TIP OF THE WEEK #27
BECOMING AN EDUCATOR by Vicki Peters

I get this question all the time, how do I become an educator. Well it is 
simple, do your homework just like you would if you were going for a job 
interview. It is that simple. But first you must do a few things to prepare 
for your job hunt.

1. Get an outfit that says "SUCCESS". It should be beauty industry style - 
like black - so you look like you're in the industry. Going for a job 
interview in a suit you would not normally wear to teach a class is not the 
look you want to portray. However business like, it should say style. 
2. Do your resume. Even if you think you do not have enough credibility 
written on your resume, think about everything you have ever done in the 
industry and write it down. Classes you have taken, private instructions, 
shows you have attended and the classes at the shows too. Every little thing 
counts. You also want to put on the resume business experience you have prior 
to being a nail tech. Sales and customer service jobs are important. Don't 
know how to do a resume, get some help from someone who is computer savvy and 
make sure you get it on a disk so you own it just in case you need it later. 
There are books on writing resumes, get one. You may even want to attach 
photos of your work, (Color copy your photos) things that have been printed 
about you and even a letters of recommendation. And if you're willing to 
travel - that should be noted as well. You may even want to list the 
services your adept at like natural nail care, which would be appealing to a 
natural nail care company, etc. Make up several copies of your resume, maybe 
more depending on how aggressive you want to be.
3. Then shop the companies that you are interested in working for. Talk to 
the educators there and find out what they are looking for and who the 
decision maker is. You don't want to waste time talking to someone who can't 
help you.
4. Hit the streets or shows! Pick a show to attend that you know the 
decision makers will be at to make sure your efforts are successful. A 
distributor show may not have the owners or decision makers there, regionals 
usually do those shows. Unless the distributor show is strong enough to pull 
the companies owners. Check the show brochure to see if the company owners 
are going to be there. The IBS, ICE, Midwest and Premiere Beauty Shows are 
the big independent shows and usually attracts the company decision makers. 
Walk the show isles and drop off resumes.
5. Call ahead and make appointments. Saturday during set up is usually 
good, however you may catch them in casual clothes while setting up. Sunday 
is really busy and may be difficult to get to talk to anyone, Monday may be 
the best bet.
6. I HAVE TO SELL WHAT I BELIEVE IN! Well not necessarily. If the company 
is someone you like as a company, learning the ins and outs of the product 
may give you a whole new perspective. Plus they will teach you and give you 
experience. Even if you don't like all the components of the product line 
you can sell what you know. What you prefer to use in the salon is your 
business. I say this is because it is not always about the product it is 
about the company's ethics and their dedication to education. Look beyond the 
product at the whole picture.
7. How much do you expect to be paid varies from company to company and I 
will tell you, your not going to make enough to leave the salon or get rich. 
However doors will open to other opportunities. If your willing to grow 
within the company and the opportunities present themselves, your career can 
grow. It is about learning, getting discounts on products and getting 
exposure to a whole different aspect of the nail business. You will be 
networking on another level all together and you cannot put a price tag on 
it, it is worth every second not matter how bad your feet hurt at the trade 
show booth!

Another thing you need to know, there are no good educator jobs out there 
with no sales responsibility. Bottom line is just that, the bottom line. If 
you don't sell the company cannot afford to send you out there to teach. It 
goes hands in hand, like it or not. Product sales drive the education of any 
company. The educational budget has to be supported by sales and that is why 
when you go to a manufacturer class there is a sales pitch. No one can afford 
to educate for free. So understand that when you go into it.

So if you're serious about being an educator get your resume together and get 
out there.

DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.

The Peters Perspective 
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"
Visit my new web site: http://vickipeters.com