Career Advice for a Massage Therapist

As a Massage Therapist, you will use your knowledge of anatomy and physiology to provide clients with a range of massage techniques to help improve their physical and mental health.

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How to Become a Massage Therapist

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 become a Massage Therapist

Should you wish to work as a Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist

  • A Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy or equivalent qualification.
  • Registration with a professional body such as the Federation of Holistic Therapists or the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.

Key Responsibilities for a Massage Therapist

  • Assessing clients' needs and creating a treatment plan.
  • Providing clients with therapeutic massages using a range of techniques.
  • Maintaining accurate records of client treatments and progress.
  • Advising clients on self-care and exercises to help improve their condition.
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
  • Continuing professional development to stay up-to-date with new techniques and research.

What to expect as a Massage Therapist

As a Massage Therapist in the UK, you could work in a variety of settings such as spas, clinics, gyms, or even as a self-employed practitioner.

You will be responsible for providing clients with therapeutic massages to help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing.

Recommended Massage Therapist Jobs

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How to get Massage Therapist Jobs

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

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Massage Therapist application. If you have not held a Massage Therapist position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Massage Therapist 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 Massage Therapist experience.

How to get Massage Therapist Experience

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

How to be a Massage Therapist Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Massage Therapist part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Massage Therapist 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. 

Massage Therapist freelance work

If you have impressive Massage Therapist 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.