The Making of an Esthetician

Three more girls have graduated, which now leaves my class second in line to graduate or the second class from the top, however you want to look at it. All the girls who graduate are so excited to be done, and I can’t help but be excited for them, but I’m also so envious!Not only are they done with school, but they’re starting their new careers and will soon take the state exam and get their license.

Every two months, a class graduates and a new group of students start. I look at the new girls who started earlier this month and remember how I was when I first started. I can’t believe it’s been eight months.

Last Saturday, a woman came in and was asking the girl at the desk what a VitaMineral facial does. I happened to be up there for whatever reason, and the student looked at me and asked if I could explain. She hadn’t seen that demo yet and didn’t know anything about this particular facial. I told the woman that it was a great anti-aging facial and good for dryer skin. I was very confident talking about this facial with the client and telling her the benefits of it, and she ended up deciding to have it done.

Afterward, I remembered the first time I was on the desk about 3 or 4 months after I started school, and the same thing happened, only I was the girl at the desk who hadn’t seen this demo yet and didn’t know anything about it. I was the girl who asked a senior student to explain it. Sometimes I feel like I’ve come so far, yet other times I feel I don’t know anything at all about this and I’m so unprepared.

How do I prepare myself for my first job as an esthetician? What exactly will be expected of me, not only as an employee, but also as a recent graduate?

I keep hearing that school only teaches us what we need to know to pass the state exam, and that we’ll get our experience once we start working. What are some other things I’ll learn once I start working? What can I expect?

1. Kat, Spa Owner
   May 28th, 2008 at 11:08 pm

   Before attending school I worked in 3 different Spas while I was in college and learned more about skin care and dealing with clients as a receptionist than I ever did in school. Now I own a skin care studio and always tell new estheticians to listen to expereinced employees talk to clients. You learn so much just by observing a seasoned esthetician. The main thing to remember is you are the professional and that is why the client is going to you so be confident in yourself. Confidence makes all the difference when dealing with clients. You will need to take more classes and read trade magazines. When interviewing ask what the training program is like for new estheticians. Many places have lead estheticians that will train you, but dont rely completly on them because the lead may not want to give away all of their tricks. I have kept in contact with other student I went to school with and we give each other new information when we can. It is also a good idea to get services from different estheticians as learning experince a sort of spa field trip. I hope this is hlepful

2. Sandra
   May 29th, 2008 at 7:45 am

   Hi Kat! I love listening to experienced estheticians talk about skin care. I feel I can learn so much from them. I’m already thinking about advanced education and know that this will be an ongoing thing I will need to continue doing and I do read trade magazines. I’m working on my confidence. There are some things I’m more confident talking about and other things not so much. I like the idea of getting services done from different estheticians. When I get facials done by students at school, I try to pay attention to what they’re doing, but I should go to a few spas and get a facial or waxing done by an experienced esthetician. You’ve been very helpful and once I start interviewing for a job, I’ll remember to ask about a training program for new estheticians. I don’t think I would want to work in a spa that didn’t have that. I know how I am and I learn so much more from watching and being hands on while someone else is there to help me. Thanks so much!

3. Svetlana, Aesthetician, spa co-owner
   May 30th, 2008 at 6:08 am

   Dear Sandra,
   I interviewed an aesthetician yesterday who just got her license. She was as nervous as you are going to be soon, trying to find your first aesthetic job. I asked her questions not to figure out what she learned and missed in school (you always learn something, other whys you wouldn’t be able to pass the test; and you always miss something naturally), but to see what sort of personality she has, how quick her reaction is, how much she is ready to commit for becoming a good professional… Every time I sort people to find a single pearl that will fit in our team, my teeth hurt in prediction of the stress we both need to go through before she begins to understand what she is doing, what’s going on with clients’ skin, what product to use, what method , what treatment suggest and why. This stressful time is pretty frustrating for both: trainer and trainee, but more for her because she does not know where she goes, and I’ve done that many times. She needs to learn very quickly, other whys she would not make money. In a few weeks she’ll start serving real clients for real money and good tips, and she’ll have to rely on herself. I’ll be around to save the situation when something happens, but she wouldn’t know that. I want all of us to bring every challenge for discussion, it became an addiction to us, but new girls are usually afraid to do that: they sometimes try to hide their mistakes like little children to avoid a punishment. Eventually they get used to it and love to analyze along with their pairs problems enjoying the filling of getting stronger experts.
   So, from my point of view managers who hire recent graduates do not look too much for their particular knowledge or skills since after school it’s all pretty equivalent; instead we’re looking for some personal qualities, which seem important to us. On the interviews be as open as possible. During the practical part do your best: show your potential, so the person that is going to train you know your strong and weak sides to work with them. Be patient and committed.
   Good luck!

4. Sandra
   June 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm

   Hi Svetlana: Thanks! That makes me feel a lot better. I’d like to think I have a really good personality and I am a pretty quick learner. I like the idea of actually having someone train me and having someone there I can go to for questions. I learn best that way. I hate making mistakes, but I have learned that if you’re honest and up front about them, you’ll hopefully learn from them. If you hide your mistakes, you’ll never get it. Mistakes are part of the learning process. You sound like you’re a wonderful boss to have - very knowledgeable, caring, and patient. I hope when I start working I’ll be lucky enough to work for someone like you! As always, thank you!!!

5. Monika
   June 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

   Yes, thats true esthetician school only teaches you the bare basics. It’s your responsibility to educate yourself with all the workshops and seminars you can attend. Very important! I have been an esthetician now for 3 years now and worked for a med spa. Thats really the wave of the future is medical. If you have a great intuition, personable personality, and a thirst for knowledge you will do well. Knowing what your talking about will be key with your client and your new employer. It’s hard to find a position at first but you need to be persistent and you WILL find that perfect job. Even if you take a pay cut just for the experience. Also, a lot of places dont want to hire someone out of school. So fib a little but before you do go to some workshops so you sound experienced. Good luck!

6. Sandra
   June 5th, 2008 at 9:29 am

   Monika: I’ve been considering trying to find a job in a med spa and in a dermatologist’s office lately. I think, for one, the pay might be a little bit better. I’m not sure though, but I am prepared to take a pay cut. Quite a few girls I go to school with already work in a spa, mostly as the receptionist, and are planning to make the move to an esthetician at their spa once they graduate, or they had a job lined up once they graduated. I think doing either of those is really smart. Thanks for the advice about going to workshops once I graduate to get the experience. I think that’s a really great idea and it shows I really want to learn. Thanks!

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