Until you take a job, consider it your job to do interviews and do them well. From my experience, you'll benefit by following these guidelines:

1. Play the field. Interview, interview, interview; savoid the temptation to accept the first offer of employment. At each of the salons, explain that you are in the interview process. By talking with several salons you can gauge the best fit for you. It's important to get it right the first time, because moving around in the first year isn't the ideal way to jumpstart your career.

2. Return. It is hard to sum up a salon from just one meeting. A salon that offers a longer interview process, such as three visits that include one technical interview, will give you a chance to evaluate its culture, stylists, management, and clients. If the salon doesn't require that, ask to come in to observe at a busy time in order to get the feel and the culture of the salon. Remember: An interview isn't just something you sit through. You need to participate.

3. Prepare and question. Spend some time thinking about what you are looking for in a salon, and research salons that meet your needs and desires. Maybe you want to work specifically at an urban salon that offers a lot of educational opportunities and benefits and caters to a funky clientele. Go out and find it! The second part of your preparation should be to write out a list of questions that you want answered about the salon. You may want to know: What makes your salon unique? What programs do you offer? Benefits? Advancement?

4. Evaluate...the interview and the salon. Don't forget to ask yourself some questions after your meeting: Was the manager/owner prepared, on time, organized and enthusiastic? Was the salon clean? Were the stylists smiling? Did the clients look happy? How did you feel when you walked in the door? All these observations will tell you what it's like to work there, and that's very important information.

Joelle Ray is co-owner of Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie in Raleigh, North Carolina