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How can I land my dream job?
When John Paul DeJoria named me Artistic Director for Paul Mitchell, it meant more than a title to me. It changed my life and boosted my self-worth. I feel like such a different person, I can't even put it into words. So, how did I land my dream job, and how can you land yours?
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First, make every job your dream job. My dream jobs have included working at a pancake house (because it paid really well), selling shoes (because I could shop while I was at work), and working as a maid (because I got off at 10 AM and could lie on the beach all day). Any job can be a dream job, depending on how you  look at it. You have to be in your dream job to get your next dream job, which means you must have a positive attitude.
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One of my clients says you need three Ks in life: luck, work, and risk. I've taken many risks, and some of them would have landed me on my face without the luck and work to back them up. Once you put out your best efforts, tap into your luck, and take some risks, your dream job will appear.
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Finally, act as if you already have the job you really want. If your dream job is to be the Artistic Director of Paul Mitchell, become that person before the title is yours. If you're working in a salon, turn it into your dream salon by who you are on the team.
Every experience you've had in your life has helped you become the person you are. Bring all your good qualities and let the bad ones move away. By choosing to attend a Paul Mitchell School, you have all the greatness of a future dream job in store for you. Armed with an incredible technical education and a family of strength that can take you anywhere, you're way ahead of everyone else you'll work with in your life. Just dream big and jump in. There's no limit to what your dream job can be.
— Stephanie Kocielski, Artistic Director for Paul Mitchell |
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How can I start a career doing session work for the fashion, film, TV, or music industry?
Each of these is entirely different, but the common denominator is persistence. No matter which aspect of the industry you want to take on, at times you will come up against what feels like a door being closed before it even opens. Don't give up!
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Find people who are doing what you want to do and ask them what they did to make it happen for them.
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Offer to assist on any project possible to get into your desired environment and start meeting people. Say yes to everything, then work your butt off and show how amazing and valuable you are. Target opportunities that will create future work, like doing the hair for any of  the photo work related to a band (CD covers, press releases, TV appearances).
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Make sure your work is acknowledged so it's not just a "free haircut." Make sure you get your name in print somewhere; it's called "photo credit." It's like an investment, and getting your name seen or mentioned is the return for your hard work.
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Keep all the proof of your work with the artist for your portfolio. These are called tear sheets. In the beginning, even indirect work is a place to build your book. For example, I did Mark McGrath's cut and color for one of Sugar Ray's album covers the day before they shot it. I wasn't there the day of the shoot to style his hair (he usually styles it himself because it's so easy), but I did his hair the night before the shoot, so therefore it's my work he's sportin' and I have it in my portfolio.
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I recommend NOT acting in any way like a fan or a groupie if you work with celebs; they have enough of those. Don't ask for autographs for your friends. Keep it professional and just be real. Celebs enjoy normal interaction—they're just people like you and me!
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A lot of the jobs you may get require long days and don't pay much but being requested by a celebrity to do their hair can have financial perks as well as possible travel.
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Being in a salon is a must in my opinion. As you work more jobs, you gain more clients who want to see only you, and they need somewhere to come to you. Mark McGrath enjoys coming to the salon, while others, such as Rachel Hunter, like me to come to their home. The salon is my home and it grounds me and allows me to have a place to always do whatever I need to do on anyone and everyone.
Always remember, persistence will get you everywhere! Good luck!
— Paul Mitchell Master Associate Melissa Jaqua, The Loft Hair Studio, Studio City, CA |
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How can I land a job in a top New York City salon?
As you approach graduation, focus precisely on what you want in your life during the next five to ten years. Having the responsibility of creating great hair designs at a top salon and/or backstage at fashion events requires great skill, patience, experience, and the ability to take direction, work under pressure, and work very hard for a significant amount of time with little pay or recognition. Salon owners in New York (and probably Los Angeles) are looking for talented young professionals who understand that, regardless of their skill and talent, they will need to learn a salon’s personality (way of doing things) and they will need to successfully assist a busy (and sometimes stressed) senior designer for a minimum of 12 months at  an astonishingly moderate rate of pay. These trying months can be demanding, frightening, and at times, disappointing. A clear dedication to excellence; the ability to work long, intense hours; emotional intelligence and desire; and the ability to please demanding (and often less than friendly) clients are all important abilities to have. We often see young people come to New York with high hopes and great talent. Unfortunately, only about one in eight people decide to stay in New York. Many decide to go home after about a year. But here’s the good part: those who make it do indeed make it—VERY BIG! The inspiring situation, great clients, visibility, and wonderful financial remuneration make it all worth it to those who stick it out here in the Big Apple. Since New York City is very expensive, it’s best to come here for a visit first—not to look for jobs, but to look at apartments and find roommate services that help you live in a way you can afford. Walk around the town. Look at various salon locations and neighborhoods. Talk to other young hair professionals who are living here happily. Don’t make the mistake many new professionals make: don’t make appointments for interviews at salons that interest you and don’t waste a busy salon owner or manager's time by asking for an interview and then saying, "I'm thinking of moving to New York, so I’m interviewing potential employers.” Nothing is a bigger turnoff. Don’t ask for an interview until you have moved to New York and found a place to live. Make sure you have at least nine months of living expenses saved up, and then apply for positions after you are proud and excited resident of NYC. Decide if you can afford to live here for one year while you earn very little money. It’s great to have emotional support from people you love, but you must also be dedicated and strong.
— Beth Minardi, Co-owner of Minardi NYC Salon |
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