Kickstart Your Career: How To Find a Job as an Esthetician in a Competitive Market

You may have heard that finding a job as a newly licensed esthetician can be a challenging task. Starting any new career comes with its challenges, but with the right tools and training a new esthetician can break into this rapidly growing field and thrive! 

Read on to learn more about how to start a career as an esthetician from Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, the PNW’s premier aesthetic school.  

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Esthetician Job Landscape
• Building a Strong Foundation Before You Apply
• Crafting a Job-Ready Esthetician Resume and Portfolio
• Knowing Where and How To Look for Esthetician Jobs
• Nailing the Interview and Trial Process
• Alternative Paths and Entrepreneurial Options
• Final Tips From Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics for Long-Term Career Success

Wondering what the job market looks like for estheticians? The good news is that aesthetics is a rapidly growing field – the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 10% job growth for skin care specialists, which is a much higher growth rate than other job markets. However, there are also increasing numbers of aestheticians graduating from training programs across the country. The key to getting a great job as a new aesthetician is to get your training from a top school, like Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics. 

At Spectrum, we prepare students to use the latest esthetician techniques and ensure they are ready to enter this lucrative and competitive field.

What Jobs Can You Do With an Esthetician License?

An esthetician license can open many career doors, but first, you need to decide if you want to take a traditional aesthetics route or aim for a medical aesthetics career. 

A medical esthetician or certified advanced esthetician license allows you to work with certain devices, such as laser devices, body contouring devices, and cellulite reduction devices. A certification in this field allows you to pursue a career as:

• Laser Technician – As a medical esthetician, you operate the laser equipment for hair removal, tattoo removal, skin resurfacing, and more. 
• Medical Esthetician – This umbrella term covers advanced skincare treatments like chemical peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, and LED therapy. Medical Estheticians are in high demand for places like dermatologists’ offices. 
• CoolSculpting Specialist – Perform non-invasive body contouring using CoolSculpting. 

A traditional esthetician license is a prerequisite to a medical esthetician license. It is a good choice for pursuing a career as:

• Waxing Specialist – providing body and face waxing either independently or with a waxing chain.
• Cosmetologist – perfect for estheticians who want to work solo doing weddings, events, etc, or who want to enter the world of makeup sales at stores like Sephora.
• Spa Esthetician – providing classic skin treatments such as facials, extractions, etc 
• Lash and Brow Technician – from microblading brows to applying lashes, this is a growing field. 

Both traditional and medical esthetician licenses open doors for your career. You can work independently, rent space in a salon, or work at a spa. Medical estheticians can work in the rapidly growing world of MedSpas across the country, and even on cruise ships and resorts. 

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 Is There a High Demand for Estheticians?

Yes! Esthetician jobs are increasing as aesthetic services become more popular. This is due to increased awareness and interest in aesthetic services, social media’s emphasis on skincare, and an aging population. Whether you are interested in medical esthetics or traditional, becoming a certified esthetician can open career doors. 

Is It Hard To Find Jobs as an Esthetician?

With new Med Spas and luxury resorts always opening, finding a job as an esthetician has never been easier! The field is competitive, but there are plenty of ways to gain an edge and find the esthetician job of your dreams. The best way to start is to get certified by the best esthetician school, Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics. 

At Spectrum, we focus not just on learning, but on training and networking to get you real-life experience to start your career. Here are some tips to give you a competitive edge in the esthetician job market:

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Top-quality certification and experience can give you a leg up when getting your first esthetician job. Remember that not all certifications are created equal, and employers know which schools train harder than others. To ensure that you get the most advantage possible, create a strong foundation by doing the following: 

Make Sure Your Licensing and Certifications Are in Order

Licenses and certifications for esthetician jobs vary from state to state. Oregon requires that estheticians graduate from a board-certified schooling program. This includes a minimum of 444 hours of training and 220 hours of practical operations. 

Applicants must also pass a board-approved written examination at a Health Licensing Office. If you are certified in another state, you may be able to transfer that certification to Oregon, but you will still be required to pass the written examination.

Worried about passing the exam? With an education from Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, you will be completely prepared! Our programs have training and practical operations that far exceed Oregon state licensing requirements, preparing you not just for the exam but also for your work experience. Spectrum’s educators are all practicing estheticians with real-life experience to help you get the best education possible. Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics takes pride in having the highest license exam pass rate in Oregon. 

Invest in Continued Education and Hands-On Experience

If you want to find a good job as an esthetician, getting licensed is just the beginning. To get an edge in this competitive market, continued education, workshops, and internships are a must. 

Spectrum Aesthetics offers a variety of continuing education options that can open doors for estheticians. As the most advanced esthetician school in Oregon, we offer programs that go above and beyond, such as:

• Advanced Esthetics Program – A program for licensed estheticians who are looking to become certified advanced estheticians, aka medical estheticians, allowing them to work at Med Spas. 
• Nutrition Certified Esthetician Program – a 3-day program educating estheticians on the links between nutrition, genetics, and epigenetics in skincare. 
• Phlebotomy for PRP – a 40-hour program for licensed estheticians that surpasses the education hours required for standard phlebotomy licensure and allows estheticians to perform platelet-rich plasma skin procedures. 

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After getting a quality education and completing your certifications, creating an excellent resume and portfolio are key to landing a good job. Remember that esthetics is a visual industry, so focus on showing as opposed to telling. 

Create a portfolio that highlights your technical skills, such as waxing, facials, and advanced esthetics, such as laser if possible. High-quality images, used with your client’s consent, can go a long way for potential employers. 

Your resume should focus more on your professionalism, training certifications, customer service, and management experience.

Online Job Boards and Niche Industry Sites

When it comes to finding employment, the internet is a great place to start. Studies show that job seekers turn to the internet first, far surpassing other methods of finding employment. 

Check out esthetician job boards and niche industry sites in your area to see what is available and what the salary range looks like near you. This may not lead to employment, but it can give you a good idea of the job market. 

Networking in the Beauty Industry

“Networking” is a common job-seeking buzzword, but what does it actually mean? It means meeting other people in your industry in a professional setting. 

For estheticians, there are many ways to network and expand your career. These include attending esthetician and skincare events and conventions, as well as being active on esthetician Facebook groups and message boards. 

Approaching Spas and Salons Directly

If you have a specific med spa or salon in mind, consider dropping by for an informational interview. Make sure to dress well and present yourself professionally. 

Ask them what they look for in an employee, what kind of services they offer, and what work schedules look like. This shows that you are interested while also expanding your real-world knowledge and networking skills. 

Leveraging Your Esthetics School’s Job Placement Resources

No esthetician school can guarantee job placement. However, Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics graduates are sought after in the field due to the rigorous training required to graduate. 

Spectrum receives multiple weekly inquiries from dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medi-spas, physicians’ offices, and more. These inquiries are passed along to students, and many students secure jobs before or shortly after certification. Spectrum even offers business development support for students who wish to start their own spas. 

If you got an interview for an esthetician job, congratulations! This first step is a great opportunity to showcase your training and put your best foot forward. Here are some tips and tricks to nail your esthetician job interview:

• The first is obvious, but professional appearance and grooming are a must. Don't swing by for your interview right after going to the gym or rolling out of bed. First impressions matter. 
• Be prepared to discuss techniques, training, and experience at length.
• Bring a high-quality photo portfolio. 
• During the trial, be sure to listen to your client and prioritize their comfort and safety. This shows a combination of technical prowess and client care that can make you stand out from the competition.

What To Look for in a Job Offer

Not all esthetician jobs are the same. Working hours and salary vary by employer, skill level, and position. Here are a few things to look for in an esthetician job offer:

• Compensation: Is it hourly, or commission only? What does the tipping structure look like?
• Schedule: Do the hours align with your needs? Part-time, full-time, etc?
• Benefits: Does this job offer healthcare, retirement plans, or continuing education credits?
• Work environment: a bad work environment can tank a job. Does the location seem clean, well-managed, and friendly? 
• Products and equipment available: Does this location have the high-end equipment, cleanliness, tools, and space to support your esthetician career? 

What Is the Highest Paying Esthetician Job?

Esthetician compensation can run the gamut. How much you get paid depends on your training, certifications, experience, reviews, and the kind of location you work out of. 

Generally speaking, medical estheticians who work with dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and medical spas make the most due to the training required. 

The beauty of starting a career as an esthetician is that it allows you to start a business and be your own boss. 

Working in a spa, especially a medical spa, is important for gaining experience and learning how things function in a professional setting. After that, you can start freelancing and building your client base. You can advertise on social media to boost visibility, and with the right education and certificates, the world is your oyster! 

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is not just another esthetics school. Our students are a legacy of success, and we work hard to support them from beginning to end. Not only do we offer flexible class options both online and in-person, but Spectrum is one of the only esthetic schools with class financing options. 

Our programs lead the state in cutting-edge esthetic techniques, requiring practice and practical hours that far exceed state requirements. Spectrum’s instructors are fellow working estheticians who collaborate with students for future success. If you are ready to find a job as an esthetician, check out our website and begin your career journey. 

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.