Massage Therapist Interview Tips

Unless we stay in private practice for our whole career, we all have to interview for a job. Some of us end up interviewing several times—when we switch jobs or relocate, to upgrade our income, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone gave us the key to what employers are looking for that results in one massage therapist being hired and another turned away?

Here’s a list of the top 5 things, from my perspective as an employer, that can determine whether a therapist gets hired:

1. Massage technique. Make sure you manage your time well, address all the areas discussed, and use several techniques. One of the biggest things that can make an employer turn away a therapist is an over-reliance on one technique, resulting in a massage that’s ineffective or boring.
2. Eye contact. So simple, and yet, I’ve seen many candidates who would barely make eye contact. Make it a habit to maintain reasonable and healthy eye contact with your interviewer.
3. Energy and enthusiasm. When I’m interviewing someone, I’m very aware of their level of energy. If they respond to questions in a monosyllabic way, seem to be reluctant to share anything about themselves, or generally feel like a low-energy individual, I’m unlikely to hire them. So, get plenty of sleep, meditate—whatever you have to do to show up in a good mood, with a sparkle in your eye.
4. Personal appearance. While we are all beautiful beings, remember that the interviewer is looking at you through the lens of how their clients will see you. Come for your interview dressed similarly to how you would dress when actually performing massage on clients, especially if you’re going to be doing a demo. Showing up looking sloppy, disheveled, or unprofessional is a clue to the employer that you are not really serious about your career, or about getting this job.
5. Client focus. While you may be already have years of experience, making you a massage therapist superstar, it is important that you focus on your client’s preferences. Preferences for temperature, music, massage techniques, etc. all need to be client approved. This will create trust between the client and the massage therapist and a general sense of caring for that individual’s needs.

Good luck in your next interview, and I hope these tips help you get hired wherever it is you’d love to work.

If you’d like a chance to put these suggestions into practice, Dreamclinic is hiring and would love to hear from you.

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