Hiring the perfect esthetician for your spa or salon isn’t easy. But as you sift through the resumes and start scheduling interviews, you get closer and closer to finding the right talent. It’s up to your interview questions to figure it out.

Asking thoughtful, targeted questions helps you understand each candidate’s skills, personality, and passion for the craft. Plus, it shows candidates you value professionalism and connection, setting the tone for a great working relationship.

Discover 12 must-ask esthetician interview questions to help you uncover top talent. Plus, learn tips for conducting interviews that leave candidates excited about joining your team.

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4 Esthetician Background Interview Questions

During the hiring process, you’re looking for someone who truly fits your spa’s vibe and shares your passion for client care. These background interview questions for estheticians can help you decide if a candidate has the potential to shine in your space:

1. Why Do You Want To Be an Esthetician?

This is your chance to dig into their “why.” Look for candidates who light up when discussing their journey into the beauty and wellness world. A heartfelt answer shows passion, commitment, and positive energy – key traits for successful estheticians.

2. What Was Your Esthetician Training Journey Like?

Here, you’re looking to make sure the candidate checks all the boxes. You want to hire someone with professional training and all the necessary certifications. Award bonus points if they say they’re committed to continuing education – who doesn’t love a lifelong learner? Staying up-to-date on the latest techniques is always a win.

This is also a good opportunity to learn whether they bring any unique skills to the table. Did they pursue advanced training in medical esthetics? Master trendy services like vampire facials? Knowing their specialties can help you decide if they’ll complement your current offerings or bring exciting new services to your spa.

3. Which Services Are You Most Passionate About Providing?

Knowing the candidate’s favorite treatments gives you insight into what excites them, whether that’s facials, waxing, or lash lifts. It also helps you decide if their strengths align with your spa’s core offerings. If they’re super into laser hair removal but you already have a couple of providers, they might be a better fit for another salon.

4. What’s Your Approach to Building Client Relationships?

The best estheticians know their work is just as much about connection as it is about skincare. Look for answers that mention empathy, personalization, and building trust – because a client who feels cared for becomes a loyal regular. 

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‍4 Esthetician Experience Interview Questions

You want an esthetician with serious skills – someone who’s going to show up and deliver results every time. And how do estheticians develop their skills? Through experience. Here are four questions to ask an esthetician about their previous jobs and education:

5. What Skincare Services Are You Most Comfortable Providing?

This question tells you which esthetician services the candidate excels at. If they’re a pro at hydrating facials but not so experienced with body wraps, you’ll know if they’ll be a great fit or need additional training in some areas. If you’re looking for a certain skill in particular, like microdermabrasion, ask a follow-up to evaluate their skills in that area.

6. What Experience Do You Have With Hair Removal Services?

Hair removal is one of the most requested services in any spa. Whether your interviewee just became a waxer or is a laser specialist, this question reveals how confident they are in providing hair removal treatments. 

This is also a good time to ask about their technique and how they keep clients comfortable during potentially sensitive treatments. Clients don’t want to grimace their way through an awkward Brazilian wax experience – you need estheticians who can help put them at ease.

7. What’s Your Experience With Brows and Lashes?

Brows and lashes are in high demand, so it’s important to know how skilled your applicants are in this area. From brow shaping to lash extensions, make sure they can deliver impeccable services. It’s a plus if they’re up-to-date with the latest trends, like brow lamination and lash lifts, because it means they could help you keep your spa ahead of the curve.

8. A Client With Dry Skin Asks for a Chemical Peel – What Do You Do?

Situational questions like this one give you a glimpse of how the esthetician thinks on their feet. You’re looking for thoughtful, methodical answers that show they know their stuff – and that they know how to handle potentially risky client requests gracefully.

Any pro esthetician knows chemical peels can be intense, especially on dry skin. A great answer to this question would show that they’re assessing the client’s skin thoroughly and considering all factors before jumping into a treatment. They might recommend a gentler approach or suggest prepping the skin with moisturizing treatments first to help protect it.

4 Esthetician Soft Skills Interview Questions

Soft skills are just as important as technical skills when it comes to hiring the right esthetician for your team. These qualities help an esthetician create positive experiences for clients and work seamlessly with other team members. Here are four essential soft skills interview questions to ask:

9. How Do You Handle Client Concerns and Complaints?

Client complaints are inevitable in any service industry. This question tests how well a candidate handles challenging client interactions with grace and professionalism. You’re looking for responses that show empathy, active listening, and problem-solving – without a tendency to let rude clients walk all over them. Enabling bad behavior just invites it back into your space.

A great candidate will take the initiative to resolve concerns in a way that makes the client feel heard. Say a client is upset about a treatment outcome. Ideally, your candidate would listen and validate them before offering a solution – like a follow-up treatment or aftercare tips. If their first answer is, “Give them a refund,” that’s a red flag.

10. How’s Your Time Management?

Time management is everything in a busy spa or salon. You want an esthetician who can handle their schedule, juggle multiple clients, and still maintain high-quality service. 

Listen for answers that show they can prioritize and stay organized without feeling frazzled. If they say, “I like to take my time with every client and never worry about the clock,” that might mean they’re not ready for a fast-paced environment.

11. How Do You Work as Part of a Team?

Being a great esthetician isn’t just about working one-on-one with clients. You’ve got to vibe with your coworkers, too! This question tests whether the candidate is a team player who can collaborate well with others. You’re looking for answers that show they’re supportive, communicate clearly, and know how to smooth conflicts over when necessary.

As you listen to their answer, think about whether you would enjoy working with them. Do they seem easygoing, open to feedback, and willing to contribute to the team’s success? Or do they seem unenthusiastic, given to gossip, and prone to stirring the pot? Your team will spend time with them almost daily, so you want to make sure they’ll add positive vibes to your space.

12. How Do You Stay Motivated and Energized?

Working as an esthetician is demanding, with long hours, lots of client-facing time, and a bunch of multitasking. Even the most passionate estheticians sometimes feel drained or face burnout. Hire someone who’s proactive about keeping their energy up when things get busy or stressful.

A great candidate has solid strategies for staying motivated, like a well-rounded self-care routine. We’re all for a strong cup of coffee, but a caffeine fix doesn’t always cut it – you need someone with the mental and physical stamina to keep on keeping on.

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‍3 Tips To Find the Right Esthetician Candidate

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On top of these questions, here are three ways to make sure the esthetician you hire is right for your business:

1. Give a Skills Test

Sometimes, the best way to know if a candidate is the real deal is to see them in action. A hands-on test like a brief skin analysis or facial demonstration can help you gauge their technical abilities.

2. Communicate Expectations

Be upfront about what you’re looking for, and give the applicant a chance to ask questions. This helps you both figure out whether your values, goals, and work styles align and avoid confusion down the road.

3. Ask Follow-Up Questions

Esthetician interview questions and answers aren’t cut and dry. These conversations are about getting to know one another, so dive deep. Ask for specifics, and encourage them to share stories highlighting their best qualities. 

Remember – if the esthetician answers your interview questions vaguely, it’s totally fine to ask follow-up questions. You don’t want to grill them, but you do want to dig into their background.

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