The beauty industry is one of the most resilient sectors and this was proven again during the 2008 economic downturn. That is, while most of the sectors of the economy, particularly the real estate market, did collapse, the beauty industry continued to thrive.
The promising future that is seen in the beauty industry is what drives many people to try their luck in this area - perhaps you are one of them.
So, if you are planning to develop a career in this industry, then it is imperative that you are poised to face the challenges ahead - in the competitive market. This means that you have enhance the skill set you possess and enrolling to a beauty school is one great way to help. But how can you find the best one is your area?
If you are based in San Jose / Bayarea and wanted to enroll in a beauty school in the area, you might find the following tips useful:
Research through the Internet - online research is considered one of the most effective and efficient ways to find any information - including beauty schools. You can start by browsing through local directories (e.g. Google Places, Yahoo Local, Yelp, Yellowpages, Thumbtack, etc.) I'd like to highlight the thumbtack directory because it's relatively new to me and I like its unique service, which is its recommendations sent via phone. Yes, aside from providing text-based recommendations, its staff also send them via phone. All you need to do is to input your specifics on its online form such as a zip code and phone number.
Clean track record - sure there are lots of reputable beauty schools in San Jose and other places in the Bay Area but there are really those that excel from the rest. Such schools should be given priority in your prospects' list/ To do that, you examine their track record. Some questions you can ask yourself: Did these companies receive any recognition, awards in the past? How long are these companies in service? Any complaint received? - this helps you determine the level of reputation a particular school has.
Industry affiliations - a good beauty school is affiliated to some important entities in the industry. For instance, Redken affiliation is a good indication that your prospective school is a good one. So, try to examine your prospects if they are 'influential' enough. The number of affiliations provides better opportunity for students as they look for apprenticeship.
The accreditation - last but not the least is the accreditation; this provides a security that your prospects have passed the requirements and standards defined by the government's regulating body to ensure the quality of education. In the state of California, the list of approved schools can be found here. Aside from the government, there are other accrediting agencies that you might want to check as well. Recognition / reviews from various sectors give you diversified views about your prospects but can be consolidated into one concrete deciding factor. That would be all for now. Good luck!
