What's the best career for you? Independent salon or group?

There are advantages and disadvantages of working in an independent salon or a group and it really depends on what's right for you. As an individual, each area of the market will suit or not suit depending on your aims and ambitions.

As recruitment specialists, when sourcing the most suitable locations for a stylist we need to highlight the differences generally between these two varying sectors of the salon industry. When considering your career options, there are invariably differences between the two, so here are some things you may want to think about when considering the type of salon environment you want to work in.

This is a generalisation as there are strengths and weaknesses in all businesses and we support both. The purpose of this blog is not to direct one way or the other, more to break down misconceptions, allowing you to make an employment judgement on the suitability of the vacancy for you personally.

INDEPENDENT SALONS

Invariably independents are situated in a location, which may be close to home and may offer a more flexible, tailored employment structure. The operation and structure of independents may also be more tailored towards the particular characteristics of the clientele. For example, this may involve later openings, closed Sundays or there may be more late evening openings. Additionally, the flexible nature of independents can also:

• Allow you more time per client
• Provide you with a more direct contact with the salon owner
• Provide a more tailored training programme based on the individual aspirations
• Mean your salary can be more negotiable with an independent salon owner

Some independent salon owners offer private health care/pension schemes and other benefits as well but there are some things in that may not be for you. These could include:

• Many independents carry fewer staff, which may mean they require a more flexible working pattern
• You may need to do your own shampooing, colour applications and colour removal, as there can be less people to perform these tasks
• Some independents may not have a training and development structure
• There may be fewer opportunities to develop your career as they have fewer locations, promotional and creative opportunities to develop your talents

LARGE SALON GROUPS

Larger salon groups can offer more varied locations, which present you with opportunities to relocate whilst still maintaining employment status. They also normally maintain uniform hours of trading and can offer a range of benefits including some of the following:

• Structured career development programmes, strengthening areas of your trade which you may not feel quite so strong on
• Management training opportunities
• Art team / stage demonstration opportunities
• Large salon groups are generally sited in prime locations
• Benefit from the prestige of working with a prestige recognised brand within the industry
• Opportunities to purchase a franchise, allowing an ownership opportunity whist still benefiting from the support of a larger organisation
• Due to extended opening hours there may be more flexible working hours (evenings/weekends).

However…

• You would be expected to attend more competition/salon promotions, assisting in driving the brand forward
• You would be salaried within a more rigid salary range
• The working environment would be more structured

If you need any help in making the right career decision and then finding what positions are right for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will offer you impartial advise and with a wide range of career opportunities in both the independent and group sectors, we might have just what you’re looking for!

Just call us on 01202 253615, email info@atriumhr.co.uk and visit www.atriumhr.co.uk

Have a great week!

Ian Kent

The Atrium

T: 01202 253615 E: ian@atriumhr.co.uk W: www.atriumhr.co.uk

A time for renewal!

Well we’ve just had our last bank holiday before Christmas, and now we’re starting to wonder how many BBQs we’ll squeeze in before the chill starts to set in! Although we may mourn the passing of summer, now is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts!

The Autumn is one of those times of year that brings with it, a great sense of renewal. The UK goes back to work after the summer holidays and schools, academies and Universities start over as new students embark on a new chapter of their lives with nervous anticipation. The summer recess is over for politicians as they resume the business of Government and the landscape changes as we harvest the fruits of our labours! In short, the changing season brings a time for change, reflection and planning for the future.

The hair and beauty industry comes to life

In the hair and beauty industry, this theme is just as evident as the summer gives way to the exhibition season. With Salon International and Professional Beauty coming up in October, the Autumn is a perfect time to re-charge your passion for what you do. It’s also a time for inspiration, when we look at new ideas, new products and fresh opportunities. Now is a perfect time to learn and experience the latest trends in hair styling, colour, makeup and fashion. It’s also perfect for beauticians to discover new skin care and treatment innovations, so we can take all this knowledge into our daily lives in the salon and impress our clients!

The perfect time to set your talent free!

This time of year is therefore perfect to think about your career. As you tread the boards at shows you will see people brimming with passion, enthusiasm and pride simply because they love what they do and are doing it with the right people. Getting the right job brings out the best in your talent and your potential; it really brings you alive! Conversely, you can be the best new prospect in hairdressing or beauty but if you are in the wrong environment where your hunger and desire to unleash your ideas and talent are suppressed, it could demoralise you and your future could be swept up on the cutting floor!

Get a future, not a job!

This needn’t happen. There are so many innovators in the industry that will take raw or established talent and hone it to perfection. This will empower you, energise you and make you believe that one day, you could be up on that platform serving as an inspiration to others. It’s true and I have seen it happen many, many times. I have seen people that have their potential recognised and nurtured by salons and these people have gone on to great things. Now is the time to believe in yourself and make sure others do too; so your skills can really shine. Why not reflect on your current job and see if you are really getting what you need from it. Perhaps it’s time to at least see what’s out there and consider alternatives? Of course that’s why we’re here, so just give us a call if you want to talk about the future.

Be what you want to be!

However, not everyone wants to be the ‘next big thing’, or in the spotlight. Many professionals are very skilled and happy in their profession, quietly going about their business and pleasing clients day after day. Whatever you want to be, just go for it and be true to yourself.

On a final note, the year seems to race by at a shocking pace! Before we know where we are, clients will be thinking of Christmas. Not only will they be thinking of gifts, they’ll be booking early to look their best for parties, social and family events, office dos and nights out on the town! Whatever your ambitions, it’s always worth making sure you prepare by keeping abreast of the latest trends, styles and fashions so you are ready for the busiest time of the year!

For advice on your career, CV tips or to get the most up-to-date career opportunities, call us on 01202 253615, email info@atriumhr.co.uk and visit www.atriumhr.co.uk

Have a great week!

Ian Kent

The Atrium

T: 01202 253615 E: ian@atriumhr.co.uk W: www.atriumhr.co.uk

Taking control of your career direction

We’re now at the time of year when school leavers are gaining their exam results and planning their futures.

Well, even though we’re older and further into our working lives we still need to plan our direction, and decide what we want from our futures.

Personally, I’ve always worked on a five year plan and treated my future a bit like a business plan. I always advocate speaking with employers on the direction you would like to take, highlighting what benefits this can also bring to the salon so both you and your employer benefit from you career progression.

Taking command of your career demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to your development and the success of the salon and you will find it can:

Increase the level of involvement in your development from the salon

• Lead to you feeling and being more valued in the salon
• Increase your profile and create opportunities for promotion
• Increase your value to the salon and improve your prospects for staying in your job
• Enhances your CV if you should want or need to move jobs
• Increase your earning potential and income/profit for the salon, so everyone benefits

For advice on your career, CV tips or to get the most up-to-date career opportunities, call us on 01202 253615, email info@atriumhr.co.uk and visit www.atriumhr.co.uk

Have a great week!

Ian Kent

The Atrium

T: 01202 253615 E: ian@atriumhr.co.uk W: www.atriumhr.co.uk

Getting the Job

Here are 10 top tips to help you achieve success in an interview and get the right job. The hair and beauty industries are relatively small and close knit so your reputation is important as you go through your career.

1. ATTEND THE INTERVIEW - if you don’t show up, not only will the manager remember you, he or she may mention you in conversations to other prospective future employers (plus any agencies that have you on their books will also be aware of this!). If you have an interview and get a job before the interview date, it’s courteous to call and explain so you remain on good terms.
2. Plan your travel route to ensure you arrive in good time. First impressions count, so being late is not a good start! Arrive slightly early if possible to look keen.
3. Appearance is vital! If you’re tattooed, keep them covered during initial meeting, you can then gauge company feelings on this without the fear of negative thoughts. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have, so check out the dress code of the current employees so you reflect their attitude to presentation.
4. Take copies of references so you can show them if the interview is going well
5. People are generally either talkers or listeners. Remember to listen well and speak when invited to do so, but engage in conversation and answer their questions fully
6. Prepare for your meeting by gaining an insight into product usage, type of clientele, salon culture and highlight what you can deliver to strengthen the company.
7. Body language is used more and more for interviews, so be alert, sit upright and be receptive.
8. Highlight your holiday dates if booked, and any other dates which might impact on your working patterns. It’s better to do this before you start as it doesn’t look good to ask for days or weeks off on your first day!
9. When completed, a firm handshake and clear cut polite thank you for your time highlights competency and courtesy in closing a meeting. This will be seen as an asset with regards to handing over a client to reception at completion of service.
10. With the availability of your personal information on the Internet, make sure your presence on platforms like Facebook, twitter and MySpace show you in a positive light and don’t carry any negative comments. Employers are likely to check you out and these resources can give them a real feel for your attitude, lifestyle, personality and character.

Above all, enjoy the interview as it’s you chance to shine! Be true to yourself and reveal the real you!

Ian Kent

The Atrium

T: 01202 253615 E: ian@atriumhr.co.uk W: www.atriumhr.co.uk

You've got an interview - what to do next!

OK, so you’ve written your CV, checked it, sent it to suitable salons which match your career path and you’ve been invited to attend an interview - NOW you can make it happen!!

Before you go along to the interview, here’s what you should do.

Research!
Check out the salon’s website and if there are any customer blogs to get some background on the company and what their customers say. You can also see if it uses Facebook and twitter to get a feel for their style and how they communicate. This can reveal a lot about the personality of the salon and the team.

It’s also important to remember that the salon owner may check up on you, so be responsible with your use of social media as they may not appreciate finding pictures and exchanges with friends about your latest drunken escapades on a Friday night as you may not look quite so appealing when the owner is thinking of your appearance on the Saturday morning,

Presentation
Make sure you arrive 5-10 minutes early so you’re punctual and look keen. First impressions are vital and it’s a fact that people make judgements of someone in under two seconds, so dress for the interview. A great piece of advice is “dress for the job you want, not the job you have!” So, make sure your personal appearance creates the right impression from the second you meet your prospective employer.

What to take
Salons may request you take certain things but as a rule, always take the following:

- A duplicate copy of CV
- Copies of references (not originals)
- Your portfolio so you can present your work
- Your styling tools – just in case the salon owner invites you to demonstrate your work! (This means you could be just a little while away from a job offer!

Questions
The salon owner will ask you questions, so give a little prior thought, anticipate what some of these are likely to be and prepare answers. What’s also important is to think about questions to ask the salon. There’s nothing quite as difficult when an interviewer asks if you have any questions and this is followed with an awkward silence why you try to think on your feet. Asking questions shows you are interested in the salon and the job. Here are some pointers:

- What are the salon’s ambitions and what are you looking to achieve as a business?
- What is the team like, is there a good team spirit?
- What strengths do the team have and is it know for anything in particular ? e.g. colour, styling, treatments etc. How long have the team members been at the salon?
- What are you looking for from the successful candidate? What would their/my responsibilities be?
- What training opportunities are there?
- What opportunities are there to develop my career and achieve promotions?
- What employment benefits do you offer?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
When you’re job seeking, arrange a couple of interviews in close time scale to each other, so if you get offers you can choose the job that’s better suited to your skills, ambitions and personality. Interviews can change your perceptions of the company or the job, so keep your options open.

Ian Kent – Partner, Atrium HR

For more advice, email info@atriumhr.co.uk call 01202 253615 or visit www.atriumhr.co.uk

The role of your CV in Hair & Beauty jobs

With increased professionalism sweeping through the hair and beauty industry, the need for a professional looking CV is vital. As salons select from an increasing number of high calibre applicants, choosing who to interview from CVs is their first course of action so yours must stand out and impress! Your CV will dictate the type of position you can apply for and the salary you can expect to earn, so it’s important to get it right.

Many CVs miss basic and vital information so you can get eliminated as a prospective candidate simply because your CV is incomplete, so here’s what you need to do.

If you have developed a professional reputation within your employment then you will need to demonstrate this to a prospective employer. Most salons will not take chances or unnecessary risks when it comes to their team, and you will want them to be proud that you have selected their salon as a place you want to develop your career.

Starting with personal details, ensure your address, phone number and email address are there and are correct. To accompany your CV, make a personal statement that’s interesting, relevant and not too long; it's always worth inserting a photo as this personalises your CV too. Check out the company culture of the salon you are applying to, look at their website and do a little research to make sure this is the right career choice for you, and try to tailor your personal statement to suit the company image. A prospective employer is more likely to single you out if you have done some background work and can explain why you want to work for them specifically. Many people just send a CV in as any job will do, but if you have a passion to work for them and can explain why, this will work in your favour!

Always state your current role within the personal statement and include when you started and left. If you are still in your job, let them know your termination details. Detail your role, responsibilities and experience in your position and highlight any achievements and successes attained during employment. This demonstrates willingness and ambition to grow in employment status. It may be highlighting a particular strength you have which may enhance their salon such as customer service, retail skills, a promotion or your progression in the salon.

An employer will always study lengths of previous employment and ensure there are no gaps, so you need to be aware of this. If there are gaps in your employment, or you have moved from salon to salon on a regular basis, you may need to explain these so be prepared and try to explain this without criticizing previous employers or colleagues. Salons are making an investment both in terms of time and money to employ new people, and they need stability and consistency in the salon and loyalty and commitment from their team, so you have to demonstrate this and position yourself as someone who is worth their investment.

Keep your CV precise and to the point, giving factual information and keep to a maximum of two pages. If you have a portfolio of images and work, save these for your interview and state that references are available of request without providing details of your referees. However, if you are leaving a job without a new one sorted, ask for a written reference that you can keep on file and produce when required. Take a photocopy to your interview to demonstrate you have left previous employment on good terms, which always looks good.

Ian Kent - Partner: Atrium HR

For information email ian.kent@atriumhr.co.uk or visit www.atriumhr.co.uk