Beauty Career Advice

The beauty industry is a vast and varied industry, encompassing everything from Hairdressers to Beauticians, through to Cosmetic Counter Assistants and Nail Technicians. Some roles require specific training, whilst others require a passion for the product and an interest in people. The beauty industry in the UK is worth over £17 billion per year and employs many thousands of people.

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How to Work in the Beauty sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Beauty

Should you wish to work in Beauty you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Beauty Job

  • Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Techniques
  • Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Services
  • Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hair and Beauty Services
  • Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Beauty Salon Reception

Key Responsibilities for a Beauty Job

  • Makeovers by applying and advising on make-up
  • Shaping of eyebrows and colour eyelashes
  • Give manicure, pedicure or other nail treatment like extensions and nail art
  • Give facial by cleansing, massaging and toning a client's skin
  • Remove unwanted facial and body hair
  • Give electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape
  • Do non-surgical skin improvement treatments
  • Ultraviolet and spray tanning

What to expect in a Beauty Job

Whatever sector you end up in, in this huge and varied industry, you will need excellent people skills and be able to deal with difficult situations. Good customer service skills are invaluable when you are dealing with large numbers of people - all of whom will have expectations of you and of the service you offer.

A personal interest in beauty products and keeping yourself presentable are also essential to a role in beauty.

Wherever you start, there are a multitude of career paths & opportunities in what is an interesting and wide-ranging industry.

Recommended Beauty Jobs

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How to get Beauty Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Beauty job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Beauty application. If you have not held a Beauty position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Beauty role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Beauty CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Beauty application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Beauty in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Beauty 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Beauty and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Beauty experience.

How to get Beauty Experience

What does it take to be a Beauty? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Beauty jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Beauty through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Beauty Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Beauty part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Beauty or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Beauty freelance work

If you have impressive Beauty qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.