Graduating from Cosmetology School? Let’s Plan Your Next Steps 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: EBS shares what newly graduated beauty pros fresh out of cosmetology school should do to further their careers. The article suggests finding an apprenticeship or mentor, building their personal brand, investing in cosmetology liability insurance, and committing to a career of continued education. 

Graduating from cosmetology school is an exciting achievement—but what comes next? Planning your next steps is essential to kickstarting a successful beauty career. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to take after graduating from cosmetology school, from building your portfolio to finding the right job opportunities and growing your skills. Let’s make your transition from student to beauty professional as smooth and rewarding as possible!

What Beauty Pros Should Do After Cosmetology School Graduation 

Find an Apprenticeship or Start Shadowing 

Once you get your license, it's time to get to work–and sometimes, that means finding a mentor to take you under their wing and teach you the ropes. If you're struggling to find a gig right out of cosmetology school, zero in on shadowing or apprenticeships at teaching salons. 

There are so many salons, shops, and spas out there that intentionally hire *fresh-out-of-school* cosmetologists so they can help mold you, train you, and teach the ways of the industry. 

Linking up with one of these organizations is a great way for newbies to get a little more experience under their belt. 

Practice, Practice, Practice 

This one is obvious, but we're throwing it in for good measure. You clearly worked your tail off in school (that's why you're graduating!) – but the work doesn't end just because you got your license. 

Even if you're the most talented student who's ever come out of your cosmetology school, you're still a new beauty pro–and that means you've got a lot to learn. 

Take more courses, learn online from your fave beauty pros, and find yourself a badass mentor–whatever you do, be as hands-on as possible for the next few years! Live, breathe, and sleep practicing your craft!  

Invest in Cosmetology Liability Insurance 

You know we had to mention this, right? Listen, we get it–the insurance company is going to spout off about the importance of insurance. 

But trust us, this is about more than making a sale. Without cosmetology liability insurance you can count on, your career could be over before it really gets a chance to take off. 

Find a liability insurance partner you can trust–one that offers reliable support, member benefits that actually matter, and accessible pricing! 

Build Your Brand & Market Yourself 

You can be the world's best *insert your skill here* and it would never matter if no one's ever heard of you. 

That sounds harsh, but hear us out. Your skills are obviously important–they're what'll keep people coming back for more. But your brand–and how you market that brand—will be what draws your audience to you in the first place. 

Invest time, energy, and even your resources into building your brand. 

No, we don't just mean pick a logo and fancy colors. Take the time to decide what your brand's foundation is. What do you stand for? What do you offer? What sets you apart? Decide on your brand's identity and your target audience. 

Learn how to refine your brand's voice, so it represents you and speaks to your ideal audience. 

Build up your marketing outlets–share on IG and TikTok, create an email list to build direct lines to your clients (and keep your leads warm), and don't skimp out on creating your own website. 

Even if you end up working in someone else's salon for a hot minute (or your whole career!) your personal brand is 100% worth investing in, building, and marketing. Because your audience is always going to be looking for you, not the salon you happen to work in. 

Keep Learning & Specializing

The sooner you accept that the beauty pro industry is all about never-ending education, the sooner you'll be on the right path toward wealth, abundance, and fulfillment. 

You learned a ton in beauty school–but you didn't learn everything. Only experience, specialization, and a commitment to continuing your education every step of the way is going to help you succeed. 

Attend trade shows to learn new skills. Invest in CE courses at cosmetology schools or from beauty pros you admire. 

Find a thing you love and become the absolute best at it. Expand your knowledge base–learn how to perfect your eyebrow game, become a killer blonding expert, or focus your career on elevated skincare.

Learn how to do as much as you can, and when you find your thing, specialize, specialize, specialize. 

Elevate & Refine Your Client Experience 

From the beginning of your career, the best thing you can do is start learning how to elevate and refine your clients' experiences. 

Why? Because if your marketing gets clients in your chair and your skill is what keeps 'em coming back for more, it's the client experience that's going to cement them as your go-to regular forever who sings your praises to anyone who'll listen. 

Believe it or not, cosmetology is more than just creativity–it's all about customer service. Learning how to elevate your clients' experiences from the moment they step into the salon to the days after they've left is the key to building your career. 

The better your client experience (and your follow-up), the better your reviews and referrals. The better your reviews and referrals, the more social proof you can point to in order to get new clients in your chair. The better those clients' experiences, the better those reviews and referrals. You see the cycle, right? 

Focus on experience–that's what keeps your clients singing your praises! 

Looking for more advice like this as you build your cosmetology career from the ground up? We got you. Subscribe to Elite Beauty Society to get first notice when we drop somethin' stellar on the blog like industry gossip, career-boosting tips, or even insurance discounts!