Image consultant Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As an image consultant with a client base of private individuals you could advise on:

• colour analysis
• style analysis
• choosing and applying make-up
• wardrobe management
• personal shopping
• giving talks and making presentations.

With corporate clients you could also give advice on the following:

• training workshops
• formal talks and presentations
• branding
• audits
• executive coaching
• body language
• etiquette
• NLP (neuro-linguistic programming).

You would work with people from a variety of sectors, such as public and private companies, politics, media and retail.

You could work with the media, contributing to television and radio programmes, and to articles in the local, national and specialist press.

Hours

You would usually work from home, so would need to have a suitable office space. Alternatively, you may travel to visit clients at home or at work. Your hours will be flexible, depending on your client base, so could include evenings and weekends.

Income

• Experienced image consultants with plenty of clients can expect to earn up to £30,000 a year
• Those in the corporate sector who are in demand, can earn in excess of £40,000.

Salaries depend on the area of activity in which consultants work, and on how successful they are in building up a client base.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements, but you may find it useful to have experience in areas like:

• sales and marketing
• consultancy
• public relations
• retail
• fashion, hair and beauty therapy
• recruitment and human resources
• management
• training and coaching.

You would usually set up your own image consultancy business after gaining relevant experience and qualifications.

You can do degrees, BTEC HNCs/HNDs and foundation degree courses in a variety of related areas, including beauty therapy, design, marketing and media communications. To search for HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees, see the UCAS website. Entry requirements for courses vary, so you should check with colleges and universities.

• UCAS

See the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) website for advice on qualifications and career paths within the beauty industry. Please note that HABIA do not provide courses and are not able to supply lists of course providers.

Developing a business can be a lengthy process – you would need to promote your service through advertising and PR, network with local businesses and other groups, and build up a reputation.

You can gain the basic knowledge and skills you will need to start consulting by completing foundation training in fields such as style and body analysis, colour analysis, personal shopping, wardrobe management & make-up application.

Training is available from a number of providers, some of which are recognised by the Federation of Image Professionals International (FIPI) – see the FIPI website for details.

• Federation of Image Professionals International

Training and development

As an experienced consultant, you can gain accreditation at Associate or Master level from the FIPI in conjunction with City and Guilds. As a Master image consultant you may be awarded a Fellowship. It is not essential to have accreditation, but it is a way of showing potential clients that your work meets industry standards.

Visit the FIPI website for details of recognised training providers (all private companies), advice on choosing training, and the Masters Award.

You can also develop your skills and knowledge by attending FIPI seminars, workshops and other events.

Skills and knowledge

As an image consultant, you would need:

• a natural flair for style and colour
• an interest in working with people and helping to make a difference to their lives
• good communication and 'people' skills
• the ability to put clients at ease
• tact and good listening skills
• the ability to get clients to follow your advice
• a positive and self-motivated approach
• the ability to run your own business.

More information

Federation of Image Professionals International
www.tfic.org.uk

Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA)
www.habia.org

Opportunities

Almost all image consultants are self-employed. Some work for large agencies (sometimes international), and specialise in a particular area of the work.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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