Paying your dues
When you first leave school, you start at the bottom. To get to the top, you must pay your dues by gaining the experience necessary to land your dream job. The following tips come from estheticians who have experience making their way in the skincare field.
Say hello to our panelists
Rebecca Williams is a licensed esthetician in California. She received her education in Oregon at Phagan’s Beauty College. Fortunately, Oregon requires more hours than California to be an esthetician. When he moved to California, he did not need additional education. Be sure to check the requirements of the state where you want to practice. Williams is currently working on her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA).
Linda Oksman is the director of the Amethyst Spa and Boutique at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, AZ. She is certified in skin aesthetics, cosmetology, and massage therapy. And he has his doctorate in naturopathic medicine. She has been in the industry for over 20 years.
Margina Dennis holds an Advanced Skincare Certificate in Aesthetics from the Catherine Hinds Institute of Aesthetics (Woburn, MA). She is also self-employed as a licensed makeup artist and is a beauty editor for LA’G Magazine.
Here are her suggestions for success in the skincare field:
Network and advertising
“Attend annual industry conferences. Networking is the most important thing,” says Williams. “Post flyers, offer specials, and leave your business cards where you can. I used to leave them at my friends’ businesses and coffee shops. Create mailing lists and send them to your customers monthly.” Once you start meeting people and become a known presence in the industry, more people will recognize you and call you for your services. You can find conferences by becoming a member of associations, such as the National Cosmetology Association or the National Coalition of Estheticians.
Practice your skills
“Before getting licensed, consider working for a department store cosmetics counter to improve your product sales skills,” says Oksman. “This will make you that much more commercial once you start applying for your actual esthetician position at a spa or salon, especially if you end up becoming a top-tier salesperson.”
“I contacted spas [when I started out] and I asked them if they were looking for an esthetician, “Dennis says.” I found that many places do not necessarily advertise that they have a vacancy. “
Offer your services
“I went to different salons, spas and massage places that did not offer skin care. He created specials like ‘Get 10 facials, get 11 free.’ It took me between nine months and a year to establish myself, “says Williams.
Dennis did something similar. “I also spoke with the salons to see if they were interested in adding beauty services and really setting up a store in one for a while.”
“You can also volunteer your skills at a local battered women’s shelter or nurse’s hospitality fair,” says Oksman. “These charitable endeavors really look good on your resume for a future employer.”
Specialize and improve the experience
“People sometimes specialize in an after school line, like Dermalogica,” says Williams. “My school required us to learn five different lines, but each school is different. In these week-to-month programs, you can become an expert on the product. This will make you more commercial.”
“Plus, taking graduate school classes will help you jump to a more confident comfort level. And remember, if your focus is on 100 percent customer satisfaction, you’re ahead of the game!” says Oksman.
Final thoughts
“Visit as many places as possible to get an idea of where you want to work and the services you want to offer,” says Williams. “If this is something you are very committed to, be persistent. Don’t give up. It’s a field worth being in.”