When working with an assistant, it's not just an opportunity to have someone to help you out, it's our jobs to educate and groom them so they'll be ready to be on the floor one day themselves. Below you'll find some basics when it comes to training an assistant that will not only help you, but will leave them with a great memory of having you as their mentor.
1. Create an Education Schedule
Set aside one day a week for your assistant to bring in models for class. You can create a schedule, or decide what you want to work on as you go. Just make sure to give your assistant adequate time for them to find the proper model for the class.
Be strict, but not too harsh as to make them discouraged. If your assistant can't seem to grasp a certain technique, don't hesitate to make them repeat the class the following week. You'll only be doing them a disservice if you tell them they're doing a great job when they're not.
2. Don't Let Them Check Out
When I was assisting, my stylist had me stand next to him during each and every hair cut so I could watch what he was doing. While I find this a bit excessive, I do think it's important to have your assistant observe when you're doing certain advanced cuts and styles. They'll learn a lot watching how you tackle a difficult head of hair, or even a difficult client.
3. Keep Them Busy
It's important that your assistant understands that they're not just there to help you, but also the rest of the salon as a whole. If there's hair on the floor by another station and they have some down time, make sure they know it's their job to clean it up. Assistants should constantly be keeping up with towels, glasses, coat check and anything else the stylists don't have time to tend to. Plus, when an assistant is moving around and helping multiple people they're more likely to earn extra tips.
4. Proper Compensation
Speaking of tips, when it comes time to tip out your assistant, make sure to take good care of them. They're no dummies, and they have a very clear idea of how much more money you're making than them in a day. You obviously should be making the bulk of the cash, but we all know our jobs would be a lot harder if it wasn't for our assistants. I'm not saying you should give them half of a day's tips, but they'll work harder for you, and probably end up making you more money in the long run if you're generous.
Further Reading
Four Corners of Success for Retaining Male Clients
Make More Money With The Ten Commandments of Great Customer Service
When Hair Goes Bad - Learn How to Handle a Client Meltdown