How Do I Become a Beauty Advisor?

A beauty advisor offers advice to potential customers regarding cosmetics and personal-care products and works to make sales. You won't usually need a college degree to become a beauty advisor, though most employers will require candidates to have graduated from high school or earned General Educational Development® (GED®) credentials. Sales and customer service experience may also prove beneficial, though many employers offer on-the-job training. Additionally, your chances of landing this job and excelling in it may improve if you can pay attention to detail, maintain a neat workspace, and work on at least some nights, weekends, and holidays.

Though the requirements you'll need to meet to become a beauty advisor depend on the company with which you seek employment, most employers do not require specific training or higher education for this job. Many employers will give preference to those who have earned high school diplomas or GEDs®, but a college degree is usually unnecessary. You may, however, consider taking a beauty or training course in preparation for this job, as such a course may help you build skills and knowledge helpful in this line of work.

Sales skills also are often desired when you want to become a beauty advisor. If you have work experience in a sales-related job, you may have a better chance of qualifying for this position and performing well once you land it. Though not mandatory, you could also consider taking a course in sales in preparation for this job. Many employers do, however, provide on-the-job training to help prepare new hires. Since you will be called on to greet, advise, and sell to customers, customer service experience may prove important as well.

The ability to pay attention to detail and maintain a neat, pleasant work area may also prove important when you want to become a beauty advisor. Prospective employers will likely want to know you will pay attention to details of a customer's appearance when serving him as well as details about the products you offer. For example, you may have to recall which cosmetic is best for those with oily skin or the colors that highlight yellow skin tones. Additionally, a prospective employer will probably want to know you will be committed to maintaining a neat, orderly work environment that makes the shopping experience pleasant for the customer.

When it comes to many employers, your availability to work will also influence your chances of being hired as a new beauty advisor. Many employers will want to hire candidates who can work at night and on weekends since they may have an increase in shoppers during this time. Some may also look for candidates who will be available to work on some of the major holidays.