Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on February 12, 2012 at 5:39pm

I don't know what area you are in so can't help with specifics...

But, make sure that your resume is professional - clean, sharp, no typos, and there is nothing wrong with including a photo with you in uniform and perfect makeup if you want. Lots of places want a specific "look" although they won't tell you that.  I can't tell you how many lame resumes I have seen!  I have gotten interviews with EVERY resume I have ever sent - EXCEPT for 3 or 4 when I just graduated and had no experience.

And NEVER leave a job before you have landed your next one.

No matter how much you dislike it, you are gaining experience and hopefully learning other things...it's called paying your dues and most of us have gone through this. We suck it up and keep looking

People like to hire someone who has a steady track record of employment - and already being employed makes you look like a better bet for hiring.

If you are dual licensed you are very attractive to spa employers - you may want to look into additional training in the future - or now if you can swing the financials.

If you are not getting called back from interviews see if you can get some of them to tell you WHY.

Try a letter or email rather than a phone call.  I am busy and don't reaaly like trying to return phone calls myself.

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Permalink Reply by Willie Acklin on February 15, 2012 at 9:20am

I am a DC transplant from San Francisco and noticed that while looking for work in DC it was very hard to get into the business here. It was somewhat a disappointing shock to me that a lot of places want either two years working experience or want a masters esthetician, which is another 600 hours and +10K onto the existing $13,500 I paid for SFIEC.

After a month or so of looking and running out of my reserves I took a job at a Massage Envy. I was already familiar with the Murad line as I had worked with that line at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco pretty much right out of school. My touch and good networking got my foot in the door for an interview with a 25+ year senior.

Anyhow, when I couldn't find a combo of what I wanted to do in DC, I took the spare room of my townhouse and converted it into a home studio and  BrowBeat Beauty an idea from SF was born in DC. I do full waxing services for both Male & Female, skincare services & Makeup & Weddings. I used the ASCP website builder/consult forms and fullslate online scheduling and I have been up and running since November 2011. Business has been steadily building but I still work at ME to supplement my income and to pass out my personal business cards to clients with unkempt brows. Utilize Yelp too. Most of my clients find me there.

Massage Envy can be a negative place if you let it be, but remember, once you are in the room with the client, it is a whole different world. Just you & the client.

Good Luck

Willie (Licensed March 2011)

CA, DC, MD, VA Licensed & Insured

browbeatbeauty.skincaretheapy.net

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Reynolds on February 18, 2012 at 2:55am

I find myself in a similar situation as Hali. I worked for 4 months fresh out of school for a very disreputable business (my 1st month there I wasn't even paid: the owner called it an "internship").  She would withhold some of my tips and would cancel my paying appointments when she wanted services for herself...free of charge. I wasn't learning anything, spent most of my time cleaning the place, and finally quit the same day the office manager, evening receptionist, and another employee left. It shook my confidence to the core. I've been licensed for nearly a year now, have been to a few interviews/practicals (one was over 3 hours long: had to demonstrate numerous services), but haven't been hired due to lack of experience.

My esty education was through a local community college, not Aveda or Gary Manuel. Basically they taught us enough to pass our exam. I have attended some seminars and such. I live in Washington state, and there is an IDI about 100 miles from me, but the curriculum is a bit sparse (if you miss a particular class, you could have a long wait until it's available again). When I did attend those IDI classes, I honestly felt like a first-grader amongst college students. 

I was looking at my resume the other day and realized that of my work experience before I became an esty, three of those employers are no longer in business. This concerns me, because how will prospective employers verify my track record? I'm afraid to list the owner at my only spa gig, because I remember how vindictive she could be with other people; I know it's illegal to libel a former employee, but I wouldn't put it past her.

At this point, I'm looking at doing volunteer work at the local food bank & such, just so I can get out of the house and feel like I'm doing something. Still, it doesn't pay the bills, nor am I pursuing my dream of being a skin therapist. 

Should I take another esthetician class, like one offered through Aveda, even though I'm already licensed? I have the book knowledge, but not the experience. 

I do own a hot towel cabbie, facial bed, facial machine/steamer/lamp and a few wax pots. Unfortunately my home isn't designed where I could set up a facial room and take clients. A couple of the interviews I went to were for independent contractors, but they wanted an esty with more experience. 

I feel like I'm running around in circles, and I'm laying my soul bare here (please be gentle!) I could sure use some advice/mentoring from you wonderful, experienced esties. Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Mira Indorf on July 10, 2012 at 11:07pm

I am in need of an esthetician in VA/DC, please send correspondence to contact@altheamedspa.com

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Permalink Reply by Ungenita Prevost on February 19, 2012 at 11:53pm

Hi Hali,

 

Have you ever thought about mobile massage?  just a thought! Ungenita

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Permalink Reply by Jodi on July 11, 2012 at 7:00am

Hali & Melissa, is there an Ulta near you?  That's where I got most of my training and experience.  Not an ideal setting for long term skin care, at least it wasn't for me, but for a year, I got paid training at IDI, worked on clients doing skin care and makeup.  It gave me the experience and training I needed to make the move to a wonderful Medi-spa that I now work for and love!  

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