Pros
- Your usual shift will likely contain the same team members (weekday, weeknight, weekends). You quickly become family and mostly get along. - if you are good, talented, and well versed in communicating with your client, you will have a strong following of clients. You look forward to seeing them and speaking with them like a friend. - free blowouts during the week (during off time and must be clocked out) - 50% off products and tools - flexible with hours, specific shift needs, time off, etc. (stylists have an easy time, receptionists have a semi-decent attempt at this, but any higher titles have a much harder time with this) - expressive dress code. Lenient (maybe TOO lenient), stylish, fun, tattoos/piercings/oddball hair color & cuts are all encouraged. - rating system sent to clients as a push to get monthly bonus. Although small, it's a nice gesture. Get it 3 months in a row, you get a paid day off. - very good introduction to the beauty world. Great to do directly out of Cosmo school.
Cons
- corporate and upper management are completely clueless to the individual shop struggles. - has lost it's luster within the last year or 2. - high employee turnover rate. - shop managers and assistant managers are grossly overworked and underpaid. They are not required to have a Cosmo license or have hair experience because it "isn't a necessity" for them to be on the floor. They lack a relationship with their team due to a disconnect in work knowledge. - they have a "master stylist program" that has become increasingly disheartening. Many quit because of a misleading job description. They are required to have open schedules and no longer have client taking privileges because they are promised a huge impact job that will require their constant presence and help. In the end, you basically become a glorified receptionist/assistant with no hands in hair. - poor work/life balance in higher positions. You have to be willing to give up any chances of a social/home life if you want to work in the management or training teams. They have no flexibility or promise of a set schedule. You must make yourself available on phone and email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. - must be "obsessed" with the Drybar way, otherwise they will never notice you. No raises, no chance of promotion. - managers and assistant managers have no qualms in showing favorites and have inappropriate/unprofessional conversations.