9 Steps for Attracting More Qualified Job Applicants for Your Salon and Spa

March 5, 2019

If You’re in the Beauty and Wellness Business, You Are the Best Part of Someone’s Day!

Luckily, this rewarding industry continues to experience strong and steady growth.

We at Spa Solutions see this growth firsthand as more and more businesses reach out to us for help developing and expanding their spas and salons.

But as this growth continues, we also hear of the ongoing difficulties of attracting qualified applicants to staff this growing number of beauty and wellness facilities.

The 2018 ISPA U.S. industry study reports, ” . . . even with a record number of people currently employed in the industry, there are still over 35,000 service provider positions and more than 2500 spa director manager positions vacant across the country.”

As salon and spa development experts, we recognize this widening employment gap and work to help spa and salon owners and operators to broaden their approach to staff recruitment.

In other words,

the old-style job post just doesn’t cut it anymore.

We suggest going beyond simply listing the qualities and requirements of the ideal applicant, to looking at your company through the eyes of the job seeker.

Highlight how you take care of your staff, so they can focus on taking care of your clients.

Get started with these nine steps to attract more qualified applicants for your spa and salon:

First things first … tidy up your “house” . . .

CHECK IN WITH YOUR STAFF

Before you bring in someone new, make sure your staff’s needs are being met and are happy in their jobs.

Even if you hire the most qualified applicant you find, adding another member to an already unhappy team will not fix existing problems and may result in losing the perfect new hire you worked so hard to find. After all, no one wants to work in a stressed-out negative environment.

Now is the time to make any changes so you have a better idea where the new hire will fit in.

At the very least, ask if everyone’s satisfied with their schedule. Work/life balance is a huge factor in job satisfaction. Play your part in helping your team reach that desired balance.

Part of your “house” is your digital real estate . . .

UPDATE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE

Most job seekers will check out your website and social media pages before deciding to apply. They’ll be more excited to work for you if they like what they see.

Make sure you are representing your business clearly and attractively. Show potential hires who you are and what you’re about (just like you do with potential customers).

Images are everything! Use lots of flattering pictures to show off the unique environment you created.

Follow these five tips for achieving a complete picture of your space:

1. Take photos with the most natural light possible.

2. Play with a variety of angles to include close-ups as well as wide shots.

3. Broaden your focus to feature your entire facility. Think reception area, product displays, and treatment rooms, special décor details like fresh flowers, fountains, and lighting fixtures.

4. Don’t forget the exterior. Include a shot of the front of your business (not just the building, but your signage too) as well as any landscaping and scenic views.

5. Highlight your happy staff. Smiling faces of people doing what they love will help others want to be a part of the same team. (Some shots of happy clients won’t hurt either!)

Step outside of your “house” . . .

KNOW YOUR COMPETITION

Before you start typing up your needs and wants, put yourself in the job seeker’s shoes and take a moment to do an online search for the job you need to fill.

Who else is hiring?

How do they present themselves online?

What kinds of perks and benefits are they offering?

Does it look like a nice place to work?

How do their social platforms compare to yours?

If you want to attract more qualified applicants, find out what your competition is doing, and DO IT BETTER.

Now that you have done your best to make sure your current staff is happy and you know what potential applicants will find online – about you and your competition – it’s time to write your job post.

Be the “fun” house . . .

DON’T WRITE A BORING JOB POST

If you want to generate interest in working at your spa or salon, BE INTERESTING!

| Instead of only listing generic duties and “must haves,” bring more attention to your post by including specific details.

| Describe your team and their specialties so applicants can imagine how they might fit in.

| Mention something special about the environment you’ve created that makes it nice to work there.

| Point out what’s different about working for you; how you recognize top performers or provide continuing education programs or training.

| Reference any wellness retreats or company parties members of your staff enjoy.

| Show that yours is a healthy and well-run business by mentioning any policies and procedures that protect and support your team.

Be the “family” house . . .

SHOW THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE (YOU!) AND HAVING A WORK-FAMILY

Many beauty and wellness professionals get stuck working for themselves “on-the-side,” either afraid to make the jump of having a full-time career in beauty and wellness or not wanting to let go of the “someday dream” of being their own boss.

Point out that you provide a place for them to have a legitimate career doing what they love, without all the hassles that come from running their own business.

Plus, they’ll be part of a supportive work-family. It can be lonely working on your own. Having the companionship and support of co-workers can go a long way in job satisfaction.

Opportunity to work within a team

No overhead costs for rent, utilities, etc

Steadier work hours with a known schedule for easier work/life balance

No marketing, scheduling, billing, or buying supplies and equipment

Finally, be the house that takes care of its occupants, the “safe” house, if you will 😉

COMPENSATION, COMPENSATION, COMPENSATION!

Compensation and benefits are easily one of the top factors for any job applicant and come in many forms.

Along with any traditional benefits you provide, (company-paid insurance, retirement plan, vacation days/ paid time off), your job post should also include any extra perks your staff receives.

Employee/Family discount of services

Tuition reimbursement for recent graduates

Employee referral programs

Higher commissions based on longevity

Flexible schedule

List all the ways you take care of your employees, financially and otherwise.

POST IT!

You’ve got your house in order, you know how you compare to your competition, and you’ve highlighted what sets you apart, and defined why qualified applicants should apply.

Now it’s time to list your job post on as many job sites as you can.

A few sites to consider:

LINK SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO YOUR POST!

When it comes to spreading the word about your open position, social media is your friend.

Employ your most active users (and of course your staff) to help share your post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere you have a presence.

Industry magazines and organizations can also be useful resources.

Such as:

Spa & Wellness Careers

American Massage Therapy Association

Professional Beauty Association

Skin Inc

Modern Salon

Spa Industry Association

Try expanding your search to include:

Trade and vocational schools

Print advertising

Job fairs

Professional conferences

Colleges/campus recruiting and internship programs

A QUICK RECAP:

Hiring new staff for your salon and spa is a necessary and sometimes nerve-wracking part of running a successful beauty and wellness business and requires extra attention on your part.

Fortunately, we have given you nine ways to attract more qualified applicants, making you more qualified to respond to the growing demand for beauty and wellness services.

1.Get your “house” in order

2. Update your online presence

3. Improve your photos

4. Know your competition

5. Don’t be boring

6. Highlight the benefits of working specifically for you

7. Include all forms of compensation

8. Post it everywhere

9. Link post to all social platforms

REMEMBER . . .

Looking at your beauty and wellness business with an objective eye will show you which areas of your spa and salon need updating, as well as where you already shine.

Understanding and addressing these issues will ultimately help you to attract more qualified applicants.

Still Not Sure Where to Start?

Don’t Worry, We Do 😉

Our widespread understanding of current trends and recognized expertise in spa and salon development repeatedly gives our clients the professional perspective needed to identify and update any areas for improvement, as well as how to capitalize on what’s working.

We at SPA SOLUTIONS will work hand in hand with you to best assess your unique needs, offering expert advice and assistance to ensure your beauty and wellness business continues to grow . . . and attract the most qualified applicants to join your amazing team!