SIX BASIC KEY SKILLS YOU NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BEAUTY THERAPIST

In this article we are going to be discussing six basic skills you need for being a successful beauty therapist which are not specialist, technical skills, for example those required to perform a massage routine or apply a make-up; they are personal skills which although being essential for work, can be transferred to many different situations in life. These transferable skills are known as “Key skills”. Employers want staff with well-developed key skills because they need them to help make the business successful.

Key skills cover a broad range of skills needed in everyday situations. The six key skills are:
 
·         Communication

·         Application of Number

·         Information Technology

·         Working with Others

·         Improving Own Learning and Performance

·         Problem Solving

• COMMUNICATION: Good communication skills are essential for building up successful relationships. A breakdown in communication always creates problems and, in business, these can have serious consequences. Whether dealing on a one-to-one basis, for example with a client, or with a group of people, possibly your audience at a demonstration event, you must always be able to communicate effectively. To be accredited with this key skill, you need to show your evidence that you can:

·         Take part in discussions
·         Produce written materials
·         Understand written and spoken communication
·         Understand and use images.

• Application of Number: Many of the tasks you undertake at work will require you to be competent when working with numbers, for example when dealing with money, measuring quantities, estimating amounts, working out your commission! To be accredited with this key skill, you will need to show evidence that can work with numbers when:

·         Collecting and recording information
·         Tackling problems
·         Interpreting and presenting information.

• Information Technology: Computers are now used widely in business. A lot of important information can be produced, stored and retrieved on the computer. Records can be kept and databases created. Dealing with financial information can become much easier and less time consuming using a computer. Business letters and promotional materials can also be produced. To be accredited with this key skill you will need to show evidence that you can:

·         Process information
·         Present information
·         Evaluate the use of information technology.

• Working with Others: Everyone wants to work for a successful business so it is important that they work well together and know what they have to do to make their own contribution. This involves agreeing targets, creating action plans and working to agreed deadlines. These do not necessarily have to be written down. They occur as a result of good salon management, effective communications and conscientious and committed staff. To be accredited with this key skill, you will need to show evidence that you can take responsibility for work you have agreed as an individual and also as a member of a team. This will involve:

·         identifying collective goals and responsibilities
·         working on collective goals.

• Improving Own Learning and Performance: If you are clear about where you want to go and what you have to do to get there, you will find it much easier to achieve your personal goals. Improving own learning and performance is about recognizing your personal strengths and weaknesses and putting together an action plan for building on the strengths and tackling the weaknesses. By periodically reviewing your progress with you supervisor and setting new targets, you should, ultimately, achieve your career aims. Hopefully you will get good advice and lots of encouragement on the way. To be accredited with this key skill you will need to show evidence that you can:

·         Identify targets
·         Follow a schedule to meet targets.

• Problem Solving: Your day to day work will require you to make decisions and tackle a range of problems, most of which are fairly routine. Your beauty therapy training will provide you with the skills and knowledge to deal with many of the problems which are likely to occur. The salon’s policies and procedures will provide further guidelines to help you with others. To be accredited with the key skill “Problem solving”, you will need to show evidence that you can:

·         Use established procedures to clarify routine problems
·         Select standard solutions to routine problems.

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