So you are preparing to attend an interview for a summer job and you would like to make a good impression?
There are things that you can do to DRAMATICALLY improve your chances of getting that job or at least getting invited an interview.
Tip 1. Your CV - Make sure that it is factual, don't tell any lies and ensure that you can prove everything that you write. There may not be much on it at the moment but put down any other work experience you have.
Tip 2. CV Covering Letter - Hand write a letter to send with your CV explaining why your qualifications and experience make you the ideal candidate for a job with your prospective new employer. Only type this letter if your hand writing is terrible.
Tip 3. References: Include at the rear of your CV the names and addresses of two referees that you can rely upon to give you great references. Eg, past employer or teacher. If you know that they would give you a bad reference then you must overcome this by coming clean in an interview and telling your prospective employer why they cannot ask that person for a reference.
If you lie, you could be found out, its a tough position to be in but honesty is the best policy!
Tip 4. Do your research: Look on the internet and read the prospective employers website take notes or print out the pages.
Walk by the salon, notice how the staff are dressed, take in the environment: Make note of
* What colour brand they use
* What beauty brands the salon works with
* What retail products the salon uses
* Does the salon do any specialist services, (hair extensions, afro, permanent blow dry etc).
If you are familiar with all of the brands, products and any specialist services the salon has or uses that's great. If you are not familiar with the brands, product, and services you see it gives you a bit of time to research those brands etc, so that you can be more confident talking about them in an interview.
Tip 5. Have a walk by the salon and see what the staff wear, now you have a head start because you can dress similarly and make a great impression. What ever you wear make sure that it is freshly laundered and pressed.
Make sure that your makeup and hair style is fresh and representative of a great hairdresser. Make double sure your shoes are clean and in good order front and rear.
Tip 6. Smokers - If you smoke, avoid smoking before the interview, but if you can't make sure that you spray your clothes with cent before you go into the interview and make sure you chew a few mints just before you go in (don't chew during the interview).
Tip 7. Don't Fidget: Ensure you sit up straight and face the interviewer, always get good eye contact when answering questions. Dont think you have to answer the questions immediately, pause and show that you are thinking about the question.
Tip 8. Your Questions: At some stage the interviewer is going to ask you if you have any questions for them. Now that you know that this question is going to be asked and you have hopefully carried out some research on the salon you must put some thought to this and write down a minimum of three sensible questions to ask.
Tip 9: Your current abilities. Your interviewer may ask you one or all of the following questions:
* What are your greatest personal strengths?
* What are greatest strengths as a Hairdresser, barber? etc...
* What values or qualities do you think that you can bring to our salon?
* What is your greatest weakness?
* Where do you want to be in the future?
You need now to think about the answers to these questions and write down the answers. You should not refer to your notes during the interview but by think about these questions now and writing them down you will give a much better account of your self when the questions are asked during the salon interview.
Tip 10: Remember they want to give you the job, they want you to have a good interview. They might be nervous just like you!
Good luck and let me know how you go on.
Everyone has there different ways of
connecting and trying to get their best out of their students. There is no right
or wrong way, its a personal thing and there are some steep learning curves
along the way.
