Charity Offers Free Hair Cuts & Emotional Boost for the Unemployed

As people across the country are dealing with the aftermath of the recession, great folks like celebrity hair stylist Maurice Tidy and his partner, Gina Caruso, are stepping up to help those in need in the best way they know how.

This loving couple has launched an unusual charity called Hair Care, through which they provide free, stylish hair cuts to the unemployed. Tidy, a former Vidal Sassoon executive who has worked on the tresses of famous folks, ranging from the Beatles to Rene Russo, knows the power of a good cut to boost one's marketability. Caruso was inspired to launch Hair Care using their network of contacts to bring that power to those who need an extra bit of positive energy to face a daunting job market.

Tonic.com reports:

Hair Care was launched about 10 months ago by Maurice Tidy, who was Vidal Sassoon's first artistic director, and his partner Gina Caruso after she lost her job consulting for medical spa businesses. She realized how important something as simple as a haircut can be for one's sense of self -- and for one's job search.

"I got involved with Hair Care 10 months ago because I became unemployed and wanted to give back knowing the pain and sacrifices that have to be made when you lose the financial security of a regular paycheck. Most individuals lose self-confidence and regular maintenance of a haircut is usually put on the back burner, but it is imperative to look great and give the best first impression at an interview," says Caruso.

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Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Set realistic goals:
Don't live in a fantasy world. If you are a cashier at your local drugstore, don't apply for an executive position at a Fortune 500 company. Being realistic means that you only apply for positions that dovetail with your qualifications. Otherwise you will spend more time online applying for jobs rather than a real time chance through interviews.

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Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Learn New Skills:
With that being said, if you want to move from cashier to management or make a total career change, you should grab the bull by the horns and make it happen. I am a strong believer that you can get any job you want just as long as you know what you want and what it entails. If you don't have the necessary education or training, then it's your job to get it. So take that computer course, register with that college or vocational school, and talk to as many people as possible that have the same job that you want.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Staffing Agencies:
Register with as many staffing agencies as possible. It's a great way to find a job and an even a better way to keep your interviewing skills up to par. The best way to find a Staffing Agency in your city is on the web or word of mouth. I also suggest targeting smaller agencies as opposed to feeling like just a number at a larger one. Being a recruiter at a boutique agency allows me to give a more personalized touch to all of my candidates. Since the flow of traffic isn't as heavy, I am able to spend time with my candidates and really get to know them on a professional and personal level.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Resumes:
Resumes should be easy on the eyes, which means simple and uncomplicated There are two types of resumes -- functional and chronological. Functional resumes are more effective if you're changing fields; chronological works best if you want to move up in your field. Email addresses should be professional, sexygirl@gmail.com is not appropriate. Once you've finished writing your resume, always have another pair of eyes to review it to avoid grammatical and spelling errors.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Honesty is the best policy:
Never lie on your resume -- embellishing is fine -- but flat out lying will send you back to the unemployment line. Most companies will do background checks, so be as accurate as possible.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Use the 'Net:
Posting your resume on Monster, Hotjobs, and Careerbuilders is definitely worth a shot, but in these hard times you have to think outside the box! Start your own blog for people like your self who aren't working. Get a discussion going; join linkedin immediately if you're not already a member and Facebook (seriously!) One mortgage broker swears by Facebook because he has made more contacts on Facebook than anywhere else.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Networking:
Word of mouth is a great way to get started. Let your friends, and former business associates know that you're looking and what type of position you're looking for. Embrace technology. Send a mass email out to all those who might be helpful. Encourage them to pass it along to their contacts. You'll create a ripple effect that just might lead to the job of your dreams.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

References:
Notify references prior to interviewing. No employer wants to hear "I'll have to get back to you with that." It is just as important to be prepared before your interview as it is during.

Getting a Job in a Tough Economy

Caruso posted on Tidy's Facebook page an announcement about the Hair Care campaign, and within 20 minutes, 20 salons were interested nationwide. And both Tidy and Caruso were surprised by the response to the first event last June held at Sassoon colleague Daniel Rizzardi's Salon Secrets – 30 people were lined up before the doors opened at 9 a.m. and more than 700 people showed up during the two-day event in Charlotte, N.C., a hub in the banking industry which had been hard hit by layoffs...

So far, there have been nine Hair Care events at which 4,500 people have had their hair cut and styled for free by 225 volunteer hair stylists. The most recent Hair Care event held Sunday and Monday at Hair Designs North owned by Alan O'Sada and Kimberly Briffa in Dearborn, Mich., an area of the country where automotive industry layoffs have been widespread, attracted 250 people in need of a cut and blow dry - not to mention a job. Twenty-two stylists volunteered to give haircuts, an area florist gave flowers to everyone who came in for a haircut, local community volunteers swept the floor, restaurants donated food and hotel rooms were discounted for out of town hair stylist volunteers.

Beverly Grau, 54, was among those who received a haircut, flowers and an emotional boost... "This means everything to me. It's extremely helpful to look your best. And it's wonderful that these people have taken the time to do things for people in this situation. It's a fun haircut for me and I think it makes me feel better and look good," says Grau. "This has really been heartwarming that folks have done this. It is very much appreciated. It gives me a boost to go out and find that job."

It is amazing to see how Tidy, Caruso and their network of friends, volunteers and affiliate salons have been able to make such a dramatic impact on thousands of lives in such a short time. It is great people like this who are able to harness the uplifting power of our communities, which inspires us all to believe in the ultimate power of the human spirit to bring help and heart into any situation. This story shows that the power to serve others is often, ironically, the greatest gift life can give -- both for those that give and receive.

Read the full story about Hair Care on Tonic.com.