Careers in Cosmetology: Career Counseling from a Cosmetology School

Cosmetology is a career field with a lot to offer. As a person about to embark on a new career in cosmetology, you are sure to have some questions. Who better to get the answers from 5 experienced and trained professional cosmetology instructors?

Feed your curiosity and gain vital insights into the beauty industry by taking a look at your answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cosmetology careers regarding: cosmetology career fields and cosmetology career success.

Cosmetology career fields:

Where / what would be your dream career as a working cosmetologist?

  • Be an educator!
  • Own my own successful salon.
  • Become a Redken Artist.
  • Become a platforming artist.
  • Manage a room.
  • Teach current students and cosmetologists the latest and hottest trends.
  • Working on a film set with famous people!

What are the most in-demand fields or specializations in cosmetology and why?

  • Definitely a well-educated consummate colorist. Anyone can slap the color. A professional is a chemist who can predict the end result.
  • Every field. People love being pampered and having services performed to make them look and feel better about themselves. In every field we have the power to do it.
  • A passionate business person who knows exactly what he is doing.
  • Someone knowledgeable, avant-garde and different from others.

What are the most rewarding fields / specializations in cosmetology and why?

  • Business ownership, growth of others, investment in the future of a growing staff. Know 1 + 1 = 2 in business and set and meet objectives.
  • Colour. With coloring, you can help a person express themselves with bright, vivid colors, or be natural with subtle hues; you can also make a person look younger.
  • When you have a client who comes in and is having a bad day or a bad time and you put a smile on his face for the work you have done for him.
  • To end any service and make it exactly what you envisioned in your mind!

Would you rather have a salon, manage a salon, or work in a salon, and why?

  • Own, manage and work in one. I do it every day. Love it. I will not stop working behind the chair.
  • I’d rather have my own salon because that’s when you know you’ve made it in the industry.
  • I work in a salon, I love serving my clients without all the responsibilities of owning the salon.
  • I am a leader. I love being able to work with a rewarding team. Whether it’s having a salon with a talented team, managing a group of well-trained stylists, or just working in a salon.

Success in a cosmetology career:

What is the most challenging thing you have faced in your career as a cosmetologist?

  • When the recession hit! I lost 40% the first year. I’m not talking about the guest count, but the revenue due to the guests lengthening their appointments. It has improved, but it will ebb and flow with the economy.
  • Discount services. We all have friends and family who expect discounts and it is our job to let them know that it is not possible. This is how we make a living.
  • When starting out, it’s hard to stay focused and promote yourself.
  • Move and start over in another city.

How did you overcome that challenge?

  • Changing the way we do business. You were taught and encouraged to NEVER discount services. Now he is encouraged to market with discounts. Becoming an affordable salon and day spa has changed everything.
  • By explaining to my loved ones that I love my job, I am very passionate about it, but I also have a family to support like everyone else and I need to get paid.
  • Having the drive to succeed.
  • Marketing, I work in a restaurant part time to meet people and gain new clientele.

What do you think made you a successful cosmetologist?

  • My professionalism, commitment to excellence, addiction to education, servant’s heart, leadership skills, humility, confidence and servant’s heart.
  • The attitude to accept criticism, striving to be the best, continuing education and always putting a smile on my clients’ faces.
  • Love what I do.
  • Trying to keep up with the new styles and trends. After school, everything is self-taught.

What factors influence pay as a cosmetologist? (example: location, specialty, experience, education)

  • You want to make sure you are in a classroom that invests in continuing education. This makes the latest trends and advanced techniques available to customers.
  • The experience is valuable but not always positive.
  • The location is important. An “a” location is one that can be easily accessed, attached or by busy businesses, directly from a busy street.
  • Good signage.
  • The next thing is to use your education in a professional way.
  • Reps, referrals, retail, and new reservations are the 4 Rs that generate revenue.
  • Communication with your clients, approach, kindness, cleanliness, punctuality and high knowledge and training.
  • Knowledge, continuing education, keeping up with what’s out there, and most importantly, getting commercialized!

How do tips affect your salary?

  • I use them to pay off debts. By law, you claim tips. My paycheck pays for life, bills, etc. My tips are additional payments that lead me to a debt free life.
  • As a cosmetologist, tips are a very important factor in getting paid. It’s probably 30% of our income. When you get a good tip, you know it made your customer happy.
  • I use my tips for the petty cash. It is a great complement to an already expected salary.

How do you get the most tips?

  • Going the extra mile, being tidy, keeping the guest dry, clean, and looking great. Educate clients on how to duplicate their appearance at home.
  • Listen to your clients, communicate with them and try to achieve the desired look.
  • Provide excellent customer service and trust what you do best.
  • Always be attentive to your client.

Now that you’ve listened to true industry professionals, you can start your new career with something extra that can put you ahead of the curve. Depending on where you are in the process, you may still be looking for the perfect cosmetology school to start with. You can probably find a great program at your local technical school. Check out one today!

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *