Want to know what different careers are REALLY like? We figured that nobody can tell it how it really is like people actually working in the jobs you're interested in.
Ever wondered whether life in the beauty industry is for you? Then check out our interview with beauty therapist Samantha Jenkins...
Like what Sam has to say? Then check out our career guide to
beauty therapist jobs
for more info.
What do you do for a job?
I provide holistic massage and beauty treatments to women in their own homes as part of a mobile business.
Childhood dream or something you just fell into?
Although this wasn’t exactly a childhood dream, it was something that I fancied doing from my late teens. I finally trained at the age of 25 – you can start at any time!
How did you get into your job?
I had to do 2 years at college, obtaining a NVQ level 3 qualification.
What does a typical working day involve?
A typical work day for me involves driving to client’s houses and personally doing a variety of treatments, from nails to waxing, massage to make-up.
What do you like about your job?
I like the variety of treatments and meeting different people… no two days are the same.
And dislike?
I dislike the unsociable hours, commuting between clients and having to lug all my heavy kit everywhere!
What kind of person do you need to be to succeed in this job?
You need to be sociable, organised and definitely not squeamish! This job isn’t as glamorous as you might think. You also have to have lots of tact and empathy - sometimes you feel like a psychiatrist!
Any regrets?
No regrets whatsoever!
If you could do any other job/career what would you choose and why?
I would have liked to have been an interior designer.
If you had to offer one piece of advice to anyone looking to break into your industry, what would it be?
My advice would be to go for it but to expect to work long hours for little money, at least to begin with. Always work in a salon before you go out on your own to gain valuable experience.
