A little help here!
You just got out of school! WOOHOO! You’re almost there! Time to celebrate and get into the best priciest salon you and your clothes can fit into.
But wait —is that self-doubt I hear coming through?
YES it is! “What if I suck? What if I hate the girls? What if they hate me!”
Stop it! *me slapping you across the face* It’s scary I know but don’t freak! It’s time to put things into perspective. I know you feel like you know everything, and every style you’ve slapped on that Barbie head looks amazeballs! Listen up, you’re swimming with the big sharks now! These girls in your new shop have been playing the game for a while and now it’s time to pay your dues. I’m not saying you don’t know what you’re doing. I’m saying Get ready for the Shop life. It’s NOT like school.
Ok what I just said was scary. Sorry. What I mean to say is – it’s different.
Things you need to keep in mind when you’re a beginner hairdresser starting in a new shop.
1.) You don’t know everything but neither do THEY! Yes, I love that 2nd part. You’d be surprised how often you will see this. It’s comforting to know even the best have to go back and remix a color.
2.) Have broad shoulders because you are gonna screw up. Each and every Hair Salon has a different slave driver and OCD helper. They will boss you around at first just stay clear and out of the way from those girls. You may end up lovig them. Remember they are working and busy so they dont have time to to baby you. Just go with the flow. Best advice don’t move shit around, leave things where you found them, don’t Spring clean the place and move perm rods for the love of Pete!
3.) Know when to leave a shop.
If, when you pull your car into the parking lot of your shop and you just dread it. Quit. If you’re unhappy, odds are you’re making everyone unhappy too.
4.) Keep out of trivial shop chitter chatter.
Gossip is toxic when you talk about other stylists. Don’t fall for it – just walk away. AND don’t you start crazy crap!
5.) Be a reminder to all what professional should look like.
You fresh out of school peeps hold better standards than most of the long working salons I’ve seen. You may just be their saving grace. Keep those school rules when everyone else has dropped them.
6.) Don’t get defensive when someone points out a new technique.
Shut up and learn. Vice Versa, you stylists.
7.) Be in a shop where they encourage growth and make more than just promises to move you up.
8.) Make friends with as many stylists as you can.
It’s a good feeling when I hear other people speak very highly of me from another salon. Also an amazing feeling when another stylist calls me for advice. I’m honored.
Be that. Do that.
9.) Remember! You got hired because they WANT you there.
Don’t assume the workers don’t like you after only day 1. Give it time. They are busy, they’ll learn to trust you soon enough.
10.) Know the new products you’re working with forward and backwards.
If you’ve never worked with Goldwell…ask!
The first day in any new shop is daunting, it’s supposed to be! You have a chair! Watch, Listen, and try and offer help when you can. What you can expect is this.
If you are an assistant, be prepared to be told what to do all day long. Sorry it’s unavoidable. You’re new and you’re in a new setting, we keep our towels here or there, Barbicide gets changed at this time or that time. Only approach hairdresser Betty with a cookie and stay to the left of her, Oh! And don’t mention the word, ‘green’ it causes her to have a tick in her left eye for hours. One more thing, if you didn’t know you look like shit in blue we discussed it and you do- so, never wear it again- wear black always
Welcome to your new world.
Sound stressful? It is at first but like I just said they hired you for a reason just give it time, they had to have seen something in you that made them feel like you’d be a perfect match with the team. Girls/ guys are in and out of the shop all day, and it’ll take time to get to know them individually. It’s a job, accept this fact and when you find out who’s who and what’s what, it’ll get easier. It’s about finding your own space and feeling comfortable in it that counts. Worst case scenario- Everyone from the stylist to the owner are rude to you. Talk to you as if you are beneath them and cause a scene when you mix something up. My advice, if you have brought it to the attention of higher ups that you feel less than welcome and nothing has been done. LEAVE.
You have more power than you know.
You have just learned something invaluable, Common Courtesy it’s something everyone should give in this business. I am here to tell you to expect it and give it.
Be prepared to feel lost, mixed up, and not one of the team for a while, but if it goes on for longer than a month or two- move along and find a new place for yourself. You got into this business because you loved it – don’t let someone who is a bitch ruin it for you – just move along. What you should expect is this. A fun, clean workable environment you can grow in as professional without the interruption of rude, ill managed untalented grogs. Yes I said Grogs.
SO —expect it to be hard, fast paced, and emotionally draining. This is the industry, you’ll do great!
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