Even if you love working with hair and makeup, that doesn’t necessarily mean a cosmetology career is right for you. It’s one thing to enjoy creating great looks on your close friends. Working with complete strangers is another story. You need the right temperament to succeed in cosmetology, so ask yourself whether you have the personality traits to ensure that cosmetology is the right field for you.
Successful cosmetologists have good people skills.
Patience is a Virtue
Although most of your clients will be just fine to work with, it’s inevitable that you’ll come across some difficult people. Do you have the patience to deal with disagreeable types, or do you tend to have a short fuse? It’s not acceptable to get angry with a customer unless the person is truly abusive. If you have the ability to just take a deep breath and relax when confronted with a demanding individual, you should do well in cosmetology.
A Fast-Paced Environment
It’s great to take your time working with clients. They deserve your full attention. However, that’s not always possible, especially if you work in a high-volume salon. You are expected to make a client look good within a specified time period, so that there isn’t a long wait period for the next customer. That means you must not only work well, but efficiently.
Staying Current on Trends
Do you stay up to date on trends in hair and makeup? That’s an absolute necessity for a successful cosmetology career. Clients may want the latest look, and you should have the basic knowledge of what that entails and how to create it. Although keeping up with hair, nails and makeup trends doesn’t necessarily count as part of continuing education for licensing purposes, it’s definitely part of the job.
Diplomacy on the Job
Cosmetologists make clients look more attractive and help them feel good about themselves. You’ll need some diplomacy skills when clients insist on a look that you know won’t suit them, but you certainly can’t appear insulting. Do you have a tactful personality, able to make suggestions to improve a client’s appearance or steer them away from a bad choice? A blunt person, who always “tells it like it is” might not be a good fit for a cosmetology career. Of course, there are times when you know what a client desires spells catastrophe, so you need some persuasive ability to protect your customer from their own worst instincts.
Physical Issues
Working as a cosmetologist involves staying on your feet much of the day. Even if you have a passion for the work, consider whether you have any physical issues that preclude standing or walking most of the time. If so, another line of work that involves sitting much of the time is probably a better career choice.
It’s a pleasure to work with most clients.
If you possess the attributes necessary for a successful cosmetology career, it’s time to get started. Check out our courses today!