Maintaining Employment Interview: A Salon Owner’s Perspective for Persons Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Yesterday, I was on a mission on your and my behalf. I was determined to ask a business owner what employee-qualities she finds most important in maintaining employment. I had an epiphany as I was getting my semi-annual manicure- what if I could track down and interview the salon business owner. I did. Now in case I’ve lost you at ‘semi-annual manicure’ because you are absolutely not the manicure-type, allow me to reign you back. She is a wise and prudent small business owner and I promise to no longer mention my freshly manicured nails. Read on!

Lee needed no time to think. Without hesitation she explained the top three qualities she appreciates and requires in her employees. She said and I quote, “The number one quality I need in my employees is honesty. If I have a very skilled technician who is dishonest, he or she will not remain at my store.” It makes sense. A skilled, yet dishonest, employee is not an asset, but a liability. Lee and other employers need to trust each employee is logging accurate hours, avoiding short-cuts, speaking the truth, and not shortchanging the company.

The second vital quality Lee ascertained was continued job education and development. She recognized technology and job skills are forever evolving. An employee who wishes to maintain employment should continually seek opportunities to acquire and improve skills beneficial to the company. You must be an asset to your employer and an employer’s needs change over time. Consider this, ten years ago you would not be reading this blog written by me, a teacher living in Japan. The world is changing (said in my best Downton Abbey British accent.)

Quality number 3, take it from Lee, be fully present at work from the time you enter until the time you leave for the night. An employee cannot expect to remain employed if she is repeatedly performing non-job-related tasks at work. Texting is great fun, don’t get me wrong, but don’t do it on the job. Be engaged, stay connected, and focus on the task at hand. These qualities required for maintaining are equally important for a worker who is blind, visually impaired, or fully sighted.

For more information on exceeding employer’s expectations, read the articles within the Succeeding at Your Job subsection of CareerConnect. You might find the tip that allows you to nail down that job with continued success.