Manicurists clip, cut, shape, polish, and paint fingernails and toenails - but that's only the visible part. Manicurists are really in the self-esteem building business. After all, when your nails look good, and your hair looks good, you feel good about yourself. The job appears quite simple, but as any successful manicurist will confirm, there is much more to it than clipping, shaping, and polishing a customer's nails.

First, there are the people skills. Having 'your nails done' is always a social experience, so having a pleasant personality and being able to take a genuine interest in a client's life can be very important in building a list of regular customers.

Second, there is the matter of creativity. Customers depend on their manicurists to help them look their best. That mean being able to determine a person' s current needs and suggesting nail extensions, colors of polish or appliques. Manicurists may also use their artistic ability to create unique nail designs.

Like the barbers and cosmetologists in whose shops they often work, manicurists must be licensed in most states. It may also be necessary to complete a course at a licensed beauty school. But once you have the training and appropriate credentials as a manicurist, you can work almost anywhere.