The cosmetologist or beautician profession will grow by as much as 20% by 2020, and that could be for good reason. This profession is dynamic and requires great social skills and an intuition for beauty. While the primary focus of cosmetology is often the cutting, coloring, and styling of hair, many cosmetologists also offer clients manicure and pedicure, makeup, and skin care services. If you want to know if you are gifted as a cosmetologist, follow these steps.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Take the Training
Step 1. Pass the age and education requirements
Most cosmetological programs require a minimum age of 16 years and have a high school diploma for participants to participate in the education program. But each region has slightly different requirements and regulations, so before you go any further, it's a good idea to check with the cosmetology agencies in some areas to find out what you need to do. In some cases, cosmetology schools have even more stringent requirements than those set by the government, so you should check the individual schools as well.
Some high schools even allow their students to enter a cosmetological vocational program. This program gives students a leap before becoming a full-fledged cosmetologist and gives them valuable time and experience that counts and can be continued in cosmetology school
Step 2. Study in a cosmetology school
Cosmetology students enroll in state-licensed beauty schools, specialty beauty schools or beauty schools that award diplomas and degrees. Cosmetology school fees range from 120 to 140 million rupiah, depending on the courses offered, the location of the school, the required education time and the facilities and equipment available. You can enroll in a cosmetology school at a private school, community college, or cosmetology program for profit.
- Make sure you look at at least three schools in your area and compare their prices, percentage of students who find work, and program duration.
- Talk to the admissions counselor at each school to find out which school is the best fit for you.
- Some schools offer courses for part-time students or evening courses so you can get an education on a flexible schedule. If this is important to you, make it a priority.
Step 3. Complete cosmetology school
Most schools take 9-15 months to complete. While most states require approximately 1600 hours of training to obtain a licensure, some states require fewer or more hours of study, ranging from 1000 to 2300 hours. You'll need to put in considerable time and effort to study a wide variety of subjects from hair coloring to human anatomy. You have to be in class, pass exams, and do many hours of practice. Here are some things you should do at school:
- Take courses that teach you about human anatomy and chemistry and how to wash, cut and style hair.
- Learn about the chemicals used in coloring, straightening and curling or wavy hair.
- Learn how to facial and facial massage.
- Learn about the chemicals you use when you chemically exfoliate a client.
- Learn how to wax hair on various areas of the client's body – including the upper lip, eyebrows, armpits, legs and pubic area.
- Learn about microdermabrasion.
- Learn how to perform microdermabrasion on a client's face.
Step 4. Consider defining a specialization
Finding a specialization also helps you get a job; it usually takes an additional 600 hours of a particular job to specialize. Even if your job title is "cosmetologist," there are many variations of specializations and job titles that you can take after additional training, and remember that a cosmetologist can also work as a magazine editor or consultant or as a marketing specialist, although several years of experience as a cosmetologist may help you. get one of those careers. Here are a variety of job titles that you can have as a cosmetologist:
- beautician
- Hairdresser
- Wedding stylist
- Male hairdresser (barber)
- Nail care technician
- Stylist manager
- Salon Assistant
- Spa manager
Step 5. Pass the licensing exam
All 50 US states require cosmetology school graduates to take and pass a licensure exam. Licensing requirements include following state guidelines on licensing. Each license applicant must pass a written examination and practice skin care, make-up and hair care. Applicants can obtain a license for cosmetology, esthetician or nail care technician.
- You can also get a cosmetology license and then continue to specialize.
- After passing the exam, you will still have to pay a license fee.
Part 2 of 3: Getting a Job
Step 1. Take an internship program if any salon in your area offers one
This is a great way to get started and gain valuable experience. And if you're having trouble finding work, an internship will help you become a better applicant. for an internship, you must register at a local beauty salon and gain up to 2 years of experience.
You'll get paid as an intern, but not as much as a full-time cosmetologist
Step 2. Find the best location to work
Not every cosmetologist works in a beauty salon. In fact, many cosmetologists are self-employed or even part-time. This gives them the time and flexibility of the week. If you want to have your own practice, you need to have experience in other businesses first. But you have the freedom to choose your workplace. Here are some common locations:
- Beauty salon and barbershop
- Day spa, hotel spa, resort spa
- Retail locations for beauty supplies and supplies
- Nursing homes and home care
Step 3. Apply for cosmetology vacancies in and around your neighborhood
Applying as a cosmetologist at a salon is like applying for any other job: you need to write a resume, make a phone call, find a salon that has vacancies, and leave a resume at a salon where there are no vacancies but who knows later there are vacancies. You can also search for vacancies online. Remember that even if you are submitting a resume, it is better to try to come in person or call so that you are more noticed and appear serious in applying for the position.
- Like any other profession, it helps to have connections. If you made a connection with a beauty salon while attending cosmetology school or know someone who works in a salon, you are more likely to get a job.
- If you are willing to be placed elsewhere, it may be advantageous to move to an area that has high employment as a cosmetologist. The five metropolitan areas with the highest cosmetology employment in the United States are Palm Coast, FL, Ocean City, NJ, Longview, WA, Mansfield, OH, and Springfield, OH.
Part 3 of 3: Success in Career
Step 1. Build your skills to become a great cosmetologist
It's good to get a job as a cosmetologist, and even better to be a great cosmetologist. If you want to be a great cosmetologist, you have to take the time to learn how to treat different hair and skin types. But what is needed is more than that. Here are other skills you should develop in order to progress in your profession:
- High communication skills. If you want your clients to be happy, you need to be able to talk to them about the vision they have for their hair and skin and know how to fulfill their wishes (as appropriate).
- High social skills. This is different from being able to talk to clients about the hairstyle they want. You need to spend more time than just working with each client, and you need to know how to talk, make clients feel comfortable, and even make them laugh. If you want your clients to come back, you have to know how to socialize with them.
- Business and financial experience. This is important to have, especially if you are self-employed or want to work alone.
- Artistic skills and abilities. The longer your experience, the better your intuition about what is and isn't suitable for all of your clients.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks at a time. You will have to work with many clients in one day and will often have to use multiple skills in one job.
Step 2. Keep your skills up to date
If you want to be successful in your profession, you must keep your skills up to date and must know the current trends of your industry. The hairstyles and makeup that are popular today are very different from those that were popular ten – or even five – years ago, so it is important to know how to give clients exactly what they want today. Here are some ways to keep your skills as up-to-date as possible:
- Come to the trend development show
- Enter further education class
- Subscribe to famous style magazines
- Reading blogs about style
Step 3. Build a strong client base
Without clients, your career will not progress. If you want to be a great cosmetologist, you have to build a loyal and growing client base, and make sure people want to come for your services again – and again. To build a strong base, you must know how to talk to your clients, make them feel right at home, and tell them how much your business is worth.
- Whenever you finish working with a client, you should encourage them to make their next appointment. Say, "If you want to keep your new look, you'll have to come in a month. Make sure you make an appointment to come back."
- Ask for references. Your clients can also send their friends and acquaintances to you, often at a discount. This way you can build your client base.
- Make your clients feel important. Remember the names of their children or the names of their husbands and ask how they are when they meet again. Show them that for you they are not just money sitting in your chair.
Step 4. Expand your business
Once you've gained enough experience to work for someone else, you might consider opening your own salon or beauty center. It will be easier if you build a strong client base first so that you will have clients with your new business, you will help to have connections with other cosmetologists you can hire in your business. While owning your own business will give you more work, you will earn more if you are successful.
You could also consider moving up to a managerial position at a beauty salon or spa. This will increase your salary and reduce direct hand work
Tips
- Cosmetologists usually work alone without a boss, although they work in salons with cosmetologists paying the rent for chairs from their income. Some cosmologists work on a commission system.
- Work at an established salon until you are familiar with all aspects of operating a salon, including the responsibilities of paying rent, taxes, liability and health insurance and ordering and paying for supplies.
- The cosmetological study program lasts from 9 months to 1 year, enough for you to intern, graduate, get a permit or license and get a job in less than 2 years.
- Students of cosmetology can earn a certificate that allows them to work in cosmetology or open their own cosmetology business. After receiving the certificate, the cosmologist can get a junior license by taking a licensing exam. Each country issues its own cosmetology certificate.
- Open your own salon when you understand all the business decisions and costs that are your responsibility.
