"Milady Standard Cosmetology," Vocabulary from Part 6

Some strategies associated with deductive reasoning include:
•Eliminate options known to be incorrect.
•Look for any qualifying conditions or statements, such as usually, commonly, in most instances, never, and always.
•When answering essay questions, watch for words such as compare, contrast, discuss, evaluate, analyze, define, or describe, and develop your answer accordingly.
•When questions include paragraphs to read and questions to answer, read the questions first.

•Make certain that all equipment and implements are clean and in good working order prior to the exam.
•If allowed by the regulatory or licensing agency, observe other practical examinations prior to taking yours.
•If possible, locate the examination site the day before the exam to ensure that you do not get lost on test day.
•Listen carefully and follow the examiner’s instructions.
•Follow all infection control and safety procedures throughout the entire examination.
•Look professional.

There are also independent salon chains, which consist of five or more salons owned by one individual or two or more partners.

Many newly licensed cosmetology professionals seek their first jobs in national chain salons because of the secure pay and benefits, additional paid training, management opportunities, and corporate advertising. Also, because the chains are large and widespread, employees have the added advantage of being able to transfer from one location to another.

This type of business employs well-trained stylists and salon assistants who offer higher-priced services to clients. They also offer luxurious extras such as five-minute head, neck, and shoulder massages as part of the shampoo and luxurious spa manicures and pedicures.

•List your professional skills and accomplishments.
•Focus on information that is relevant to the position you are seeking.
•Use action verbs, such as achieved, coordinated, developed, increased, maintained, and strengthened.
•Include professional references on your resume, and make sure you give potential employers the person’s title, place of employment, and telephone number.

An employment portfolio might include:
•Current resume, focusing on accomplishments
•Summary of continuing education and/or copies of diplomas and training certificates
•Letters of reference from former employers
•Before-and-after photographs of services that you have performed on clients or models
•Brief statement about why you have chosen a career in cosmetology
•Statement of membership in industry and other professional organizations

When you visit a salon, observe these areas and rate them:
Salon image (is it consistent with your interests?), management, professionalism, client service, services, prices, retail (is there a well stocked retail display offering clients a variety of product lines and a range of prices?), and in-salon marketing (are there posters or promotions throughout the salon, and if so, are they professionally made, and do they reflect contemporary styles?).

Here are some typical interview questions:
•Why do you want to work here?
•What did you like best about your training?
•What skills do you feel are your strongest?
•In which areas do you consider yourself to be less strong?
•Are you a team player? Please explain.
•What are your career goals?
•How would you handle a problem client?
•What assets can you bring to this salon and this position?
•What days and hours are you available for work?

Some questions that you might consider include the following:
•What are you looking for in a stylist?
•Is there a salon manual? May I review it?
•Are employees encouraged to grow in skills and responsibility?
•What does your training program involve?
•What key benefits does the salon offer, such as advanced training and medical insurance?
•May I have a tour of the salon?

Salon owners often invest a great deal in training, and they don’t want you taking all that education to a competing salon across the street once your apprenticeship or initial training is complete. Noncompete agreements address this issue, prohibiting you from seeking employment within a given time period and geographic area after you leave employment with them. Often, noncompete agreements also forbid employees from gathering and keeping client records, including client phone numbers.

Retailing is the act of recommending and selling products to your clients for at-home use. Ticket upgrading, also known as upselling services, is the practice of recommending and selling additional services to your clients.

•Generate interest and desire in the client by asking questions that determine a need.
•Never misrepresent your services or products. Making unrealistic claims will only lead to your client's disappointment, making it unlikely that you will ever again make a sale to that client.
•Do not underestimate the client’s intelligence or her knowledge of her own beauty regimen or particular needs.

Commit to referring your clients to local businesses, if they will do the same for you. If your client is pleased with your work, give her several business cards. Ask her to put her name on them and to refer her friends and associates to you. For every card you receive from a new customer with her name on it, give her 10 percent off or a complimentary service.

•What is your point of difference? What is going to make a client want to visit your business vs. the one across the street?
•What are you selling? Are you selling a luxury experience, a family-friendly environment, or a cost-conscious express service?
•What is your aesthetic? Will there be a consistent color, theme, or uniform for your staff?

A vision statement is a long-term picture of the long-term goals for the business, what it is to become, and what it will look like when it gets there.

In most cases, owning your own business does not mean that you own the building that houses your business. When renting or leasing space, you must have an agreement between yourself and the building's owner that has been well thought out and well written. The lease should specify clearly who owns what and who is responsible for which repairs and expenses.

Salon policies are the rules and regulations adopted by a salon to ensure that all clients and associates are being treated fairly and consistently.

The location of things within your salon, or its layout, is also important. Try to estimate how much each area in the salon will earn, so you can use space efficiently. If you are opening a low-budget salon, you might plan for a small reception area because clients will be moving in and out of the salon quickly. If you are opening a high-end salon, you should plan for more room where clients can lounge between services.

The term full-charge bookkeeper refers to someone who is trained to do everything from recording sales and payroll to generating a profit-and-loss statement. The most important part of record keeping is having the ability to defend your business in the case of an audit by the federal or state government and to have accurate proof of all sales made and taxes paid.

Smaller salons have some combination of these personnel who perform more than one type of service. Ultimately, whether your salon is large or small, high end or economical, the success of a salon depends on the attitude and quality of work done by the staff.

A good receptionist is key to a salon’s success and should have the following qualities:
•Appearance that conveys your salon’s image.
•Knowledge of the various services offered.
•Unlimited patience with both clients and salon personnel.