Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68165
BUSINESS SIDE Franchise massage membership clubs, such as Massage Envy (www. massageenvy.com) and elements therapeutic massage (http://corp. touchofelements.com), are becoming more popular as employers. Clients pay a monthly membership fee, which gets them one massage per month, and discounted services if they choose to get massage more often. Staff enjoy employee benefi ts, such as health insurance, paid vacation time, and opportunities for advancement. Larger cities may have more than one location; one therapist I know regularly worked between three Massage Envy studios that were all owned by the same person. When one place wasn't busy, she was sent to another; it suited her fi ne and kept her income at a steady level. PREPARING FOR THE JOB HUNT After you've narrowed down your list of possible places to work, based on your desires for employment and what's available in your area, you should maximize your chances of being hired by preparing a resume. There are three main types of resumes: the chronological resume, which begins with your most recent employment and works backward; the functional resume, which highlights your experience in the area of employment you're seeking; and the combination resume, which uses a functional style listing of relevant skills and accomplishments and then describes employment and education histories in reverse chronological order. The experience section directly supports the functional section. You're taking a chance if you just walk in the door hoping for an interview. Your resume should be accompanied by a cover letter that briefl y explains the type of employment you are seeking and why you are applying to the particular company. Many word- processing programs contain templates for resumes and cover letters; there are also numerous free examples available on the Internet. One caveat: use the spell-checker and ask a couple of people to proofread your documents. Nothing puts an employer off faster than receiving a sloppy resume full of typos and bad grammar. GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR There are several ways to go about getting a job interview, which is your all-important opportunity to land the position you want. You can mail in a resume, and follow up a few days later with a phone call to make sure it was received. If you're going to go this route, don't just send in a resume addressed to the XYZ Spa. Call fi rst and fi nd who's in charge of hiring. You're taking a chance if you just walk in the door hoping for an interview. That can be annoying to a busy manager who doesn't have time to talk to you right then; on the other hand, you might be lucky enough to appear on the same day a therapist quit and they're looking for somebody. In order to maximize your chances, have your resume in a large manila envelope clearly labeled with your name and contact information, state that you'd just like to drop it off for consideration, and ask if there is a more convenient time for you to come for an interview. As an employer myself, I am personally turned off when I answer the phone and someone asks, "Are you hiring?" No name is given; nothing is said about what they're looking for or what they're qualifi ed to do. On connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 23