It’s a great feeling to finally get an interview for a position you’ve been eyeing for some time. Great indeed. But it can also be nerve-racking, considering it will require you to perform a treatment at some point. It doesn’t matter how great the sit-down part of the interview goes, how well-spoken, neat and poised you appear; if your actual esthetic performance is sub-par or in need of improvement, you probably won’t get the job so be prepared to make sure everything goes smoothly.
One major component of the decision to hire you will depend on how clean and tidy you keep the treatment room during the “performance” part of the interview. It’s a make or break moment.
Think back to your time in beauty school, remember working in the student spa and the joy felt from seeing a client all relaxed and refreshed post-treatment? They’d thank us, and mention their favorite parts of the treatment: the massage, the gentle extractions, the soothing mask, etc. We’d beam with pride over a job well done. And part of that well-done job included cleaning up to ensure clients did not wake up to a room that looked as if a bowl of colloidal oatmeal had exploded all over the floor.
I, for one, took great pride in maintaining a clean area from start to finish. Of course, I’d always have to return to finish up after walking my client to the front desk, but I always managed to at least get my bowls into the sink (and sometimes clean them), double-checked to be sure there was nothing on the floor like cotton balls or spills and kept the clanks and bumping around to a minimum during their service. Clients can not relax if they sense excessive activity is going on just beyond their goggles. Besides, it’s part of being a professional skincare expert.
Some things to avoid during the performance interview and in general:
- Aggressively handling the machines, dropping things like electrodes due to slippery hands/gloves. (Always use a tissue)
- Forgetting to properly fill the steamer beforehand, or over-filling it, allowing it to get too hot for the clients skin.
- Constant rolling back & forth on the stool creating a disturbance & interrupting their relaxation
- Spilling product and then stepping in it, creating footprint marks on the floor. (Keep a towel tucked into your waist, another on your cart, and one near your foot to quickly and discreetly wipe up any spills/splashes that occur.)
- Dropping steam towels onto the floor once used and leaving them for the client to see. (Place them out of sight on the cart if possible & dispose of them while your client is masking)
Now, it is possible that you will be required to give an interview treatment in less than optimum conditions, such as without access to a sink or using outdated equipment, so I suggest to ALWAYS ask questions beforehand:
Before your interview, ask if you will be required to perform a treatment that same day or whether you will be asked to return at a later date. This will let you know what to wear the day of the interview. If not performing a treatment, business attire should be worn. If performing a treatment, I would arrive dressed to work – black pants, low broad-heeled shoes with a rubber sole and a scrub top or simple tee underneath my blouse to wear during the service. Then ask:
- What sort of treatment will you be performing?
- Whether all products will be provided or should you bring your own tools?
- Ask about the line you’ll be working with so you can research if unfamiliar.
- If you have a preference to sit or stand during treatments, let them know ahead of time.
- If they tell you they have all the supplies you need, I’d still bring two sets of latex-free, powder-free gloves as well as a small container of kleenex and a watch/timer.
The day of your interview, you should look professional, clean makeup short manicured nails, hair pulled back and fresh breath. Before you start the consultation and treatment, ask to see the room to set up and:
- Check the bed/table to see if it can be modified to height so you’re comfortable during the process. (there’s nothing worse than not being able to reach your client comfortably or feeling pain while attempting to make someone else feel relaxed, it will undoubtedly translate)
- If you prefer to stand, clear the stool out-of-the-way so you’re not bumping into it or moving it around during treatment.
- Plug in all necessary equipment before-hand, do not assume they will do it for you. Make sure the steamer is full and ready to go. Check the mag lamp and adjust accordingly before the client hits the bed.
- Use a tissue for the door handle when opening/closing & any other equipment you must touch with soiled hands.
- Change gloves if exiting the room while your client is masking and put on a fresh pair when returning – it’s professional & hygienic.
- Use your time wisely, don’t sit idly while your client is masking. Use that time to quietly clean up (as much as you can) and discard all disposables.
- Do not clean anything that requires excessive noise or spraying alcohol to disinfect the machines. Wait until the client is off the bed & exits the room to do this.
When the treatment interview is over and the client has changed into their clothes (if they disrobed), always greet them with a fresh cup of water, ask how they’re feeling and how they enjoyed the treatment. Briefly discuss their skin from your professional perspective of touching & analyzing during the treatment, go over a home-care regimen, offer any suggested products & give them a sample or two. Close with a recommendation for their next appointment, hand them a business card, a spa menu and wish them a safe drive home.
Then return to your treatment area and properly sanitize, disinfect, and sterilize the area and tools used. And considering this is part of the interview process, always thank them for the opportunity, then follow-up within 48 hours to send a thank you e-mail as well.
Then you wait….. which is often the hardest part. 🙂
beautyschooldropn 