From Salon to Stage! Becoming an Educator or Platform Artist

After years of working feverishly behind the chair, have you ever found yourself thinking about teaching the next generation of hairdressers? Have you longed for the spotlight? Yearning to be on stage with some of the big names or to be a big name yourself? If so, we’d like to offer up some suggestions to set you on the right path.

Experience

If you’ve honed your craft over the years and feel that you have much to share, teaching maybe the logical step for you. Knowing the salon industry as you do, and the ins and outs of dealing with clients as well as treasure trove of technical experience, new stylists would love the chance to learn from you. Maybe it’s time to step up and give back!

Employees Versus Contract Labor

Most educators are independent contractors and teach classes on the side when not working in the salon. They are usually paid per class (versus a salary). Platform artists are typically booked out for entire shows or tours, usually as contract labor, but there are rare cases where they may be hired on as an employee. Most established platform artists have contracts in place with the manufacturer, typically for 1-3 years at a time. Education Directors or Show Directors, however, tend to be employees and may be required to work at the manufacturer’s corporate offices.

Specialties

In the salon it’s important to be well rounded in your skill set, but having a specialty can actually make you more valuable as an educator. It sets you apart from all of the other equally qualified salon professionals, all vying for the same job. If you’ve spent your career as a jack-of-all-trades, so to speak, identify your strengths and build them up to bona fide specialties.

Resumes, Biographies and Headshots

When looking to educate a good resume, bio and headshot help summarize everything you’ve done and offer a glimpse into your strengths. It’s important to create a presence on paper (and digitally) so start with a list of everything you’ve done, complete with dates, responsibilities and achievements, and then work with a good writer to help you structure a resume and craft an on-target bio.

A resume is typically not needed in the beauty industry as salons rely on your people skills more than a list of what you’ve done. But, educating positions are usually with manufacturers or even distributors and most of them follow a corporate structure. A resume will be expected.

In a nutshell, a resume is a structured outline of your skills, education and experience in a specific format. By contrast, a biography is a short synopsis of your experience and skills in a highly targeted blurb, usually one or two paragraphs tops. Both are always done in third person, meaning it’s about you but from another person’s perspective. Being in this format adds a sense of credibility, so use it to your advantage.

It’s very hard to write your own resume and bio, so ask for help. Ask your clients and peers for some descriptive words they feel describe you best and then add some of your own. Sit down with your writer and let them work their magic so the words represent you best. 

Once you have the written part in check, have a professional headshot done - something simple and effective with a confident yet friendly expression and pose (a 300 dpi jpeg image at 5x7" is a good starting point). Having one done before applying for the job shows that you have initiative and that you already see yourself in the position. Remember that this is not Facebook, so don’t take your own picture or use a low quality snapshot. Put some thought behind it and splurge for a decent shot.

Added Bonuses

If you’ve done hair or makeup for fashion shows, plays on stage or for photo shoots, be sure and include a sampling in a portfolio. Professional photographs add even more credibility, but published pieces speak even louder. Create a portfolio of your work and have it in print and digital forms so you are ready for either a face-to-face or online interview.

Contacts

If you are not sure where to start, approach the brands that you actually like and use in the salon. Talk with your local Distributor Salon Consultant to see what they might suggest. They may personally know the Director of Education and may be able to introduce you or even offer to be a reference. Otherwise, do your homework, call the company and ask who is in the position to hire educators and then send them your resume, bio, headshot, and link to your portfolio along with a well-written cover letter. If you don't hear back from them after a reasonable amount of time, follow up. Don't be a pest, but persistence is key!