write a brief note thanking the salon representative for his or her time, even if you did not like the salon or would never consider working there, _____________________________________. ________________________________ Instead build a network of contacts who have a favorable opinion of you

Interview Preparation When preparing for an interview make sure that you have all the necessary information and materials in place 1.Identification: a. ______________________________________________________________________ b. Driver’s license number c. ______________________________________________________________________ d. Name and phone number of the nearest relative not living with you 2.Interview Wardrobe: Your appearance is crucial especially since you are applying for a position in the image and beauty industry a. Is the outfit appropriate for the position? b. Is it both fashionable and flattering to your shape and personality? c. Are your accessories both fashionable and functional? (not too noisy or too large that they could interfere with the service) d. Are your nails meticulously groomed and do they say something about your abilities as a cosmetologist e. Is your hairstyle current? Does it flatter your face and overall style? f. Is your makeup current? g. Is your perfume or cologne subtle? h. Are you carrying either a handbag or briefcase, but not both?

Interview Preparation 3. Supporting materials a. Resume – ______________________________________________________________________________________________ b. Facts and figures – have a list of names and dates of former employment, education and references c. Employment portfolio 4. Answers to anticipated questions a. What did you like best about your training? b. Are you punctual and regular in attendance? c. Will your school director or instructor confirm this? d. What skill do you feel are your strongest? e. What areas do you consider to be less strong? f. Are you a team player? (give an example) g. Do you consider yourself flexible? Please explain h. What are your career goals? i. What days and hours are you available for work? j. Do you have your own transportation? k. Are there any obstacles that would prevent you from keeping your commitment to full-time employment? l. What assets do you believe that you would bring to this salon and the position? m. If you could have lunch with anyone who would it be and why? n. How would you handle a problem client? o. How do you feel about retailing? p. Would you be willing to attend our company training program? q. Describe ways that you provide excellent customer service r. Please share and example of consultation questions that you might ask a client s. What steps do you take to build your business and ensure that clients return to see you?

Interview Preparation 5. Be prepared to perform a service – some salons require applicants to perform service in their chosen discipline as part of the interview. Be sure to confirm if this is a requirement

The Interview ____________________________________________________________________________ If you are unsure of the location find it before hand so there will be no reason for delays Project a warm, friendly smile – smiling is a universal language Walk, sit and stand with good posture Be polite and courteous Do not sit until asked to do so Never smoke or chew gum – even if it is offered to you Do not come to an interview with a cup of coffee, snacks, or anything else to eat or drink ___________________________________________________________________ – some people do not like their personal space invaded without an invitation Try to project a positive first impression by appearing as confident and relaxed as you can __________________________________________________________________________ Answer questions honestly. _______________________________________________________ Do not speak for more than 2 minutes at a time Always remember to thank the interviewer at the end of the interview

The Interview The second part of the interview is when you are invited to ask questions. You should think about the questions before hand and prepare a list, doing so will show that you are organized and prepared Some questions you might consider: 1. Is there a job description? May I review it? 2. Is there a salon manual? 3. How frequently does the salon advertise? 4. How long do practitioners typically work here? 5. Are employees encouraged to grow in skills and responsibility? How so? 6. ________________________________________________________________ 7. ________________________________________________________________ If so, what are the requirements for promotion? 8. What benefits does the salon offer, such as paid vacations, personal days, and medical insurance? 9. What is the form of compensation? 10. When will the position be filled? 11. _______________________________________________________________ Remember to write a thank you note following your interview and close the note with a positive statement if you want the job.

Legal Aspects of the Interview Over the years a number of issues have arisen about questions that may or may not be included in an application or interview including: Race / ethnicity Religion Citizenship National Origin Disabilities or physical traits Age / Date of Birth – it is only permissible to ask if the applicant is “18 or older” Drug use or smoking – this question is permissible, in fact the employer may obtain the applicant’s agreement to be bound by the employer’s drug and smoking policies and to submit to drug testing Not all potential employers will understand that they may be asking improper or illegal questions. You may choose to answer them or not or you may simply respond that you believe the question is irrelevant to the position you are seeking

Legal Questions vs. Illegal Questions Legal Question: Illegal Question: 1.Are you over the age of 18? 1.How old are you? 2.Are you able to perform this job? 2. Please describe your medical history 3. Are you authorized to work in the US? 3. Are you a US Citizen? 4. In which languages are you fluent? 4. What is your native tongue?