Although I've been neglecting my blog a bit due to my main job taking up my time, (I just got my first 9-5 "big girl" job, woo hoo!) I still continue to receive emails from you lovely readers. Seriously, you guys rock.
One question I've been getting lately is what on EARTH do I wear to a job interview for a tattoo shop receptionist gig? This is a fantastic question. I can recall back to when I got my first interview and I was FREAKING OUT over what to wear. I mean, it's a tattoo shop, so it's a casual environment, but I also want to dress to impress...what do I do? At the time, I even went onto some tattoo forums to ask some artists to chime in with their opinions.
I recently asked my boss this question, as well as some of my artists. They all said that what I wore was PERFECT. I wore dress slacks, some black flats, and a nice silky dressy-type shirt. Basically, business casual. This works out great because you are showing that you aren't trying TOO hard (I mean, come on, it's a tattoo shop...you don't need to wear a suit!), but at the same time you are a little more dressed up than usual, showing that you're a serious professional who is a contender for this job.
A few years after I got hired, we had a sudden need for another front desk person to be hired (As much as I'd like to be, I can't be at the shop all the time). It was exciting for me to see because I got to greet all of the potential candidates. Oh, to be new and nervous again! I remembered it well and tried my best to reassure each candidate that the interview would be really mellow. Anyway, I saw it all...suits, ties, blazers, you name it...as well as JEANS, SPAGHETTI STRAP TANK TOPS, SANDALS, DIRTY SNEAKERS...as well as everything in between. Think of it this way- you don't want to stick out in one direction, fancy or casual, too much. Think middle of the road!
A side note to all of this is hair and makeup. Again, I went real business casual with this- I wore makeup, but not a TON of crazy glitter eyeliner, bright neon lipstick, or anything like that...it was very natural. My hair had purple streaks, but I wore it straight and clipped back. I've gotten asked about showing tattoos, piercings, and crazy hair to interviews. Think about it- this is an industry where artistry of all forms is accepted, for the most part (sure, you might find a jerk here or there, but that's in any industry). If you have a crazy hair color, don't try to hide it...just rock it! If you're that worried about it, you could definitely style it in a more subdued way (low bun or ponytail, slicked back, etc.). When it comes to tattoos, oh my goodness don't be afraid to show those, that's what we are all about. Piercings, it's the same thing, except I might hold off on wearing your 00g septum ring...maybe try a retainer or jewelry that is a little less IN YOUR FACE for the interview. Unless that's your thing, then well, rock on, brother/sister. I only mention this last note because the boss man told me that it was his personal preferences to see candidates who chose jewelry that wasn't distracting for the interview. He also did note that upon being hired, YES, OF COURSE, ROCK THAT FACE METAL, friend!
I hope this is helpful. Have a great new year, folks!
Showing posts with label job info. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job info. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
How to get my job (or...tips to try, anyway)
The majority of the emails that I have received so far deal with one question..."So just how DO you get a receptionist/shop help type job at a tattoo shop, anyway?" This is a great question that I'd like to try to answer to the best of my ability. Although none of these tips are going to guarantee that you'll get a position similar to mine (many shops don't even HAVE a position like mine), I feel that these could possibly boost your chances.
First things first-get a resume together that is geared towards being a receptionist/front desk/shop help. I would definitely make this as well rounded as possible; a possible employer is going to choose the person who is going to benefit their company the most. As I've explained before, my position involves much more than just answering phones and scheduling appointments all day- I do most of the cleaning that goes on in the shop. Also, it may be obvious that you need to have customer service skills for this job, but you're going to want to make sure to highlight that you indeed have them. Because of all of this, you are going to want your resume to reflect everything; don't leave any stone unturned. Don't be afraid to be creative with your past experience. For example, my first "job" was babysitting. I wasn't in "customer service", per say, but my resume reflected the fact that I interacted with my clients and ensured that the care that I was providing for their children was meeting and exceeding their expectations. I also worked for a company that put on birthday parties for children; I used this as experience for cleaning, because I had to vacuum, clean restrooms, and set up and take down decorations for the parties. Basically, I made what little experience I DID have applicable to the tattooing world, even though nothing I did related directly. Sidenote- if you happen to be interested in art, SAY so! Bonus points if you make art on the side, are in art school, or anything. These are definitely good things to put on a resume because it shows that you are interested in their field. However, I had none of this (I can barely draw stick figures), so it's definitely not a requirement (unless you wanted to tattoo, but watch for a future post on that).
I would also take this time before the job hunt to start studying up on tattooing and the process. Of course, you may already be very knowledgeable about these things. I wasn't, so I needed to research. This way, you're prepared for questions and you sound confident that you know what you're talking about. You never know when you'll be offered an interview, so you'll want to have this started. It wouldn't be a bad idea to brush up on piercings, either, since many shops also offer piercing services.
Your best bet in finding a job is going to be to find a shop that is actively hiring for this very position. I would start by looking on popular sites that list jobs...monster.com, craigslist.org, etc. You may need to try using different keywords, such as "tattoo receptionist", "tattoo front desk", "tattoo shop help"...you get the idea. Honestly, if you just search "tattoo", you'll probably find everything that you're going to find on the particular website that you're on (plus some actual tattooing jobs, of course). Another idea would be going going onto the websites of shops that are local to you (to get THESE websites, you're on your own...use Google to your advantage) and see if they have an "employment" or "HR" section. You *might* just luck out and find an ad about shop help wanted (Of course, these types of sections on a tattoo shop website are rare, but you NEVER know!). Be sure to check out the social media sites of shops, as well, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Shops have been known to post help wanted ads on these mediums, as the traffic is pretty heavy on them. I'm personally not active on any tattoo/piercing forums, but I know that jobs have been posted on forums in the past...so be aware of these options, as well!
If you can't find any listings for jobs, now you're going to have to start cold calling, essentially. This is why I suggested getting a resume together. With this resume, you'll be persuading employers that you're worth hiring and that you'd be a valuable asset to their company. I suggest that you walk into shops in person- calling about a job on the phone comes off as lazy. Whenever someone calls our shop, I have been instructed to tell them to come in and speak to a manager. You don't want to be pinned as lazy even before you interview...not good. Go into shops and ask to speak to a manager. Ask if they are hiring for a front desk/receptionist/shop help position. Actually...I would probably say shop help, as that is what they would most likely want, if given the option (it sounds the most appealing, plus you'll probably end up doing reception anyway if hired on as shop help). As you probably read in one of my posts, that's essentially what I do...help out around the shop and do everything the artists DON'T want to do. If the manager says they are hiring, great. If not, or if they say they don't even have the position, I would ask if they've ever considered having shop help. Go into the benefits of having an extra set of hands in the shop that aren't tattooing- someone to always answer phones, someone to always greet clients and answer questions (have you ever walked into a business and just kind of stood there, confused, because no one greeted you? Awkward and uncomfortable), someone to clean up after the artists and make the shop run as seamless as possible. Sure, it's possible that the manager already does all of this. However, I DO know that many shops are all dudes, and artistic tattooer dudes don't always think of things that make a shop more appealing to the average client, like having a receptionist. Plus, my guys at my shop LOVE that they don't have to do any of the cleaning around the shop. You might also want to offer the fact that you could help out with cleaning tubes and autoclaving things (just more stuff they don't want to do). Don't be afraid...the worst that can happen is they say no.
Get an interview? Great! Wondering what to wear? So was I! Check out this post to get more information on that.
Hopefully this was all helpful. As always, feel free to email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions.
First things first-get a resume together that is geared towards being a receptionist/front desk/shop help. I would definitely make this as well rounded as possible; a possible employer is going to choose the person who is going to benefit their company the most. As I've explained before, my position involves much more than just answering phones and scheduling appointments all day- I do most of the cleaning that goes on in the shop. Also, it may be obvious that you need to have customer service skills for this job, but you're going to want to make sure to highlight that you indeed have them. Because of all of this, you are going to want your resume to reflect everything; don't leave any stone unturned. Don't be afraid to be creative with your past experience. For example, my first "job" was babysitting. I wasn't in "customer service", per say, but my resume reflected the fact that I interacted with my clients and ensured that the care that I was providing for their children was meeting and exceeding their expectations. I also worked for a company that put on birthday parties for children; I used this as experience for cleaning, because I had to vacuum, clean restrooms, and set up and take down decorations for the parties. Basically, I made what little experience I DID have applicable to the tattooing world, even though nothing I did related directly. Sidenote- if you happen to be interested in art, SAY so! Bonus points if you make art on the side, are in art school, or anything. These are definitely good things to put on a resume because it shows that you are interested in their field. However, I had none of this (I can barely draw stick figures), so it's definitely not a requirement (unless you wanted to tattoo, but watch for a future post on that).
I would also take this time before the job hunt to start studying up on tattooing and the process. Of course, you may already be very knowledgeable about these things. I wasn't, so I needed to research. This way, you're prepared for questions and you sound confident that you know what you're talking about. You never know when you'll be offered an interview, so you'll want to have this started. It wouldn't be a bad idea to brush up on piercings, either, since many shops also offer piercing services.
Your best bet in finding a job is going to be to find a shop that is actively hiring for this very position. I would start by looking on popular sites that list jobs...monster.com, craigslist.org, etc. You may need to try using different keywords, such as "tattoo receptionist", "tattoo front desk", "tattoo shop help"...you get the idea. Honestly, if you just search "tattoo", you'll probably find everything that you're going to find on the particular website that you're on (plus some actual tattooing jobs, of course). Another idea would be going going onto the websites of shops that are local to you (to get THESE websites, you're on your own...use Google to your advantage) and see if they have an "employment" or "HR" section. You *might* just luck out and find an ad about shop help wanted (Of course, these types of sections on a tattoo shop website are rare, but you NEVER know!). Be sure to check out the social media sites of shops, as well, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Shops have been known to post help wanted ads on these mediums, as the traffic is pretty heavy on them. I'm personally not active on any tattoo/piercing forums, but I know that jobs have been posted on forums in the past...so be aware of these options, as well!
If you can't find any listings for jobs, now you're going to have to start cold calling, essentially. This is why I suggested getting a resume together. With this resume, you'll be persuading employers that you're worth hiring and that you'd be a valuable asset to their company. I suggest that you walk into shops in person- calling about a job on the phone comes off as lazy. Whenever someone calls our shop, I have been instructed to tell them to come in and speak to a manager. You don't want to be pinned as lazy even before you interview...not good. Go into shops and ask to speak to a manager. Ask if they are hiring for a front desk/receptionist/shop help position. Actually...I would probably say shop help, as that is what they would most likely want, if given the option (it sounds the most appealing, plus you'll probably end up doing reception anyway if hired on as shop help). As you probably read in one of my posts, that's essentially what I do...help out around the shop and do everything the artists DON'T want to do. If the manager says they are hiring, great. If not, or if they say they don't even have the position, I would ask if they've ever considered having shop help. Go into the benefits of having an extra set of hands in the shop that aren't tattooing- someone to always answer phones, someone to always greet clients and answer questions (have you ever walked into a business and just kind of stood there, confused, because no one greeted you? Awkward and uncomfortable), someone to clean up after the artists and make the shop run as seamless as possible. Sure, it's possible that the manager already does all of this. However, I DO know that many shops are all dudes, and artistic tattooer dudes don't always think of things that make a shop more appealing to the average client, like having a receptionist. Plus, my guys at my shop LOVE that they don't have to do any of the cleaning around the shop. You might also want to offer the fact that you could help out with cleaning tubes and autoclaving things (just more stuff they don't want to do). Don't be afraid...the worst that can happen is they say no.
Get an interview? Great! Wondering what to wear? So was I! Check out this post to get more information on that.
Hopefully this was all helpful. As always, feel free to email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Friday, August 29, 2014
So you think you want my job?
I want to prepare you for the realities of working in a shop. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the entire tattoo industry is extremely dependent upon a hierarchy. This is true at the smaller scale (inside a tattoo shop), as well as in the larger sense (the industry as a whole..there are some big tattooing names in this business. Sailor Jerry, anyone?) Basically, there are the the high people on the totem pole and the low people...and you DON'T screw with the higher ups, ever. They worked hard to get to that position, so regardless of your personal feelings towards them, you still need to show them respect (This may seem pretty obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't seem to abide by these social cues). Now, that being said, it should be pretty obvious to you (if you read my "day in the life" post) that the shop help/front desk/receptionist can be found at the very bottom of this metaphorical tattooing totem pole...so prepare yourself for this. Seriously, when I first started, I wasn't ready to pick up trash thrown on the ground, throw away abandoned half-empty coffee cups strewn across the shop, or clean up after the meals of full grown men. I was surprised when I realized I would be scrubbing toilets, handling disease-ridden needles and equipment, and basically doing anything and everything an artist wants me to do, no questions asked. I mean...it's just a receptionist job, right? Isn't there a custodian or something to do all the dirty work? (HAH!!! How quickly I learned, silly and naive little Nikki...) It's a bit demeaning on the surface, but you just have to learn to accept it- that's how it is. If you don't like it, get another job. I can assure you that they won't have any problem finding someone else who will deal with this "bitch" work.
Many people are interested in just being a part of this environment from the inside. This is one aspect that really appealed to me when I first applied, and I'm sure this is appealing to many of my readers, as well. Being in a position like shop help can allow you to be an insider of the tattooing world without actually being a tattooer (if you're interested in tattooing, stay tuned for a future post). That being said, be aware that like anything, working on the "inside" will allow some (or most) of that "magic" to leave. You'll know how everything works, and you'll learn the politics that are present in tattooing (nope, can't escape them, no matter what your job!). I'd imagine it's kind of like working at Disney World or something...when you're surrounded by something all the time, even something that you may love, the magic is gone.
For me, personally, I still love tattoos- don't get me wrong! I have many, and I still continue to get them. I love looking at (good) tattoos. I even enjoy hearing about other people's tattoos, to an extent. But that's really where it ends...I used to love to pour over the internet, looking at Tumblr accounts that featured tattoos, doing Google image searches of tattoos, going to forums to look at other people's tattoos...this was all before the Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest hype, but I'd imagine I would have been on those social sites, too. I just am not interested in searching tattoos anymore. I think I just see enough of them day in and day out that it doesn't really appeal to me. I don't want to go home after a long day at work and go look at MORE tattoos, you know?
Also, I've noticed that occasionally I'll pick clothing that covers my tattoos if I'm going out (something I never consciously did before this job). Covered tattoos means no uninvited conversations with strangers about my tattoos...and trust me, this happens a LOT when I am out in clothing that reveals them. I mean, I get it...my artists at my shop ROCK, and people want to know who does my work. But honestly, it gets to get old real quick, especially after being at the shop all day with clients talking to me about my tattoos (again, must be too much of a good thing). I'm sure this happens to anyone who has visible tattoos, not just me because I personally work at a shop. However, it's something to consider...are you ready to talk about your tattoos at work all day, then go out and run some errands when you get off after a hard day's work, just to be inquired even MORE about your tattoos when all you really want to do is peel them off and throw them at the strangers for being so nosy? Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you get my point. My life is tattoos, always...and yours will be, too. This needs to be ok with you, so I'm pointing it out now.
My final point would be that since your family and friends will know you work at a shop, you might become their "go-to" person when they need tattoo advice. This can be fine, and I welcome it, honestly- I know that my advice is going to be a lot better than someone who is just repeating "hearsay" from the street. Somehow, I've noticed, people that I haven't talked to in YEARS have discovered I work at a shop. These people suddenly will message me on social networks and small talk me. I always know what is coming next..."So, can you hook me up with a discount or something?" Ugh. There will always be those moocher-type people, but it's especially popular when it comes to tattoos...they're expensive, and people are willing to do whatever it takes to save a buck (grrrrr). Prepare for them, and prepare your appropriate response. I've even had random people I've met on the street ask if I can get them discounts...that one always confuses me.
With everything that I have mentioned so far, I feel it necessary to remind you that it is IMPERATIVE that you always display pride for your shop at ALL times. Even though I have pointed out a number of frustrating things that come with this job, the bottom line is you are ALWAYS a representative of your shop...ALWAYS. Doesn't matter if you're physically working a shift at your shop, in line at the bank, out drinking with some buddies, or at a family reunion with people you haven't seen in years. Once it comes up that you work at a shop (and it will, trust me), people will be asking questions, wanting to know more (it's an interesting place that not many people get to experience from the inside, so who can blame them?). You have to push your frustrations aside and represent your shop well. After all, if you make any indication that people shouldn't go to your shop, the shop looses money...if they need to start making cuts, guess who's first to get canned? (Hint: see the totem pole analogy above).
So, these are the negatives of working at a tattoo shop. If you're still interested in working at a position such as mine, then I commend you- your future boss will be very lucky to have you. Stay tuned for a post on tips to actually nail a job like this!
Many people are interested in just being a part of this environment from the inside. This is one aspect that really appealed to me when I first applied, and I'm sure this is appealing to many of my readers, as well. Being in a position like shop help can allow you to be an insider of the tattooing world without actually being a tattooer (if you're interested in tattooing, stay tuned for a future post). That being said, be aware that like anything, working on the "inside" will allow some (or most) of that "magic" to leave. You'll know how everything works, and you'll learn the politics that are present in tattooing (nope, can't escape them, no matter what your job!). I'd imagine it's kind of like working at Disney World or something...when you're surrounded by something all the time, even something that you may love, the magic is gone.
For me, personally, I still love tattoos- don't get me wrong! I have many, and I still continue to get them. I love looking at (good) tattoos. I even enjoy hearing about other people's tattoos, to an extent. But that's really where it ends...I used to love to pour over the internet, looking at Tumblr accounts that featured tattoos, doing Google image searches of tattoos, going to forums to look at other people's tattoos...this was all before the Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest hype, but I'd imagine I would have been on those social sites, too. I just am not interested in searching tattoos anymore. I think I just see enough of them day in and day out that it doesn't really appeal to me. I don't want to go home after a long day at work and go look at MORE tattoos, you know?
Also, I've noticed that occasionally I'll pick clothing that covers my tattoos if I'm going out (something I never consciously did before this job). Covered tattoos means no uninvited conversations with strangers about my tattoos...and trust me, this happens a LOT when I am out in clothing that reveals them. I mean, I get it...my artists at my shop ROCK, and people want to know who does my work. But honestly, it gets to get old real quick, especially after being at the shop all day with clients talking to me about my tattoos (again, must be too much of a good thing). I'm sure this happens to anyone who has visible tattoos, not just me because I personally work at a shop. However, it's something to consider...are you ready to talk about your tattoos at work all day, then go out and run some errands when you get off after a hard day's work, just to be inquired even MORE about your tattoos when all you really want to do is peel them off and throw them at the strangers for being so nosy? Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you get my point. My life is tattoos, always...and yours will be, too. This needs to be ok with you, so I'm pointing it out now.
My final point would be that since your family and friends will know you work at a shop, you might become their "go-to" person when they need tattoo advice. This can be fine, and I welcome it, honestly- I know that my advice is going to be a lot better than someone who is just repeating "hearsay" from the street. Somehow, I've noticed, people that I haven't talked to in YEARS have discovered I work at a shop. These people suddenly will message me on social networks and small talk me. I always know what is coming next..."So, can you hook me up with a discount or something?" Ugh. There will always be those moocher-type people, but it's especially popular when it comes to tattoos...they're expensive, and people are willing to do whatever it takes to save a buck (grrrrr). Prepare for them, and prepare your appropriate response. I've even had random people I've met on the street ask if I can get them discounts...that one always confuses me.
With everything that I have mentioned so far, I feel it necessary to remind you that it is IMPERATIVE that you always display pride for your shop at ALL times. Even though I have pointed out a number of frustrating things that come with this job, the bottom line is you are ALWAYS a representative of your shop...ALWAYS. Doesn't matter if you're physically working a shift at your shop, in line at the bank, out drinking with some buddies, or at a family reunion with people you haven't seen in years. Once it comes up that you work at a shop (and it will, trust me), people will be asking questions, wanting to know more (it's an interesting place that not many people get to experience from the inside, so who can blame them?). You have to push your frustrations aside and represent your shop well. After all, if you make any indication that people shouldn't go to your shop, the shop looses money...if they need to start making cuts, guess who's first to get canned? (Hint: see the totem pole analogy above).
So, these are the negatives of working at a tattoo shop. If you're still interested in working at a position such as mine, then I commend you- your future boss will be very lucky to have you. Stay tuned for a post on tips to actually nail a job like this!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
A typical day at my job.
For my second post, I thought I'd tell you all about what my job actually entails. My official job title is "front desk receptionist", although that label is incredibly deceiving. When people think of a receptionist, they tend to envision someone sitting in a cushioned chair behind a computer-topped desk, answering phones and greeting clients all day. I suppose this isn't entirely inaccurate for some receptionists, but it's definitely not what I do (or not all of it, anyway).
When I had my first interview (more on getting the job here), I was told right away what was to be expected of me, so I wasn't picturing this job to resemble the example I described above. This was fine by me, as I have tried the whole "office job" deal, and it is definitely not for me. I like to move around and have the freedom to change tasks frequently, not be chained down to a desk all day. So, this gig turned out to really work in my favor due to my activity level and preferences.
First things first. I do answer phones, and I do make/cancel/reschedule appointments. I also greet customers. However, it's all a bit more challenging than people would think, especially at the beginning before you know what you're doing. I am also responsible for cleaning the entire shop, breaking down and setting up stations, cleaing, helping the artists with anything they might need, cleaning, helping clients with anything they might need, cleaning, oh and did I mention cleaning? A clean shop is a happy shop...which is how it should be! Who wants to get tattooed at a dirty, gross shop? Nobody, I hope. More info on finding a good, clean shop later. But for now, I'll leave you with a typical outline of my day at the shop:
Noon- We're open! I flip the sign to "open" and open up the curtains. At this time I'll also inform the artists of the status of their clients (whether they have confirmed for their appointment or not).
During the next hour- I'll set up the artists for their appointments that typically start at one. A station that is ready for an artist consists of covering literally everything that the artist and the client will be touching during the tattoo. This means all bottles, knobs, lamp handles, armrests, pillows, everything! I even set out little baggies that they put their machines in, so those are covered, too. Not only is it the law to make sure everything is covered up for each client by disposable coverings, but it's just the right thing to do. Everything is single-use, just for the client...and the things that must be reused (tables, chairs, tattoo machines, tubes, etc.) are all either sterilized in our monthly spore-tested autoclave or disinfected by hospital-grade spray. During this time, I MUST be listening to the phone and the door. If the phone rings, I have to be prepared to handle whatever the call entails. Sometimes it's just a rescheduling of an appointment. Other times it's inquiries about piercings or tattoos. A good shop girl must be very well-versed in everything the shop offers, because it doesn't look good for the shop if the person answering the phones can't answer the questions a client is asking. By watching the door, I mean I must constantly be watching the door for clients walking in. This is important. Have you ever walked into a tattoo shop, just to not be greeted? You probably walk around, trying to find someone, and end up sitting down in a chair, defeated and feeling silly. I've done it, and it sucks. What I love about my shop is that you won't ever get that experience...someone will ALWAYS be there to greet you and help you out. Sometimes the people walking through the door are just people who have appointments (and I need to make sure they have the proper paperwork filled out, complete with ID). Other times, it's people asking about getting walk-in tattoos. In this case, I must figure out what they want, get them an available artist, and set them up a station to get tattooed at. Basically what I'm saying is...multitasking is key, and more often than not I find myself dividing my time between multiple activities at once to make sure the shop runs smoothly.
One- With luck, all of the appointments have shown up on time, and the artists are ready to tattoo them. Woo hoo! I'm no longer running around setting things up, but my ears are still ready to listen for an artist asking me for a pillow, a new rinse cup, or whatever else they might find they need during the course of the tattoo. Obviously, I'm also ready to greet a customer who might walk in or answer the phone, should it ring.
During the next two hours, approximately- Now is the time to call the following days' appointments, to see if they are coming in or not. Sometimes there are only a few appointments for the next day; sometimes there are a lot. We have eight artists total, and although they aren't all on shift all the time together, it can get busy, particularly on the weekends. Not all shops offer the confirmation call, but we find that our clients like it. Sometimes I catch people who didn't realize their appointment was the next day, so it's a good service just to remind them. Once I'm done with that, I start cleaning the shop. I have various chores, such as washing windows, cleaning mirrors, cutting paper towels for artists, cleaning doorknobs, cleaning and stocking the bathroom, dusting...I could go on and on. Some people might find these things to be "busy work", but as I stated before, a clean shop is a happy shop. Having the shop presentable to clients is so important, and has a big impact on people as to whether or not they'll choose to get tattooed at our shop. At this time I've also set up the lunch tables so the guys have somewhere to eat. Of course, I'm always watching the front door and the phone.
Three- Most of the appointments from the early afternoon are done by now. I have to be available to talk to clients and make them future appointments. I also handle all of the payments for tattoos, and deal with it accordingly. The guys will usually eat now, but I stay up front cleaning and doing chores, ready to assist anyone who calls or walks in. I'll note that the walk-in rotation must be dealt with carefully, so all of the artists have a fair chance at making some money for the day. I'll also break down all of the stations at this time. Breaking down consists of the exact opposite of setting up...I take all of the used coverings and throw them away. I also disassemble the tattoo machines. Oh, and I'll note this right now...needles and razors (for shaving off hair in the area of the tattoo) are of course all single-use, and they are disposed of in sharps bins. Once everything is disposed of properly, I clean the stuff that can't be thrown away or autoclaved with our medical-grade disinfectant. I then set the stations back up again, because four o'clock means...
Four- The artists are done with lunch, and with luck, have started tattooing their four o'clock appointments. As always, I'm listening for the door, phone, and artists that might need me...but now I'm back to cleaning. Cleaning the sinks, cleaning the floor, cleaning the chairs and tables not in use...I'll also pick up the lunch room.
Five- I'm off! I inform the shop girl who is working after me of anything she might need to know (this client is coming in later, there may be two girls coming in later as walk-ins, whatever) and I leave.
This is just a basic idea of what I do during a tattoo shop shift. Of course, if I'm closing, it's a bit different, but the idea is still there. Overall, this job is exciting and has a lot of variety. I enjoy the interaction I get to have with people, and I like that I can show off my tattoos, rather than cover them up as I had to do during my office job days. It can definitely get stressful, and multitasking is a must. I also have to deal with some crazy clients sometimes, and it can be challenging to help them without losing my cool. You might see some of these stories with posts to come...luckily, my shop is pretty classy and professional, but occasionally there will be an odd duck who will come in and try to cause havoc.
Thanks for reading!
When I had my first interview (more on getting the job here), I was told right away what was to be expected of me, so I wasn't picturing this job to resemble the example I described above. This was fine by me, as I have tried the whole "office job" deal, and it is definitely not for me. I like to move around and have the freedom to change tasks frequently, not be chained down to a desk all day. So, this gig turned out to really work in my favor due to my activity level and preferences.
First things first. I do answer phones, and I do make/cancel/reschedule appointments. I also greet customers. However, it's all a bit more challenging than people would think, especially at the beginning before you know what you're doing. I am also responsible for cleaning the entire shop, breaking down and setting up stations, cleaing, helping the artists with anything they might need, cleaning, helping clients with anything they might need, cleaning, oh and did I mention cleaning? A clean shop is a happy shop...which is how it should be! Who wants to get tattooed at a dirty, gross shop? Nobody, I hope. More info on finding a good, clean shop later. But for now, I'll leave you with a typical outline of my day at the shop:
Opening Shift
15 min before shift- I get to work and get everything ready for the day. On go the lights, fans, air conditioning (so people don't pass out!), various office equipment and displays, the register...you get the idea. If I see on the computer that an artist (or two or more!) have appointments set for right when we open, I have to set up stations and equipment for that, too. If I'm lucky, my coworkers will help me out if they see me struggling or if I ask...but I don't like to count on that, because I've gotten fast over the years and can usually handle it all myself.Noon- We're open! I flip the sign to "open" and open up the curtains. At this time I'll also inform the artists of the status of their clients (whether they have confirmed for their appointment or not).
During the next hour- I'll set up the artists for their appointments that typically start at one. A station that is ready for an artist consists of covering literally everything that the artist and the client will be touching during the tattoo. This means all bottles, knobs, lamp handles, armrests, pillows, everything! I even set out little baggies that they put their machines in, so those are covered, too. Not only is it the law to make sure everything is covered up for each client by disposable coverings, but it's just the right thing to do. Everything is single-use, just for the client...and the things that must be reused (tables, chairs, tattoo machines, tubes, etc.) are all either sterilized in our monthly spore-tested autoclave or disinfected by hospital-grade spray. During this time, I MUST be listening to the phone and the door. If the phone rings, I have to be prepared to handle whatever the call entails. Sometimes it's just a rescheduling of an appointment. Other times it's inquiries about piercings or tattoos. A good shop girl must be very well-versed in everything the shop offers, because it doesn't look good for the shop if the person answering the phones can't answer the questions a client is asking. By watching the door, I mean I must constantly be watching the door for clients walking in. This is important. Have you ever walked into a tattoo shop, just to not be greeted? You probably walk around, trying to find someone, and end up sitting down in a chair, defeated and feeling silly. I've done it, and it sucks. What I love about my shop is that you won't ever get that experience...someone will ALWAYS be there to greet you and help you out. Sometimes the people walking through the door are just people who have appointments (and I need to make sure they have the proper paperwork filled out, complete with ID). Other times, it's people asking about getting walk-in tattoos. In this case, I must figure out what they want, get them an available artist, and set them up a station to get tattooed at. Basically what I'm saying is...multitasking is key, and more often than not I find myself dividing my time between multiple activities at once to make sure the shop runs smoothly.
One- With luck, all of the appointments have shown up on time, and the artists are ready to tattoo them. Woo hoo! I'm no longer running around setting things up, but my ears are still ready to listen for an artist asking me for a pillow, a new rinse cup, or whatever else they might find they need during the course of the tattoo. Obviously, I'm also ready to greet a customer who might walk in or answer the phone, should it ring.
During the next two hours, approximately- Now is the time to call the following days' appointments, to see if they are coming in or not. Sometimes there are only a few appointments for the next day; sometimes there are a lot. We have eight artists total, and although they aren't all on shift all the time together, it can get busy, particularly on the weekends. Not all shops offer the confirmation call, but we find that our clients like it. Sometimes I catch people who didn't realize their appointment was the next day, so it's a good service just to remind them. Once I'm done with that, I start cleaning the shop. I have various chores, such as washing windows, cleaning mirrors, cutting paper towels for artists, cleaning doorknobs, cleaning and stocking the bathroom, dusting...I could go on and on. Some people might find these things to be "busy work", but as I stated before, a clean shop is a happy shop. Having the shop presentable to clients is so important, and has a big impact on people as to whether or not they'll choose to get tattooed at our shop. At this time I've also set up the lunch tables so the guys have somewhere to eat. Of course, I'm always watching the front door and the phone.
Three- Most of the appointments from the early afternoon are done by now. I have to be available to talk to clients and make them future appointments. I also handle all of the payments for tattoos, and deal with it accordingly. The guys will usually eat now, but I stay up front cleaning and doing chores, ready to assist anyone who calls or walks in. I'll note that the walk-in rotation must be dealt with carefully, so all of the artists have a fair chance at making some money for the day. I'll also break down all of the stations at this time. Breaking down consists of the exact opposite of setting up...I take all of the used coverings and throw them away. I also disassemble the tattoo machines. Oh, and I'll note this right now...needles and razors (for shaving off hair in the area of the tattoo) are of course all single-use, and they are disposed of in sharps bins. Once everything is disposed of properly, I clean the stuff that can't be thrown away or autoclaved with our medical-grade disinfectant. I then set the stations back up again, because four o'clock means...
Four- The artists are done with lunch, and with luck, have started tattooing their four o'clock appointments. As always, I'm listening for the door, phone, and artists that might need me...but now I'm back to cleaning. Cleaning the sinks, cleaning the floor, cleaning the chairs and tables not in use...I'll also pick up the lunch room.
Five- I'm off! I inform the shop girl who is working after me of anything she might need to know (this client is coming in later, there may be two girls coming in later as walk-ins, whatever) and I leave.
This is just a basic idea of what I do during a tattoo shop shift. Of course, if I'm closing, it's a bit different, but the idea is still there. Overall, this job is exciting and has a lot of variety. I enjoy the interaction I get to have with people, and I like that I can show off my tattoos, rather than cover them up as I had to do during my office job days. It can definitely get stressful, and multitasking is a must. I also have to deal with some crazy clients sometimes, and it can be challenging to help them without losing my cool. You might see some of these stories with posts to come...luckily, my shop is pretty classy and professional, but occasionally there will be an odd duck who will come in and try to cause havoc.
Thanks for reading!
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