Monday, 22 December 2014 15:49

What’s your recipe when hiring an employee?

Written by   Terri Wojak, L.E.

The aesthetics industry continues to grow and with that, so does the number of licensed skin care professionals. I have been in the aesthetic industry for 20 years and have trained aestheticians to work in a medical office for nine years. As a frequent speaker at seminars and aesthetic schools, the first question I am most often asked is how to get a job. To put it simply, a career is what one makes of it! Of course, this includes qualities that will help to set some apart from others. The acronym hired can be used to remember the recipe to be a good candidate: helpful, innovative, reliable, educated, and driven.

Helpful – Ultimately, the job of an aesthetic professional is to help clients feel better about themselves. Regardless of the amount of education or years of experience in the industry, it would be nearly impossible to obtain and keep a position as an aesthetician without this quality. Being helpful does not just end with clients; in a successful practice, everyone works together to achieve success.
Innovative – There are several things that could go wrong in a busy aesthetic center, from providers or clients running late to unexpected appointment changes. Employees must be innovative and think fast on their feet to come up with a solution to resolve situations. During the interview process, it is beneficial to give a few scenarios that may occur and see how the candidate would respond.
Reliable – Reliability is an essential trait for all employees, but it is even more important in a medical setting. Besides showing up to work on time, strict regulations must be followed. The practice must be able to trust that each staff member follows all medical guidelines including OSHA and HIPAA regulations. These include always doing what is best for the client – proper sanitation, proper documentation, and client privacy policies.
Education – Education is something that should be continued on a regular basis to grow in any career, especially in the ever-evolving field of aesthetics. Candidates who are open to continued learning are more likely to be considered for a position over those who look at it as just another job. A resume showing advanced training, participation in aesthetics associations, and knowledge on several procedures shows dedication to your career.
Determination – This is the most important personality trait an aesthetician can have. When an applicant is enthusiastic at the interview, it shows determination. Success does not end with hiring and potential employees must be aware of this. A 30-day trial with set goals is often put in place to ensure the hired aesthetician is the right fit.
Developing a career is much more important than just attaining a job. I feel that any aesthetician can succeed with the simple hired recipe and remember – gaining a position is only the first step. Continued perseverance always pays off.


HeasdshotTerri Wojak has been an aesthetician for over 16 years. As the aesthetics director, business manager, and lead educator of True U Esthetics, Wojak lectures at multiple aesthetic conferences each year and is frequently published in industry magazines. She has trained over 1,000 aestheticians and medical professionals in the art of advanced skin care with a specialization in techniques used in a cosmetic medical setting. Beyond the techniques and treatments, Wojak makes sure students are trained to succeed in whatever setting they choose, with extensive experience and knowledge in business development and marketing.

Want to read more?

Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.

Login to post comments

What's Your Recipe

body { overflow-y: auto; } html, body { min-width: unset; }