Our resident beauty salon management guru Liz McKeon tell us what the best beauty therapist interview questions are to make sure you attract top staff.

Conducting job interviews can be a daunting prospect for a salon owner – but if your small business is growing, the chances are that you will need to hold job interviews sooner or later.

The secret to finding the best new member for your team starts long before you hold interviews. Choosing a new member of staff has to begin with defining what skills and attributes you need in your salon, so make a list of what you need from the perfect candidate – they must have experience of ‘X, Y and Z’; they must also have ‘A and B’ qualifications.

Then make a list of ‘nice to have’ (things that would be good, but not essential). Use these to write you advertising and job specification for the new position. This will help you attract the right candidates for interviews.

4 Things You Need To Know
  1. Can they do the job?
  2. Will my clients like them?
  3. Will they fit into my team?
  4. Can I manage them?

Question one can be answered very simply. Do a quick trade or practical test to determine the candidates level of skill. The last three questions will require a lot more investigation.

  • Take notes on your first impression of them.
  • Take into account their general appearance, their demeanor and even their handshake.
  • How confident are they when they are speaking and do they keep eye contact?
  • How fast do they respond and how precise are their answers
  • Have they done clear research on your salon before showing up for the interview?
  • Would they be confident sellers and are they able to close the sale?
Areas to focus on in the interview:
  • Why they chose a career in the beauty industry.
  • Their knowledge of the area and also retail products e.g. (Explain your knowledge in skin care and skin care products).
  • How they keep up with the latest trends in the industry
  • How they will greet clients in your salon.
  • How they will ensure that their clients return to your salon.
  • The kinds of machines and equipment that they can operate.
  • When they are available to work.
Top 20 Most Popular Interview Questions

While carrying out recruitment services for salons and spas there are 20 general questions that I ask to identify the attitudes of each candidate.

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
  3. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
  4. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
  5. Why should you get this job as opposed to somebody else?
  6. How do you deal with conflict?
  7. What motivates you?
  8. If you could choose any job anywhere, where would it be?
  9. Why did you leave your last job?
  10. Would you like to make a final statement in relation to this role?
  11. What kind of people do you like to work with?
  12. What kind of people do you find it most difficult to work with?
  13. What is the most difficult part of your current job (or most recent)?
  14. What are some of the things about which you and your manager might occasionally disagree on?
  15. How do you feel you boss rated your work performance and what were some of the things she indicated you could improve on?
  16. In what area do you think you need to develop yourself to be ready for this position?
  17. What are your salary expectations?
  18. What gives you the greatest satisfaction at work?
  19. What will your referees/co-workers tell me about you?
  20. Describe the working conditions you need in order to perform at your best?
Questions NOT to ask

The rule of thumb is, if it has nothing to do with the position you want to fill, don’t ask. Basically, stay away from questions that concern race, religion, age, ethnic background, gender, marital status and national origin. Some questions you might ask are things you consider small talk and aren’t meant to offend – just don’t ask them. Be on your guard even when you are chatting informally.

How to Spot a Great Therapist/Stylist
  • They smile and have a sense of humour.
  • They are naturally friendly.
  • They are always polite.
  • The always follow-up.
  • They wear their uniform with pride and perfection
  • They ask their clients what they want
  • They take the client’s budget into consideration.
  • They offer an opinion and give a recommendation.
  • If they can’t help, they tell the client who can, and most importantly,
  • They ASK for the sale.

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