I get asked this question all the time, and it’s a good one!

“I am just out of esthetician school and have my license. What is the best way to get experience if no one will hire you cause you don’t have experience. Very frustrating.”

I totally understand the feeling of frustration, because I was once in your shoes.

Before I became an esthetician, I frequented the same skin care center for my facials, and they were so nice and friendly to me (as a client) that I just assumed they would hire me once I finished my esthetician training.

I was soooo wrong.

When I asked about employment the owner told me (in a very condescending way) to keep my day job, build a clientele for three years and then come back and see her.

Nice, huh? Now that I revisit that story, I am so happy I didn’t work there!

So here are my Top 5 Tips to becoming “hirable”

1. Create a “shine above the rest” resume.

As a spa owner, I will actually interview a newbie that has an amazing resume before I will interview someone with years of experience who sends me a resume that looks like a mess.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of a streamlined resume. It speaks very loudly to a potential employer.

I designed a tool to help you with this. Click here for details.

2. Be willing to work in the environment to build relationships.

If you find a spot that you are just dying to work at, be willing to step in as something other than an esthetician. See if they have any positions open for a receptionist or assistant.

Here’s a perfect example of what I am talking about:

I was recently hiring an esthetician and I stated in the job description that I only wanted someone with 2 years of experience.

I received an awesome resume from a newbie so I called her to see if she would be willing to be my assistant a few days a week.

About 2 weeks into her assistant position one of my estheticians ended up being hospitalized for a month and I now needed someone in a hurry.

I immediately started training her.

Once out of the hospital, my other esthy got into nursing school and will be leaving the spa.

Guess who has a fulltime esthetician job with me now? Yup, the gal I didn’t want to hire due to lack of experience.

Had she not been so open, willing and available she might still be looking for an esthetician position.

3. Make a point show up at any and all interviews.

Even if the opportunity isn’t ideal go for the experience of the interview. Fine-tuning your interview skills will be a huge help in landing the perfect job.

Also this is a biggie in the law of attraction department. What you put out there you get more of.

4. Start from home.

When I was 1st licensed I turned my extra bedroom into a mini treatment room.

I had a massage table, a portable steamer, a few products and not much else.

I invited gals from the gym, my family, my friends and my fellow esthetician classmates so we could practice on each other.

Having this type of hands on experience helped build my confidence and some of the gym gals are still paying clients – 13 years later!

5. Say “Yes” to all opportunities!

So many of my friends have stumbled upon the perfect situation during the most unexpected moment.

My bestie esthy had been trying for months to find a spot to start her career and she was just about to give up… when she met a nurse at a BBQ who told her to call a local dermatologist whom she had heard might be looking for an esthetician.

She followed through and called the Dr. and guess what? She is now a biz partner with him in a 4000 square foot, very successful medi spa!

Ok, ladies and gents… now you’re ready to get out there and go for it!