Once you’ve put in the work, and you’ve graduated from beauty school, it’s time to go and start your cosmetology career. This can be both exciting and daunting.
What are some of the steps you should go through to start working? Once you begin working, how do you keep advancing your career?
These are real-world questions that you should answer before graduate beauty school and pass the licensing exam. Here is some practical advice to help you jump start your cosmetology career after school.
1. Passing the Licensing Exam
After graduating cosmetology school you must pass the California state licensing exam administered by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Passing this written exam shows you have learned the techniques you will use in your cosmetology career while serving clients. You must pass this exam to get your cosmetology license in California.
2. Find a Supportive Work Environment
Many fledgling cosmetologists work at a salon in an entry-level position. This time in your career is valuable because you learn more about being a professional cosmetologist. Honing your hairstyling skills, learning how to deal with customers, managing your time, organizing your day, and finding the flow of each workday are all things you need to experience to get comfortable in your profession and master your craft.
Some of the larger chain salons are supportive of new cosmetologists, so ask your local cosmetology instructors for insights. Also, this is a good time to build your clientele, as some clients will follow you if you ever move to a different salon.
3. Gain Practical Experience
Working at local salons or spas will help you continue to gain experience and develop a client base. You may also learn little things from more experienced cosmetologists as you get real-world experience.
4. Continue to Learn New Techniques
The beauty industry is always evolving, and staying up to date on new trends and techniques is vital for staying relevant. Continuing your education and learning the latest skills and techniques is necessary to have a long successful career in cosmetology. Attending seminars, workshops, and industry events will allow you to see the current trends and emerging methodologies. You can also build on your education by studying advanced techniques in specialized areas, such as bridal hairstyling, advanced hair coloring, balayage, or esthetics and advanced skin care.
5. Network and Build Industry Connections
Networking with other cosmetology professionals is important for your career. You can meet other industry pros at trade shows, industry events, in online communities, and through professional organization. By building professional friendships with salon managers, hairdressers, and beauty industry pros, it can open doors, present opportunities, and help you land jobs over the long haul. You can also learn a lot from seasoned cosmetology professionals through organic mentorship.
6. Build a Portfolio of Your Best Work
As you gain experience, you can build a portfolio of your best client work. This can be collected on a personal website, your Instagram, or other easy to share site. Show before and after pictures of hair, nails, makeup or other cosmetology services so prospective clients can see the excellence of your work. A strong portfolio can help you attract and gain new clients.
7. Stay Updated on Current Trends
The beauty industry is always undergoing change. There are always new trends in hairstyles, nail art, skin care, and advanced makeup to pay attention to. Mastering new trends as they emerge will help you retain your competitive edge.
Is Cosmetology a Good Career Path?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for cosmetologists is expected to grow about 7% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all jobs. BLS data from May 2023 shows the mean annual salary for cosmetologists in California was $46,600 and the average mean hourly wage was $22.40.
Earn Your Cosmetology License in About 7 Months
The Cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell the School at Campus provides comprehensive training to students who are looking to start their beauty career. Students will be equipped with core fundamentals in hairstyling, hair coloring, skin care, and hair cutting, taught by some of the best instructors in the industry.
Students will be able to hone their skills with real clients at our student salon. On completing the program, students will be prepared to take the Board of Cosmetology certification exam and begin their professional career.
Find out if Paul Mitchell at Campus is right for you. For more information, reach out to our Admissions team or fill our Request Information form to get started today!