“John, I’ve had no luck finding decent employees for an open position. Where can I find qualified service professionals to hire for my business?”
As a salon or spa owner, finding new talent can be difficult, as your service providers exist within a niche profession that requires, among many things, a deep skillset, focused mindset, and emotional intelligence. As a business owner, your success is based on having a strong team, and finding the perfect fit for your business model can be a challenge – especially when there will always be competition for qualified personnel.
Here at Millennium, we were surprised to learn after one of our recent surveys, that a majority of salon/spa owners find talent using online job boards such as Craigslist. While this may be the easiest route for a large amount of interest, it will not provide you with a pool of quality candidates. There are a few ways you can find high-quality employees for your salon or spa without ever having to advertise through job boards:
Creating a mutually beneficial relationship with cosmetology and massage schools in your area will provide you with a constant flow of fresh faces and ambitious up-and-comers. Visiting in-person will give you the chance to form relationships and preview the students' work. Keep an eye on the graduating students who stand out, and be sure to make a connection if you think they may be a good fit for your team. You could also consider volunteering or teaching a few classes at the school, if possible. This allows students and instructors to become familiar with you, your business values, and your management style.
A service provider who comes highly recommended from a credible reference is more likely to become a successful part of your team than a hire without any connections. Forming and maintaining relationships with other industry professionals can help you create a network of support, and letting your contacts know through word-of-mouth that you are looking to hire may help you find the best fit for your business. Your industry connections may know someone moving to the area who is looking for work, or you may meet a local professional who is looking for a change – you never know!
Your website and social media accounts are also a great way to reach potential employees. Facebook and Instagram posts can be a fun way to attract new team members by advertising the open position and what kind of salon or spa professional you are looking to hire. Your posts have the potential to reach a wide audience who can instantly become familiar with your business.
For a business owner in the service industry, finding new employees for your salon or spa is never easy. While it takes a great deal of effort, it is worth it in order to find a well-qualified service professional that will help you increase your bottom line. Making relationships with up-and-coming students, industry professionals, and those connected to you on social media will open the door to new opportunities to meet quality individuals. I hope this helps you think outside of the box in order to find the best candidate for your open position.
John Harms
Millennium Systems Internationa, Founder and CEO
About: John Harms, Founder & CEO of Millennium Systems International, creator of Millennium Software, has been designing industry leading salon scheduling software and educating the beauty & wellness industry since 1987. Today Millennium is utilized in thousands of businesses in over 38 countries and operating with approximately 150+ employees worldwide. Millennium currently runs its corporate headquarters out of New Jersey and its international office is based in the U.K.