1. Seeking Employment
Chapter # 30

2. Chapter Objectives: Discuss the essentials of becoming test-wise
Explain the steps involved in preparing for employment
List and describe the various types of salon businesses
Write and achievement-oriented resume and prepare an employment portfolio
Explain how to explore the job market and research potential employers
Be prepared to complete an effective employment interview

3. Ch # 30 Key Terms:
Deductive Reasoning – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Employment Portfolio – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Resume – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

4. Ch # 30 Key Terms:
Test-wise – Having a complete and thorough knowledge of the subject matter, and __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Transferable skills – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Work Ethic – __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________ for your clients, employer and salon team

5. Success
Once you become successful you owe your success to no one but yourself because you created it, people may have helped you along the way however you owned it and you alone achieved it.

6. Cosmetology Industry
No matter what changes occur in the economy, there are often more jobs available for entry-level cosmetology professionals than there are people to fill them. This is a tremendous advantage for you upon completion of this course, your high school diploma, and passing the state board testing. Our industry is constantly evolving providing many areas of specialty for you.

7. Preparing for the test
Factors that affect how well you will perform on tests are:
physical and psychological state
your memory
time management
skills in reading, writing, note taking,
and general learning
MOST IMPORTANT – ______________________________________

8. Test-Wise Practicing _____________________________________
Having a planned __________________ study schedule
Reading content carefully and becoming an active studier
_____________________________________________
Developing a __________________________________
Taking _______________________________________
Organizing and reviewing handouts
Reviewing past quizzes and tests
Listening carefully in class for _____________________ about what could be expected on the test

9. Holistic Test-Wise Develop a positive attitude toward taking the test
Get plenty of rest the night before the test
Dress comfortably
Anticipate some anxiety
_________________________________

10. On the day of the test Relax and try to slow down physically
If possible, review the material lightly the day of the exam
____________________________________________________________________
Have a self-confident attitude
Be alert, calm, and ready for the challenge
_____________________________________ to all verbal directions before beginning
If there is anything that you do not understand ________________________________________
Skim the entire test before beginning
Budget your time – do not spend too much time on any one questions
Wear a watch so you can monitor the time (NJ testing center does not permit this)
Answer the easiest questions first
Scan all questions first, because it may provide you with a clue for the more difficult questions
Mark the questions you skip so you can find them again later
Read each question carefully to make sure that you know exactly what the question is asking
Answer as many questions as possible
Questions that you are unsure of you should make an ________________________________
Review the test when you are done before submitting
Only make changes to answers if there is a good reason to do so
make sure that you completed all basic information such as name and date

11. Deductive Reasoning
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

12. Deductive Reasoning Strategies
__________________________________________ – the more answers you can eliminate the better your chances of identifying the correct one
___________________________________________– look for qualifying conditions such as: usually, commonly, in most instances, never, or always
Study the stem – (the basic question) look for a match between the stem and one of the choices
Watch for grammatical clues – if the last word in a stem is “an” the answer must begin with a vowel rather than a consonant
Looking at similar or related questions can provide clues

13. True / False Test Format Strategies:
Watch for _________________________: all, most, some, none, always, usually, sometimes, never, little, no, equal, less, good, bad
Absolutes: all, none, always, & never are generally not true
For a statement to be true, the entire statement must be true
Long statements are more likely to be true than short statements(It takes more detail to provide truthful, factual information)

14. Multiple Choice Strategies:
___________________________________________, including all the choices
Look for the ______________ answer, more than one might be true
Eliminate incorrect answers by crossing them out
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
When two choices are opposite one is probably right and one is probably wrong depending on the number of other choices
“All of the above” types of responses are ___________ the correct response
Pay special attention to words such as not, except, and but
The answer to one question may be in the stem of another
If all else fails at least take a guess, it is better to try

15. Preparing for employment
What do you really want out of a career in cosmetology?
What particular areas within the beauty industry are the most interesting to you?
What are your strongest practical skills, and in what ways do you wish to use them?
What personal qualities will help you have a successful career?

16. Preparing for employment:
Ask yourself:
Do you want to work in a big city or small town?
Are you compatible with a sophisticated, exclusive salon or a trendy salon?
Which clientele are you able to communicate with more effectively?
Do you want to start out slowly are carefully or do you want to jump in and throw everything into your career from the starting gate?
Will you be in this industry throughout your working career or is this just a stopover?
Will you only work a 30 or 40 hour week or will you go the extra mile when opportunities are available?
How ambitious are you and how many risks are you willing to take?

17. How to get the job you want
Several key personal characteristics that will not only help you get the position you want, but will help you keep it are:
Motivation – having _____________________________
Integrity – _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________
Good technical and communication skills – you MUST develop BOTH to reach the level of success you desire
Strong work ethic – means taking pride in your work, and committing yourself to consistently doing a good job for your clients, employer, and salon team
Enthusiasm – your _________________________ from and expand your skills and knowledge

18. Salon Statistics
In the US alone there are approx 313 thousand salons and approx 1.6 million active cosmetology professionals

19. Types of Salons: Small Independent:
______________________________________
Makes up the majority of professional salons
The average independent salon has three styling chairs
______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
Their image, décor, services, prices and clientele all reflect the owner’s experience and taste

20. Types of Salons: Independent Salon Chains:
______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
Range from basic hair salons to full-service salons and day spas
Some larger salons also employ education directors and style directors, and practitioners are often hired to manage particular locations

21. Types of Salons: Large National Salon Chains
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
They can be budget or value priced, haircut only or full service, mid- price or high end.
Some salon chains operate________________________________
Mgmt and marketing professionals at the ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Many newly licensed cosmetology professionals seek their first jobs in national chain salons because of the ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Because these chains are widespread, employees have the opportunity to transfer from one location to another

22. Types of Salons: Franchise Salons:
____________________ a chain salon organization
They have a national name and consistent image and business formula throughout the chain
Are _________________________________________
Owners receive a business plan and can take advantage of national marketing campaigns
Decisions as size, location, décor, and prices are determined in advance by the parent company
Generally not owned by practitioners, but by investors who seek a return on their investment

23. Types of Salons: Basic Value-Prices Operations:
Located in ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
These operations depend on a high volume of _____________________________________
They often hire recent cosmetology graduates and generally pay them by the hour, sometimes adding commission style bonuses if individual sales pass a certain level
Haircuts are usually reasonable priced and practitioners are trained to work fast with no frills

24. Types of Salons: Mid-Priced Full Service Salons:
______________________________________ ______________________________________
They run strong marketing programs to encourage client returns and referrals
These salons train their professional styling team to be as productive and profitable as possible
Here you will have the opportunity to build a relationship with clients that may extend over time

25. Types of Salons: High-End “Image” Salons or Day Spas:
Employs well trained professionals and salon assistants who offer _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ such as a 5 minute head, neck, and shoulder massage as part of the shampoo and luxurious spa manicures and pedicures
Located in trendy, upscale sections of large cities, elegant mansions, high rent offices and retail towers or luxury hotels and resorts
Clients expect _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

26. Types of Salons: Booth Rental: Also called _______________________
Least expensive way of owning one’s own business
__________________________________

27. Resume Development
Resume – ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
The average time that a potential employer will spend scanning your resume is about _____________________
Focus on your ______________________________________ statements rather than your duties and responsibilities
Add numbers or percentages whenever possible

28. Resume Guidelines __________________________________
Print it on __________________ white, buff, or gray bond paper
Include your name, address, phone number, and address on both the resume and your cover letter (professional )
List recent, relevant work experience
List relevant education and the name of the institution from which you graduated, as well as relevant courses attended

29. Questions to ponder for resume:
How many regular clients do I serve?
How many clients do I serve weekly?
What was my service ticket average?
What was my client retention rate?
What percentage of my client revenue came from retailing?
What percentage of my client revenue came from color or texture services?
Did you receive any honors during your course of training?
Were you ever selected “student of the month”?
Did you receive special recognition for your attendance or academic progress?
Did you win any cosmetology related competitions while in school?
What was your attendance average while in school?
Did you work with the student body to organize any fundraisers?, what were the results?

30. Do’s & Don’ts of Resumes
__________________________ – use clear concise sentences, avoid overwriting, choose a basic font
_________________________ – use vocabulary and language that will be understood by your potential employer
____________________– you have 20 seconds or less to impress
____________________ – emphasize and the skills you used to achieve them
______________________ – highlight info that is relevant to the position you are seeking
______________________________– skills that you have already mastered at another job that you can put to use in a new position
_____________________________ – such as achieved, coordinated, developed, increased, maintained, and strengthened
____________________________ – poorly structured layout will not reflect well on you

31. Do’s & Don’ts of Resumes:
___________________ – do not state your salary history or reason for leaving your former employment
___________________ – Misinformation or untruthful statements usually catch up with you
___________________________ – employers are really only interested in references that can speak about your professional ability
Expect too much – Don’t have unrealistic expectations of what your resume can accomplish

32. Resume Example
See Attached at the end of hand out…….

33. Employment Portfolio
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________
The portfolio like the resume, should be prepared in a way that projects professionalism
Nothing should be handwritten

34. Powerful Portfolios include:
Diplomas
Awards and achievements
Current resume
Letters of reference from former employers
Summary of continuing education
Copies of training certificates
Statement of membership in industry or other professional organizations
Statement of relevant civic affiliations or community activities
Before and after photos
Brief statement about why you have chosen a career in cosmetology

35. Targeting the establishment
Accept that you probably will not begin in your dream job
Do not wait until graduation to begin your search
Locate a salon that serves the type of clients you with to serve
Make a list area salons or establishments – the yellow pages or will be helpful for this
Follow newspapers, televisions, and radio for salon advertising

36. Field Research
A great way to find out about jobs is to actually get out there and use your eyes, ears, and any other sense that can help you gather information
Networking allows your to establish contacts that may eventually lead to a job, and helps you gain valuable information about the workings of carious establishments
You might even make contact ______________________________________

37. The Salon Visit
When you visit a salon take along a checklist to ensure that you observe all the key areas that might ultimately affect your decision making
After your visit always remember to write a brief note thanking the salon representative for his or her time, even if you did not like the salon or would never consider working there, _____________________________________. ________________________________ Instead build a network of contacts who have a favorable opinion of you

38. Interview Preparation
When preparing for an interview make sure that you have all the necessary information and materials in place
1.Identification:
a. ______________________________________________________________________
b. Driver’s license number
c. ______________________________________________________________________
d. Name and phone number of the nearest relative not living with you
2.Interview Wardrobe: Your appearance is crucial especially since you are applying for a position in the image and beauty industry
a. Is the outfit appropriate for the position?
b. Is it both fashionable and flattering to your shape and personality?
c. Are your accessories both fashionable and functional? (not too noisy or too large that they could interfere with the service)
d. Are your nails meticulously groomed and do they say something about your abilities as a cosmetologist
e. Is your hairstyle current? Does it flatter your face and overall style?
f. Is your makeup current?
g. Is your perfume or cologne subtle?
h. Are you carrying either a handbag or briefcase, but not both?

39. Interview Preparation
3. Supporting materials
a. Resume – ______________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Facts and figures – have a list of names and dates of former employment, education and references
c. Employment portfolio
4. Answers to anticipated questions
a. What did you like best about your training?
b. Are you punctual and regular in attendance?
c. Will your school director or instructor confirm this?
d. What skill do you feel are your strongest?
e. What areas do you consider to be less strong?
f. Are you a team player? (give an example)
g. Do you consider yourself flexible? Please explain
h. What are your career goals?
i. What days and hours are you available for work?
j. Do you have your own transportation?
k. Are there any obstacles that would prevent you from keeping your commitment to full-time employment?
l. What assets do you believe that you would bring to this salon and the position?
m. If you could have lunch with anyone who would it be and why?
n. How would you handle a problem client?
o. How do you feel about retailing?
p. Would you be willing to attend our company training program?
q. Describe ways that you provide excellent customer service
r. Please share and example of consultation questions that you might ask a client
s. What steps do you take to build your business and ensure that clients return to see you?

40. Interview Preparation
5. Be prepared to perform a service – some salons require applicants to perform service in their chosen discipline as part of the interview. Be sure to confirm if this is a requirement

41. The Interview
____________________________________________________________________________
If you are unsure of the location find it before hand so there will be no reason for delays
Project a warm, friendly smile – smiling is a universal language
Walk, sit and stand with good posture
Be polite and courteous
Do not sit until asked to do so
Never smoke or chew gum – even if it is offered to you
Do not come to an interview with a cup of coffee, snacks, or anything else to eat or drink
___________________________________________________________________ – some people do not like their personal space invaded without an invitation
Try to project a positive first impression by appearing as confident and relaxed as you can
__________________________________________________________________________
Answer questions honestly. _______________________________________________________
Do not speak for more than 2 minutes at a time
Always remember to thank the interviewer at the end of the interview

42. The Interview
The second part of the interview is when you are invited to ask questions. You should think about the questions before hand and prepare a list, doing so will show that you are organized and prepared
Some questions you might consider:
1. Is there a job description? May I review it?
2. Is there a salon manual?
3. How frequently does the salon advertise?
4. How long do practitioners typically work here?
5. Are employees encouraged to grow in skills and responsibility? How so?
6. ________________________________________________________________
7. ________________________________________________________________ If so, what are the requirements for promotion?
8. What benefits does the salon offer, such as paid vacations, personal days, and medical insurance?
9. What is the form of compensation?
10. When will the position be filled?
11. _______________________________________________________________
Remember to write a thank you note following your interview and close the note with a positive statement if you want the job.

43. Legal Aspects of the Interview
Over the years a number of issues have arisen about questions that may or may not be included in an application or interview including:
Race / ethnicity
Religion
Citizenship
National Origin
Disabilities or physical traits
Age / Date of Birth – it is only permissible to ask if the applicant is “18 or older”
Drug use or smoking – this question is permissible, in fact the employer may obtain the applicant’s agreement to be bound by the employer’s drug and smoking policies and to submit to drug testing
Not all potential employers will understand that they may be asking improper or illegal questions. You may choose to answer them or not or you may simply respond that you believe the question is irrelevant to the position you are seeking

44. Legal Questions vs. Illegal Questions
Legal Question: Illegal Question:
1.Are you over the age of 18? How old are you?
2.Are you able to perform this job? Please describe
your medical history
3. Are you authorized to work in the US? Are you a US
Citizen?
4. In which languages are you fluent? What is your native
tongue?