We love us a hairdressing competition, and IHS is known to host the very best.

Check out the list of comp dates across Australia below, and enter your local competition to showcase your skill and win sme very sweet prizes.

Become an IHS Member here to receive 1 free competition entry into the Regional pre done competitions. Psst – Memberships are free for first year apprentices and hairdressing students!

Competition dates:
NSW
Newcastle Sunday 20th May
Sydney Monday 28th May
Port Macquarie Sunday 15th July
Get your entries in! Download entry form

Victoria
Regional competitions are planned for July. More details soon on the website.

Tasmania
Devenport Sunday 27th May
Hobart 4th June
Launceston 24th July.
Entry forms on the website.

ACT
2nd July
15th October
Entry forms on the website.

SA - We are working on a new venue for South Australia Competition. Details coming soon.

QLD
 Townsville 27th May
Gladstone 3rd June
Brisbane 24th June
Mackay 1st July
Widebay 29th July

WA – Western Australia started the year with a photographic competition. Can’t wait to see the results.

Here are some pics of our students’s vistit to the IHS comps:

Click here to check out the complete set of pics.

Happy competing!

1) Make your resume easy to read

Your name and contact details should be clearly identifiable in a larger size at the top of the document. Keep your font size, spacing and formatting consistent throughout your resume so someone reading it can identify different areas and process information quickly.

2) Make sure your resume is the right length…for you

The number of pages in your resume may be one or two pages in length (occasionally three). It isn’t important to squish your information onto one page, or to stretch it over two; it IS important that the information is relevant, presented clearly, and in a logical order.

3) Personalize your resume

You can tell a lot about a business by paying close attention to their employment seeking ad, and doing some research into their website and advertising. An excellent way to make your resume stand out is to make sure you identify and respond to these clues. Are they looking for someone with front of house experience? Make sure to include any administrative experience or strengths. Do they use a retail line that you are familiar with? Work that in. Is their website funky and appealing to a younger generation? Is it focused on elegance and high end service? By reflecting the organisation’s values in your resume, you come across a candidate likely to mesh with their company culture.

4) Check. Re-check. Ask someone else to check. (And then, check again).

I know, I know – you’ve already checked your resume for any typos, clumsy sentences, etc…Do it again. Try reading it from the bottom up, to avoid getting caught up in the content rather than the details. Ask someone to give it a read for you – often a fresh pair of eyes will pick up small things that you may have missed, or be able to identify phrases that don’t quite hit their mark. Nothing makes a worse first impression than looking like you didn’t care enough to proof your resume.

5) Do not include personal hobbies

You have a very limited amount of space to demonstrate your value. Most businesses will find your experience, achievements and education of greater value in making their hiring decision than your love of knitting or travel.

6) Keep it formal

Unless you’ve been explicitly told to relax, make sure you keep business etiquette at the forefront of your mind, and all correspondence as professional as possible. This means ditching “Cheers” for “Best Regards” and “Talk soon!” for “I look forward to hearing back from you.”

7) Don’t be so modest

Have you outlined your achievements as well as your responsibilities? Doing so will show you as an individual with drive, dedication and initiative – as well as a passion for your work.

Give details

Whenever possible, be specific. Rather than saying, “increased monthly guest revenue,” say “increased average guest spending per visit by $24 dollars over a six month period.”

9) Use the right words

Avoid using phrases like “responsible for” or “oversaw.” Instead, use action verbs: “Ordered and monitored salon retail stock on a weekly basis.”

10) Utilise Available Resources

The internet is your best friend in job hunting. In addition to looking for jobs online at places like seek.com.au, you should be Googling each business that you are applying to and stockpiling information from their site, press and customer reviews. Stuck while writing your resume? Look up some sample resumes to help you along.

Hope you found these tips helpful, happy job hunting!

The 2012 Funk Up Your Head mannequin competition has come to a close, leaving us with a stack of incredible designs, and four very worthy winners: Ani Pham (Grand Prize Winner), Charmaine Tham (Bianca Litchfield’s’ People’s Choice Winner) Corey Warren (Runner Up), Tim Visser (Runner Up).

Grand Prize Winner, Ani Pham

Runner Up, Tim Visser

Runner Up, Corey Warren

Bianca Litchfield's People's Choice Winner, Charmaine Tham

Launched in 2010, Funk Up Your Head is an annual mannequin competition open exclusively to Pivot Point affiliated educators and sponsored by Culture magazine, Excellent Edges and Cloud Nine. The competition rules are simple: students are given an unadorned mannequin head and asked to let their creativity take the lead. The person whose mannequin the judges deem “best design” wins. Students are asked to combine design skills and a passion for hairdressing – they can think bold, big, outside the box – to come up with a finished mannequin that is entirely unique and represents them as a designer.

The competition is entirely online-based, with finished designs uploaded to the Funk Up Your Head Facebook page for the public to view and choose their favourites. The judges’ panel is made up of top-tier industry names: Brad Ngata, Sharon Blain, Tracey Hughes, Jenny Burns and Benni Tognini. Two-time judge Brad Ngata says of the competition, “All of the entries had something – I am impressed with this competition, and the standard always impresses me. Well done to the entrants and well done to Pivot Point.”

Funk Up Your Head is a means for the hairdressing industry to showcase the next generation’s skill, and foster our young talent’s creative expression. Pivot Point would like to thank all of the schools, educators, sponsors and judges who supported in this competition, as well as each of the students who entered their inspiring work.

Below is a complete list of this year’s winners. Check out the 2012 Funk Up Your Head Facebook Page to see the full album of competition submissions.

Grand Prize Winner:

• Ani Pham, Pivot Point Academy Melbourne

Bianca Litchfield’s’ People’s Choice Winner

• Charmaine Tham (1800 likes!)

Runners Up:

• Tim Visser, Pivot Point Academy Sydney
• Corey Warren, Heading Out Academy

Judges’ Recognition:

• Lam Nguyn, Pivot Point Academy Melbourne
• Melissa Harper, Kingscliff TAFE
• Lianna Brennan, Kingscliff TAFE
• Ray Ray Zhao, Pivot Point Academy Melbourne
• Courtney Hannan, Pivot Point Academy Sydney
• Jerry Ngov, Pivot Point Academy Sydney

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the school based-apprenticeship opportunities now available to the hairdressing industry.

The Pivot Point Academy blog has recently covered the basics of what’s involved with a school-based hairdressing apprenticeship, and the benefits of this program.

How about a word from a real life school-based hairdressing apprentice?

Jess is a school-based hairdressing apprentice, currently completing Year 12 at St Monica’s College. She was kind enough to fill us in abut her experience as a school-based hairdressing apprentice:

Name: Jess

Year: 12

School: St. Monica’s Girls’ College

Currently Studying: English, Textile, Media, Religion, VET Fashion Design, School Based Hairdressing Apprenticeship

Employer: Shiago, managed by Dejana Abouzeid

Training: I commenced studying at Pivot Point Academy in February 2012 and I’m enjoying learning all aspects of hairdressing. It’s a great place to study because it offers self-paced learning as well as assistance from the educators when needed.

On School-Based Apprenticeship: Doing the school based apprenticeship works well for me because I’m able to begin my career, as well as complete my VCE. This enables me to reach my goal to become a fully qualified hairdresser and to have enough experience and skills to be ready for any opportunities that may arise in the future.

Any advice for others considering this path?

I urge others to consider doing a School-Based Apprenticeship, as it’s great way to begin your career early, while still allowing you to complete your schooling, instead of leaving school to take up a full-time apprenticeship. I strongly recommend Pivot Point Academy as a hairdressing school, because it offers innovative and integrative learning, giving every student a unique learning experience.

Any questions on school-based apprenticeship? Our team will be happy to help. Contact us at: info@pivot-point.edu.au

With a million hair, beauty and style blogs online these days,  inspiration is never more than a click away.  Below are some of our favourite sites for a creative fix, product review or how to lesson.

• The Plastic Diaries – Sydney-based blogger Kimmi offers tips to get you looking your most gorgeous and answers to all your beauty questions.

image courtesy of Gala Darling site

• Gala Darling – Yes, this is her real name! Born in New Zealand, relocated to Melbourne and now in New York’s East Village, she writes about everything from How to Choose a Flattering Haircut to 100 Things to Do When You’re Upset.

• Pretty Shiny Sparkly – the tag line is “SLIGHTLY OBSESSED WITH SEQUINS” – what’s not to love?

image courtesy of Cheetah is the New Black site

• Cheetah is the New Black – a mix of street fashion, product recommendations, and styling inspiration. Loads of big, beautiful photos.

Crystal Renn Stars in a Whiteout Shoot for Muse Magazine Winter 2012 vie Trend Hunter

• Trend Hunter – Hundreds of image galleries, guaranteed to catch your eye and inspire your creativity.

Do you agree with our picks? What are your favourites?

Last night the Australian and New Zealand hairdressing industries’ best and brightest gathered at Technology Park in Redfern to hear the finalists announcement for the 2012 Hair Expo Awards.

For industry names and emerging talent alike, the Hair Expo Awards are a source of much anticipation and excitement. Without further ado, here is a complete list of the finalists for each Hair Expo Award category… including, ahem, yours truly.

Educator of the Year

• Lyndal Salmon
• Sharon Blain
• Jules Tognini
• Tracey Hughes

Education Organisation of the Year

• Biba Academy
• Cut Above Academy
• Pivot Point Academy woooooohoooooooooooooo!!!
• Servilles Academy

Excellence in Salon Marketing

• Suki Hairdressing,
• Togninis
• Servilles
• Toni & Guy

Business Performance of the Year

• Servilles
• Muk Haircare
• Head Studio
• Show Pony Hair Extensions

Session Stylist of the Year

• Daren Borthwick
•  Sarah Laidlaw
• Richard Kavanagh
• Lores Giglio
• Brad Ngata

Photographic Collection of the Year

• Matt Clements
• Joey Scandizzo
• Robert Bava
• Frank Apostolopoulos

Salon Design

• Toni & Guy Subiaco
• Head Studio
• Tribe Lifestyle
• Charlie Salon

Apprentice/Student of the Year

• Mason Fahim
• Kristy Furniss
• Igor Rosales-Jackson
• Genevive Collerton

New Creative Force

• Alexandra Kontos
• Jules Tognini
• Lisa Muscat
• Ryan Mitchell

Salon Team of the Year

• é Salon
• Mieka Hairdressing
• Suki Hairdressing Paddington
• Togninis Team

Colour Technician of the Year

• Matt Clements
• Belinda Keeley
• Kate Rawnsley
• Marie Uva

New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year

• Mana Dave
• Sara Allsop
• Adrian Barclay
• Jock Robson

Australian Hairdresser of the Year

• Joey Scandizzo
• Frank Apostolopoulos
• Tracey Hughes
• Sharon Blain
• Robert Bava
• Emiliano Vitale
• Damien Rinaldo
• Philip Barwick
• Caterina DiBiase
• Craig Smith

After seeing firsthand the beautiful work submitted to this year’s awards, everyone who entered should be proud. Congratulations all of our friends who were announced as finalists and judges recognition recipients which last night – especially Pivot Point Apprentice Mason Fahim of eSalon for his Apprentice of the year nomination!

7:30 pm – 12th March @ CLUB BURWOOD

96 Shaftsbury Rd Burwood, NSW 2134

Guests: $25/ IHS Members: FREE!

Become an IHS member now at www.ihssociety.com.au

Hey guys – in less than a week, IHS will host it’s first Member’s Benefits Night of 2012! This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with some of our industry’s leaders.

Social media guru Steve Corthine of Stevie English Hair will share with you his secrets of social media success, and Martin Heaton of Club Mac Hair will give you an insider’s guide on how to avoid common pitfalls of competition styling. Sound good? Yeah, we thought so.

click image above for larger view!

This is a great opportunity to show some love to our industry and support IHS who provide advocacy and creative opportunities for Australian hairdressers all year long.

We’ll see you there!

Have you seen the Funk Up Your Head 2012 Facebook page lately? This mannequin competition is seriously heating up. Pivot Point Academy Melbourne Certificate III in hairdressing student Jnd Nguyen’s design above  is in the lead with 440 likes!

Only last week, Pivot Point Academy Lam Nguyen was in the lead with her entry:

Vote for your favourite entry by visiting the Funk Up Your Head 2012 Facebook page and ‘like’ your favourite designs. The hairdresser who’s image gets the most ‘likes’ wins the Bianca Litchfield People’s Choice Award prize pack: A Cloud Nine straightening Iron, a year subscription to culture magazine and a gift certificate to Victoria Mason jewelery!

Catching up with Sarah O’Reilly, a talented young apprentice from Barberella salon in Melbourne who ALSO happens to be a Funk Up Your Head competitor.

Q:  Why did you enter the Funk Up Your Head mannequin competition?
A: I was drawn to the idea of not having my creativity limited, and also being able to do it at my own pace, independently – as opposed to competing onstage or working on a show.

  Q: Give us a little sneak peek into what we should expect for your mannequin design?
A: Expect a design that is a bit edgy with sharp lines, and bright, bold colours.

  Q:  OK, flatter us. What do you like about the teachers at Pivot Point Academy Melbourne?
A: Their best qualities are that they are supportive, inspirational, encouraging and very patient. Also, they are always up for a laugh.

Q: Hm, tell us more. Why else do you like training at Pivot Point?

A: I learn better by doing, so the hands on learning is great for me. Like I said before, we get our education with a lot of support and encouragement. The environment itself is inspirational – it’s always buzzing around the academy, with lots going on. Talented peers inspire you to push yourself.

Ah, Sarah you flatter us. We can’t wait to see what your final design on the Funk Up Your Head Facebook page – we’re sure it will be fierce.

Pssssst! We’ve got big news. We mean BIG. Ever dream about getting a European Union Hairdressing Qualification? Now you can.  Pivot Point Master of Technical Design Program for Hairdressing Educators

Pivot Point is pleased to launch the Master of Technical Design Program in April 2012- this course is the ultimate in professional development for hairdressing educators, and the only course of it’s kind available in Australia. Pivot Point delivers this in partnership with Service Skills Australia and European Union trainers and assessors.

Participants will undergo intensive training and assessment based on technical hair design and sculpture skills. Upon successful completion of the optional two day preparation course and 4 day assessment course, participants will gain:

•  a European Global Teacher’s Certificate
• a statement of attainment for units from Certificate IV in Hairdressing
• 70 points towards the Right Way program for registered members

Sound good? Read all more about the course details, dates and investments here.  Seats are highly limited and we expect this course to book out quickly - cutoff date for bookings is Match 10 2012.

Please ring (03)  9670 1200 for information or to book your place! For questions, email info@pivot-point.edu.au.

Ciao!