OK, you've done all the hard work like kicking your CV/Resume into shape and guess what it worked! The letter has dropped through your mailbox inviting you for a job interview and now you're feeling nervous about how you are going to perform.
First of all you have to congratulate yourself! Yes, you've made it to the job interview... a small miracle when you're over 50 and all the young college students and hundreds of university graduates are pouring into the job market.
You should be feeling proud of yourself that you have been successful and invited for a job interview at over 50, but there's still a few things worrying you. For example, what you should wear, what type of questions will they ask you, how can you convince them you are the perfect candidate for the job?
OK, at this point it's best to put your mind at rest, you're not the only one who is having those pre-interview nerves! But follow these simple instructions on your big day and you should feel a lot more confident:
1. It goes without saying you have to be punctual, do a demo run at the same time you are expected to arrive for your interview so you can judge the traffic.
2. First impressions DO count (not matter what anyone else tells you!) so make sure you have a smile on your face and look happy to be there.
3. Dress accordingly. This may mean hanging out near the entrance of the place you want to work around lunchtime and taking a sneak peek at what the staff are wearing. Do they seem very formal like the legal and finance professions with dark suits? Or are they more casual like the media or creative arts sectors? Whatever they are wearing you need to make sure you fit in... but remember, you have to get the job first so dress up for your big day, not down.
4. Make eye contact, but don't get into a staring match. They want to give you a job remember, they are on your side.
5. Listen very carefully to the interviewers questions. Most of them will be geared towards them discovering:
- Can you DO this job?
- How WELL can you do the job?
- Will you FIT IN here?
6. When you reply make sure you are telling a story with a beginning, middle and an end. For example, use the STAR format which mean you follow a tested format for giving an example:
S = Situation (where did this example happen?)
T = Task (what were you doing?)
A = Actions (what actions did you take?)
R = Result (what happened in the end?)
7. At the end of the session make sure you thank the interviewers and mention again how keen you are to work for their company.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012
Medical Coding Careers for College Graduates
As part of the health information sector of the medical industry, medical coders apply codes to the computerized records of patients. Each diagnosis, medical procedure or other service rendered by heath care professionals has a specially designed code required by private or public insurance companies for determining payment. Medical coders learn the protocol for assigning thousands of different system codes used by private medical practices or large public hospitals. Medical industries use different types of procedural codes depending on the size of the facility.
Your Education Background
Students desiring a career in medical coding usually acquire at least an associate's degree from a community college or university. Required classes include anatomy, physiology and medical terminology, along with computer database management. Other necessary courses include pharmacology, healthcare ethics and law along with insurance compliance, abuse and fraud. During their education, students learnCurrent Procedure Technology
codes, the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System and ICD-9 codes. Improving employment options or for obtaining supervisory positions requires that students pursue a bachelor's or master's degree.
Experienced medical coders obtain additional credentials by taking the Certified Coding Specialist
certification exam. Coders taking this exam typically have experience working with records from various areas within a hospital including emergency services, general admissions and surgical suites. Physician-based is another type of accreditation that medical coders can pursue if they are seeking employment in clinics, physician's offices or similar medical facilities.
Becoming a Registered Coding Technician
Medical coders who are ambitious to broaden their responsibilities eventually become registered health information technicians. A registered health information technician, or RHIT, generally acquires a bachelor's degree and has experience working in a hospital setting. This position offers the opportunity for advancement into managerial levels. RHIT take responsibility for ensuring that computer systems contain accurate and complete medical records. The technicians also code disease processes and medical procedures for payment reimbursement.
Medical Codes that Employers Need You to Know
The American Medical Association developed the Current Procedure Terminology or CPT codes, which consist of five digit numerical codes applied to procedures performed in a physician's office. The AMA also developed the alpha-numeric codes known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System or the HCPCS. Medical coders use this system for medical products, services and supplies provided beyond typical outpatient procedures and not covered by CPT codes. Both coding categories regularly receive updates throughout the year.
During the late 1970s, the World Health Organization, commonly referred to as the WHO, developed a coding system known as ICD-9 codes. Many countries consider the ICD-9 system obsolete and use the updated ICD-10 version. Used internationally, ICD codes serve as the standard for health management systems and the WHO rely on the system for statistics relating to general public diseases and health problems.
Your Responsibilities in Medical Coding
Coders generally hold full time positions and work around 40 hours per week during the day if employed by clinics, nursing homes, physician's offices or outpatient medical centers. When employed by hospitals or facilities open 24 hours per day, coders may work shifts occurring during the day, afternoon or night. In hospitals or specialty clinics, medical coders might specialize in specific areas that include cardiology, emergency medicine or hematology.
Besides conventional medical facilities, coders might find employment at consulting firms, home healthcare facilities, insurance companies or law firms. Some medical coders acquire advanced degrees, take business courses and establish private businesses from a home office working for a number of companies. Starting salaries for medical coders average around $38,000 annually. However, salary largely depends on location, education and experience of the coder along with required responsibilities.
Your Education Background
Students desiring a career in medical coding usually acquire at least an associate's degree from a community college or university. Required classes include anatomy, physiology and medical terminology, along with computer database management. Other necessary courses include pharmacology, healthcare ethics and law along with insurance compliance, abuse and fraud. During their education, students learnCurrent Procedure Technology
codes, the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System and ICD-9 codes. Improving employment options or for obtaining supervisory positions requires that students pursue a bachelor's or master's degree.
Experienced medical coders obtain additional credentials by taking the Certified Coding Specialist
certification exam. Coders taking this exam typically have experience working with records from various areas within a hospital including emergency services, general admissions and surgical suites. Physician-based is another type of accreditation that medical coders can pursue if they are seeking employment in clinics, physician's offices or similar medical facilities.
Becoming a Registered Coding Technician
Medical coders who are ambitious to broaden their responsibilities eventually become registered health information technicians. A registered health information technician, or RHIT, generally acquires a bachelor's degree and has experience working in a hospital setting. This position offers the opportunity for advancement into managerial levels. RHIT take responsibility for ensuring that computer systems contain accurate and complete medical records. The technicians also code disease processes and medical procedures for payment reimbursement.
Medical Codes that Employers Need You to Know
The American Medical Association developed the Current Procedure Terminology or CPT codes, which consist of five digit numerical codes applied to procedures performed in a physician's office. The AMA also developed the alpha-numeric codes known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System or the HCPCS. Medical coders use this system for medical products, services and supplies provided beyond typical outpatient procedures and not covered by CPT codes. Both coding categories regularly receive updates throughout the year.
During the late 1970s, the World Health Organization, commonly referred to as the WHO, developed a coding system known as ICD-9 codes. Many countries consider the ICD-9 system obsolete and use the updated ICD-10 version. Used internationally, ICD codes serve as the standard for health management systems and the WHO rely on the system for statistics relating to general public diseases and health problems.
Your Responsibilities in Medical Coding
Coders generally hold full time positions and work around 40 hours per week during the day if employed by clinics, nursing homes, physician's offices or outpatient medical centers. When employed by hospitals or facilities open 24 hours per day, coders may work shifts occurring during the day, afternoon or night. In hospitals or specialty clinics, medical coders might specialize in specific areas that include cardiology, emergency medicine or hematology.
Besides conventional medical facilities, coders might find employment at consulting firms, home healthcare facilities, insurance companies or law firms. Some medical coders acquire advanced degrees, take business courses and establish private businesses from a home office working for a number of companies. Starting salaries for medical coders average around $38,000 annually. However, salary largely depends on location, education and experience of the coder along with required responsibilities.
Over 50s - 4 Essentials To Include on Your CV/Resume
It's really hard to have worked all your life then at the age of 50 plus you find yourself suddenly being laid off or facing redundancy. Just the thought of having to write a CV /Resume when you are over 50 can often bring you out in a cold sweat.
But let me reassure you, it's not as difficult as it might seem, as long as you follow these four simple rules. Remember, you are the expert on you! Yes, that's right there's no-one knows you better than you. But, you may find it hard to be objective, especially when you are in panic mode, so it's a good idea to sit down quietly and be objective about all you have to offer a future employer in the way of your experience, skills and knowledge.
Here's a few essentials you absolutely must include on your CV/Resume to stand a chance of getting to the front of the ideal candidate pile. Remember, most busy hiring professionals only glance at your application for a few seconds initially, so you have to make sure you have the essential information right in front of them to stand a good chance of being invited for the job interview.
Creating a CV/Resume from Scratch
The four essentials you need to include are:
1. Your contact detail
Many people forget to add the all important contact details such as, your name, your telephone numbers both home and mobile, your email address (make sure it is one you check often!).
2. List all your relevant key skills for that job role
Your prospective employer is searching for someone who can do the job with the least amount of effort or training. So you need to ensure you are including the relevant skills for that job. You'll often find these skills listed in the actual job advertisement. For example, if you are applying for a job as a health care worker you should be including skills like effective communication, attention to detail, ability to work with little supervision.
3. Your work experience
One of the strengths you have being over 50 is your past experience. Think about it, all the college students and graduates have very little in the way of real work experience to show prospective employers, so this is where you need to shine. List your factual employment history showing dates and job titles.
4. Your education and qualifications
If you're over 50 you really don't need to go way back to your school days, employers are more interested in what you can do for them today, rather than what you studied thirty years ago. Include your highest qualification first, or the one which is most relevant to the position you are applying for.
But let me reassure you, it's not as difficult as it might seem, as long as you follow these four simple rules. Remember, you are the expert on you! Yes, that's right there's no-one knows you better than you. But, you may find it hard to be objective, especially when you are in panic mode, so it's a good idea to sit down quietly and be objective about all you have to offer a future employer in the way of your experience, skills and knowledge.
Here's a few essentials you absolutely must include on your CV/Resume to stand a chance of getting to the front of the ideal candidate pile. Remember, most busy hiring professionals only glance at your application for a few seconds initially, so you have to make sure you have the essential information right in front of them to stand a good chance of being invited for the job interview.
Creating a CV/Resume from Scratch
The four essentials you need to include are:
1. Your contact detail
Many people forget to add the all important contact details such as, your name, your telephone numbers both home and mobile, your email address (make sure it is one you check often!).
2. List all your relevant key skills for that job role
Your prospective employer is searching for someone who can do the job with the least amount of effort or training. So you need to ensure you are including the relevant skills for that job. You'll often find these skills listed in the actual job advertisement. For example, if you are applying for a job as a health care worker you should be including skills like effective communication, attention to detail, ability to work with little supervision.
3. Your work experience
One of the strengths you have being over 50 is your past experience. Think about it, all the college students and graduates have very little in the way of real work experience to show prospective employers, so this is where you need to shine. List your factual employment history showing dates and job titles.
4. Your education and qualifications
If you're over 50 you really don't need to go way back to your school days, employers are more interested in what you can do for them today, rather than what you studied thirty years ago. Include your highest qualification first, or the one which is most relevant to the position you are applying for.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Over 50s - 7 Steps To Plan Your Career Change
I was browsing through some old newspapers recently and came across an interesting article in one of our national UK newspapers discussing how many people over 50 feel they are in the prime of their lives.
In fact, one in five workers, who are less than a decade away from retirement age, are seriously contemplating a career change to fulfil a lifetime job ambition.
Could this be you?
More than a quarter said they want more job satisfaction in their next career, and that means doing something "more worthwhile".
Believe it or not the majority - 61 per cent - wanted the chance to acquire new skills like construction, education and the creative arts were the most sought-after job areas followed by sport, leisure and the media.
Could this be your opportunity to finally follow the path of your dreams? It may sound really far-fetched to change your career at this late stage in your life, but all you need to do is follow this easy step-by-step approach:
1. You need to find what you're passionate about, what do you love to do?
2. Identify your transferable skills, these are the skills you can take from job to job
3. Take a reality check, let's face it if you are scared of heights you can hardly be a mountain guide, right?
4. Would your present company give you some time off, unpaid leave or a sabbatical so you can go off for a few weeks/months and really research your new career?
5. Are you prepared to make the sacrifices needed to change your career, or perhaps even start from the bottom as a newbie again in your new profession?.
6. Never, ever focus on your age - it's you as a person people see, not the year you were born
7. As Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure... or nothing at all!" don't let the rest of your life be about nothing at all.
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Pharma Rep Bootcamp? Pharmaceutical Courses for Sales People
If you know that you want to work in sales, but aren't sure in which industry, you may want to consider enrolling in pharmaceutical courses for salespeople. Pharmaceutical sales is an attractive career path because it offers the possibility of a good steady income, and because it is a growing industry. If you can picture yourself selling to professionals in such fields as health care and clinical research, training can give you the edge you need.
Beginner's pharmaceutical courses can take many forms. They may give you a sense of what the industry is like in your area as you cater to customers in the medical field. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, each city has its own profile.
In beginner's pharmaceutical courses, you can expect to learn:
how to transmit product information to the graduates of medical programs and clinical research training who make up your customer basehow to promote pharmaceutical productshow to keep your customers satisfied
Once you have grasped these basic concepts, you can move on to more challenging material, including learning how to profile professionals with medical and clinical research training.
Instead of developing a selling approach for each customer, you will develop a strategy for each category of customer, depending on their medical or clinical research training background. Understanding where your customers are coming from is an important aspect of sales, and one that pharmaceutical courses for salespeople can help you perfect.
Some motivated salespeople may even pursue clinical research training themselves, to better speak the language of their target market.
What happens after you finish your pharmaceutical courses?
You will still have to keep abreast of industry trends after launching your career. You will need to understand emerging products, and the changing face of health problems.
As you progress in your career as a pharma sales rep, you may occasionally seek additional training to improve your skills. There are courses for salespeople that concentrate on specific selling situations, for example, selling at medical conferences or other events attracting graduates of medical or clinical research training programs.
Another kind of professional development course teaches how to sell to hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes and other kinds of healthcare institutions. These kind of pharmaceutical courses can help salespeople better understand the ups and downs of this unique kind of selling situation.
Who teaches these kinds of pharmaceutical courses?
The people who teach these kinds of courses may have clinical research training and/or significant sales experience.
Intrigued?
If you like the sound of working as a rep for a pharmaceutical company, then look in your area for sales-oriented pharmaceutical or clinical research training in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or anywhere that you are! Most urban centres should offer courses in this exciting discipline.
Beginner's pharmaceutical courses can take many forms. They may give you a sense of what the industry is like in your area as you cater to customers in the medical field. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, each city has its own profile.
In beginner's pharmaceutical courses, you can expect to learn:
how to transmit product information to the graduates of medical programs and clinical research training who make up your customer basehow to promote pharmaceutical productshow to keep your customers satisfied
Once you have grasped these basic concepts, you can move on to more challenging material, including learning how to profile professionals with medical and clinical research training.
Instead of developing a selling approach for each customer, you will develop a strategy for each category of customer, depending on their medical or clinical research training background. Understanding where your customers are coming from is an important aspect of sales, and one that pharmaceutical courses for salespeople can help you perfect.
Some motivated salespeople may even pursue clinical research training themselves, to better speak the language of their target market.
What happens after you finish your pharmaceutical courses?
You will still have to keep abreast of industry trends after launching your career. You will need to understand emerging products, and the changing face of health problems.
As you progress in your career as a pharma sales rep, you may occasionally seek additional training to improve your skills. There are courses for salespeople that concentrate on specific selling situations, for example, selling at medical conferences or other events attracting graduates of medical or clinical research training programs.
Another kind of professional development course teaches how to sell to hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes and other kinds of healthcare institutions. These kind of pharmaceutical courses can help salespeople better understand the ups and downs of this unique kind of selling situation.
Who teaches these kinds of pharmaceutical courses?
The people who teach these kinds of courses may have clinical research training and/or significant sales experience.
Intrigued?
If you like the sound of working as a rep for a pharmaceutical company, then look in your area for sales-oriented pharmaceutical or clinical research training in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or anywhere that you are! Most urban centres should offer courses in this exciting discipline.
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
PMP Practice Questions Help You to Pass the Real PMP Exam
Unlike the way it was previously, there are presently numerous resources available on the Internet to be utilized by students to help them prepare for PMP exams. The PMP exam can be a challenging task though this cannot be compared to the benefits of passing this exam. Getting PMP certified puts you on high demand almost instantly especially in the world of project management.
It is therefore a rewarding experience to go through the PMP study effectively and pass the exam. The main reason for PMP fail is ignorance of the need to undertake adequate PMP preparation. A good number of students are not informed on the latest resources accessible on the internet especially the PMP practice exams. This is why they continue to utilize certain archaic approaches and resources that do not add any value as regards to carrying out substantive PMP study and preparation.
There is now an opportunity for you to get closer to the actual PMP after you make use of the PMP practice exams. These PMP practice exams provide you with a real feel of the actual exam. The questions are structured in a similar format to the main exam and thus enable you to get the real feel of the PMP exam before coming to it. Each one of the PMP practice exams contains an exact number of questions, just like in the real examination. The test exams are timed. Nevertheless, the PMP practice tests make use of several dummy questions.
The main aim of the PMP practice exams is to assist you establish how well prepared you are set for the PMP final examinations. Timing also enables you to measure your own speed during the answering of the questions. Subsequently, this will help you to work at improving your areas of weakness. Therefore, by attempting the PMP practice exams, you are increasing the probability of succeeding in the PMP actual exam.
After sitting for the PMP mock exams, you will receive a well detailed result analysis. It is from this detailed analysis of the results that you will be able to realize your key areas of weakness before you decide to focus on those areas in your PMP preparation interests. The place of getting ready in anticipation for excellence is extremely essential. You just need to put in additional efforts.
Additional resources are in the form of practice questions that are freely available to students online. In case there are things you do not understand properly, how about teaming up with fellow students and tackling the questions together? Numerous students have benefited immensely from group work. Many students will not get the PMP fail due to anything else except ill preparation.
You should not mind a lot on the cost of PMP practice exams because you can get these exams from a number of websites at discounted rates. These are prepared by experts and professionals who are certified and are willing to help you carry out a meaningful preparation for your PMP exams. You can take the PMP practice exams as often as possible to build your confidence as you approach the final exam.
It is therefore a rewarding experience to go through the PMP study effectively and pass the exam. The main reason for PMP fail is ignorance of the need to undertake adequate PMP preparation. A good number of students are not informed on the latest resources accessible on the internet especially the PMP practice exams. This is why they continue to utilize certain archaic approaches and resources that do not add any value as regards to carrying out substantive PMP study and preparation.
There is now an opportunity for you to get closer to the actual PMP after you make use of the PMP practice exams. These PMP practice exams provide you with a real feel of the actual exam. The questions are structured in a similar format to the main exam and thus enable you to get the real feel of the PMP exam before coming to it. Each one of the PMP practice exams contains an exact number of questions, just like in the real examination. The test exams are timed. Nevertheless, the PMP practice tests make use of several dummy questions.
The main aim of the PMP practice exams is to assist you establish how well prepared you are set for the PMP final examinations. Timing also enables you to measure your own speed during the answering of the questions. Subsequently, this will help you to work at improving your areas of weakness. Therefore, by attempting the PMP practice exams, you are increasing the probability of succeeding in the PMP actual exam.
After sitting for the PMP mock exams, you will receive a well detailed result analysis. It is from this detailed analysis of the results that you will be able to realize your key areas of weakness before you decide to focus on those areas in your PMP preparation interests. The place of getting ready in anticipation for excellence is extremely essential. You just need to put in additional efforts.
Additional resources are in the form of practice questions that are freely available to students online. In case there are things you do not understand properly, how about teaming up with fellow students and tackling the questions together? Numerous students have benefited immensely from group work. Many students will not get the PMP fail due to anything else except ill preparation.
You should not mind a lot on the cost of PMP practice exams because you can get these exams from a number of websites at discounted rates. These are prepared by experts and professionals who are certified and are willing to help you carry out a meaningful preparation for your PMP exams. You can take the PMP practice exams as often as possible to build your confidence as you approach the final exam.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
So You Think You're Entitled to a Job, Do You?
It's amazing how many job seekers do not realize the way the employment system works. They will come in with a resume that shows how smart they are; how well educated; how many years they worked at a particular position or company. Occasionally, one or two may even have had the good sense to include an accomplishment or two on their resumes.
But their resumes, for the most part, are filled with job duties, rather than accomplishments. And as we know, companies don't buy duties, they buy accomplishments.
So I try to explain this simple fact to the job seeker, and invariably s/he will come back with, "Maybe so, but I'm different. When they see what I've done, they'll realize how smart I am, and they just won't be able to resist hiring me."
When I explain to them that the employer doesn't care how smart you are, only what you can do for him/her, most of these people stare at me as if I had lobsters growing out of my ears. "I spent four years at [name the prestigious school]!" they'll tell me. "How could they not want someone like me?"
In my resume practice, I have actually had job seekers come to me in various states of depression because the world didn't have a job waiting for them! These people were convinced that all they had to do was put their names out there and employers would fall all over each other trying to get them.
This, dear readers, is called entitlement, and it is one of the biggest mistakes people make when seeking work. Entitlement is a road that will lead you to the edge of a high cliff with nowhere to go but down.
What you need, if you are laboring under the illusion of entitlement, is a strong dose of reality. And the reality is that no employer in the world exists simply to give you a job. They aren't waiting for a smart person like you to come along and save them. Employers exist to serve their customers and make a profit by doing so, and they will hire the person whom they judge will do the best job at helping them achieve those ends.
Without customers, the company will not exist; without a primary mission of serving those customers, there will be no customers. Thus, by extension, the business you are seeking to work for is you customer; unless you approach the business with the express purpose of serving the needs of that business, you won't have a customer, either.
Check your entitlement at the door, please.
But their resumes, for the most part, are filled with job duties, rather than accomplishments. And as we know, companies don't buy duties, they buy accomplishments.
So I try to explain this simple fact to the job seeker, and invariably s/he will come back with, "Maybe so, but I'm different. When they see what I've done, they'll realize how smart I am, and they just won't be able to resist hiring me."
When I explain to them that the employer doesn't care how smart you are, only what you can do for him/her, most of these people stare at me as if I had lobsters growing out of my ears. "I spent four years at [name the prestigious school]!" they'll tell me. "How could they not want someone like me?"
In my resume practice, I have actually had job seekers come to me in various states of depression because the world didn't have a job waiting for them! These people were convinced that all they had to do was put their names out there and employers would fall all over each other trying to get them.
This, dear readers, is called entitlement, and it is one of the biggest mistakes people make when seeking work. Entitlement is a road that will lead you to the edge of a high cliff with nowhere to go but down.
What you need, if you are laboring under the illusion of entitlement, is a strong dose of reality. And the reality is that no employer in the world exists simply to give you a job. They aren't waiting for a smart person like you to come along and save them. Employers exist to serve their customers and make a profit by doing so, and they will hire the person whom they judge will do the best job at helping them achieve those ends.
Without customers, the company will not exist; without a primary mission of serving those customers, there will be no customers. Thus, by extension, the business you are seeking to work for is you customer; unless you approach the business with the express purpose of serving the needs of that business, you won't have a customer, either.
Check your entitlement at the door, please.
Steps Towards Owning a Hair Salon
According to the United States Labor Bureau of Statistics, a career as a hair stylist offers excellent prospects, as well as being expected to increase substantially over the coming decade. This makes the current time a great time to become a hair stylist.
If you have a passion for hair, feel that you are on top of the latest trends in the industry and dream of becoming a master stylist, or perhaps already have some experience and are considering starting up a salon, read on to find out the necessary steps to fulfill your dream.
Initial Choices
Having completed your basic training and obtained your license, you have several options of advancement. One choice is to continue your studies and obtain an Associate Degree. These courses last around two years and will include classes such as, for instance:
- Skin care
- Manicure/ Pedicure
- Make-up application
- Styling wigs
- Working with hair pieces
- Attaching and maintaining hair extensions
In addition, subjects such as:
- Sanitation and sterilization procedures
- Anatomy/ physiology
- Hair/ scalp properties
- Business law
- Salon management
- Health and Safety regulations
will also be covered. These subjects - especially the latter three - are of particular importance if your aim is to eventually set up your own business.
Alternatively, you may wish to set up an apprenticeship and become an employee at an established salon. Another option is to rent a booth at a salon and gain your working experience while essentially working for yourself. Finally, you may consider starting up a salon. So what are the differences between these options?
Setting up an Apprenticeship
Many well known salons - such as, for example, Carmen!Carmen!, Juut or Van Michael - in major cities and metropolitan areas offer programs providing recent cosmetology graduates an opportunity to learn from master stylists, while being paid a slightly reduced wage.
Duties given to apprentices may include some not quite so exciting tasks, like sweeping up hair or cleaning stations, but as they move up, they will be given the opportunity to work on clients. Hard work and focus on the given tasks will eventually result in promotion to full stylist.
Staying with the salon you worked for as an apprentice for a few years and continuing to learn from the resident head, or top, stylist will help you to gain further knowledge, experience and build up your reputation among clients.
Here, any essential tools of the trade will typically be provided by the salon, as will other supplies and hair care or cosmetic products available for use and/ or sales to clients.
Renting a Booth
Traditionally, booth renting salons offer renters access to a work station, which typically includes a chair and mirror, as well as a tool/ supplies station. Sinks and dryers are usually shared between renters. As you are working for yourself, you will need to provide your own tools and supplies, such as, for instance:
- Shears/ Hot Tools
- Combs/ Brushes
- Clips/ Foils
- Towels
- Hair/ Cosmetic products
- Business Cards
In addition, some salons offer other facilities, like access to washers/ dryers, drinks, break rooms or perhaps use of a credit card machine as an incentive for stylists to rent a booth. What exactly will be available will be included in detail in your rental lease agreement.
It is essential for you to fully understand all the details of this lease, and if you wish to make changes, you need to inform your landlord/ salon owner immediately.
One of the key points to look out for is whether you will have a key to the salon - owners are not required to provide keys to renters, but in this case, standard practice requires the hours of operation to be specified. While tenant/ landlord laws will differ from one state to the next, you should be able to set your own business hours, as long as they fall within the specified hours of operation.
Retail forms a vital part of income and as a booth renter, you will have the right to sell your own professional products without interference from your landlord. As most salons will offer a range of products for clients' and booth renters' convenience, the salon owner may, however, specify the retail lines sold/ used within the salon.
Naturally, in a booth renting environment, the question who gets walk-in clients and who deals with clients following appointments made via telephone may cause issues if it is not dealt with fairly. The majority of salons will have some system or another in place to keep things fair, with a rotation system working particularly well.
Running your own Salon
Planning ahead is the first step to success on your own. You will need to ensure that your reputation has been well established, your portfolio is impressive and you have a fair amount of money ready to back you up, as you will want to hire other, equally top notch stylists to work with/ for you.
In addition, you will need to decide the best location for your salon. A mall or somewhere along the busiest part of the high street is obviously preferable. You may also consider offering other services, such as facials, make-up applications, manicures/ pedicures, tanning services, waxing and so on, as it is often better to branch out, rather than just offering a single service, no matter how good that service may be.
For obvious reasons, you will need to invest in the right equipment and ensure it is kept in perfect condition, clean and tidy at all times. Breaking health and safety rules is never an option, as this could result in your salon being shut down very quickly.
Earning a good Reputation
In order to build up your business, you will have to build your reputation. Arranging photo shoots of your work will provide you with an impressive portfolio, but there are other things you can do to gain an excellent reputation among clients - and subsequently increase your business potential through recommendations. Here are a few pointers on how to make your clients happy enough not only to return, but to also recommend you to others:
Always run on time - It is better to have fewer appointments and keep up with your schedule than to have clients waiting past their appointed time.
Greet clients - Get to know your clients and meet them as they walk into the salon, greet them by name and accompany them to your station.
Complete Consultations - Giving clients a complete, thorough consultation at each appointment and listening carefully to what they have in mind ensures they will be satisfied with the result.
Do not over-promise - It is better to promise less and deliver more than the other way around. If you feel you will not be able to achieve what the client envisions, it is better to tell them so from the start.
Shampoo massage - Giving clients a great shampoo massage usually goes down a real treat and will have them coming back for more.
Focus on details - Little things like wiping that excess color off the client's face, preserving their make-up and so on can make a lot of difference in how your clients feel about your services.
Conversation - As you deal with your client, focus most of the conversation on them, and in particular on their hair.
Teaching clients - Show your clients how to style their hair and achieve the look you have created at home while you are working. Take the time to recommend products and explain how to use them.
Ensure satisfaction - Making sure that your clients are comfortable with you and will feel at ease to tell you in case they are not happy or wish to change something about their style will make sure they ultimately walk out satisfied.
Final touches - When you are finished, walk them back to the front desk and recommend when the next appointment should be made in order to keep their style looking perfect. Be nice to the desk staff to create a positive, friendly environment and, as a special touch, provide new customers with a gift bag of sample products. Give your customers your business cards and ask them for referrals. You may also choose to follow this up with a hand-written note to say thank you.
Keeping informed - In order to keep up with the latest trends and fashions, take out the time to visit hair shows; regularly read the latest fashion publications and find out about the latest resources by getting the right connections to suppliers, leading stylists, etc - joining a site like, for example, Serious Stylist, will enable you to connect with other stylists, find new ideas, learn about the hottest products and more.
Advertising your Services
Getting a website is a good way to get people to know about your services and will give you a good way to show off your portfolio. You will also need to advertise your services among the top tier of your existing client base.
Doing hair for local celebrities, celebrities coming to town for photo shoots or filming sessions and newscasters is also a good way of spreading the word, as these type of individuals are frequently asked who does their hair.
As already mentioned above, asking existing clients to recommend you to their friends, colleagues and family members and providing them with attractive business cards - grubby looking scraps of card have a tendency to end up in the back of drawers, while well designed business cards are usually kept somewhere within sight - will also help to very quickly get your name known among potential clients.
With a lot of dedication, hard work and a little patience, word will eventually get around - ultimately, your work is your best way of advertising what you do, whether you are employed at a salon, rent a booth or run your own salon.
If you have a passion for hair, feel that you are on top of the latest trends in the industry and dream of becoming a master stylist, or perhaps already have some experience and are considering starting up a salon, read on to find out the necessary steps to fulfill your dream.
Initial Choices
Having completed your basic training and obtained your license, you have several options of advancement. One choice is to continue your studies and obtain an Associate Degree. These courses last around two years and will include classes such as, for instance:
- Skin care
- Manicure/ Pedicure
- Make-up application
- Styling wigs
- Working with hair pieces
- Attaching and maintaining hair extensions
In addition, subjects such as:
- Sanitation and sterilization procedures
- Anatomy/ physiology
- Hair/ scalp properties
- Business law
- Salon management
- Health and Safety regulations
will also be covered. These subjects - especially the latter three - are of particular importance if your aim is to eventually set up your own business.
Alternatively, you may wish to set up an apprenticeship and become an employee at an established salon. Another option is to rent a booth at a salon and gain your working experience while essentially working for yourself. Finally, you may consider starting up a salon. So what are the differences between these options?
Setting up an Apprenticeship
Many well known salons - such as, for example, Carmen!Carmen!, Juut or Van Michael - in major cities and metropolitan areas offer programs providing recent cosmetology graduates an opportunity to learn from master stylists, while being paid a slightly reduced wage.
Duties given to apprentices may include some not quite so exciting tasks, like sweeping up hair or cleaning stations, but as they move up, they will be given the opportunity to work on clients. Hard work and focus on the given tasks will eventually result in promotion to full stylist.
Staying with the salon you worked for as an apprentice for a few years and continuing to learn from the resident head, or top, stylist will help you to gain further knowledge, experience and build up your reputation among clients.
Here, any essential tools of the trade will typically be provided by the salon, as will other supplies and hair care or cosmetic products available for use and/ or sales to clients.
Renting a Booth
Traditionally, booth renting salons offer renters access to a work station, which typically includes a chair and mirror, as well as a tool/ supplies station. Sinks and dryers are usually shared between renters. As you are working for yourself, you will need to provide your own tools and supplies, such as, for instance:
- Shears/ Hot Tools
- Combs/ Brushes
- Clips/ Foils
- Towels
- Hair/ Cosmetic products
- Business Cards
In addition, some salons offer other facilities, like access to washers/ dryers, drinks, break rooms or perhaps use of a credit card machine as an incentive for stylists to rent a booth. What exactly will be available will be included in detail in your rental lease agreement.
It is essential for you to fully understand all the details of this lease, and if you wish to make changes, you need to inform your landlord/ salon owner immediately.
One of the key points to look out for is whether you will have a key to the salon - owners are not required to provide keys to renters, but in this case, standard practice requires the hours of operation to be specified. While tenant/ landlord laws will differ from one state to the next, you should be able to set your own business hours, as long as they fall within the specified hours of operation.
Retail forms a vital part of income and as a booth renter, you will have the right to sell your own professional products without interference from your landlord. As most salons will offer a range of products for clients' and booth renters' convenience, the salon owner may, however, specify the retail lines sold/ used within the salon.
Naturally, in a booth renting environment, the question who gets walk-in clients and who deals with clients following appointments made via telephone may cause issues if it is not dealt with fairly. The majority of salons will have some system or another in place to keep things fair, with a rotation system working particularly well.
Running your own Salon
Planning ahead is the first step to success on your own. You will need to ensure that your reputation has been well established, your portfolio is impressive and you have a fair amount of money ready to back you up, as you will want to hire other, equally top notch stylists to work with/ for you.
In addition, you will need to decide the best location for your salon. A mall or somewhere along the busiest part of the high street is obviously preferable. You may also consider offering other services, such as facials, make-up applications, manicures/ pedicures, tanning services, waxing and so on, as it is often better to branch out, rather than just offering a single service, no matter how good that service may be.
For obvious reasons, you will need to invest in the right equipment and ensure it is kept in perfect condition, clean and tidy at all times. Breaking health and safety rules is never an option, as this could result in your salon being shut down very quickly.
Earning a good Reputation
In order to build up your business, you will have to build your reputation. Arranging photo shoots of your work will provide you with an impressive portfolio, but there are other things you can do to gain an excellent reputation among clients - and subsequently increase your business potential through recommendations. Here are a few pointers on how to make your clients happy enough not only to return, but to also recommend you to others:
Always run on time - It is better to have fewer appointments and keep up with your schedule than to have clients waiting past their appointed time.
Greet clients - Get to know your clients and meet them as they walk into the salon, greet them by name and accompany them to your station.
Complete Consultations - Giving clients a complete, thorough consultation at each appointment and listening carefully to what they have in mind ensures they will be satisfied with the result.
Do not over-promise - It is better to promise less and deliver more than the other way around. If you feel you will not be able to achieve what the client envisions, it is better to tell them so from the start.
Shampoo massage - Giving clients a great shampoo massage usually goes down a real treat and will have them coming back for more.
Focus on details - Little things like wiping that excess color off the client's face, preserving their make-up and so on can make a lot of difference in how your clients feel about your services.
Conversation - As you deal with your client, focus most of the conversation on them, and in particular on their hair.
Teaching clients - Show your clients how to style their hair and achieve the look you have created at home while you are working. Take the time to recommend products and explain how to use them.
Ensure satisfaction - Making sure that your clients are comfortable with you and will feel at ease to tell you in case they are not happy or wish to change something about their style will make sure they ultimately walk out satisfied.
Final touches - When you are finished, walk them back to the front desk and recommend when the next appointment should be made in order to keep their style looking perfect. Be nice to the desk staff to create a positive, friendly environment and, as a special touch, provide new customers with a gift bag of sample products. Give your customers your business cards and ask them for referrals. You may also choose to follow this up with a hand-written note to say thank you.
Keeping informed - In order to keep up with the latest trends and fashions, take out the time to visit hair shows; regularly read the latest fashion publications and find out about the latest resources by getting the right connections to suppliers, leading stylists, etc - joining a site like, for example, Serious Stylist, will enable you to connect with other stylists, find new ideas, learn about the hottest products and more.
Advertising your Services
Getting a website is a good way to get people to know about your services and will give you a good way to show off your portfolio. You will also need to advertise your services among the top tier of your existing client base.
Doing hair for local celebrities, celebrities coming to town for photo shoots or filming sessions and newscasters is also a good way of spreading the word, as these type of individuals are frequently asked who does their hair.
As already mentioned above, asking existing clients to recommend you to their friends, colleagues and family members and providing them with attractive business cards - grubby looking scraps of card have a tendency to end up in the back of drawers, while well designed business cards are usually kept somewhere within sight - will also help to very quickly get your name known among potential clients.
With a lot of dedication, hard work and a little patience, word will eventually get around - ultimately, your work is your best way of advertising what you do, whether you are employed at a salon, rent a booth or run your own salon.
The Energy of Money and Well-Being
Money is Energy - Well-Being is Money!
Welcome to a new day. Today I took my sons Joshua and Nickolas to Nocallula Falls, a very beautiful natural attraction in my city. We walked down the walking trail and found a wonderful bench over looking the valley of a mountain range and the mouth of the water fall. As I began to feel the incredible spirit of this amazing landscape where the Cherokee Indians once lived, I felt warm and at peace.
I had struggled with money worries and concerns over not having enough money to pay the bills, all day long. As I sat on the bench a sense of well-being came over me. A cool breeze whisped across my face and I heard the words "You are safe. All is easy". What in the world that meant, was meant only for my spirit to know.
We all long for the perfect state of Zen!
What I realized today, while enjoying the nice energy of the sun with a cool breeze, and the company of my two amazing sons, was that life really is easy, money is simply energy that comes to you as the result of relaxation and balanced well-being. It is me that has the power to transform into a catalyst for the financial change I seek.
The lack of money is the "mindset of scarcity" and something that I am passionate about teaching people how to shift. When we are in a state of belief that there is only lack, need, fear and poverty, the energy of money becomes afraid. When we cannot relax enough to feel the energy of having plenty, we push money further from our lives.
For a moment visualize what you would do if you had a certain amount of money just given to you from out of the blue? What would be the first thing you would do? I would go buy a brand new black Mercedes Benz with leather interior and a Bose stereo with a sun roof. Then I would purchase a nice home with 10 bedrooms sitting on 200 acres of property so all of my family could enjoy being at my home with access to many ways to enjoy themselves.
But did you know that some people would say "I would save it for a rainy day"? This is a scarcity mindset based on the foundation that money will somehow run out. Money will never run out despite the conspiracies that the dollar will die. Even if the dollar does die, if we want to be in possession of things we can enjoy while alive, we much find another method of exchange. We all want more money, but we block it by assuming that it is in low supply.
Poverty strikes millions of people each day. Let's see if we can break the cycle and start to practice activity that leans toward the relaxed belief that all is well in the world, that we are safe, and that we will always be provided for. God promises us his riches in Glory yet we behave as if that isn't true. Let's take control of our own mindset and move toward the mindset of abundance to change an old belief that has plagued humanity as long as humanity as been conscious.
Relax and enjoy your heartbeat as you inhale oxygen. Drink water imagining that it is the grand elixir of life and money. Know that your self worth, allows you to improve your well-being thus increasing your money. Enjoy money as an energy that expands your life.
Welcome to a new day. Today I took my sons Joshua and Nickolas to Nocallula Falls, a very beautiful natural attraction in my city. We walked down the walking trail and found a wonderful bench over looking the valley of a mountain range and the mouth of the water fall. As I began to feel the incredible spirit of this amazing landscape where the Cherokee Indians once lived, I felt warm and at peace.
I had struggled with money worries and concerns over not having enough money to pay the bills, all day long. As I sat on the bench a sense of well-being came over me. A cool breeze whisped across my face and I heard the words "You are safe. All is easy". What in the world that meant, was meant only for my spirit to know.
We all long for the perfect state of Zen!
What I realized today, while enjoying the nice energy of the sun with a cool breeze, and the company of my two amazing sons, was that life really is easy, money is simply energy that comes to you as the result of relaxation and balanced well-being. It is me that has the power to transform into a catalyst for the financial change I seek.
The lack of money is the "mindset of scarcity" and something that I am passionate about teaching people how to shift. When we are in a state of belief that there is only lack, need, fear and poverty, the energy of money becomes afraid. When we cannot relax enough to feel the energy of having plenty, we push money further from our lives.
For a moment visualize what you would do if you had a certain amount of money just given to you from out of the blue? What would be the first thing you would do? I would go buy a brand new black Mercedes Benz with leather interior and a Bose stereo with a sun roof. Then I would purchase a nice home with 10 bedrooms sitting on 200 acres of property so all of my family could enjoy being at my home with access to many ways to enjoy themselves.
But did you know that some people would say "I would save it for a rainy day"? This is a scarcity mindset based on the foundation that money will somehow run out. Money will never run out despite the conspiracies that the dollar will die. Even if the dollar does die, if we want to be in possession of things we can enjoy while alive, we much find another method of exchange. We all want more money, but we block it by assuming that it is in low supply.
Poverty strikes millions of people each day. Let's see if we can break the cycle and start to practice activity that leans toward the relaxed belief that all is well in the world, that we are safe, and that we will always be provided for. God promises us his riches in Glory yet we behave as if that isn't true. Let's take control of our own mindset and move toward the mindset of abundance to change an old belief that has plagued humanity as long as humanity as been conscious.
Relax and enjoy your heartbeat as you inhale oxygen. Drink water imagining that it is the grand elixir of life and money. Know that your self worth, allows you to improve your well-being thus increasing your money. Enjoy money as an energy that expands your life.
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