Who else here feels a little nervous when it comes to interviews?
You don’t know what to share, how much to share, if you should show up as your true self…whew. It’s a lot, right?
We recently shared our top interview tips for salon owners, but today, we’re breaking down what stylists need to know to ace their next interview.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Be yourself
If you go into a salon interview playing a part, you’ll have to continue to play that part every single day if they hire you. That’s what you presented yourself as, so that’s what the salon leader expects to see, right?
But playing a character 24/7 is exhausting and not sustainable. It’s a huge cause of burnout.
Instead, when you show up to an interview, be yourself. Remember, while the salon owner is interviewing you, you’re also interviewing them. Everybody in that room is looking for that perfect match. If it isn’t a fit from the start, don’t force it.
And don’t worry. You’ll find the place where you click.
Prep interview answers and questions
Always assume the salon owner will ask you questions. The night before or even in the car on the way to the interview, roleplay your possible answers. Think about how you would respond if they ask:
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What does being a stellar team member looks like for you?
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What do you want to achieve with this opportunity?
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What your professional goals are.
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How you plan to market yourself if you get hired at the salon.
(Check out our salon owner interview tips post for more possible questions).
But it’s not just them asking you questions. Think about what you want to know from the salon before you walk in the doors. Go deeper than surface-level questions like, “What’s the schedule?” or “How many people work here?” Those aren’t bad questions, but the answers probably live on the website…
And if you ask them, it indicates to the interviewer that you probably didn’t do your research.
So what questions should you ask?
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Tell me about the growth path at this salon. When did your most recent stylist start working here?
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How long has your longest-term stylist worked here?
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What makes the most senior stylists the most senior?
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Is seniority based on longevity, achievements, clientele size, or social media following?
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What does education look like here? Or what are the education expectations?
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What would being a stellar team member look like to you? (Flipping that question back on the salon owner)
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(For new stylists only) Who would I assist?
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How is my compensation determined?
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What are the fastest ways to grow my income being a part of your salon company?
Remember, it’s okay to talk about money, growth, and expectations. Ask questions! This is your time to see if this salon is the right home for you as well as the salon owner’s chance to see if you’re a good fit.
Make a dream salon wishlist
Making a dream salon wishlist will help you screen to make sure you actually want to work there.
Your dream salon wishlist should include what you want from this job. Whether it’s a big list or a small one, writing it down before the interview will help you view the salon objectively.
Be an expert of that salon before you arrive
Do your homework on that salon before you open the door. It may seem silly, but knowing the basics about the salon (usually found on their website) can help show that
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You’re truly interested in the job
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You’re thorough and detail-oriented
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You’re invested in finding the right salon for you
Be an expert of what services the salon does, who the stylists are, how big the team is, what retail lines they carry. Knowing this helps you walk in looking like a confident candidate.
Having a successful salon interview doesn’t require a super-secret passcode. Just preparation, a little bit of practice, and a dash of confidence. You’ve got it!
If you want to walk into your interview with a powerful strategy (plus learn how to earn more while working less!), check out Thriving Stylist Method!
