I passed my Boards SO NOW WHAT??

[Spaz]

Today I passed my board exam and mailed my application to NC for my massage license. Yippe for me!

But the thought occurs to me - But now what?

I have been out of school for a year. This will be my first massage position. I do not have the space/money to start my own pratice. I do not want to do outcalls. I have no client base but everyone I know wants their freebie....could you just rub right here. I am leaning toward finding a positon that pays me a salary as I need to have a relatively steady paycheck. Supervision/mentoring would be a nice addition since in the school clinic it seemed like everyone just wanted a nice relaxing sweddish massage and I still feel like I know nothing. I would prefer to be off on the holidays and night.

My school glossed over the actual process of securing that first job but spent hours on how to make a mission statement, so I am kinda clueles about even how to get started. Previous school mates are very vauge and non helpful on how they did it. I live in a very touristy area and there are plenty of spa type places, and healing centers and well just about anything I could want. My choices are wide open.

What I don't know is how to promote and present myself in order to find such a position. I am needing some advice and tips on what I should do or say that I come across like I have a clue what I am doing. Do I just start in the phone book and do cold calls looking for help wanted, and what are the things I need to ask for or be cautious of??

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Meanwhile, you can find me reading the archives.

 

[Curtis T]

Do you have a resume put together? That should be first.

Look at the classifieds for sure, but also just call on places. Ask how often they hire new therapists, who does the hiring, can you speak to that person, can you schedule a time to bring your resume by for that person and meet face to face, be sure to have a pleasant smile on your face when you talk to the receptionist in person or on the phone, this may be your future coworker.

I have gotten jobs before by calling places where I'd like to work. So don't just go by the help wanted ads. Have some questions to ask and not just the passive "are you hiring?" If you can't talk to the person hiring then tell the receptionist that you have some questions about the company, does he/she have a moment to answer them. If right now isn't good then ask when a better time to call is, or ask for the voice mail of the person hiring and leave a message saying you have questions, please call back. If someone never has time or flat out refuses to answer some questions you have about the company then you probably don't want to work for them. Find out about the establishment - Are your therapists employees or ICs? Do you have part time and full time therapists? How early and late do you take appointments? Do you take appoinments on the weekends? What kind of massage do you do mostly? Just general info to help you know if you'd even want to work there. These are the types of questions I'd ask in a conversation like manner to whomever I got on the phone who had a moment to speak with me. Then try to schedule a time to drop off your resume to the person who hires, or if that's not possible then make an "appointment" with the receptionist..."I'll be in the area Wednesday after 1pm and can stop by to drop off my resume, will you be working the desk then or will someone else?"

Most important is to be yourself, the person you'd be if you already worked there. People like it (especially receptionists) when you respect their time and information so remember to get their name and thank them for their time and help.

Good luck!

 

[Logan]

Congratulations on passing the National Boards ! I just graduated on July 21,06. I have just sent my paper work off,so I can get a test date. I am so nervous about taking this test,as I guess everyone is when their time comes to test. What study guide if any did you use ? I am curious as I need to purchase one. I also live in North Carolina,the western part of the state. If you are in this area and are considering working for someone, I did know of an opening. The business is a salon/ massage therapy business. You just rent your room from them and I think that they provide some clients, not totaly for sure though. I would be more than happy to pass the info on to you if you are in the same area. Just let know. Renee

 

[sortma5ivci]

Thanks akb so much for a starting point! Yeah, I am working on trying to make my resume more therapist friendly. I am sure I will ask for critiques on that in a bit.

And nayinbavarian I will pm you.