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Top Tips for a Successful Trade Test
It’s that time of the year again; a mad panic to find a model for your last assessment whilst trying to remember every aspect of the Endocrine System and which essential oils are contra-indicated during pregnancy?! Yes in a matter of weeks scores of hopeful students will depart from college and embark on the next stage in their journey to becoming a successful Beauty Therapist.
Obviously the main priority is trying to land one of the elusive positions within the local salon or beauty spa. This in itself is no easy task, with many more hopefuls than positions available a lasting positive impression is a must. The competition will be stiff and as an employer myself I love to support the newly qualified beauty or holistic therapist.
BUT I only have a limited number of openings for someone with no experience. You need to impress me, which many of you do until I ask you to come back for a trade test.
BUT I only have a limited number of openings for someone with no experience. You need to impress me, which many of you do until I ask you to come back for a trade test.
With this in mind I thought it the perfect time to give a few pointers in how to ace your trade test, as you will find most employers will ask you to perform one as part of the interview process.
What is a Trade Test and what does it involve?
A trade test is part of the interview process used to ascertain the basic skill level of a potential candidate for beauty therapy. Usually consisting of a selection of treatments such as waxing, massage, file & polish, cleanse/tone/moisturise, it gives the employer a chance to see how the therapist works practically and interacts with a client.
Kelly’s Top Tips
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Firstly just try to relax we know you are going to be nervous and we are not expecting you to be perfect in everything you do. Take your time and just do what you have been trained to do.
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Make sure you look presentable - don't arrive in a uniform that looks like its never seen an iron! Have your hair tied back and subtle make up etc. These things are taught at college for a reason.....its what us employers expect!
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Wash Your Hands – it gets drummed into you at college but you would be surprised at the number of therapists I have interviewed who do not wash their hands before beginning the trade test. That’s an instant no in my books!
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Be Confidant – it doesn’t matter if you get things a bit mixed up or miss out one of the movements in your back massage (please don’t tell me because I won’t know any different!). As long as you have confidence in what you do it will be fine. Employers will train new therapists, they are not looking for perfection just competence.
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Do what you have been taught – it doesn’t matter how things usually happen at the salon, we want to see your skills. Don’t ask “do you usually put a pre wax lotion on first?” or “do you usually do the knee now or after you have waxed both legs?” “Do you usually cover your client back up after the massage?” We just want to see that you are confidant in what you do; I will train you MY way if you get the job.
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Treat your interviewer like a client – try to imagine that you are working on a client and do the treatment accordingly. Ask how your pressure is when you begin the massage, and to really impress dim the lights before you begin! Your interviewer will tell you how long the massage should be, it could just be 10mins in which case don’t rush and try to cram your whole routine into that amount of time. Select the movements which you think you do the best to show off your talent, and always watch your speed it’s easy to go too fast when you are nervous!
- Try to make small talk when painting the nails, the interviewer will want to know you can engage in appropriate conversation with your clients.
Most of all just be yourself; allowances will be made for nerves and we understand this may be the first time you have ever performed a trade test. It’s an important part of the interview process to ensure a good fit for all concerned and the more you experience them the easier it becomes.
Good luck!
Author: Kelly Shaw is Managing Director of Kelly Shaw Consultancy Ltd and k:SPA
Article Category : Business & Marketing
Date Added: 14/06/2010
Added By: Kelly Shaw
Email : kelly@mykspa.co.uk
Website : http://www.mykspa.co.uk
