Choosing the Spa That's Best For You
By Melinda Minton

Some massage therapists interviewed for this article complained of lower pay, not being allowed to accept tips, not being able to choose their clientele and rigid work schedules - sometimes performing up to 10 massages a day without a break. For these therapists, spa work is far less appealing than owning a private massage therapy practice.

"I like the fast pace of a place that is busy - however, this arrangement isn't for everyone," says Sandy Sweet, a massage therapist who works at Pure Reflection Spa for Wellness in Hickory, North Carolina. "You really have to do things rapidly and by the book."

Sweet points out benefits of spa work, like daytime hours instead of the evening work done in many private massage practices. "It is truly relaxing to work at a spa. The lights are dim and there are soothing sounds like running water and soft music," she adds.

If you are someone who would enjoy this kind of environment, there are a wealth of spa-massage jobs available that offer both the chance to learn new hands-on techniques and the removal of the burden of self-marketing. The trick is selecting the right spa for your personality and professional goals.

Decisions, decisions
Different types of spas are very different in character. When searching for your new working environment, start by narrowing down the search to a particular type of spa. Then do the more detailed hunt for a specific spa.Kit McCormick, owner of Spa and Salon Staffing in Mesa, Arizona, says finding the right spa environment requires exploring who you are and what you want from your job.

"Before you go out looking for a job, take a personal assessment. Really introspect about what you want for yourself professionally and personally," she says. McCormick suggests that you make a list of the attributes of your ideal work environment. She also suggests that therapists go and check out prospective employers and get a sense of what the spa has to offer.

"I encourage therapists to go to the spa and receive a service," she says. "While you are receiving your massage or body treatment, ask the therapist questions about the company. Ask if they offer adequate training. Get a feel for their level of job satisfaction."

While there you should look for other keys to the corporate culture of the spa, like how it treats customers, McCormick says. Notice if the spa is clean. Check out the atmosphere in the reception area.

"Find out what the spa considers full-time work," McCormick adds. "For a massage therapist only doing massage, 40 hours per week is much more than a full-time load. Find out what other services and duties you would be responsible for during a working day. Does the spa offer topnotch, ongoing training? Do some digging."

If the spa seems like a good fit, submit your résumé and request an interview. It is completely professional and acceptable to interview the spa director as he/she interviews you. Remember, you are looking for the best match for you and your skills.

"Go into the interview with questions that will reveal if this particular spa is the right environment for your personality, skills and expectations," McCormick says. "Your list should cover things like benefits, expectations on both sides and a clarification of your job description."

Spa owners and directors interviewed for this article said again and again that when it comes to hiring a massage therapist, personality is more important than skills. Most spas still rely on Swedish massage, although specialties like energy work and Ayurvedic, hot-stone and aromatherapy massage are making inroads at spas. Therapists don't necessarily have to be experienced in these types of bodywork, however; many larger spas train their employees in new techniques. While a potential employer will certainly consider the training a massage therapist has, as well as whether or not he or she is certified in any specialties, what spas really want are positive, friendly individuals who have a sense of teamwork and who are adaptable to a variety of situations.

Types of Spas
With all that said, what type of spa would best suit you? Destination spas are usually affiliated with a lodging facility - oftentimes in beautiful locations. Day spas offer services during daytime hours, and typically provide a full slate of pampering services. Medical (medi) spas are clinical and run by at least one physician. Microspas employ one to six staff members and offer a very focused line of care.

What will it be? Door number 1, 2, 3 or 4? Don’t take the Let's Make a Deal chance; instead, read on, do some research, and make an educated, well-thought-out decision about where you would ideally like to work.

Microspas
A microspa by definition is a spa employing a small staff. Microspas tend to be small facilities that typically offer just one or two specialty services, such as facials and massage. As a rule, a microspa won’t offer nail or hair services.

"Microspas usually employ less than six [people] and oftentimes are started by a group of friends who do differing services," says Monique Smith, co-owner of L’Esthetique microspa in San Antonio, Texas.

"The initial investment to start a microspa is much less than other types of spas. In this sort of environment, the staff has to be individually very good at the services offered. There isn’t a big budget for promotions and the usual fluff offered by a larger spa," Smith says.

There are pros and cons to working in a microspa. First, you will be working very closely with a small group of individuals. It is essential that you enjoy their company.

“Our spa is a tightly knit family. We try to make sure that the individuals who work here fit in. Otherwise, we are all suddenly unhappy. There has to be a lot of teamwork in this small of a business. If there is even one unhappy employee, it really makes a lot of waves,” Smith says.

The good news about this type of spa is that each employee can make a large impact on the company.

“We really try to listen to our employees and let them make suggestions and improvements," Smith says. "When you have such a small number of workers, each person’s productivity and attitude affects the group. We encourage positive criticism and change."

Esthetician Barbara Sinha, owner of Clinical Skin Care in Fort Collins, Colorado, explains the microspa format: "Oftentimes in a microspa there will only be one or maybe two massage therapists who work out a schedule amongst themselves. The estheticians will cross-train them in body services [such as wraps and scrubs]. We have always seen a lot of cross-referrals. You know, the esthetician will recommend a massage and the massage therapist will recommend a facial," she says.

Sinha warns that therapists should make sure that the microspa does a healthy business, and that its clientele is open to the therapist's massage technique.

"You want to make sure that you are getting into a spa that has a clientele that is compatible with the type of massage that you like to do. Also, make sure that the town the spa is in will be open to your services. If the spa is struggling, odds are if you are hired you will be struggling, too," Sinha says.

Medispas
Medispas are medical facilities that are also spas. Usually run by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, medispas are very different from other types of spas. Typical services include liposuction, laser resurfacing, breast augmentation and other invasive procedures like heavy-acid skin peels that are prescribed, overseen by a doctor and sometimes given under a light sedative or pain reliever.

Although the emphasis at medispas is still on Swedish massage, massage therapists working in these spas often have training in clinical techniques, such as neuromuscular or craniosacral therapy, or myofascial release.

"We really prefer that therapists have a clinical background," says Amy Kamin, owner of Phases medispa in Boston and New York City. "Our clinics are very professional, and we seek out therapists who are very book-educated. They need to be able to use appropriate medical terminology when performing massage and other services.

"We aren’t looking for 'feel-good' types of therapists," Kamin continues. "We need team players that don’t have the independent-contractor mentality."

At the Aesthetic Skin Care and Permanent Makeup Clinic (medispa) in Santa Rosa, California, the services offered aren’t necessarily relaxing.

"We do facials here, but they aren’t the ‘fun’ kind," says Robin Pels, a medical esthetician. An adjoining plastic surgery practice performs face lifts, nose jobs and breast augmentation, and the estheticians see patients who need heavy-acid skin peels, like Jessner’s, resorcinol or glycolic, to ease the symptoms of a host of medical maladies.

"We find that massage therapists are sometimes intimidated by the clinical nature of our spa," Pels adds. "Some, perhaps, even find the services too superficial. They don’t believe in plastic surgery services and consequently don’t want to work in an environment that predominately does physical alterations like face-lifts. We have had a massage room for rent for months now and haven’t found anyone to rent the room."

Resort/Hotel/Destination Spas
Many resort/hotel/destination spas are owned by corporations that own a few spas. The typical customer at a resort spa is an affluent, one-time client who seeks relaxation as the primary reward for her visit.

Tammy Pahel, spa director at The Spa at Turnberry Isle in Aventura, Florida, where the occupancy rate averages a healthy 76 percent, cautions therapists that destination spas can be very busy. At her spa, a massage therapist can expect to do eight to 10 one-hour bodywork sessions each day, with her day divided into 70 percent full-body massage sessions and roughly 25 percent spent doing treatments like salt glows and body wraps. The remaining time is spent on miscellaneous customer services, like escorting guests to their next session.

"Massage therapists who work here need to be able to do services back to back, and the pace is somewhat hectic," says Pahel. "We are different from a day spa in that we are constantly busy. Our therapists get breaks and lunch or dinner, but for some the sheer volume is just too much."

At a resort, expect to perform a great deal of relaxing Swedish massage. For some therapists, the redundant nature of performing the same service over and over again just isn’t appealing.

"There is the boredom factor of doing so many massages in a row," Pahel says. "However, our spa can be a lot of fun, too. We do services based on themes. For instance, we offer Thai massage and the service is performed in sarongs. Couples massage is also a popular service that our massage therapists seem to really enjoy doing."

Lisa Ryan, spa director of Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, New Jersey, emphasizes that destination resorts are fast-paced environments.

"We are busy from the moment we open our doors in the morning until we close them well into the evening," Ryan says. "For people who like having a full day, that sort of pace is welcomed."

Ocean Place has massage therapists working two shifts per day: a morning group that works 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and an evening shift that works 3-9 p.m. Most of the massage therapists work six to seven hours a day and perform six 50-minute massages during their shift.

"Six-hour increments seem to be just right for therapists. We give them breaks as well. Most of our staff of 46 massage therapists are part-time. We only have five full-time staff members. The full-time staff is built with therapists who aren’t put off by the heavy workload. For the others, part time feels right and they enjoy other jobs, hobbies and interests," Ryan says.

Gene McLaughlin is a massage therapist at Solavie in Sun Valley, Idaho. He is an independent contractor with the spa and also maintains a private practice. Although his private practice is his core business, McLaughlin is thankful for the steady flow of customers at the spa and the extra income that it provides.

"Having a private practice and working at a spa is a good combination. It’s a refreshing change to work on so many tourists from other parts of the country," he says.

The drawbacks of working in a spa, for McLaughlin, are not being challenged professionally and not having a repeat clientele.

"I specialize in deep-tissue work, and I feel that my skills have really evolved," he says. "Spa clients don’t really appreciate that part of my talents. They want more of a light touch. They basically just want to relax.

"The other aspect of working at a destination spa is the clients are around for a few days and then you never see them again," he adds. "My private clientele has become a regular group of people that I have come to know intimately."

McLaughlin shares this wisdom for therapists thinking of working in a resort: "While my experience at Solavie has been good, I guess I would recommend that the therapist really know what the arrangement is up front. Find out exactly how you will be paid. What will your average day look like? Will you be charged for sheets? Do you have to supply your own lotion or oil? There are a lot of details that you will want to be clear on before accepting the job."

Day Spas
A day spa is a facility where guests enjoy services for the day only. Day spas might offer hair services or they might strictly offer esthetic services like facials and waxing.

"Day spas are experiencing astronomical growth," says Hannelore Leavy, founder of the Day Spa Association. "They are the fastest-growing segment of the spa industry. The model of being able to relax for an hour to a day on relatively short notice really caters to the American social structure."

While day spas may be spreading the popularity of massage, it is in these spas that the differences between private or therapeutic massage and spa massage are most apparent.

Joe* used to work with a chiropractor. In that job, he massaged athletes and enjoyed more technical applications of massage. The clientele at his new job, at a well-known day spa in Beverly Hills, aren't his type.

"The clients that I see are not athletically minded or as health conscious as they may seem," Joe says. "Mostly I see overweight women who like to indulge and be pampered."

In addition, for a $75 massage, Joe only receives $18 an hour plus three percent of each massage ($2.25), which he doesn't consider fair.

"Right now this is a job to pay my bills," he says. "I wouldn't recommend it for others. Maybe only if you were just starting out and in need of a clientele, you could build your base in a place like this and then move on."

For Albert of Miami, Florida, working in the day spa of a cruise ship fell far below his expectations of a fun, destination-type spa environment.

"They [wouldn't] let us accept tips," Albert says. "I was getting paid $8.50 an hour to do at least eight massages a day. They should call it a slave ship, not a cruise ship. It is obvious that the spa director on my ship had no respect for massage therapists. We were slaves doing the same boring massages on the same fat tourists."

But it's not just massage therapists who have complaints. According to Peter Leffel, C.M.T., owner of Kerry Mark Salon & Day Spa in South Haven, Michigan, the attitude of some massage therapists compared to his other employees is disturbing.

"Hairstylists accept that they have to build a clientele, sell retail and stick to their schedule. Massage therapists are just a bit more flighty. They are less reliable. They don’t grasp the concept of creating and sticking to a professional goal like the rest of the group," Leffel says.

There are limitless opportunities for massage therapists who are focused and professional, Leffel says. "If you are willing to follow the rules and work like a team member, the day-spa industry would love to employ you."

While it is obvious that day spas may not be an ideal work environment for some massage therapists, it is important to note that not all day spas are alike. At the Out Call Spa day spa, for example, there is no actual spa. Instead, a small staff of estheticians, massage therapists and nail technicians bring spa services to the client - a type of practice that's growing in popularity. Located in Park City, Utah, the arrangement is ideal for the thousands of tourists who pour through the area, especially during ski season.

"We ask that our staff members carry a cell phone, be near a phone or carry a beeper," says owner and esthetician Heather Armstrong. "We are a small group, so usually everything goes smoothly. Once the one-to-four person crew reaches the destination, they call the home-office phone to check in and report if there are any unforeseen problems.

Out Call Spa's massage therapists are expected to do various massage techniques in addition to contour wraps, salt glows and seaweed wraps.

"Our therapists seem to really enjoy the freedom of not being confined by a location and a set schedule," Armstrong says. "The on-call framework of our business allows them to do whatever they want when they aren’t actually working. That sort of arrangement seems pretty popular."

The working arrangement at the Debbie Reynolds Day Spa in Beverly Hills is popular among massage therapists, according to Spa Manager Barbara Seretan.

"Time is left between every treatment to let the therapist gather her thoughts, become centered and prepare for the next client," she says

This spa's emphasis on employee satisfaction has resulted in a loyal staff - and enormous success.

"Because our therapists love their jobs so much, they treat their customers like gold," Seretan says. "Our biggest problem with our massage therapists is that they eventually leave us. They have a baby or they move. It is heart-wrenching to lose great employees."

To find your dream job at a spa, Seretan advises, “Work on your consciousness. Massage is an act of love. It is an act of giving energy. Work on your state of mind. Really work on finding an environment that you would be proud to call home."

* Therapists who are unhappy in their spa positions agreed to be interviewed for this article only if they were not named. Therefore, their names are changed.