Hiring! … I’m Making A Stand!

By Sam James, 2024 AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year

Hi, my name is Sami J, and I’m a raging hairaholic - My last cut was 9 days ago (BECAUSE I’M ON HOLIDAYS!) eeeeekkkk!!

Yes, I’m writing this whilst in 1 degrees in New Orleans having our first holiday in nearly 3 years. Hundreds of planes, but none with no scissors and for just Scotty and I and some play time.

But, before I could leave there was a lot - and I mean a lot to think about, organise and do (you business owners get me)

And one of the key things was making a decision on hiring. The thing we all hate!

When are we doing it? Can it wait till I’m back? Who are we looking for?

And of course, having these chats with the team, working it all out together.

Fortunately, our team has grown organically over the last 3 and a half years. With people approaching us just at the right time and being the next right person to grow our family. However, the universe isn’t providing right now, so for the first time, I decided to let the team handle it.

So, whilst I’m away, my coordinator and senior stylist of nearly 5 years, are currently interviewing and shortlisting applicants.

I made the video before I left, including all the people and fun parts about SJ, and outlined what we are looking for.

BUT WE ARE TACKLING THIS DIFFERENTLY.

WE NEED TO STOP BEGGING AND LOOKING DESPERATE!

As an entire industry, salon owners and their teams need to rethink how they’re approaching their hiring Ads.

Do you want Saturdays off!

Do you want above award pay!

Do you want flexibility!

Do you want exceptional training!

DO YOU WANT TO CHOOSE YOUR HOURS!!

It’s like we’re begging and bribing people to come work for us. I get that we’re at all-time lows in apprentice numbers, and an all-time high of actual salon businesses, but what hairdressers are we creating by begging them to be in this industry, and come work for us with whatever it takes?

Your approach is that we have a unique opening for ONE special someone to join our incredible team, and be a part of one of the best industries in the world.

We want them to come to the interview, excited, and like they need to prove to us that they deserve that spot.

During the interview process, we outline all the unique things we offer a SJ‘s. Weekly training with me, Our annual retreat, trips to Sydney for Hair Festival and the awards, being part of our photo shoots, team bonding events throughout the year, and overall having an incredible team culture within the salon.

This is always prior to talking about money, time off, and all the things that they get to have unique flexibility with.

Our team have all of the things I mentioned above - flexible hours, paid above award rates, great incentives - even for apprentices. However, these are spoken about throughout the first few weeks, like nice added bonuses when working with us.

They are certainly not the basis that we get people in our door or hire our new team members on.

I just think if we all made this little change, then we would elevate our industry again as a whole, and hopefully start to see a different calibre of employees and success rates across hairdressing and especially throughout apprentices.

I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I DO, AND WITH THE PEOPLE I DO IT WITH. INVITING SOMEONE NEW IN IS SCARY, AND THEY NEED TO WANT AND DESERVE IT!

@samij_hair