Ep. 5 - The Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring an Esthetician
We've talked about how to know when it's time to hire and where to find great estheticians. But today, we're covering something just as important: how to spot the red flags that signal a bad hire.
Hiring the wrong person isn't just frustrating. It's expensive.
A bad hire can lead to unhappy clients, team conflict, and SO much wasted time training someone who ultimately just doesn't work out.
So let's talk about it.
Why Bad Hires Happen in the First Place
Most of the time, bad hires happen because you rush the process.
Based on the last few episodes, you want to start collecting resumes before you're ready because you don't want to be in a position where you absolutely have to rush.
If you're desperate for help and hire the first person who applies, that's a red flag. Don't skip steps like checking references or doing a test service. Don't ignore red flags just because you need somebody.
Hiring out of desperation leads to very costly mistakes. And if you don't have the time to do it the right way at first, you'll waste even more time fixing a bad hire later. Trust me, I've been there and it really, really sucks.
Trust Your Gut
If you feel something is off but brush it aside, don't. Don't try to convince yourself, "Maybe they'll improve with time" or second-guess yourself because they seem qualified.
Your intuition is powerful and it's something you should not ignore. If something doesn't feel right, pay attention.
You have made it successfully this far. Why are you doubting yourself when you're hiring someone who hasn't made it as far as you are right now? Trust yourself.
The Biggest Red Flags to Watch For
1. Poor Communication
This is a big one right off the bat. Look for unprofessional or unreliable responses:
They take forever to respond to emails or messages
They use sloppy, unprofessional language in their emails
They cannot follow basic instructions in the application process
I do not let that fly. I used to and now I do not.
Pay attention to how they communicate before the interview. Ask yourself, "If they're like this now, how will they be when they interact with clients?"
Remember, they're showing you their absolute best. And if unprofessional language, slow response times, and inability to follow directions is their best, you deserve someone better.
2. No Initiative or Sense of Urgency
This one's hard to spot at first, but watch for a lack of interest or effort:
They show up to the interview without researching your spa first
They don't ask any questions about the role or seem interested
They're just passive during the conversation
That's not going to get better. Remember, they're showing you their absolute best.
Ask, "What do you know about our spa?" Their answer will tell you SO much.
Look for people who show curiosity and excitement. A great esthetician wants to work at YOUR spa, not just any spa.
3. Bad Attitude
Watch for:
Entitlement, negativity, or resistance to feedback
Talking poorly about past employers or clients (big red flag!)
Acting like they're doing you a favor by applying
Dismissing constructive feedback during the test service
I made a mistake once. I hired somebody who was talking poorly about almost every single job she had in the past. I thought, "Oh my gosh, this poor girl, she's been through so much."
And now that she's no longer on my team, I'm like, "Wow, she's probably doing the same thing about me and my business." So learn from my mistakes on this one.
I expect my team to be just as open to feedback as I am. If they don't respond well to constructive feedback during a test service, that's cause for concern.
Ask about a time they faced a challenge at work and see how they responded. Look for coachability, humility, and professionalism.
A bad attitude won't just affect you, it'll impact your entire team and the client experience.
Your Next Step
Create a checklist of non-negotiables before your next interview. Pay attention to your gut. Do not ignore those red flags.
Need help refining your hiring process?
Fill out this intake form to book a discovery call with me. I can help you create a hiring system that's unique to your spa and keeps you from getting burned.
Thanks for being here. Peace and love, my friend.
