1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Service - What is your job title?
Hair Stylist - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
Hair Salon with 8 stylists.
- How long have you been employed in this position?
4 years - How many hours do you work a week on average?
about 35 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
about 35 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
Provide services to clients such as hair cuts, color, hi-lights, perms, etc.
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
22000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
30000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
I can make my own hours and charge whatever I want. - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
depends. Some weeks are better then others.
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
I am full time, so I have the opportunity to work with a variety of people throughout the week. Sometimes it can be difficult when working so closely with people, however, for the most part, I love what I do.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
I work in a hair salon in a small town in the suburbs.
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 4 Income
- 2 Work Environment - co-workers
- 3 Work Environment - supervisors
- 5 Benefits
- 6 Hours
- 7 Level of responsibility
- 1 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 8 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Get a job shampooing while you are still in beauty school, so that when you are finished school and you obtain your license, you can start cutting right away.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
Socially you have to be outspoken. Being a hair stylist requires that you listen to your clients, but also offer your input. They are in your chair for a reason, give them a reason to come back! Technical skills will come with time. You will learn the basics in beauty school, but there is so much more to learn when you are in the salon.
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Absolutely. You have to build on what you learn in school. Watching other stylists, asking questions, attending conventions and shows. All of these things will build on your level of education and help you to become a successful stylist. - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Don't get discouraged in the beginning. It takes a long time to build your clientele. Be proactive, take charge of your advertising. Leave your business cards every where!!!! You will be surprised how many people you can get by just leaving a pile of your cards in the local supermarket, or your child's day care facility.
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
A member of my family works in the same salon, they needed christmas help when I was still in school and decided to keep me on. It's been great! - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
paper application. - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Basically, my first couple of weeks was the interview process. The owner just wanted to make sure that I was a good, reliable worker and that the clients didn't complain about me soaking them when I washed their hair. - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
Past job experience, how many more hours of school I had completed, what were my long term goals, and how many hours I was willing to work each week. - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
Yes - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
I worked in the banking industry as a teller manager for many years before I decided to do what I had always wanted to do. One of the reasons that I waited so long, was because of financial aid guidelines. I took a huge pay cut to work in the beauty industry, but to me, it's such a rewarding career, that the money hardly seems to matter.
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes, 1250 hours of beauty school, and continuing education by attending classes and seminars whenever possible. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes, the owner of my salon prepared me by having one on one classes instructing me on cutting techniques that would build on what I had previously learning at school. He had been an educator with a large product line within the industry for nearly 27 years. He has a wealth of knowledge, and a lot of patience. I am very grateful. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes. I was able to build on my education when I started working in the salon. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
I think that they would find it fun. Talking to my clients all day long, you know so much about people. My clients come back asking me about things that happened six to eight weeks ago. It's great! I love to hear about families, vacations, new babies, their jobs, etc. My clients are my friends, I think that shadowing me for a day would be a fun time. - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
The most fulfilling aspect is making people feel beautiful. Having people trust you enough to let you change their appearance. To me that is huge....your appearance is your identity. I love that best about my job. The least fulfilling is having to neutralize a conversation that may not be appropriate. It tends to be uncomfortable. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
yes. To me, this is a stop along the way. I am building my book, learning everything that I can, and working towards my goals. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
To be the owner of a salon/spa/boutique. I am currently a business student, learning everything that I can about the business world, and soon enough I will be able to venture out on my own. - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
It's awesome.
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
- 8 am - 9 am
- 9 am - 10 am
- 10 am - 11 am
- 11 am - 12 am
- 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
- 2 pm - 3 pm
- 3 pm - 4 pm
- 4 pm - 5 pm
- 5 pm - 6 pm
- 6 pm - 7 pm
- 7 pm - 8 pm
- 8 pm - 9 pm
- 9 pm - 10 pm
- 10 pm - 11 pm
- 11 pm - 12 pm