Spa Interview Questions

[Cool Kid 2]

Hey all,
I have a interview today at a spa. It's been a long time since I worked for anyone but myself.

Many times they are the ones to ask the questions, but what would you say is the most important questions to ask THEM, and what clues should we be looking for for a friendly work environment?

 

[The Patriot]

Good luck on the interview! It's hard having to work for people after you've been on your own and I hope ti all turns out fine.

It'e been a while since I've been in a spa environment, but here are a few items that jump out at me.

I'd say make a list of the things you need from the spa - be it breaks or working in the proper sized room. I was once moved into an estheticians room at last minute, because the spa wanted to add on just one more massage (they already had 4 working massage rooms at the time), since the esth. was on break. You can imagine that it did not go so well.

How I am to be paid and if I can count on it being on time would be important too.

Do you have to go over your paycheck with a fine tooth comb and keep track of your massages (of course you'll want to, but do you have to)? I was told I'd have to because the front desk was not very good at making sure all appointments were logged into the system each day. Big salon and a BIG problem. Makes you wonder.

 

[Charlotte]

Good questions pueppi!


The plus:Nice place and nice people.

The minus:
I just got back and listen to this...a 5 hour shift, 35% commission and no hourly pay.

If your new with no following you can expect to do one or two massages.

They want you to have a following, which I do, but I see them in my home office. I'm not bringing my clients there! I expect them to provide me with clients, that's why I'm going to work there!

Amazing.

Tell me, is this is the norm for spa jobs?? I've always been an IC for a 50/50 split.

 

[Eric Madison]

Leener,
I work in a new spa in town now, and am an employee.
They offer 50 percent of each massage/service. (50/50)
However we're only paid for hands on hours... and yes you are required to come in 30-45 minutes before your service starts and clean up the room, the hot stones or any equipment you used and prep it for the next service before you leave.
They also wanted me to bring in my own clients, as I've always been an IC before and thus have the contact info for my clients. Since they don't do the marketing or anything that brings in these clients, nor do they offer a better split for the clients I see on their premises... I am not in a big hurry to send out any notices for them to come see me in my new location.
I don't care how nice your spa people seem ATM, it's going to take time to figure out whether that's an act or the real deal. Research, ask around!
Just consider your options or lack thereof very carefully!

 

[vvrc]

nice people don't pay the bills.
Sounds like a really good reason to stay self employed or look elsewhere. Thats laughable commision. The spa I work is 6-8 hour shifts with 42% commision. I usually have 5 -6 services per shift. No hourly.

 

[Stupendous315]

Here is my dilemma...why would I bring my private clients to a place that would give me 35% commission, when I can take the 100%????

But from your posts, to have a therapist sit around on a shift with no pay and hope someone shows up is common?? Is this the norm until you build a clientèle there?

 

[Michaela]

I have worked at one spa where I was paid $21 per massage, sat around for quite a bit without getting paid but still had to do side work (not just my own either)

Worked at another that was 50% commission only.
Another 50% commission or $6 an hour which ever was more.
I never made much at any of those places.

The place I am at now I get paid $8 an hour, plus 10% commission,plus 15% gratuity. Doesn't sound like much but it adds up and I am making more now with that pay structure than when I was getting 50%.

 

[godsnarnialover]

Wow, I have been on my own for too long! hehehe :

Has it always been this bad or is it because of the glut of MT's flooding a saturated market?

So help me my friends, I have to make a decision tonight. If this is the norm, I might as well go with a friendly place. But if this is not a good deal, tell me and help me decide! :?

 

[1:45.83]

Leener,

Yes, it is pretty much the norm. 35% is a bit lean though. Most places offer at least 40% and some 50%. When you look at the numbers, it makes sense. A business paying you 50% isnt pocketing the other 50%. They have to pay taxes and fees on the money they pay you, plus all the other expences to run the place.

RandR could run numbers by you. This is his type of thread.

 

[Lisa]

Here is my dilemma...why would I bring my private clients to a place that would give me 35% commission, when I can take the 100%????

But from your posts, to have a therapist sit around on a shift with no pay and hope someone shows up is common?? Is this the norm until you build a clientèle there?

If you do take the job, don't take your private clients there! Another thing to check is to be sure they don't have a no-compete clause. In other words, don't agree not to work in the area, which would mean you just signed away the right to have your own private clients.

Their expenses don't matter much to your creditors (electric co., phone co., landlord, whatever bills you have). Yes, they have to pay bills out of their 65%. And you have to pay bills out of your 35%. Can you?

Unless there is really no possibility of working elsewhere right now, no way to build your own business more, and you have to have some sort of paycheck right this minute, I'd suggest passing on this one. Or at least negotiate a higher rate. They may not be willing to negotiate, but they can't kill you for trying.

Like the others said, nice doesn't pay the bills. And nice can very easily be an act.

 

[<3333 me]

This thread may be of some help to you.

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2029&start=0

 

[Kanchan]

Thanks for the link.

I'm pretty discouraged. Before becoming an independent contractor, I worked at a spa that paid me $10 an hour and $28 a massage.

The hour massage at this place is $85. Deep tissue is $95 for an hour.

I just can't imagine working anywhere for 5 hours and not be busy because I'm new and bring home only 35% of 1 or 2 massages.

I really need to supplement my income. We are trying to buy a home and new car, etc. Lots of bills right now

 

[|Gordon| |Freeman|]

I just can't imagine working anywhere for 5 hours and not be busy because I'm new and bring home only 35% of 1 or 2 massages.

Listen to your gut. It sounds like you already know how you are going to feel about this.If you only do two massages but are there 5 or 6 hours you are going to bring home less then 10 bucks an hour after taxes. Of course there will probaly be tips but I don't like to count on that. Its extra. But if you really like the place, make a counter offer. It never hurts to ask for what you want. What have you got to loose?? Figure out how much you think you can be happy with per hour and present it to them. Maybe its 5% more to make it worth your while, I don't know your situation.
Good luck what ever you decide.

 

[#2 was a miscarriage]

So you previously got $28 per massage and here you would get $29 or more per massage, but you are missing out on the $10 per hour for doing nothing? Assuming you get 2 appointments, is that extra $30 worth not taking the job?

Is it close by? Do they have a high turnover of staff? Do you know anyone that works there? That worked there and left? Will you be able to do spa things like wraps/scrubs? They're easier on the body than massage, and can help fill up the time while building clients, but you may not be allowed to do them due to your location. Do you think that type of stuff is silly?

Are all appointments 1hr on the hour, so you are really doing 50min? Or do they all an extra 15 min in the schedule for setting up the room etc? If they allow that 15min - that's only 4 possible massages in 5hrs, even if you are busy (10min would probably do, but allowing start times moving by 10min, it gets too complicated for the front deask). If it's every hour on the hour, you could get 5 possible massages, but do you want to work like that? Are you a 1hr massage is a one hour massage and you're cheating people if they get less type therapist?

Don't take your own clients there, you can give so much more to them in your setting, treat the people at the spa well, but they're not there for a healing experience, they're after a trip to the spa, the clients will have different expectations to your private cilents, you need to have a different expectations to work on those spa clients.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Here are a few points of interest from a spa director's point of view. This may help as I too am a therapist.

The room is supplied with the following:
hydrolic table, linens, all creams, lotions, oils, hot stones, cold stones, muds, salts, parafins, thermal blankets, pillows, towels, essential oils, candles, hot towel cabbie, UV sterilizer, mud warming bowl, hydrocollator packs, ice packs.

Spa is equipped to handle incoming calls that are answered by the receptionist daily, all appointments booked by him/her.

Main cleaning is handled by the cleaning lady on a daily basis. (i.e. sweeping, mopping, trash, windows, toilets, etc)

Marketing is handled by myself and the company.

Massage therapist is responsible for:
1) performing massage therapy (swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, pre-natal, shiatsu, reflexology, aromatherapy, mud wraps, salt scrubs, etc.) as needed by the clientele.
2) changing sheets/linens after each session, which includes the laundering of these sheets (this is assisted by the receptionist)
3) set up of the massage/treatment room before and after each session
4) assisting each client with any necessary product that you may have recommended to them for home use
5) word of mouth marketing of yourself in order to boost your revenue while working

It does not mean that we want you to bring your personal clients that you already have established to the spa it just means that we want you to help bring in new business for not just yourself but to the spa as a whole.

The commision split at the spa is generally 40% to the therapist with another 10% on product sales as an incentive for you invite the client to take a piece of the relaxation home with them.

I do however pay an hourly rate during the time that you are there in between services and only the commission for when you are doing massage. So I take better care of my therapist than most.

My therapist also have the opportunity to take part in medical benefits as well as paid vacation so long as they are full time employees.

 

[Riddle]

Thanks swarren, it's good to get all sides.

Just to clarify, I'm not looking for a 50/50 split. I love it that they handle everything and I just do my best at what I do.

The commision split at the spa is generally 40% to the therapist with another 10% on product sales as an incentive for you invite the client to take a piece of the relaxation home with them.

I do however pay an hourly rate during the time that you are there in between services and only the commission for when you are doing massage. So I take better care of my therapist than most.

I would take the 35% if she offered the hourly rate. I don't want to undervalue myself, after 10 years of experience under my belt and the lead therapist at my first spa job for 5 years. You know what I mean?

I any case I called and told them after thinking on it, 35% was not in my best interest and thanked them for the opportunity.

*sigh*

Oh well, onto plan B.... :roll:

 

[TWIGGY2]

I have to agree with you the 35% was a bit low. If she had offered you an hourly rate to compensate you for the time or 40% because of your experience it might have been worth it.

Some people, especially those that have never truly been in the field do not value our worth. I do wish you well on your search.

 

[heidi]

The spa I worked at paid under 30% commission to start with a max out at 35%. No hourly pay because you weren't expected to be there if you didn't have anyone scheduled. You were however expected to show up 30-45 minutest before your first appt to set everything up.

Nice in an interview is overrated. It can't be trusted ever. Only time there will tell the truth.