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Permalink Reply by Rachael Pontillo on January 16, 2011 at 4:19pm

As a student who is about to graduate and take boards I want to know what you did right out of school?  Did you get a job right away?  Was it the job you wanted?  Did you end up taking a job that you didn't want just to be able to have some experience on your resume?  Or did you freelance for awhile, taking clients here and there by word of mouth?

 

I have no idea what I am going to do.  I thought that by this point I would have some idea what area of the industry I would want to be in, but I am totally confused since so many areas interest me.  Nearly all salons/spas in the area want people with at least two years of experience under their belt, which I have in makeup and Reiki, but not in aesthetics.  I have started doing some portfolio work to have some before and afters to show, and I started the skin care and total wellness blog, Holistically Haute about a month ago, which has become a labor of love. 

 

So the actual question is: What was the first thing you did once you graduated/got licensed?

Permalink Reply by Melissa Reynolds on January 17, 2011 at 12:53pm
I took the first job offered to me about 2 months after getting my license. It's not the ideal "dream job", and I'm not making anywhere near what I want to make. With the economy/job market the way it is right now, I just figured I'm fortunate to find a job in the field I trained for. It will count as experience on the resume. 

Rachael Pontillo said:

As a student who is about to graduate and take boards I want to know what you did right out of school?  Did you get a job right away?  Was it the job you wanted?  Did you end up taking a job that you didn't want just to be able to have some experience on your resume?  Or did you freelance for awhile, taking clients here and there by word of mouth?

 

I have no idea what I am going to do.  I thought that by this point I would have some idea what area of the industry I would want to be in, but I am totally confused since so many areas interest me.  Nearly all salons/spas in the area want people with at least two years of experience under their belt, which I have in makeup and Reiki, but not in aesthetics.  I have started doing some portfolio work to have some before and afters to show, and I started the skin care and total wellness blog, Holistically Haute about a month ago, which has become a labor of love. 

 

So the actual question is: What was the first thing you did once you graduated/got licensed?

Permalink Reply by Alison Filip on January 17, 2011 at 1:09pm

I live in a year-round tourist area with a lot of spas; it's fair to say the market is saturated.  I ran into the same thing, the spas wanted 2+ years experience, booth rental here averages $1200 per month, I found one place that would do commission but they wanted the other esthetician in the room next to mine to meet me first (however, she wouldn't call me back).  So what to do?

 

First I typed up my resume.  Because I was new to the business I chose a functional resume rather than one that relied upon y work experience.  I listed my abilities as an esthetician - I also listed the abilities from my previous work experience that enhanced what I could do as an esthetician - such as proven success in sales, marketing, accounting, and business management. 

 

I then wrote a cover letter stating that I am a newly licensed esthetician, that I am looking for employment at a spa or booth rental (depending upon my audience), and asked three friends (2 estheticians, 1 a business owner) to read and edit it.  I was able to come up with an eye-catching cover letter and was ready to implement phase 3.

 

I made a list of all the salons and spas in my area.  If they didn't list their owner or manager on their web site (or didn't have a web site) I called and asked for the name of the person responsible for hiring.  I then sent my letter and resume to each of the salons and spas I had on my list - 53 in total. 

 

I received 6 responses - 4 calling to let me know that they didn't have anything available but would keep my resume on file in case something came up because they liked my professionalism.  One letting me know that I could sublet her treatment room 2 to 3 days a week.  The final phone call came about two months later from the spa director at a high-end spa in our area.  She didn't have any openings but knew of another spa that did.  I got the job at the other spa, it was for a weekday esthetician.

 

I took the weekday esthetician job, which turned into the lead esthetician job.  I left after one year and have been privately seeing clients since. 

 

Now, as a solo esthetician, what I miss is that I don't have other estheticians around me on a daily basis to bounce ideas off of.  However, I'm much happier using products which I know are effective and I don't have a spa director being rude to my clients - which is a much better payoff.

 

I'm still building my clientele and have to hold down a second job in order to pay the bills.  But the second job is also a huge resource for new clients. 

 

My advice:  Don't be shy, talk to anyone and everyone about what you do.  Everyone wants healthy skin. 

Permalink Reply by Rachael Pontillo on January 17, 2011 at 1:33pm
Great advice!  Thank you!

Alison Filip said:

I live in a year-round tourist area with a lot of spas; it's fair to say the market is saturated.  I ran into the same thing, the spas wanted 2+ years experience, booth rental here averages $1200 per month, I found one place that would do commission but they wanted the other esthetician in the room next to mine to meet me first (however, she wouldn't call me back).  So what to do?

 

First I typed up my resume.  Because I was new to the business I chose a functional resume rather than one that relied upon y work experience.  I listed my abilities as an esthetician - I also listed the abilities from my previous work experience that enhanced what I could do as an esthetician - such as proven success in sales, marketing, accounting, and business management. 

 

I then wrote a cover letter stating that I am a newly licensed esthetician, that I am looking for employment at a spa or booth rental (depending upon my audience), and asked three friends (2 estheticians, 1 a business owner) to read and edit it.  I was able to come up with an eye-catching cover letter and was ready to implement phase 3.

 

I made a list of all the salons and spas in my area.  If they didn't list their owner or manager on their web site (or didn't have a web site) I called and asked for the name of the person responsible for hiring.  I then sent my letter and resume to each of the salons and spas I had on my list - 53 in total. 

 

I received 6 responses - 4 calling to let me know that they didn't have anything available but would keep my resume on file in case something came up because they liked my professionalism.  One letting me know that I could sublet her treatment room 2 to 3 days a week.  The final phone call came about two months later from the spa director at a high-end spa in our area.  She didn't have any openings but knew of another spa that did.  I got the job at the other spa, it was for a weekday esthetician.

 

I took the weekday esthetician job, which turned into the lead esthetician job.  I left after one year and have been privately seeing clients since. 

 

Now, as a solo esthetician, what I miss is that I don't have other estheticians around me on a daily basis to bounce ideas off of.  However, I'm much happier using products which I know are effective and I don't have a spa director being rude to my clients - which is a much better payoff.

 

I'm still building my clientele and have to hold down a second job in order to pay the bills.  But the second job is also a huge resource for new clients. 

 

My advice:  Don't be shy, talk to anyone and everyone about what you do.  Everyone wants healthy skin. 

Permalink Reply by Janet McCormick on January 17, 2011 at 3:46pm

The first thing I did, immediately, was go to a skin care educ system - at the time BioElements offered courses to anyone who wished to attend. I went for the basic five day class and it gave me a LOT of hands-on education and information that I did not get in school. I continued to take courses with them that interested me. I am so glad I did that as it built my confidence a great deal. Then, after a lot of experience, I went for my CIDESCO - painful, but rewarding.


Rachael Pontillo said:

As a student who is about to graduate and take boards I want to know what you did right out of school?  Did you get a job right away?  Was it the job you wanted?  Did you end up taking a job that you didn't want just to be able to have some experience on your resume?  Or did you freelance for awhile, taking clients here and there by word of mouth?

 

I have no idea what I am going to do.  I thought that by this point I would have some idea what area of the industry I would want to be in, but I am totally confused since so many areas interest me.  Nearly all salons/spas in the area want people with at least two years of experience under their belt, which I have in makeup and Reiki, but not in aesthetics.  I have started doing some portfolio work to have some before and afters to show, and I started the skin care and total wellness blog, Holistically Haute about a month ago, which has become a labor of love. 

 

So the actual question is: What was the first thing you did once you graduated/got licensed?

Permalink Reply by Reem on February 15, 2011 at 7:27pm
Thank you so much for your input and ideas. I have been looking for something to fit my criteria for the past year. Finally realizing that I need to seek it and not wait for it to pop up on Craigs List. I am going to do just that. Wish me Luck!

Alison Filip said:

I live in a year-round tourist area with a lot of spas; it's fair to say the market is saturated.  I ran into the same thing, the spas wanted 2+ years experience, booth rental here averages $1200 per month, I found one place that would do commission but they wanted the other esthetician in the room next to mine to meet me first (however, she wouldn't call me back).  So what to do?

 

First I typed up my resume.  Because I was new to the business I chose a functional resume rather than one that relied upon y work experience.  I listed my abilities as an esthetician - I also listed the abilities from my previous work experience that enhanced what I could do as an esthetician - such as proven success in sales, marketing, accounting, and business management. 

 

I then wrote a cover letter stating that I am a newly licensed esthetician, that I am looking for employment at a spa or booth rental (depending upon my audience), and asked three friends (2 estheticians, 1 a business owner) to read and edit it.  I was able to come up with an eye-catching cover letter and was ready to implement phase 3.

 

I made a list of all the salons and spas in my area.  If they didn't list their owner or manager on their web site (or didn't have a web site) I called and asked for the name of the person responsible for hiring.  I then sent my letter and resume to each of the salons and spas I had on my list - 53 in total. 

 

I received 6 responses - 4 calling to let me know that they didn't have anything available but would keep my resume on file in case something came up because they liked my professionalism.  One letting me know that I could sublet her treatment room 2 to 3 days a week.  The final phone call came about two months later from the spa director at a high-end spa in our area.  She didn't have any openings but knew of another spa that did.  I got the job at the other spa, it was for a weekday esthetician.

 

I took the weekday esthetician job, which turned into the lead esthetician job.  I left after one year and have been privately seeing clients since. 

 

Now, as a solo esthetician, what I miss is that I don't have other estheticians around me on a daily basis to bounce ideas off of.  However, I'm much happier using products which I know are effective and I don't have a spa director being rude to my clients - which is a much better payoff.

 

I'm still building my clientele and have to hold down a second job in order to pay the bills.  But the second job is also a huge resource for new clients. 

 

My advice:  Don't be shy, talk to anyone and everyone about what you do.  Everyone wants healthy skin. 

Permalink Reply by Reem on February 15, 2011 at 7:44pm

I would like to know how long it usually takes a new Esthetician to get established? Where you are making enough money to actually pay the bills and save a little. I keep hearing 3 years is ideal. Is that true?

 

Also, I get so overwhelmed when I go to the shows, is there a day when that stops happening? Our teacher told us not to give into the hype of advertising and stick to the basics and what you learn at school.

But how do you do that when everyone comes in asking about this light or that gadget or that snake venom serum or, or......? I have only been licensed for one year and love giving facials and helping people get better skin, but can't help listening to and reading everything that comes my way and wondering, if I should buy that too? 

 

Last, is it better to have add on treatments ie. eye treatments, foot treatments, serums, special masks, etc. or should those be added into a treatment and the price adjusted to fit that treatment? I just hate asking the client, Miss would you also like to try the eye treatment today, to help with the crows feet you have? It is an additional $35...... Yikes! It makes me uncomfortable. But I really want to make a living. So to all of you professionals in the field,  what works? And keeps both Esthetician and Client comfortable?

Thanks, I love being on here and all of the advice and information I read. This is what I have been looking for, for the past year.

Permalink Reply by Rachael Pontillo on February 15, 2011 at 8:36pm
Janet you went for your CIDESCO that soon after you were first licensed?

Janet McCormick said:

The first thing I did, immediately, was go to a skin care educ system - at the time BioElements offered courses to anyone who wished to attend. I went for the basic five day class and it gave me a LOT of hands-on education and information that I did not get in school. I continued to take courses with them that interested me. I am so glad I did that as it built my confidence a great deal. Then, after a lot of experience, I went for my CIDESCO - painful, but rewarding.


Rachael Pontillo said:

As a student who is about to graduate and take boards I want to know what you did right out of school?  Did you get a job right away?  Was it the job you wanted?  Did you end up taking a job that you didn't want just to be able to have some experience on your resume?  Or did you freelance for awhile, taking clients here and there by word of mouth?

 

I have no idea what I am going to do.  I thought that by this point I would have some idea what area of the industry I would want to be in, but I am totally confused since so many areas interest me.  Nearly all salons/spas in the area want people with at least two years of experience under their belt, which I have in makeup and Reiki, but not in aesthetics.  I have started doing some portfolio work to have some before and afters to show, and I started the skin care and total wellness blog, Holistically Haute about a month ago, which has become a labor of love. 

 

So the actual question is: What was the first thing you did once you graduated/got licensed?

Permalink Reply by Denise Ivers on March 14, 2011 at 8:04pm

Hi Reem,

I'm in my 3rd year and love all the excitement about the latest and  greatest stuff out there. I really think that because this industry is constantly changing, you need to go with the flow and investigate and educate yourself about what's out there.  There was a time in my first year that one of my clients asked me about some new device or treatment and I knew nothing about it.  I realized then I need to be informed so that my clients would trust my advice and treatment recommendations.  When it comes to products, find one or two lines that you love and stick with those. It took me 3 yrs to find PCA skin and now I'm happy with my product choice.  I also use some Dermalogica and another brand just for mask-Dr. Belter out of Germany.   Know your products inside and out and promote them so that you can generate income with sales.  

As far as your questions about how to charge for add ons:  I include a lip and eye treatment with neck/shoulder massage or if they prefer an arm/hand massage while their mask sets.   I remember the days before I became an esthetician when I would visit a spa and would be under the impression that I would be spending about $100 for a deep pore treatment then realized when I checked out that I was charged extra for a mask, serum, etc and the bill would be $175 without tip. Many spas do this, I just don't feel comfortable charging for add ons like this.  If I had a wax client and she/he asked for the lip and eye treatment then I would charge separately.  I charge $95-105 for facials and my clients love the added treatments. 

Hope this helps. Denise

Reem said:

I would like to know how long it usually takes a new Esthetician to get established? Where you are making enough money to actually pay the bills and save a little. I keep hearing 3 years is ideal. Is that true?

 

Also, I get so overwhelmed when I go to the shows, is there a day when that stops happening? Our teacher told us not to give into the hype of advertising and stick to the basics and what you learn at school.

But how do you do that when everyone comes in asking about this light or that gadget or that snake venom serum or, or......? I have only been licensed for one year and love giving facials and helping people get better skin, but can't help listening to and reading everything that comes my way and wondering, if I should buy that too? 

 

Last, is it better to have add on treatments ie. eye treatments, foot treatments, serums, special masks, etc. or should those be added into a treatment and the price adjusted to fit that treatment? I just hate asking the client, Miss would you also like to try the eye treatment today, to help with the crows feet you have? It is an additional $35...... Yikes! It makes me uncomfortable. But I really want to make a living. So to all of you professionals in the field,  what works? And keeps both Esthetician and Client comfortable?

Thanks, I love being on here and all of the advice and information I read. This is what I have been looking for, for the past year.

Permalink Reply by Karen Beard on March 16, 2011 at 2:36pm

does anyone have a "Super Bill" they have already created?  We have a medi-spa and have some plastic surgeons refer to us for treatment that either insurance or a flexible spending health account might pay for.  However, we need the ICD9 and CPT codes.  I don't want to reinvent the wheel if someone already has it.

Thanks in advance.

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