Beauty salons employ a wide variety of professionals, including hair dressers, colorists, nail technicians and massage therapists. No matter what the specialty, most salon owners look for employees who have the proper skills and work background, a professional attitude, and reliability. If you are pursuing this type of career path, you should prepare for many different types of interview questions.
Job Fit Questions
One of the main purposes of a salon interview is to learn about your skill sets and past experience. You should expect several questions about your training, as well as your certifications and licenses. For example, if you are interviewing for a stylist position, a salon manager will probably ask you about your favorite hairstyles for a wedding or prom event. Some salons will actually have you style a hair model or other employee to test out your skills.
Boss Fit Questions
A salon owner or manager will most likely ask you questions about your preferred management style to see if you're a fit for the current boss. Some stylists need guidance and feedback from their supervisors, while others prefer to work independently. A hiring manager wants to choose a candidate who will stay at the salon for several years and avoid a high turnover rate. According to the Salon Managers Academy, some of these types of questions may include, "What is your current boss's management style?" and "Why do you want to leave your current salon?"
Salon Fit Questions
Every salon is different. Some target quick-turnaround walk-in customers, while others have upscale clientele by appointment only. A hiring interviewer will ask questions to make sure that your styling experience and personality fit in with the salon. For example, if the salon caters to children, you'll be asked questions about your experience working with little ones. If a salon manager is very laid back, the questions may be focused on your opinions about an open schedule and flexibility.
Customer Service Questions
Salons make their money by pleasing their clients, so good customer service skills are an imperative quality for a hairdresser or beautician to have. You should expect a wide variety of customer service questions during your interview. They may include, "Tell me about your most difficult client and how did you meet her needs?" or "What would you do if your client didn't like the new color or cut you just completed?" Some salons will want to find out if you'll be bringing your long-time clients to their salon. If you will be bringing customers with you, be sure to mention this in the interview and be able to give an estimate of how many clients you have.
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