Wondering what a massage clinic owner might ask you when you go in for a job interview? If you’re not sure how to prepare—Take 5!
Typical Job Interview Questions
ABMP has prepared a number of mock resumes and cover letters as examples you can use to write your own materials. Download them here!
Resume and Cover Letter Samples
Step 7: Get the Job!
During your career exploration, you may have decided you want to work as an employee or that you’d like to try blending a career by working as an employee while you build a private practice. Now, let’s talk about some basics of getting the job.
Identify Potential Employers
A search on the Internet is probably the easiest way to develop a list of potential employers in your area and their contact details. Call the business to determine if they are currently hiring massage therapists and their application procedure. It is not a bad idea to travel the route from your house to the business to determine how much commute time is involved. You might also want to visit the business as a client to get a feel for the environment and general working conditions.
Prepare a Resume
Prepare a resume and cover letter and follow the job application procedure for each business that interests you. A resume is an individual summary of a person's background, experience, education, training, and skills. This document is used by an employer to determine if an applicant has the experience that is appropriate for an open position. While there are many types of resumes, a chronological resume is easy to write and illustrates an individual’s progression in a given field. New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Individuals with relevant work experience will list their educational information after job experience. Here are some of the elements you should include in your resume:
- Contact Information. This includes the applicant’s name, address, phone number(s), and email address. Nicknames and surnames, such as Senior, Junior, or II, should be avoided, and all words in the address should be spelled out completely (i.e., Street, Avenue).
- Career or Job Objective. An objective tells potential employers what sort of work you are hoping to do. Be specific about the type of job you want and be sure to tailor your objective to the specific position or employer.
- Education. Include the name and location of the institution and the date of the degree, diploma, or certificate. List the most recent education experience first and include your grade point average if it is higher than 3.0. Describe the main area of study (e.g., massage and spa), list the hours of training if they exceed the state minimum, and mention any academic honors or awards. Massage therapists will also want to include continuing education workshops under the education heading, but these should be listed after the main educational experience, despite their chronological order.
- Work Experience. Include the work experience that has taught you skills in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first. List the title of the position, name of the organization, location of the work (town, state), dates of employment, and a description of your work responsibilities. If the experience is not an actual job, list it under the heading Experience, as in the sample resume.
- Other Information. Depending on the specific job for which you are applying, you may choose to include leadership experience in volunteer organizations, special certifications or accreditations, membership in professional organizations, special accomplishments, computer skills, or foreign languages.
Do not include your references on the bottom of your resume. Instead, note that references are available on request. Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names to potential employers.
See sample resumes in the Picked Fresh section of this newsletter.
Prepare a Cover Letter
A cover letter introduces you to employers and arouses their interest so that they read your resume and ask to interview you for the job. Write each letter to address the specific employer and the specific job using paragraphs (avoid bulleted lists).
A cover letter has three sections:
- In section one of your letter, briefly state the job you are applying for and how you learned about it. Then state your general qualifications for the job.
- In section two, expand upon your qualifications and describe why you are a good fit for the specific position. Pick out the most relevant qualifications listed in your resume and discuss them in detail to demonstrate your particular suitability for the job.
- In the final section of your letter, request an interview (or some other response as appropriate) and include a time when you can be reached. Thank the reader for his or her time and consideration.
See sample cover letters in the Picked Fresh section of this newsletter.
The Interview
In an interview, the employer will appraise your suitability for a specific position and for the company as a whole. When you set up the interview, be sure to inquire if you will be asked to provide a sample of your hands-on work. If the answer is no, dress as professionally as possible. If the answer is yes, wear professional massage attire, such as black pants and shoes and a short-sleeved polo shirt, so you can deliver the sample massage.
Make sure to role-play your answers to standard interview questions with a friend or classmate to ensure you express yourself honestly and with confidence. You can also ask the employer questions to get a better idea of the workload, expected duties, schedule, and compensation. At the conclusion of the interview, express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and show enthusiasm for the job.
In our next Student Life newsletter, we look at taking the first steps in private practice.