In-Salon Training

VOLUME 5

Once you start working, there may be a training program to help you adjust to the new routine. It may simply be a discussion with your salon owner or manager about policies and procedures within the salon, or it could be a more structured program that focuses on technical aspects such as cutting techniques, chemical services, and retail product sales. Other salons may start you as an "intern" or apprentice for an experienced stylist.

DEVELOPE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A successful stylist must have this skill. You need to know how to talk to your clients, your salon manager and other stylists. You have to know how to listen to them as well. Good communication skills also include knowing how to respond to your clients and supervisors.

BE OBSERVANT

Quickly identify the most successful stylists within your salon, and watch how they work, how they relate to their clients and how they treat their co-workers.

FIND A MENTOR

A mentor is a teacher or adviser who can help with questions or issues you have. If the salon doesn’t have a mentoring program, ask if one of the more experienced stylists can be your mentor. A good mentor will help make the first few months easier and provide good educational input and career advice.

MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Keep smiling. It can make a challenging training period easier. Be willing to lend a hand to co-workers. Help someone out by shampooing his/her client, and don’t worry about who will get paid or collect the tip. Remember, your top priority is giving a client the best service. And remember to be friendly while you are doing it.

Here’s some other great career advice:

Join a professional trade organization, such as the National Cosmetology Association (NCA). You’ll receive newsletters, professional trade journals, and information about seminars and trade shows. It will also help you meet other professional cosmetologists.

Read professional trade publications, such as Modern Salon, American Salon, Process and Haircolor&Design. These magazines help you stay current on fashion, styling, and industry trends and technology and also carry schedules of upcoming trade shows and seminars.

Contact local product distributors for seminar schedules. Often, these distributor-sponsored seminars are free and won’t always focus on product or equipment. Some include motivational speakers or other business-oriented events that will help you develop your business savvy.

Make sure you understand salon policies and techniques and if you don’t, ask your manager for assistance.

One last piece of advice as you begin your new job: arrive to work on time and be available to work in the salon during off-peak hours. This will not only make you popular with your salon owner or manager ... your clients will also appreciate you for it!