Grooming Job Question...

[aquaticmalamute]

Hi all, i'm after a bit of advice

I'm applying for a grooming apprentice job and was wondering what qualities an employer would be looking for?

A quick run down of myself....

* I show my dogs so have a high standard of presentation and attention to detail.

* I groom (my own dogs) for photoshoots and advertising, so obviously I expect them to look their best and have confidence in my own skills to do this.

* I have extensive experience with Hydrobathing and Blow Drying

* Being that I have a natural breed the most coat alterations I can do is scissoring - I have no experince with clipping (except for my OH's hair )

* I am more than happy to pay for my own education by attending a grooming school outside of work. This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time but again, having a natural breed I haven't been able to convince the OH to let me spend $7,000 on a course that I wouldn't be able to put into practice.

* I am highly ethical, have great customer service skills, flexible, energetic, a fast yet precise worker and am honest and reliable.

* Can't forget that I am dog savvy and have no issues with aggressive SWF

I'm looking to get out of my industry of a retail manager, but finding entry level work in a job that I would love is few and far between. I'm 23 so long out of the 'junior' age to get the experience I would need... sigh...

Is there anything I should add to my resume/cover letter to help my chances? I haven't exactly been lucky in my job hunting endevours. I'm going to add photos of my dogs fully groomed, anything else I should mention? Is it better to post the application or go in in person?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated

[~*Shell*~]

Nothing to add except good luck! Hope you get the job (and then can come and give me all the grooming info i want)!!!

[roxyporsha]

Looks great to me but a few tips that might help i would hire anyone that could do a mally lol so much coat flying out when you blow-dry ahhh it like show

Tips-

Before and after photos. Make a photo album of all the grooms you do. That way they can see your work

Add in the Breed you own and show.

Also that you can handle large breeds.

Look into grooming other breeds read read read what is required for every breed and there standards including pet clips and show clips. , note the difference.

If you can practice your clippering even on friends dogs it a leg up into ruff clipping.

Learn as much as you can about different coat types and how to groom them.

If you are in the dog world you have a leg up because you understand how to handle dogs already.

[Vehs]

Before and After photos are a great idea, but if you have yourself in them or something like your own business card near the dog then they will know you haven't stolen them from the internet!

The big thing for us at the moment is finding punctual people!

[aquaticmalamute]

Fantastic tips, thanks :D

Roxy - I love the photo album idea! Even if I don't get this job I can always have it on hand and add to it for next time a similar job pops up. Good to hear that employers have a preference to people in the dog world too, and the fact that I can easily handle big, stubborn breeds is advantagous. Unfortunately I don't have any friends with dogs I can practice on, they have either other Mals, Labs, Staffies, GSD's and Rotties ;) Perhaps I can offer to groom the dogs at the local pound or letterbox drops for willing participants.

Vehs - I don't think I have any photos of the dogs with me in them. I'm the official photographer for my dog's breeder and have done shots for her friends - she handles my dogs as well. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to photography so i'm always the one behind the camera. Alas I don't have any buisness cards either to pop up next to the dogs to prove that they are mine, they are advertised online and I have the original shots though, perhaps a link to them with my name would suffice?

I'm punctual too so that would be worth mentioning then! I used to show up 1/2hr before my shift just to organise my workspace in wake of the last Manager on duty, so that has to count for something. I used to do alot of unpaid overtime (without complaint), not something I think I should mention though

Shell - Thanks for the wishes of luck! If I get the job i'd be more than happy to come down for a visit and share my new found skills/tips/methods

[Gayle.]

If I were employing an apprentice in a specialised area like dog grooming, experience would be less important than a genuine interest in the skills. You already have that, and being that you show your dog, it's a proven interest.

Try not to be too quick to point out what you know.....you are applying for a trainee position.....they will want to train you their way, not have to spend time to untrain you, especially if you've learned habits different from what they're looking for.

My tips would be.........keep your opinions about dogs to yourself, especially if you have strong opinions about designer dogs. They are often a groomers biggest client base. Keep your opinions about backyard breeders to yourself as well. Bite your tongue til it bleeds if you have to.

Your work ethic counts for HEAPS with most employers. They want you to be at work when you're supposed to be at work; they want you there on time, doing what you're being paid to do.

Get the very best referees you can find. Often it's the referrals that clinch the job. And make them ones that count.

[weiz4eva]

add that you are strong, something you need to be to lift dogs in and out of baths ect. i work as a groomer on my own and it really does your back in.

i have trained a few people and really if u know dogs you will be fine. you could always start grooming from home to get some prac too.

good luck

Claire

[GoldiesRgr8Poodles2]

Hi all, i'm after a bit of advice

I'm applying for a grooming apprentice job and was wondering what qualities an employer would be looking for?

A quick run down of myself....

* I show my dogs so have a high standard of presentation and attention to detail.

* I groom (my own dogs) for photoshoots and advertising, so obviously I expect them to look their best and have confidence in my own skills to do this.

* I have extensive experience with Hydrobathing and Blow Drying

* Being that I have a natural breed the most coat alterations I can do is scissoring - I have no experince with clipping (except for my OH's hair )

* I am more than happy to pay for my own education by attending a grooming school outside of work. This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time but again, having a natural breed I haven't been able to convince the OH to let me spend $7,000 on a course that I wouldn't be able to put into practice.

* I am highly ethical, have great customer service skills, flexible, energetic, a fast yet precise worker and am honest and reliable.

* Can't forget that I am dog savvy and have no issues with aggressive SWF

I'm looking to get out of my industry of a retail manager, but finding entry level work in a job that I would love is few and far between. I'm 23 so long out of the 'junior' age to get the experience I would need... sigh...

Is there anything I should add to my resume/cover letter to help my chances? I haven't exactly been lucky in my job hunting endevours. I'm going to add photos of my dogs fully groomed, anything else I should mention? Is it better to post the application or go in in person?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated

Can you move to Adelaide please! I think I need you at my shop! lol

[Clyde]

I was thinking the same thing!

My tips would be.........keep your opinions about dogs to yourself, especially if you have strong opinions about designer dogs. They are often a groomers biggest client base. Keep your opinions about backyard breeders to yourself as well. Bite your tongue til it bleeds if you have to.

Couldn't agree more.

I've heard it all, and my tongue is now calloused now life. At the end of the day my only concern is that someone is actually looking after their dog.