If you’ve chosen to study cosmetology, you’re probably working toward in a future in the beauty industry. This is an exciting path with a wide selection of creative career options! It’s also a competitive and fast-paced industry that requires a lot of hard work. Whether you’re a current student or just interested in enrolling in our program, The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), St. Louis wants to help you feel a little more ready for a career in beauty. Here are our five key preparation tips!
Complete Your Education
To become a cosmetologist, finishing your education, sitting for the state board, and getting your cosmetology license are the obvious first steps. At TSPA St. Louis, our cosmetology program can prepare you for a future in the beauty industry. We can teach you skills like cutting and styling techniques, resume writing and interviewing, salon business systems, and client communication. Whether you choose a full-time or part-time program, finishing your education and getting your license is the first step in the direction of a career in beauty.
Understand Beauty Industry Careers
It’s important to know what kind of careers are available to you with a cosmetology license. Are you interested in working as a stylist in a salon, or would you rather have a job as a beauty advisor at a makeup counter? Learn about all the options so you can figure out what would best fit your interests, tastes, and career goals! The beauty industry has a wide range of fun and creative career opportunities, but not everyone is suited for every single career. You can easily research cosmetology careers online on your own. For more personal advice, talk to your cosmetology educators and peers about their careers and goals. This is a great way for you to get a clearer idea of what you want for the future.
Learn How to Market Yourself on Social Media
As a cosmetologist in the 21st century, social media is your best friend when it comes to marketing your personal brand. Social media serves as an all-in-one digital resume and portfolio in the beauty world. It’s a place where you can show off your work, network with other beauty professionals, and find new clients. One great thing about using a platform like Instagram for marketing is the ability to tag clients in your photos. When you tag them, they might repost the image for their followers to see. This means your name is getting out there to a totally different audience. Using popular hashtags is also an excellent way to make yourself visible in the “Discover” section of Instagram. Working with social media and using it to your advantage is key to finding success in the modern beauty industry.
Practice Your Interpersonal Skills
Jobs in the beauty industry are generally quite extroverted. You have to interact with clients, vendors, peers, and a variety of other people throughout your workday. There’s also the matter of interviewing for jobs. All of these interactions require good interpersonal skills and professionalism. TSPA St. Louis offers practice interview sessions, but you can also practice with friends or family members to get more comfortable with it. Get out of your shell as much as you can during cosmetology school by talking in front of crowds and speaking to people you don’t know. You may be naturally extroverted but continuously practicing your networking and interpersonal skills is a great way to prepare for a future in beauty!
Keep Up-to-Date on Industry Trends
The beauty industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving. Between celebrities, fashion shows, magazines, and social media, new trends and products pop up almost weekly. To stay on top of your game as a cosmetologist and give clients what they want, it’s important to keep up-to-date on what’s in style and in-demand. With the sheer amount of information out there these days, this might seem overwhelming. Don’t worry! You don’t have to read every single magazine or follow every single blog. Following beauty influencers and brands on Instagram is the easiest and fastest way to get trend information. If you like good ol’ fashioned magazines, choose a few favorites like Allure or Elle and stick with those. The more you know about what’s trending in beauty, the better you can serve your clients and create a killer portfolio!
Kick Off Your Future Now
Don’t procrastinate your future. Get started today on your journey toward a beauty industry career! Contact TSPA St. Louis to learn more about our cosmetology program. We’re here to answer any of your questions and can also help you set up an admissions tour. Get in touch with us now!
