Find Your Dream Job

Massage is one of the most popular complementary therapies around, with different type of massage to suit individual need. Most people tend to train firstly to get their NVQ levels 2 & 3 in Beauty Therapy, these qualifications also include anatomy and physiology classes which are essential for understanding the body.
The most popular forms of massage amongst salons and spas are aromatherapy massage and Swedish massage, both of which are taught in NVQ level 3.

Aromatherapy massage at this level is usually using pre-blended essential oils and is much gentler and typically more relaxing than Swedish massage. If you wanted to qualify as an aromatherapist then you would need to take a separate advance course into blending oils as it is actually quite a complex skill to master the correct mixes for each client.

Swedish massage is more about muscle manipulation and is quite a good work out for the body. It’s great for any acute issues with areas such as the back or the legs and can be great post exercise.

Sports massage is a separate qualification and is more complex as it is treating injured tissues to pro-mote healing and maintain flexibility, it’s not designed to be relaxing and on the contrary can actually be quite painful but it is extremely effective.

In the work place most companies have a dress code, this is either in the form of a uniform that the company provide or guidelines to state what the company feels is appropriate for the type of work that you carry out on a daily basis.

In a way a uniform is easier as there is no debate about what to wear in the morning however it’s still important to ensure that a uniform is worn correctly and is always clean and presentable.

If you don’t have a uniform and work in an office environment, especially in a customer facing roll most people would expect to wear business attire, the problem with this term is that it’s fairly vague and can be interpreted very differently.

When first starting such a job it’s hard to know what to wear as you’re never sure on how strict the dress code of your new office is. My advice is always air on the side of caution, dress more formally in a suit with a tie for men and a suit with low heels for women.

What you wear on your first day counts towards the first impression you make so always ensure you feel comfortable but also present yourself in a confident professional manner.

When looking for your dream job it’s easy to just focus on the final goal however sometimes you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

If you’re after a job within a certain company, say a designer or stylist and the only vacancies they have is for an assistant sometimes the best option is to take the job and start at the bottom of the ladder, that way you get a chance to prove what you’re capable of as well as getting the opportunity to see internal job vacancies often before they are advertised externally.

From past experience once you’re within a company if you make a good impression they will want to keep hold of you so it can be a good bargaining tool to help to progress your career into your desired area.

Getting employed by a good reputable company also looks great for your CV so it helps to apply to rival companies in the same job area to show that you have relevant experience.

Always remember that any job on your CV looks better than a large unemployed gap, so taking a job as a stepping stone is always a good plan.

When between jobs, temp work can be a great way to keep your foot in the door and continue to earn money. There are many companies that offer specific temporary jobs such as jobs in retail over busy periods or administrative office work.

Most companies offering office temp work will require that you pass some basic tests before adding you to their books. Typically these are spelling tests, timed typing tests and data accuracy tests to ensure that you would be suitable for the role that they put you in. If you are placed in a company and excel at what you do there’s a high chance you could be offered a permanent role within the company so it’s always worth giving the job all you have to make a good impression.

The great thing about temp work is that it also allows you to try out a role before jumping into a new job to see if that type of work suits you.

If you are in the process of hunting for a job then if at first you don’t succeed try try again. Job searching can be a lengthy process and it can take weeks or months to find a job that you want to apply for. If you need to start work as soon as possible then you may not be able to be too fussy. Remember that you do not have to stay with the same job for years, even if you are only there 6 months or so until you find something that is better suited to the career path you wish to take. You may actually find that you really enjoy the job and excel in it so stay there. Often finding a job really is a numbers game and ideally you need to try and apply for one or two every day to get the best possible chance.

When applying for almost any job you will be asked to include a CV. What to include in your CV can vary between jobs, so you should always check to find out what the employer needs to know.

Most often a CV will include all official qualifications, employment history, references and a brief section identifying your own interests and hobbies.

Your CV needs to be easy to read, informative and not too long. You should always use a computer to create your CV, unless otherwise stated by the employer.

Your CV is your chance to impress employers and convince them that you deserve an interview. It may be worthwhile to highlight any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of, and which benefited your previous employers, as it will show that you take pride in your work. A good CV will capture the attention of employers and draw attention to your skills and achievements, it could well be the difference between getting the interview you want or missing out, so always take time to thoroughly check all spellings and grammar before sending it off.