Top Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Your Nail Tech Certification

Starting a journey to becoming a nail technician is a very fulfilling path that will enable you to transform the appearance of people and make them happy. Our objective at Image Academy in Houston is to aid those wanting to work as beauticians in attaining their dreams by offering quality nail tech classes. As a fresher in the field, you need to be aware of mistakes when you are preparing to take the nail tech certification examination. In this blog post, you will find out about the most crucial mistakes that you should avoid when pursuing the certification of a nail technician.

1. Failure to Conduct In-depth Research on Nail Tech Schools

The first blunder that you may commit is not doing your homework as far as nail technician schools are concerned. It is, therefore, important that you conduct thorough research and make the best decision when selecting the right nail tech school to obtain the right training on how to kick-start your career in this line of field. Today, Image Academy is truly progressing, as we offer the best nail classes in Houston with professional tutors and modern facilities.

How to Avoid?

• Tour the school: As for any learning institution, you must pay a visit to the school to familiarize yourself with the environment as well as the trainers.
• Check Accreditation: It is necessary to know whether the school is accredited and fully complies with the requirements of the state for the preparation of nail technicians.
• Check Curriculum: You must check out whether all the relevant topics and techniques have been included.

2. Don’t Ignore Practical Experience in real-life settings

Practice training is as relevant as book learning in nail tech classes. It is unfortunate that most learners confine themselves to what goes on in the classroom with little time to practice in a manner that is inevitable in the real world.

How to Avoid?

• Go for practical Classes: You must choose nail tech schools that provide practical classes to their students. As for the instruction given to the nail technicians at the Image Academy, our students undergo practical training.
• Practice: Work with the discovered techniques during practice and attend different sessions to get more confident.

3. Failure To Comply With State Standards on Nail Tech Certification

Each state has different provisions when it comes to nail tech certification and failing to follow them should result in more time and money being spent. For instance, prospective nail technicians which operations in the state of Texas have to undertake an education program that is approved by the state and pass a written and skills test.

How to Avoid?

• Meeting State Requirements: It is crucial to find out the requirements that are provided by the state for nail tech certification in Texas.
• Stay informed: You should always ensure to refer to the current laws from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

4. Choose the Wrong Program Length

One more type of mistake is choosing a program that is either too brief or too extended. Some of the students prefer taking the shortest period of study to complete their programs in order to avoid spending much more money and time only to find themselves overtrained to get jobs in the market.

How to Avoid?

• Program Length: The length of a program may vary. So, select the program that offers adequate training and meets the state’s requirements. That’s why getting a nail tech certification at Image Academy is both efficient and comprehensive.
• Consultation: It is advisable to consult your school advisors, in order to choose the most optimal programme’s duration.

5. Neglect Continuing Education:

After getting the nail tech certification, it may not be very recommendable to focus on the aspect of learning and growth. The beauty field has always been dynamic because of the emergence of new trends and innovations constantly arise.

How to Avoid?

• Education: With the knowledge that change is an inexorable process, the best and most recommended way to be updated is through participating into seminars, workshops, trade shows and exhibits.
• Certificate Requirements: Explore ways of getting extra certification like esthetician nail tech certification to expand your range of knowledge in the filed and to increase your chances of promotion to a higher position or gain a new job opening.

6. Overlook Soft Skills:

It is essential to note that the know-how of technical knowledge is as useful as soft or personal attributes when it comes to fashion and beauty line careers. Some trainees tend to concentrate more on nails, which is a technical aspect, without giving full attention to communication, customer relations and etiquette.

How to Avoid?

• Learn Soft Skills: As you go through the course, do not neglect to enhance your interaction, time management, and relational skills.
• Request Critique: You should seek critiques from instructors and peers to determine the weaknesses one may have.

7. Not Build a Professional Network:

Career networking is an important process that should be done in an individual’s lifetime to enhance career prospects. What students often fail to realize is how not networking with industry members is really disadvantageous for them in terms of information acquisition.

How to Avoid?

• More Socialization:  Go to networking parties, workshops, and conferences. Go to the parties, meetings, fairs, and other events where those of the same profession gather.
• Support and Networking Groups: In addition, there must be support and networking such as Texas Cosmetology Association among other organizations.

8. Ignore or Fail to Plan for the Personal Business

Preliminary knowledge of the nail industry is extremely important for everyone who has a dream of having their own nail salon. Several students lay emphasis on the practical skills or runs where they appear for the exams but pay little attention to managerial skills.

How to Avoid?

Acquire proper business skills: Enrol in classes, and get a tutor in business management, marketing, and finance.
Business Plan: There should be clear business plans stating what you wants to achieve, how you want to achieve it, and how much it will cost.

9. Overlook Personal Branding:

It is necessary to achieve personal branding in today’s highly technological environment. Sadly, many nail technicians who are just starting in this field have no good idea as to how they could create an online brand.

How to Avoid?

• Overlook a Professional Web Presence: Build a website or social media account wherein you too can post your portfolio as well as your notes.
• Interact with Your Fans: Share updates, communicate with the users, and make them feel that your brand is a part of their lives.

10. Not Setting Realistic Goals

It is apparent that having a problem with goal setting and establishing unachievable goals can create frustration and demotivate the people. You should always set realistic goals and targets that will act as pointers towards a goal and also remind the individuals why and how they are working towards their goal.

How to Avoid?

• SMART Goals: The goals must be S=Specific, M=Measurable, A=Achievable, R=Relevant, and T= Time-bound.
• Monitor Progress: It is also important to keep track of your progress in order to track and modify a goal as required.

Ending Thoughts:

To become a certified nail technician you have to go through a process that surely is challenging, but the result is worth the effort. If these mistakes are avoided, you will be on the right track to achieving your dreams in the beauty industry. 
Image Academy is dedicated to helping you gain both certification and empower you for the excellence of becoming a professional nail technician. If you are contemplating enrolling in nail tech classes or searching for an esthetician nail tech certification, the courses offered at our school will get you there. Embark on the right journey today and transform yourself into a professional and competent nail technician.