15 Tips For A Beginner In The Esthetics Field

Many skincare professionals enter the industry with a specific idea in mind of how their career is going to pan out. They should be researching the actualities of a career in esthetics.

Perhaps you’re interested in getting involved in a helping profession. Or you know what it’s like to suffer from skin problems yourself. Or possibly you like the idea of working at a prestigious spa. Maybe you were originally attracted to the freedom of owning your own specialist practice.

You’ve probably got a lot of questions on your mind. If you’re going into the field with an already healthy measure of self-doubt, you’re probably looking for a guiding light in the storm. Look no further.

Although things are constantly evolving, the general rules remain the same. So, without further ado, here is some esthetics field beginner advice we wish we’d had years ago:

1. Know what you’re getting into

Many estheticians-in-training ask what kind of salary they should expect to earn when looking for their first paid job. And they are usually dumbfounded by the answer.

Then come the responses such as “I need more than that!” or “I deserve to make more than 30 per cent!”

As a newly qualified esthetician, you can probably expect to put in quite a bit of unpaid hours as you first build up your new clientele.

If you’re working for an employer, they may provide you with a comfortable workplace with opportunities and room to grow your practice. But the hard work is really up to you.

2. Design your career

So, you think you have what it takes to be an esthetician, and build your business from the ground up. But have you thought about where you’d like your career to take you? It’s important to keep an end-goal in mind, so try to envision how you’d like your finished career model to look.

Ideally, what kind of treatments would you like to perform? Which type of clientele would you like to treat? Would you prefer to work in a private practice, a day spa, or maybe a resort? What are your primary motivations; money, prestige, or helping others? Each answer you give will help shape the way you want your career to turn out.

3. Don’t constantly switch workplaces

Job hopping is a big mistake for many estheticians, with a huge litany of reasons for jumping ship from one employer to the next.

Perhaps you don’t like your current workplace, you don’t get on with the people, business is slow. Whatever the reason for moving, you may end up having to start all over again to build up a new client base – not pretty. In fact, constant restlessness is one of the biggest career killers in the industry. So before you make a move, be confident that you can deal with the consequences.

4. Get used to sales

You will have to make money, and in order to do that you’ll most likely have to sell products as well as treatments.

This means retail sales. Maybe you think it’s not what you signed up for. But in order to keep your doors open, you will need the dough, and retail is one of the easiest ways you can build your income.

5. Find products you love and champion them

One way to get used to retail is to be passionate about what you’re selling. This means trying and testing various products and find the ones that you can’t work without. Don’t just mention it in the treatment room. If you have a website (more about that below) feature it on there, or post about it on your blog (also below).

If you’re enthusiastic about a product, your clients will be more likely to buy it. They will hopefully love the results and spread the word.

6. Develop your problem solving skills

If you have a problem at work, don’t add to the doom and gloomers by whining about it behind your boss’s back. Instead, address it head-on and do what you can. In other words, take the high road and be pro-active by taking responsibility for your situation, and doing what you can to fix it.

7. Stay positive during gaps in your schedule

Yes, as an esthetician you may have long, boring hours to look forward to, where you won’t have any appointments. What can you do? A lot of bored professionals go home and ‘chillax.’ But if you want to succeed, you’re going to have to be ready at a moment’s notice for when opportunity comes a-knockin’. Stick it out.

8. Get good at marketing yourself

This means doing whatever you can, with what you have. Leave your cards and brochures around local businesses. Or review products online or guest post on professional skincare blogs. Attend seminars or give presentations where you can reach a new audience.

9. Keep an open mind to new products and treatments

It’s important to keep your ear to the ground on the latest advancements in your field.

If clients want the latest products or treatments and you’re not providing them, they’ll just go elsewhere.

10. Invest in advancing your career

This means trying new courses, learning new treatments and paying for those qualifications. They could open up new worlds to you. It may be costly, but your career is worth investing in.

11. Network, network, network!

Mostly self-explanatory. Attend seminars and networking events. Go on LinkedIn and look for opportunities to share your business cards at social or professional gatherings. New contacts could mean new opportunities.

12. Develop a web presence

Having your own website is a must these days.

Share:

– Important updates in your practice

– What treatments you offer

Promote your business and make sure people know where to find you.

13. Start a blog

In order to get plenty of interest in your website and treatments, you should be posting a regular blog. You can write about anything relating to your field, such as:

– New products

– Treatments

– Funny stories or commonly asked questions.

You can even review products as they come out.

14. Social media

This is all part of your web presence. Having a Facebook page and Twitter account can really go a long way in sharing your website and attracting new customers. It also helps you interact on a professional level.

15. Be patient while you build your reputation

Patience is key when it comes to building up your clientele, so when times are rough, stick it out, keep busy and bear in mind the above tips to help you succeed.

Parting words

Being pro-active in terms of promotion and keeping up-to-date is essential. As long as you’re persistent and take advantage of the many opportunities out there, you’ll go far.

Interested in becoming a professional esthetician? Or advancing your career with further qualifications, please fill out our form or contact us today.