It is not easy to hire a good massage therapists. First of all, many great masseurs work on their own, running small parlors and studios. And secondly, everyone can talk about giving a good massage, but not everyone can actually give it.

Situation becomes easier if you apply for this job. Having a license, and perhaps even few months, or years of experience, it won’t be difficult to succeed in this interview. Interviewers will typically ask you just basic questions, inquiring about your experience, motivation, availability, salary expectations. In some cases (at least in Europe this happens quite often) the owners of massage parlors will ask you to perform a massage as a part of the hiring process.

These guys have had hundreds of massages in their life. They can tell a good massage from a bad one. In my opinion this is the best way how to hire new masseurs. Nevertheless, it can easily happen that you won’t deal with anything but (relatively) simple questions in your interview. Let’s have a look at them!

 

Why do you want to work for us?

Read something about the spa/hotel/hospital/massage parlor, and try to find things that resonate with you. Perhaps you believe in healing effects of the particular massage they perform, or you have years of experience with the same type of massages.

Or the place has a great reputation and five star reviews all around the internet. And maybe you like to visit it on your own, and feel relaxed in the place. Give them a good reason why you applied for the job with them, and not with some other place in the city. Of course, you can praise also the salary offer, shift patterns, location of the place–simply things that make it a fitting offer for you, considering other obligations you have in your life.

 

Tell us something about your working experience

The only relevant experience is the one with massaging. Mention all types of massages and therapies you’ve given to clients, and talk about them with enthusiasm. Show the hiring managers that you enjoy doing your job, that you enjoy talking to clients and helping their bodies (and perhaps also their minds). And what to do if you are just starting on this journey?

Every massage therapist had their first job one day, even the most experienced people did. What is more, the situation is not necessarily bad for the employer–perhaps they can discover a great masseur in you, and they do not have to pay you as much as they’d to an experienced therapist.

Talk about your training program, and massages you’ve given during the training period. Any experience is better than none. Even if you gave massages only to your parents, or your boyfriend back at home, it is still an experience. Tell them that your clients were always satisfied with the massage you gave them.

Hands of the massage therapist massage the back of a female client.

What motivates you the most in this job?

Focus on little everyday accomplishments that bring you joy. Things such as helping someone to regain their full range of movement, or to get rid of back pain–almost everyone experiences it at least once in their adult life. Having a good conversation with the client, and having a good feeling from the job you’ve done–this all sounds great as an interview answer.

Hiring managers realize that unless you love your job, you’ll never be a great therapist. Show them that you enjoy massaging, and see a meaningful purpose in the work you do. This purpose motivates you to try your best every day.

 

What are your salary expectations?

A tricky question, especially if you apply for a job in spa, hotel, or similar setting, where you never know how many massages you will actually perform on a given day. You can be busy from morning to evening, but you will experience also low days, days when you will chat with the receptionists and physios, since there wont’ be anything to do.

My suggestion is to talk about an hourly wage, or a fix payment for each massage. Ask your friends (other masseurs) how much do they earn, and what deal do they have with their employer. This should give you a good idea.

And if you won’t be the only masseur working in that place, you can go for a simple option. Say that you’ll be happy to earn as much as other therapists do in the place (or a little bit less, considering that you are just starting the job).

 

What is your availability? Can you work over the weekends? Would you mind working late in the afternoon?

One of the disadvantages of this job are the typical working hours. People go for a massage after work, in the evening, during the weekend. Unless you apply for a job in a hospital, or at a medical clinic, you will work mostly in the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends.

Check the website of the facility, and look for opening hours. It should give you a good idea of what will be expected from you. Try to show some flexibility in your answer. If you aren’t ready to work at least every other weekend, you can forget about this job…

 

Other questions you may face in your message therapist job interview

  • Tell us about a most difficult client you’ve ever massaged.
  • What is your favorite massage and why?
  • In your opinion, what role does communication with the client plays in this role?
  • Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond for the client.
  • What do you consider the most difficult aspect of this job?
  • How do you imagine a typical day in our parlor/spa/hotel/clinic?
  • How long do you want to have this job?
  • Why should we hire you , and not one of the other applicants?

 

Communication skills play an important role

Hiring managers observe a lot of things in an interview with you. Do you keep an eye contact with them? Do you talk to the point? Are you a good listener? Do they enjoy talking to you?

Clients expect more than just a massage in 21st century. They enjoy talking with the massage therapists, sometimes sharing their joys and sorrows with them. Communication is a crucial part of this job, and unless you demonstrate good communication skills in the interview, they won’t hire you. Keep it on your mind, and show them that it is a pleasure to have you around…

 

Final thoughts, next steps

Interview for a job of a massage therapist belongs to easier job interviews. You won’t compete with many people for the job, and you will face only relatively simple questions, related to your experience, motivation, availability, and communication with the clients.

Nevertheless, you should not underestimate the meeting with the employer. Prepare for the questions, and don’t forget to demonstrate enthusiasm for the job, and good listening skills. I wish you good luck in your interview!

Matthew

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Matthew Chulaw
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