Starting your dream career as a massage therapist is simple with this handy guide. More than a general feeling that you have the magical power of healing hands, you’ll need to obtain the necessary qualifications to practice in your state.
Once you have the compulsory licenses, you will then have to make an effort to create a well-crafted cover letter and a fantastic massage therapist resume to help you land your dream role.
But first, what does a massage therapist do?
What Does a Massage Therapist Do?
A massage therapist provides massage treatments to help reduce stress, relieve pain, release tension, or improve posture. They use their hands to knead muscles using various techniques depending on the needs and preferences of the client.
They can work as freelance massage therapists, in clinics affiliated with hospitals, or in professional massage salons.
Let’s take a look at the training needed.
Training Needed
The majority of massage therapist positions require you to finish an accreditation program in which you will study various massage techniques.
Although program formats and requirements differ from state to state, anticipate spending 300 to 1,000 hours in class combined with on-the-job training. You can do this in a crash course over a few weeks or spend more time going through the curriculum at your own pace. Your choice will depend on your commitments.
If you wish to work full-time at a clinic or hospital, you might consider enrolling in a more comprehensive program to learn more procedures and expand your skill set to have more expertise in all kinds of pain relief.
You’ll cover various techniques during your training, including:
- Aromatherapy
- Swedish massage
- Posture-correcting exercises
- Thai massage
- Acupuncture
Over and above the specific techniques, you’ll learn basic anatomy, the importance of sanitation and cleanliness, and the principles of ethical practice, business skills and entrepreneurship, and other responsibilities of a healthcare professional.
Gaining a Qualification
Before legally practicing massage treatment, you must pass your tests and gain your qualification. These tests will cover the materials you learned in class.
The MBLEx and BCETMB are the two most prevalent tests nationwide. Check to see the state requirements where you will be applying for roles.
If you’re wondering if they are challenging, keep in mind that they’re thoroughly evaluating the course materials to see if you are ready to be a massage therapist. Since you’ll be paying for your exam, it’s good to make a course study guide to review your notes to ensure you demonstrate your knowledge and pass the exam.
When you pass, you’ll be able to work as a massage therapist!
The Next Step: The Job Application
Regardless of your skills, expertise, and qualifications, you need to nail an essential step toward landing your role as a massage therapist—your job application.
Your cover letter and resume need to help establish your credibility and demonstrate to the recruiter that you can perform the duties of the advertised role. They should also convey your personality to help you stand out from the other candidates.
This point is essential for a massage therapist’s role. You need to highlight you have the interpersonal skills and warmth to offer a fantastic personal service to clients. Convey this in your cover letter and the skills section of your resume.
Remember, all applicants will list their qualifications on their resumes, so you need to find other ways to differentiate your application. Allowing your vibrant personality to shine through in your job application is an excellent way to help you stand out
