Like any other kinds of types of jobs, profession and career in the world, there are advantages and disadvantages to being a hairdresser. Yet despite the pros and cons, as long as you have the motivation, inspiration and the love for what you do, nothing will hinder you from succeeding as a hair dresser or any other career you choose to pursue.
Hairdresser Pros: What makes the profession enjoyable?
- Interaction with different types of people. A hairdresser always has this opportunity with various types of clients, young or old, male or female. As a matter of fact, it is this dealing with different personalities that add challenge and reward to the job. A hairdresser is prevented from boredom as each client requires specific hair care needs.
- Work Flexibility. If you are a hairdresser, you may choose to work for a salon or for yourself. You may opt to work in an 8-hour shift or by appointment only. You may also establish your own salon or offer home service.
- Variety of services. These days, clients prefer a convenient on-stop salon where they could get different services like hair styling, facials and nail care. If you are a hairdresser working for a salon such as this, you would need to know how to perform other beauty services. Expect that every day, you might be performing a different service and not just the basic hair trimming.
- Options for training. If you want to become a hairdresser, you may choose to attend a training course from a technical school. You may also choose to become an apprentice in a work environment where you would likely be absorbed once the apprenticeship is completed.
Hairdresser Cons: What makes the profession taxing?
- People interaction. Although this may also be considered as an advantage, if you are a type of person who has less interest and patience in dealing with people, you may consider this as one advantage. Not all clients are easy to deal with. As a hairdresser there will be times when you will be working for difficult to please clients. Some will take note on how you would handle your scissors, some will not like the way you shampoo their hair and others will even mind the way you speak and talk to them. So you must be careful and gentle with your technical hair styling and communication skills.
- Hair and Beauty responsibility. As a hairdresser, your clients expect you to enhance their appearance and not ruin it. There will be accidents and though it is not your fault, most clients will consider this as your flaw and they will likely not come back for your service.
- Physical strain. A hairdresser’s job involves standing for long straight hours resulting to inflamed feet and ankles, growth of varicose veins, back and joint pains.
- Competition among other hairdressers. There are many other hairdressers out there, each with his or her own skills. If you will not think of an effective marketing strategy, you will be left with just a few clients. You may pursue additional training on the recent hair dressing techniques; you may offer a light massage or any freebie that will make your service extraordinary and special to your clients.