Dear Felicia -

I was wondering if you would have any recommendations to making a "spa resume".  I've been a massage therapist for 6 years but during that time I've either worked for myself or worked for someone I knew so needing a resume was not needed.  Now I'm moving to a new area and will need to submit a resume. I don't what to put on it or how to set it up.  I've made them before but it was for regular work/jobs.  How do you make an impressive resume for the spa field?

Since you have mostly been working in your own office and have no actual "jobs", I would begin by focusing on your training and certifications, special skills (like pre-natal, reflexology, etc), willingness to be a part of a team (trainer, leader, learn new things, etc). Talk about how having your own practice helped you to understand the workings of a business, the importance of marketing yourself to build a clientèle, etc. Draw from other job/life experience skills to show you are well rounded. Mentioning computer training, experience in customer service, or proficiency in another language are also good to add. Likewise, you can highlight civic, church or volunteer activities, professional affiliations, memberships, licenses, and so on.

For someone who is new to the field or has just recently graduated from school, it may be best to start with your previous work experience making sure to find duties, tasks or experiences that can relate to the spa and wellness industry such as sales, customer service or care giving in any form. You can also get some letters of reference from past employers or practice clients as a testimony for your professional attributes.

As a former employer I have to say I almost never hired someone on their technical skills or training alone but rather on their personality, attention to details, willingness to bring their best to my team and business and really just how I thought they would fit in with the rest of our group and culture. Often the people who followed up on the resume with a phone call or the interview with a thank you note were the people I ended up hiring, because they exhibited the qualities I felt were important in building a clientèle...follow-up and persistence. They were willing to make the effort to show me from the very beginning that they wanted a place in my business. And that is worth as much or than just about any amount of training or experience in an employee. You can help someone improve their technical skills but not their inner drives and desires to succeed.

If you are in need of some professional help creating or editing your resume, I'd be glad to help. Just give me a call at 336.508.0790 or email me at Felicia@spalutions.com to set up your initial free consultation.