How To Become a Cosmetologist in 6 Steps

Admin • Jan 06, 2021

Cosmetology is a dream career for any creative wanting to work professionally in the beauty industry. In a world of online beauty gurus and make-up influencers, there is a way to make a name for yourself and establish a lifelong career. Follow this guide, and you’ll be sure to kickstart your professional life while working every day on your passion.

As a cosmetologist , the opportunities are actually boundless. Cosmetologists are beauty professionals that focus on making their clients feel stunning; they are the artists and visionaries of the beauty industry. This typically includes providing services relating to hair cutting, styling, and coloring, along with make-up and skincare services.

Ultimately, your specialization is up to you. Some professionals work solo or own their own salons, while others prefer to work in salons already established with recognition and existing clientele. Other professionals decide to work behind the scenes in television, the fashion industry, or in the corporate marketplace. Whichever direction you decide to go, success depends on how you execute your service and maintain a client base.

1) Finding the Right Cosmetology School

Becoming a professional cosmetologist requires receiving a cosmetology education. This step can often send people into a tailspin, but don’t worry! Most states have accredited cosmetology colleges that can get you the training you need, even with some financial assistance. These institutions usually require a high school degree or equivalent to enroll. Research the course framework and timeframes that work best for you. Many schools offer both full-time and part-time courses. This can be anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000+ hours of training.

PJ’s College of Cosmetology in Indiana and Kentucky offers a cosmetology course with 1,500 hours of training, classroom theory, and hands-on experience.

2) Train and Develop Your Specialty

Like any skill or passion, instruction is not enough. The best hair stylists and make-up artists devote themselves to their craft. Beyond training and practice, they live and breathe the industry. This means staying on top of trends and new techniques. Follow and subscribe to your favorite brands, beauty news sources, cosmetology schools, and artists to see which new skills are hitting the market. Don’t forget this industry is always changing!

To become a truly inspirational cosmetologist, you have to move beyond certification. Establishing your own identity as an artist is vital. Pay attention to the services you are highly skilled at and enjoy the most. What services do well in your area, and what is lacking? Ask yourself these questions to pinpoint your area of focus. Make this your specialty, and begin marketing and branding with this specific skill in mind.

3) Gain Your License

Licensure is an important step in becoming a fully recognized cosmetologist. This can vary between states but generally involves a state examination board (State Board of Cosmetology) that tests the applicants on both written and technical skills. There is a fee to take the exam. It is generally only available to those who completed a training program with an accredited institution and fulfilled the required hours.

4 ) Join an Apprenticeship

As a new cosmetologist, it can be a good idea to start with an apprentice or traineeship at an established salon or service center. This can help you develop your skills and learn from experts while starting to build your own clientele list. It also is a great tool in gaining important business and marketing skills.

Although training at an institution will virtually give you all the skills you need to establish yourself professionally, an apprenticeship can help you navigate the nuances of a specific field of the cosmetology industry. Connecting with your cosmetology institution, attending job fairs and events, as well as looking at online career boards can help you see what traineeships are available in your area.

5 ) Land the Job

The ultimate purpose of all your training and hard work is to land that dream job. You have taken the time to gain a cosmetology education and have developed all the necessary skills. This is the time to brag a little!

Finding a job can be daunting at first, but the key is to have confidence in your skills and to market yourself with that attitude. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Today’s job climate can often lead to a saturation of resumes and applicants. Creating a website or social media profile devoted to your best work can help your talents stand out. Your online presence and methods of branding can help you even establish your own business.

As you are starting out, networking, contacting salons and institutions directly, or browsing traditional job boards can all help you get to the interview stage. Once there, let your confidence shine and have your talent and accomplishments speak for themselves. Remember, every successful cosmetologist started where you are now.

6 ) Maintain and Expand Your Client Base

Once you have your new job or have built your own business, the work isn’t over yet. Maintaining and growing your client base is essential for cosmetologists. This is an industry built on repeat customers. Be sure to build meaningful and authentic relationships with your clients. Make their beauty expectations your priority.

Prompt your customers to plan for their next visit after they have completed an appointment. It is also a good idea to ask for referrals or make a type of referral system. This can be the difference between a failed business and a lively and successful salon.

If you are interested in starting your career in cosmetology, PJ’s College of Cosmetology can help. Call us at 800-62-SALON (72566) or request information at gotopjs.com.

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Making a Job Switch

27 Sep, 2021

Whether you’ve been fired or are simply looking to take your career to the next level, switching jobs in the beauty and wellness industry takes strategy and planning. You can have a job or you can build a career; the choice is yours. If you find yourself job hopping frequently, either by choice or by circumstance, it’s going to be more difficult to establish yourself. A job switch is something to be taken seriously as the consequences of your move, both good and bad, can reverberate for months and even years. Before you make a job switch, think through these 5 things. YOU WILL LOSE BUSINESS We know it feels like everyone will follow you if you do leave, but not everyone does. Some won’t like the drive, the new salon, spa, or shop décor, or even your new team members. Some clients may even be looking for an excuse to try someone new. MULTIPLE MOVES RAISE A RED FLAG TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS Salon, spa, and shop owners look at your track record and if they see you’ve moved multiple times over the past 1-3 years, they are going to be less enthusiastic about hiring an “at risk” team member. YOU MAY BE THE PROBLEM If you have moved several times and are still not happy, then it’s time to do a checkup from the neck up. The only common denominator in your career choices is you. It’s time to stop and think about what it is you really want, write it down, and go find it. WHEN IT ISN’T WORKING, TALK IT OUT Let’s face it: there are going to be times when you just are not “feeling it,” and the love and newness has worn off. When you get to that point, reflect on what you are feeling and ask yourself, “Is it true and is it real?” If it is, then the only way to work through it is to go to the source and talk it out. If you don’t, it will fester and get worse. RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE WHAT IS WORKING Look around and appreciate the perks, joys, esthetics, flexibility, team, training, or whatever else is really great about where you work. Sometimes just shifting your thoughts can create a new perspective. Moving on After Being Fired What if your job switch is based not on choice but on circumstance and you have been fired? Being fired is extremely stressful, no matter the reason. You can find yourself struggling with all types of emotions ranging from embarrassment, anger, fear, and even depression. If you’re in this sticky situation, follow these steps to turn this potential negative into a positive. LOOK TO YOUR FUTURE It can be difficult getting past the “being fired” part, but you must move on! You have two choices: you can live in a negative space and dwell on the past or you can decide to look to your future and learn from this experience. TAKE OWNERSHIP This can be as painful as being fired itself. Spend some time taking a personal inventory of the reasons why you were dismissed. Don’t play the “blame game” and point fingers at others. Take full responsibility and turn this negative experience into a positive learning opportunity for your future. Reach out to mentors or enroll in outside education to help you grow in any areas that are keeping you from the success you are destined to achieve. MOVE FORWARD It’s time to freshen up your resume and cover letters. Be certain to point out your successes and your strengths. There is no reason to mention your dismissal at this time. INTERVIEWING During your interview for a potential new position, be prepared to answer those questions you fear the most like, “Why did you leave your last job?” Honesty is the best policy, but there’s no need to get into a long drawn out conversation about it; keep it brief. Share what you have learned and how you have made a personal commitment to learn and grow from this experience. If you have enrolled in outside education and/or have mentorship in this area be sure to share this information during your interview. For other interview tips, check out this guide. Being fired from a job can shake a person to their core. It ranks in the top of life’s most stressful situations, but if you take the initiative by enrolling in classes and reaching out to mentors to move past any barriers, you can turn things around. Job switches can happen at any time for a multitude of reasons. It’s up to you to be proactive and always go towards what you want. When you need to make big changes, make sure to do your research and make sure the changes are in the direction of your dreams. If you are interested in starting your career in cosmetology, PJ’s College of Cosmetology can help. Call us at 800-62-SALON (72566) or request information at gotopjs.com.

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