The Interview Experience: How Long Should It Be?
The hiring process for salons varies widely. In my experience working with salons, no two processes are exactly alike. This uniqueness is both a strength and a challenge. The strength lies in creating a distinctive brand experience, but the challenge is that many processes lack the key elements needed for an effective interview.
Let’s explore the true purpose of an interview. Interviews are vetting conversations, akin to a date where both parties determine if they want to work together. Ideally, candidates should also be evaluating the opportunity to ensure a mutual fit. This setup encourages self-reflection and open questioning.
Most interview questions in salons tend to focus on the salon’s values with added fluff, such as “Where do you see your career in five years?” In the beauty industry, typical responses range from aspiring to own a space to having a full book of business. These answers, however, are not particularly helpful, especially for new stylists, as much can change in five years.
So, how can you make the interview more effective and avoid wasting time on irrelevant details?
- Craft a Detailed Job Posting: Ensure your job posting includes all the necessary information and directs applicants to resources where they can learn more. Make the posting compelling and unique. Avoid generic phrases like “we have a great team” or “we offer the best education.” Instead, use specifics like “our team is the best because we genuinely care about each other” or “we have fun together—you should see how much we laugh.” A well-crafted job description can handle half of the vetting for you, saving time and effort.
- Design a Comprehensive Interview Process: Your process should allow you to understand the candidate, let the candidate get to know you, and assess their skill level to plan appropriate training. There’s no one-size-fits-all in the beauty industry, so tailor your approach to successfully recruit talent.
- Ask Meaningful Questions: Align your interview questions with what you genuinely want to know. Some of my favorites include:
- “What do you think it will take to reach your goals in the first year as a hairdresser?”
- “What do you aim to earn in your first year, and how do you plan to achieve that?”
- “How do you prefer to receive feedback from the leader coaching and growing you?”
A solid interview process can help you avoid many hiring mistakes. Review your current process and identify areas where you can eliminate unnecessary fluff.
