Hairdressing jobs

UKPCNumpty

I am looking to switch careers and am considering a career in hairdressing. I have always been in the arts and customer service so am used to people facing jobs. Not sure if this is a mad idea but, my local barbers in Houghton Regis, where I live, have just posted a job ad and I can see there are a lot of salons in Dunstable, so there cannot be a shortage of work, everyones hair which needs cutting at some point.

The ad says training will be given or experienced chair rental wanted?
What is chair rental, is it better than being employed?
Is hairdressing good money?

I have not spoke to them yet as I am wondering if this is even a good option, I do like the idea of on the job training though.

UKPCNumpty

Jillanddy said:

I don't know about anyone else, but I wouldn't let someone with no skills anywhere near my hair! Without foundation qualifications and experience, I'd let you sweep up after the skilled and qualified person cut my hair. And I mean that seriously. People with years of college training / apprenticeships still need supervision when entering salons. With the best will in the world, my dogs groomer has more qualifications than this - you can't just walk into a salon, pick up scissors and cut peoples hair!

Of course. I was not expecting to just walk in the door and just start cutting, and I am sure they would not allow me to do this anyway as they are really good at cutting my hair, and they do have standards, not like a lot of barbers around where I live.

I assumed the advert meant apprentice training. Meaning I would learn from the ground up and go to college to get the necessary certificates.

Sncjw

Be on apprentice rate. I think they are wanting someone who is established ideally if they are posting for chair rental. 

From what I understand is that someone rents that space and pays the salon. They then keep that money if they earn it it think. 

breaking_free

Hair dressing is not going to be any kind of money spinner - just Google "what does a hairdresser earn UK" to give you some idea.

You'll spend long hours on your feet but you will get satisfaction from making folk feel good.

Silvertabby

The ad for 'chair rental' is aimed at a fully qualified/experienced hairdresser who does exactly that - pays to rent a chair in an established salon.

This may sound agist, but the 'training given' advert will be aimed at school leavers who will work for age related minimum wage.

lincroft1710

UKPCNumpty said:

but have found a better job, better people to work for, and a better life.


You posted the above on another thread, so why do you want to give this up to be a hairdresser?

UKPCNumpty

Whilst the job I currently have is great, my father had a fall not too long ago and I am worried about my parents well being, so am considering a change of job and moving near them to be on hand if need be. My current job is not available in the area my parents live, and where I have a house, I currently rent out.
Hence me thinking what is available nearby and what could possibly become a useful job.

lincroft1710

I think hairdressing is going to be a non-starter. 

Are your parents very old? 

UKPCNumpty

lincroft1710 said:

I think hairdressing is going to be a non-starter. 

Are your parents very old? 

Old enough to need help, but old enough and determined, not to ask for it.

As for hairdressing being a non-starter, are you a hairdresser, are you saying this, from experience?

Jude57

I've asked a good friend who has her own successful salon and has taught trainees in college. Her opinion is that the barber might offer an apprenticeship but the 'chair rental' part of the ad makes it more likely they are busy enough to want an extra pair of hands without the hassle of employing someone and that could mean they won't give much in the way of training support. Apprentices are time consuming to train and the stylist isn't earning while delivering training.

My friend recommends that if you are sure it's for you, you'd be best off contacting a well known chain like Saks or Toni & Guy as they have in house academies to train and support apprentices.

As has been said, you won't earn a great deal to start with, you'll be on your feet up to ten hours, lunch breaks tend not to happen. You'll work every Saturday, late nights during the week and in the lead up to Christmas and New Year, could well be working 7 days a week, as my friend is. In January she's taking 2 weeks off!

lincroft1710

UKPCNumpty said:

lincroft1710 said:

I think hairdressing is going to be a non-starter. 

Are your parents very old? 

As for hairdressing being a non-starter, are you a hairdresser, are you saying this, from experience?

Jude57 has said it for me. You will be working for a very long time for very little money. Rent-a-chair is very popular with salon owners because if you have no clients unlike being an employee they are not obliged to pay you, but you are obliged to pay them rent. Being your own boss (which you will be, but subject to the "rules" of the salon) brings with it a raft of problems.

But before all this, you will have to find a salon who would be willing to take you on as an apprentice.