Esthetician Job Application: How to Stand Out (part 3)

This is the third part in a series of three.

To begin with part 1, please follow this link: Job Application Success (pt 1)

As mentioned in Part 1, every online application looks the same. Same format, same font, similar information. Monotonous. No way to standout. As I pointed out in Part 2, if there is a Cover Letter, you can bet that document will be read in its entirety.

So let’s assume the Cover Letter gets the attention of the employer, and now they move on to your Resume. As all Americans know, in this country we read from top to bottom. And why is that relevant to this discussion? Well, because it means that the most important information needs to be at the top of the document. In other words, the top is prime real estate and if the first thing they read doesn’t capture their attention, they may stop reading.

In our profession, a Resume doesn’t necessarily have to be so formal. It should be professional of course, but it can be lighter and have a feel-good vibe. (Making people feel good is part of our job, right?)

Many Resumes will begin with the “Objective” which is okay, however those remarks are nearly always the same: “I am applying for a position where I can utilize my esthetics skills to help clients.”

Here is an example of going an entirely different way. This Resume can be short and simple because much of the important information has already been provided in the Cover Letter:

[NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE]

 IN A NUTSHELL…

I am a results-oriented professional Esthetician who excels in uncovering clients’ needs, finding solutions, and handling objections. I am a team player with a passion for people and their skin care needs.

 WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING…

LICENSED ESTHETICIAN (Current) [Name of employer/business]

Since [YEAR], I have worked as a full-time employee who specializes in services for women, men and tweens. I am certified in sugaring and dermaplaning, as well as multiple professional product lines. (I am happy to provide those certifications for you.) I pride myself on maintaining regular communication with clients to ensure their questions are answered and their skin care needs are met. [Add any and all relevant/specific details about this job]

LICENSED ESTHETICIAN, [Name of previous employer/business] [YEAR-YEAR]

[Relevant information about this job]

LICENSED ESTHETICIAN, [Name of previous employer/business] [YEAR-YEAR]

[Relevant information about this job]

OTHER: Now that you have wowed them with your experience as an Esthetician, you can move on to other things, such as:

1. Esthetician licenses held.
2. If you are NCEA Certified, provide an explanation as to what that means.
3. Education and training in the field of esthetics.
4.  If you are a newly-licensed Esthetician who was a rock star student while attending your Esthetician licensing program, it's okay to brag!
5. Post grad education in the field of esthetics (equipment, tools, protocols, etc.)
6. List by name any training certifications you’ve earned in the field of esthetics.
7. Give examples of things you have accomplished in your previous Esthetician jobs. Not just the day-to-day stuff that all Estheticians do, but things that make you stand out. Such as leading a team, teaching other Estheticians, sales records you achieved, ideas you had that were implemented successfully, numerous regular clients, any awards you were given, articles or blogs you've written, etc.

MISCELLANEOUS:

1. If you have listed more than one job as an Esthetician and have held those jobs for relatively long periods of time, it is not necessary to list other unrelated jobs. The exception to that would be if those unrelated jobs involved skills that would be beneficial in the job you are now applying for. As an example, retail sales and customer service. List those jobs under a new heading of "Jobs unrelated to Esthetics." 
2. If you do include jobs that are not related to esthetics, keep it brief and be sure to emphasize the specific qualities that will benefit the job you are applying for. If you have other jobs not related at all to the job you are apply for, you can simply state: I have listed for you here jobs that utilized skills that would be beneficial to working with you. However, I have held other unrelated jobs that I would be more than happy to list for you. 
3. If you listed jobs that you held only briefly, it is wise to include an explanation as to why you left, if you can. Or if you have big gaps between jobs. Employers don’t look fondly upon employees who have a history of staying only a few months at a job because they might worry that it will happen to them. 
4. Most employers are not interested in where you went to high school, but if you’ve got a college degree, it's nice to note that on your Resume. 
5. If you’ve got references (especially if they are impressive) provide that information and include their contact info. Even if the employer doesn't need the references yet, including them indicates that you are professional, confident, prepared and that there are real people who are willing to recommend you for this job. 
6. If someone has offered to give you a letter of recommendation, by all means attach that too.
7. If you want to provide your age because you believe there is some benefit, feel free to do so. However, it is not required and in fact, employers are not legally allowed to ask your age.

Now look back over the order in which information has been listed on this sample Resume. Do you see how we have first listed what is most important to the employer, and then we worked our way down to less vital information? The structure of this Resume encourages the reader to keep reading all the way to the end, and that's the goal. A great Resume is not just about spitting out information. A great Resume is about standing out and making it to the next phase of the hiring process. Your Resume is the key that unlocks the door to your future success.

SUBMISSION: The Cover Letter and Resume can be submitted as one document when uploaded to an online site: Cover letter is page 1 and Resume is page 2, etc.

THE INTERVIEW - 5 DO’s and DON’Ts:

1. If you have gotten far enough into the hiring process that you are invited to an interview, do your homework. Research the company online and any other way you can think of such as driving by the business. Know their service menu, their product lines, their location, etc.
2. If the interview is in person, dress professionally, don’t smell of smoke and don't wear strong perfume (Estheticians must be aware that those smells conflict with the lovely aromas of a spa, and that's a very big no-no.) Bring with you photocopies of any advanced certificates to show the potential employer and offer to give to them. And whatever you do, remember to turn off your phone and put it in your purse or pocket.
3. If the interview is via Zoom, same as above except the warning about perfume and smoke. 
4.  If the prospective employer asks you, “Where do you see your career in 5 years?” Do NOT say “I want to have my own esthetics business or day spa.” Employers want team players who will stick around. They don’t want someone who will leave and take clients with them. Although it is very common for a really good Esthetician to find herself or himself in a position where clients want to go with them when they leave, there is no need to bring that into the interview. A better answer to the question is “I love being an Esthetician and I’d like to work at a place I love and can stay forever” (which hopefully in that moment is absolutely true).
5. When the interview is wrapping up, feel free to ask general questions about the job or the business, if you have any. I am not referring to specific questions about money or vacation time. I am suggesting questions that show the potential employer that you are interested in their business. Questions like: How many Estheticians do you have? What pro product lines do you use and sell? What is your primary demographic? (Note: An experienced employer will invite your questions at the end of the interview, however, most probably will not. But be ready, just in case.)
6. A few hours after the interview, or by the next morning, send a very short email to the potential employer that simply says, “Thank you so much for your time today. I really enjoyed talking with you. I love your [business, salon, philosophy….whatever] and I would be thrilled to become part of the [name of business] team. If there is any further information you’d like from me, I would be happy to provide that for you.

Now that you have the job, you must learn how to be financially successful.

I wrote a book about that! 

The Heart of Esthetics: Creating Loyal Clients & Achieving Financial Success