Overqualified finding it difficult to get a job should I open my own salon?

[Blue Eyes]

Ok i have been a fully qualified beauty therapist for almost 10 years now, recently the salon i worked at closed down due to end of property lease, and the chain decided to close the salon down.
I have been looking for work since then and i seem to do really well on the interviews, and they are very impressed by my treatments but they always come back with something along these lines.
I think that you have everything i am looking for but with the qualifications you have you are more suited to work somewhere like Bannantynes.
I have NVQ level 2 and 3, Diploma in Reflexology, Sports nutrition, Sport Injury massage, and many more courses that i have done in the 9 years that i have worked.
My question is do i setup a salon offering beauty, and sports injury and if i does anybody have good advise on it.
I mean i have had 4 -5 interviews and nearly all have come back with the same.
in 9 years of work i have never had a sick day or anything.
Need to do something again

 

[kylieb]

Can you just not tell them about the qualifications they are not interested in or do not offer? xxx

 

[Blue Eyes]

Yes i suppose i could but then what was the point of me furthering my career by doing college for these titles.
Also i would expect any potential owner to see that i am able to offer services above what they currently do.
Example reflexology I used to offer this in our old salon and would take 150-250 a week in treatments.
I think if you wanted to add these to what they do it will bring in extra revenue.

 

[kylieb]

I think some salons are set in their ways hey. Silly really!
It sounds like you would earn more money on your own! If you have the funds then open your own shop! Why not. You have the qualifications. Shame for them to go to waste xxx

 

[Joanna W]

Is there any way you can get in contact with the clients you had and go freelance ?

 

[tog]

Perhaps when you go to the interviews and they realise how well qualified you are, they panic because they can't afford to pay you what you're worth? there are loads of girls coming out of the colleges nowadays, beauty therapists are two a penny, and these employers know that they can pay someone with less experience and fewer qualifications less money.
I am sure there must be better paid jobs out there, perhaps you're not setting your sights high enough?
Good luck if you do decide to go it alone though, you'll be able to offer loads of different treatments which will give you an edge on the competition.

 

[EMMA AT ELITE]

How disheartning for you :irked:
Well done you though for gaining all those extra qualifications.
Have you thought about renting a room in a sunbed shop or hairdressers first?
x:hug:x

 

[persianista]

I agree with Tog.I would assume you would ask for top money. If I wasn't confident about filling your column I would possibly shy away and go for someone cheaper.
During these interviews did they talk about pay?
Something I often find during interviews with very well qualified people is that they can come across as if they are doing the salon a favour by deigning to work there.
I KNOW that jobs are few and far between at the moment, and that people are competing for jobs, so that attitude is a turn off. I'm not saying that you have that approach.
However the sports massage etc is YOUR agenda, not the salon's that are interviewing you. If the salon is primarily skincare or waxing, it could be a turn off.
Salons don't always want to change or expand their menu.

 

[bombini]

Have you thought about contacting the salons for any further feedback ?

I agree it could be to do with the pay or over qualified.

Strange really as whenever beauty jobs in my area come up they nearly always want therapists to have several years experience, its always been quite hard for newly qualified therapists to get salon jobs here.

Perhaps you could look for some senior therapist/management roles in any spas or salons near you ?

 

[Blue Eyes]

Well i never discuss wages around here any therapist job is minimum wage so don't expect much more.
They say what they are paying and i don't discuss any further.

 

[Sassy32]

What about renting a space in a salon? That way you earn your own money without a big layout for setting up your own salon.

 

[Susie H]

In your shoes I would talk to Fitness First. They have an unusual approach to renting out their beauty rooms, you are self employed but, they give you all the business support etc and they like you to be a team player, with your sports courses to back up your beauty know how and 10 years experience I'd bet you'd suit them and they you down to the ground and you wouldn't be on minimum wage either, it would be your business. If you have a look at leisurejobs.org you'll see beauty jobs listed on there and Fitness First are advertiseing for beauty and or nail tech up and down the country. My daughter is in the middle of her personal fitness trainer course and has been talking to them, they seem to offer a lot more then other gyms.

 

[millytint]

I am having a similar problem, i have about the same amount of experience as you and i have been offered a managerial role in a new salon to be opening soon. However when i have done work for them in the past they have only paid me £6 an hour.... so i think thats what they are going to be paying me when i start this new job....

What do you think somene of our experience and qualifications should be getting? i really dont have a clue but would have thought it should be more than 20p more than minimum wage...........

 

[lublu]

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[boobious]

You can come and work for me! or rent a room for your holistic skills Is Darlington near Manchester? I am looking for someone who can offer the kind of treatments you offer.

 

[dandelionpoppy]

You're getting the interviews - excellent!
It may be that you just need to research the salons more and get a real handle on what they are after. Then, while touching on your range and depth of qualifications, put extra emphasis on how good you would for their salon because of your talent in xyz etc
There's been some discussion on taking jobs without really knowing what to expect salary-wise. I would expect that question to be asked, perhaps along with questions which show you to be a keen team-player. This would also give you the chance to say that the salary would be acceptable to you. Good luck!

 

[N2D4]

I have had the same problem in the past, they may fear you will take their clients or the current staff may not have the same quality of workmanship. You will find your niche but it takes time. I would go with what someone suggested earlier and contact the old clients. If this is not possible advertise locally. Go mobile or rent.

 

[Mike16300]

Have you tried Bannatynes?

 

[Sarah-Jean]

Oh I wish you lived closer to me - I'd hire you in a second! All I seem to get interview wise is dross these days. I don't want dross, I want highly experienced, fully qualified, motivated staff!!!!

 

[Abby]

Ok i have been a fully qualified beauty therapist for almost 10 years now, recently the salon i worked at closed down due to end of property lease, and the chain decided to close the salon down.
I have been looking for work since then and i seem to do really well on the interviews, and they are very impressed by my treatments but they always come back with something along these lines.
I think that you have everything i am looking for but with the qualifications you have you are more suited to work somewhere like Bannantynes.
I have NVQ level 2 and 3, Diploma in Reflexology, Sports nutrition, Sport Injury massage, and many more courses that i have done in the 9 years that i have worked.
My question is do i setup a salon offering beauty, and sports injury and if i does anybody have good advise on it.
I mean i have had 4 -5 interviews and nearly all have come back with the same.
in 9 years of work i have never had a sick day or anything.
Need to do something again

-
Same thing happened to me being a Beauty Therapist for the last 30 years and having a book of certifications though impressive, I ended up starting up renting a spot to work. If you end up doing that take the HABIA legal course they offer your going to need it.