Greatclip

The Complete Guide To a Career As a Hairstylist

 

 

Not everyone is cut out for a typical 9-5 desk job. Some people would rather be in a job where they can let their creative juices flow. Corporate jobs may or may not allow that – most of them tend to be monotonous. One field that creative people can consider is that of a hairstylist. Everyone loves a good hairstylist – one that can correctly suggest and implement a style that would suit them. Choosing a profession such as this comes with its own set of requirements. Here is everything that one should know about being a hairstylist at Greatclip.

Hairstylist – Roles and responsibilities

A hairstylist is a person who takes care of people’s hair. One generally visits a hairstylist to cut, colour, bleach, or style one’s hair. Hair is one of the most prominent parts of a person’s face. Thus, any mistakes that a hairstylist makes becomes quite evident! So, a hairstylist plays a pivotal role in the client’s final appearance.

Here is a brief description of the duties that the job comprises of. A hairstylist must

• Know different styles of haircut.
• Know to blow-dry hair, style hair for big events, braid it, weave it, and colour hair.
• Be willing to learn to stay aware of trending styles continuously.
• Be pleasant, and provide good customer service.
• Know to provide customized product recommendations for haircare
• Be aware of ways to retain customers and attract new ones.

Overall, a hairstylist's job does not start and end with tending to the client’s hair. There are several other responsibilities to keep the business up and to run. Passionate hairstylists can gain valuable experience by working with companies such as Greatclip.  

Tracing the career path

All kinds of jobs require the right training. Although one can become a hairstylist with self-trained knowledge, proper certification is more powerful. It can take an individual to greater heights. What kind of training should an aspiring hairstylist undergo?

A cosmetology course

• In most states, an individual has to be at least 16 years of age to start working as a hairstylist.
• Also, several places require that the employee is trained for the job. After finishing high school, one can choose from among many cosmetology courses. Ensure that the state approves the chosen course.
• On average, a cosmetology course can take between 6 to 9 months to complete.
• Upon completion, the individual is awarded an associate degree.

Obtaining the license

The second stage in preparation is obtaining a license. Most beauty salons employ only licensed hairstylists. So, it is an important step.

• The license will be granted after the individual passes a written test.
• There may also be a practical round in some cases where the candidate has to demonstrate their hairstyling skills.
• One should have graduated either from a state-approved course or from a reciprocity program to apply for a license.
• A reciprocity program is a course from another state-approved by the state the individual wishes to work in.

Is it necessary to do a course?

Those who aim to open their styling center may proceed without any training or certification. But it is recommended for the following reasons.

• A course certificate is necessary to apply for a license in most states.
• Keep in mind that certification can help establish trust with new customers. It is an affirmation that the stylist is capable of providing good service.
• Courses have experienced mentors. Therefore, it is an opportunity for an individual to learn from the basics, the mistakes to avoid, and the profession's inside tricks.
• A cosmetology course coupled with a course in basic entrepreneurship is a powerful combination. Even if a person has no intentions of starting their business right away, the concepts of achieving business growth can be applied to their workplace.
• Hairstyling involves the usage of several modern tools and equipment. A course can help one understand when and how to use each of these.  
• Every hairstylist will need short-term courses throughout their career if they want to advance their career and stay at the top of their game.

Compared to many other professions, courses for hairstyling are shorter in duration. So, one can start working at a place like Greatclip soon after finishing a course and getting a license.

Who can become a hairstylist?

Some natural traits can help people be a better hairstylist. Here are some qualities that are expected of a hairstylist.

• Active listening

A stylist can provide the best service only if they can patiently listen to the client's requirements.

• Time management

Dealing with multiple clients at peak hours can get exhausting at times. One should have good scheduling skills to manage time effectively.

• Creativity and imagination

The styles that the client requests may not always be the best for them. One should be able to judge whether a particular style would suit a client.

• Excellent communication

While suggesting what could be the best for the client, the stylist shouldn’t sound rude or condescending. The experienced hairstylists at Greatclip exhibit patience while interacting with clients.

The job is not all about styling one’s hair. It takes soft skills as well to become an accomplished hairstylist.

The perks of being a hairstylist

Every job comes with its set of perks. For a hairstylist at Greatclip, a major perk is a satisfaction of being in a profession where their best skills lie. The other advantages are listed below.

• Get started early

Some jobs require several years of study. For those who choose this profession, the duration of study is not an area of concern. One can start attending vocational hairstyling classes even in their school. Next, getting a license can take about 12-14 months. Thus, one can quickly get into the job.

•  Flexibility in schedule

A beauty salon employs several trained stylists. Therefore, it is unlikely that a single stylist would be engaged the entire day. One can choose their schedules, shift their clients, and so on. The job offers a different level of flexibility in scheduling.

• Great networking opportunities

Once a hairstylist gains some experience, the trusted customers hire them for important events such as weddings, corporate shows, etc. Styling people for big events is a great opportunity to meet new people and expand one’s network.

• Job satisfaction

Giving people a new look can work wonders! Creative hairstylists play a role in uplifting the self-esteem of their clients. They make the clients feel good about their looks. Therefore, when a hairstylist is done for the day, they can go home with the satisfaction of putting smiles on their client’s faces.

• Improved communication skills

Working as a hairstylist in the first world, one is bound to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds daily. It opens up opportunities to strike conversations with people whose first language isn’t English. Extroverted hairstylists can have a good time learning to understand their client requirements.

The hard part of the job – The challenges

One cannot choose a career path without educating oneself about the challenges involved. Here are some of the risks that one may have to face as a hairstylist.

• Lack of steady income

If the stylist works at a salon with a guaranteed base wage such as Greatclip, this may not be a concern. But for others, the earning depends on the number of clients and the services they want. Unlike an office job, there is no guarantee that one will earn a fixed amount every month.

• Stocking up the equipment

Most of the challenges are for beginners who want to set up a salon. Quality equipment is expensive. Although they can be seen as an investment, it can be hard to pay for all of them at once.

• Promoting oneself

When people get comfortable with a particular hairstylist, they hardly change the stylist unless they move. Therefore, entering a market full of skilled stylists can be daunting. It takes time and lots of patience to build a client base.

• Constant learning

As new styles start trending, older ones fade away. Stylists need to step up their game every time there is a shift in the market. A hairstylist seldom gets to work with the same styles they started with.

• Lack of incentives

People who work in an office get different kinds of insurance and retirement fund from their employers. But hairstylists should take care of such expenses on their own. The job does not guarantee incentives.

Wrapping up

People who feel that they have adequate expertise for the job can register on online job listing platforms. Reputable names such as Greatclip always list down opportunities on various platforms. If a beginner starts the career with a good salon, it gives a pleasant experience, but the employee also gains hands-on experience.

With this experience, it becomes easier to climb the ranks. While some employees choose to start their own business later, others rise to higher positions such as – a salon manager, a trainer, or a designer. Thus, make sure to start the journey with a reputable company.

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