When applying for jobs online, you will need to to submit a resume and cover letter that detail your experience, training, and interests. Be extremely thorough when writing these documents and make sure to highlight qualifications that make you a unique candidate. Don't forget to include any experience that you have working with customers. Even if you weren't working in a salon, customer service experience is a plus. If you're not confident about your grammar and spelling, make sure to have someone proofread your resume and cover letter for you before you submit them. Make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to each position you are applying for. You don't need to start from scratch, but you should make sure to focus on skills and qualities that will be most important for each specific position. You will need to show off your skills to potential employers, so having a portfolio of your work is extremely important. Take before and after pictures of as many clients as possible and include your best work in your portfolio. Your portfolio should show off your strengths, but it should also showcase your versatility. Try to show examples of a wide variety of cuts and styles. Make sure to get consent from your clients before taking their pictures and explain to them what you will be using the pictures for. Having an online portfolio is advisable because you can simply include a link to it whenever you submit an application online. You may also want to have a nicely organized binder if you plan on applying for jobs in person. Update your portfolio regularly. If possible, try to get a job at a salon while you are still in school. You will not be able to work as a hair stylist, but you may be able to work as a receptionist or office assistant. Experience working in a salon will be very valuable to you, and you might even get a promotion to hair stylist once you obtain your license. Your cosmetology school can be a great resource to you when you are looking for a job, so don't forget to ask for help! Most schools have relationships with local salons, so they may be able to help you find a job when you graduate. They can also give you advice on how to prepare for interviews. Start working with the career services department at your school before you graduate. Even if you don't have your license yet, you may be able to introduce yourself to salon owners, and maybe even get a conditional job offer. You can search for jobs at salons and spas online by using job boards such as Craigslist and Indeed. You can also try visiting local salons and inquiring about available positions, but always be sure to have your portfolio and copies of your resume on hand. While you may have to be a bit flexible with your first job, you should still try to focus on applying to salons that offer the services you enjoy the most. If you love coloring hair and you get a job at a salon that only does haircuts, you may not be very happy. If you get an interview, make sure to research the salon thoroughly so you know what kinds of services they offer. Remember that you need to come across as passionate and friendly during your interview. While you should definitely talk about your technical skills, make sure the interviewer also gets a sense of who you are as a person. Don't be surprised if you're asked to demonstrate your skills before you are offered a job. If you can't find a salaried position at a salon, or if you're looking for the freedom to make your own schedule, you can try leasing a booth or a suite at an established salon. In this scenario, you will essentially be working for yourself. When you lease a chair at a salon, you will pay the salon a fee to use the space. You will be responsible for providing your own tools, marketing your services, and scheduling appointments. Make sure you thoroughly understand the terms of the agreement before you sign. Another option is to open your own salon, although you should probably only consider this if you have some knowledge of how to run a business and some experience as a hair stylist. If you open your own salon, you will be responsible for a lot more than just styling hair. You will have to deal with managing employees, maintaining your salon, and marketing, among many other things. You may not have any time to style hair, so make sure you are prepared for your role as a business owner. Opening a franchise is a good option if you want some support with marketing and brand development. You could also consider purchasing an established salon if you don't want to start from scratch. In addition to working as a hair stylist in a salon, you might also consider a variety of other related careers. Some options include styling hair for magazine shoots and fashion shows, teaching at a cosmetology school, or becoming a sales representative for beauty products.

Summary: Write your resume and cover letter. Create a portfolio. Get your foot in the door. Inquire about career placement services. Apply at salons and spas. Try freelancing. Open your own salon. Consider other related career options.

Ants are attracted to sugary, sweet things. If you have a messy home with lots of food particles, especially sweet crumbs, this could lead to an infestation of ants. Ants may also be drawn to water, especially in dry climates. Cleaning your home can help remove the reason for the ants, including the queen, to be in your home in the first place. Take your time to do a thorough cleaning. Look under and behind furniture. Take special care with the kitchen, dining room, and children's bedrooms. Look under the fridge, in drawers, and in pantries for any open or spilled sugary foods or beverages that may attract ants. Ants leave scented trails for others in their colony to follow. Wiping the trail away or even mopping won't eliminate it. Instead, try using vinegar to wash away the scent trail the ants follow to find food or their nest. If you want to help keep ants away, try natural solutions. Line any windowsills or doorways with coffee grounds. You may also want to put cinnamon, crushed eucalyptus, crushed chilis, cayenne pepper, diatomaceous earth, or camphor oil around common entry points in your home to keep ants away. Placing garlic in cabinets and pantries may keep ants away. You can also place natural plants in your home that repel ants. Mint and lavender will help ants avoid your home. Using plants helps reduce any chemical dangers and puts nice plants in your house.

Summary: Clean your home. Disrupt the trail. Repel the ants naturally.

For occasional water-based stains, for example beverages or sweat, treat your rubber floor with a white vinegar solution. Mix a solution that is 50% water and 50% white vinegar. Use a towel to rub the mixture on the stained area in small circles to lift as much staining as possible. When finished, mop the area with mild dish soap and water just as you would when performing routine cleaning. Allow the area to air dry. Turpentine is highly toxic and should be handled with care. Wear rubber gloves, ventilate the area well, and secure all pets and children elsewhere before handling. Pour up to 3 teaspoons of turpentine on a clean, dry cloth, and blot the area to lift staining. When finished, mop with soap and warm water as normal, allowing the area to air dry. Turpentine is a last resort for severe, oil-based staining. Used to excess, it can even stain your rubber floors. If you get some paint on your rubber floor, use a small amount of paint thinner to clean the drips. Wear rubber gloves, ventilate the area well, and secure all pets and children elsewhere before beginning work. Pour a small amount of paint thinner on a clean, dry cloth and wipe the dripped areas in a short sweeping motion, using a new part of the cloth each time. The bits of paint will begin to peel and lift. Sweep paint flecks up into a dustpan and discard. When finished, mop with soap and warm water as normal, allowing the area to air dry.
Summary: Use a vinegar solution for water-based stains. Use turpentine on oil-based stains. Lift paint stains with paint thinner.