Claire Thompson, managing director at Bodyworks Beauty Centre in Drayton - a unisex beauty and piercing centre offering a wide range of beauty treatments for all ages.

Beauty Therapist

Answers supplied by Claire Thompson, managing director at Bodyworks Beauty Centre, Norwich. Bodyworks is a unisex beauty and piercing centre with highly qualified staff offering a wide range of beauty treatments for all ages at affordable prices.

What does the job entail?
No working day is ever the same as once trained and qualified you can carry out a variety of treatments ranging from manicures, pedicures, permanent laser hair removal, body piercing, facials to massages. Each treatment has its own unique applications making the job very varied.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
Courses at college are the best way to get started in the beauty industry. Most colleges ask for three GCSEs grade C or above and offer various 1 or 2 year courses leading to National Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 and 3. You can extend your qualifications and train for an international diploma.

What type of person will fit in?
You need to have good personal hygiene and be conscious of your appearance. A friendly and outgoing personality is very important. The industry now offers a lot of opportunity for male therapists in unisex clinics. A male nail technician has won the national nail award for the last five years!

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
It can be very rewarding when your clients leave the centre feeling more confident and rejuvenated after their treatments. The down side is most salons tend to work late evenings but this is often compensated with a later start to the day. The job can be tiring as you tend to be on your feet all day.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
There are always opportunities for extensive training within the industry, you may wish to train in reflexology, crystal therapy or something similar. You can vary your career within beauty as good therapists can find work on cruise ships or you may decided to work from home or have a mobile unit travelling to clients’ homes.

What can I expect to earn?
Salaries start from the minimum wage up to management level, where you could earn around £30,000. Commission varies but you may even double your flat wage if you earn commission on both sales and treatments.

Any hints on getting a job in this area?
It is worth looking in your local newspaper and visiting your local job centre. There are also magazines available to the trade such as Professional Beauty or Health and Beauty which advertise job vacancies. For information on various beauty course contact City College Norwich on (01603) 773773.