Each person enters the massage profession for a different reason. Some are seeking meaningful work where they can help other people feel better. Others want a flexible schedule, to meet new people, skills that can travel with them wherever they go, or interesting part-time work they can balance with family life or another parallel career. All of these reasons are valid and should be kept in mind as you plan your massage career.
In Topic 9-1, we look at some of your career options and you develop a written plan to follow when you graduate from massage school. Topic 9-2 explains the process for getting your first massage job including how to write a resume and cover letter, how to build your interviewing skills, and thoughts about negotiating the employment package. Starting a private practice is the subject of Topic 9-3, which explores the basics of starting a business and writing a business plan.
Key Terms
advertising
business plan
continuing education
cover letter
employee
expenses
independent contractor
marketing
promotion
publicity
resume
revenue
self-employed
target market
Learning Objectives
Having read the chapter and used the related student learning tools, the student will be able to:
- Use self-assessment activities to investigate career-planning choices.
- Differentiate among the terms employee, self-employed, and independent contractor.
- Describe three strategies for identifying potential employers.
- Write the first draft of a chronological resume.
- Write the first draft of a cover letter.
- List three areas that might be discussed during the negotiation of an employment package.
- Discuss common expectations of employers of massage therapists.
- Outline the components of a business plan.
- Analyze the factors to consider when choosing a business name and location
- Compare and contrast businesses that are structured as sole proprietorships with businesses that are limited liability companies.
- Explain the concept of marketing and provide three examples of business promotions.
- Explain the information that would be found on a balance sheet, cash flow statement, and profit and loss statement.
- Predict the start-up costs for a massage business.
- Outline a simple record keeping system for a sole proprietorship.