Take note of these 6 Steps to Hiring Success proposed by Eufora Business Trainer and salon owner, Tiffany Ward, about finding and retaining a salon team that works.
Tiffany Ward, Eufora Business Trainer and salon owner, has come up with 6 steps for hiring success that will change your entire approach to hiring. Hiring and retaining qualified service providers has always been a challenge across the beauty industry. Oftentimes salon owners feel it is impossible to draft a short list, let alone hire the right person. Like so many dating sites, it may seem like all the good ones are taken! But these steps can help you understand what you may be doing wrong.
Eufora supports stylists and salon owners at the Eufora University and Training Academy. And Tiffany is eager to get salon owners on track when it comes to drafting the perfect team. Indeed, Tiffany admits to having had a “negative” mindset. Then she tried a new approach. The question isn’t “Why doesn’t anyone want to work here?”. The real question is “How do I get good candidates to know we have openings at the salon?”. If you want to find the right candidate, a savvy salon owner knows that you have to apply some good old-fashioned marketing strategy. And she boiled these strategies down to 6 Steps to Hiring Success.
Here Tiffany shares her inspirational “6 Steps” marketing plan she uses for recruiting.
1. Care for your current team.
Optimize the team experience and then rely on a “word of mouth” strategy. Make sure your team knows how much you appreciate them. Celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and everyday achievements. If your team enjoys their career and salon, they will tell others. Happy stylists love to share, and it means more when it comes from the heart. You may even find that you don’t have to offer a hiring bonus or incentive
2. Embrace social media.
Share great moments with your team on social media. Other candidates will take note and want to be a part of the fun. Furthermore, show all of the educational opportunities you offer your salon team. What else makes it especially great to work on your salon team? Did you just update your stations? Show how much the stylists enjoy working with them, not just a catalogue picture of the station itself.
3. Become a guest instructor at a cosmetology school.
This is one of the most pro-active steps you can take. Cosmetology students love hearing from people working in the field. Teach them something they can practice while still in school. During the presentation, share what it is like to work in your salon. Bring a newer stylist who can share a positive onboarding experience. And take note of the most promising students!
4. Try “bribery”.
Yes….it may sound a little underhanded, but it works. Sending donuts or cookies and coffee to the local school will plant a seed in the minds of the students. When the time comes to search for their first job, students will remember the name of your salon. Plus, it will encourage instructors to recommend your salon as well.
5. Invite students to visit your salon.
Organize salon tours or shadow days. New cosmetology students and prospective graduates will enjoy getting to know you and your salon culture.
6. Offer a detailed training program.
Cosmetology schools only teach the basics. Remember how terrified you were the first day you “hit the floor”? It’s even worse for this younger generation. They face so many more pressures. Set new hires up for success with a comprehensive training program. This way they will feel confident about diving into their new role. The result will be quicker integration into the salon!
Tiffany knows well that there are many ways to find qualified candidates for a salon. But these tried and true 6 Steps to Hiring Success put her on the right path. She also notes that verbalizing and sharing the salon culture is a critical part of the recruiting and retention process. All salon owners should take the time to put these things into words. Share and reinforce that story with salon team members, and ask for their input and commitment. If they feel a part of the big picture, they will feel more highly valued and high value often translates to peak performance!