Hair Stylist Resume Sample, Job Description & Writing Guide for 2024
You’ve been following hair trends for as long as you can remember and were styling hair for friends in junior school. That you were going to become a creative hairstylist was a foregone conclusion, and today, you’re loving the range of hair services you’re offering in the beauty industry.
One of your career goals has always been to join a trendy salon once you’ve got a loyal customer base and enough professional experience. Well, the time has come, and stunning hair stylist job opportunities beckon.
But there’s a snag.
How do you write a professional hair stylist resume that outshines other job candidates?
Fret no more!
This resume writing guide takes you through all the stages of resume writing. You’ll be able to craft the perfect resume to make any salon owner do a double-take followed by a callback.
Whether you need an experienced or beginner hair stylist resume, we’ve got you covered. We share crucial information, expert hints, and resume tips on what salon owners want. There’s also an experienced hair stylist resume sample and a self employed hair stylist resume example made on our resume builder.
Our customizable resume templates are updated regularly to match current hiring trends. Research shows that resume builder resumes are more successful in landing interviews.
Let's get started!
Hair stylist resume writing guide: Where to start?
Good hair stylists know that not all hair products are the same. Take hair treatments, for instance. The effectiveness of a treatment depends very much on the client’s hair type and condition. Career experiences are much the same. Even though jobs appear similar, there are significant differences since no employer or client base is alike.
Way too few job seekers realize that job hunting involves much more than just submitting a resume. Successful job applicants know their career goals and understand what a prospective employer needs. They carefully consider vacancies and avoid hit-and-miss applications.
Getting to that point requires some upfront evaluation and recognizing the limits of your hairstylist skills and product knowledge. You can get this self-knowledge by doing an in-depth analysis of your career to date. Before starting your job hunt, identify your talents, strengths, weaknesses, and what you want from a future employer. This sets parameters to work in and allows you to plan each job application.
Determine your likes and dislikes by considering what aspects of hair styling you enjoy, what you put off until later, and what you avoid. Generally, we put off things we find tedious or challenging and avoid what we dislike. With this in mind, you can choose hair stylist roles that match your career goals and where you’ll be happy.
It can, however, become difficult to remember the details of each job as you gain more professional experience. Give yourself a break by creating a master hair stylist resume upfront. That way, when you see a fantastic opportunity, you can apply in minutes by referring to your master resume.
So, there’s your starting point - compiling a master resume.
An all-inclusive master resume that’s readily accessible is essential to meet today’s fast-paced hiring requirements. This brings us to another critical issue: AI in recruitment. Few job seekers understand how modern recruitment processes work or that AI in HR tech plays a significant role initially.
Let’s drill down a little –
When salon managers need a new hire, they compile a list of essential skills required for a hairstylist to succeed. These skills are tagged as keywords when the vacancy gets loaded to job boards and other websites. Usually, keywords are flagged and rated in order of importance. Job boards have parsing software written into their systems that scan all inbound applications, measuring keyword content. Hairdresser resumes with a high keyword ratio are given precedence over those with a low keyword ratio. The lower on the list you are, the less likely your resume will be read.
Examples of typical keywords in a resume for hairdressers include:
- Color skills
- Customer-facing role
- Hair products
- Physical stamina
- Wide range of clients
Even if your resume gets read, don’t expect a salon owner to give it more than a few seconds. They know what they’re looking for. If they find it, you’re on the interview list; if not, you’re not part of the recruitment process.
That’s the reality of tech-driven recruitment!
In truth, it works very well, considering the number of applications each job post receives. Your task is to understand how it works and find ways to get around it.
The answer is straightforward. Submit a short, sharp, targeted, job-specific, and keyword-focused hairdresser resume with only relevant work experience and skills. Not only will your resume rank well, but it will also impress salon managers. An application that immediately says you can do the job and do it well meets a need and compels a reaction. The perfect response is a callback and a spot on the interview shortlist.
A common mistake job candidates make is submitting lengthy resumes full of irrelevant information. Instead of impressing, the resume gets overlooked as no one has time to wade through it in the hope there’s something valuable.
So, back to the starting point. A master hair stylist resume to reference and ensure your job-specific resume is always on point.
Expert hint
Focus on what extensive experience, skills, and value you bring. That’s the only thing salon managers want to know when they first read your resume. Only if they think you can do the job will they continue reading.
Master hairdresser resume
A master resume details all your jobs, including:
- Responsibilities
- Education and courses
- Key achievements
- Technical and soft skills
Also, add:
- Study dates
- Education institution names
- Qualifications and certifications
- Employer names and tenure dates
- Job descriptions with designation A.K.A job title
List any accomplishments or awards under the relevant study or work section.
Your master resume provides an expanded view of your work history, so use it to identify your strong points. It’s also an essential tool for making successful job applications. By comparing job post requirements to your master resume, you ensure nothing relevant gets omitted from your job-specific resume.
There’s no correct resume format, as it’s for your use only. However, a reverse-chronological order where you start with the most recent and continue in descending order works well. It makes referencing and finding details much easier.
Take your time compiling your master resume; it must be detailed and faultless. Ultimately, you'll save time with each application and know nothing important is left out.
Save your master and all supporting documents to an easily accessible folder. Aside from job applications, use it to update your LinkedIn profile, other business socials, and professional portfolio. If you’re on the interview list, salon managers will probably check out your online presence, so keep it up to date.
Never apply for a job with your master resume. Only use it as the foundation for each job-specific resume.
Job-specific resume for hair stylist
Treat every job application individually because no two jobs are identical. Even when roles appear similar, salon policies and culture are unique, and management teams differ.
For starters, establish whether you’re a good fit for the job and if it will move you closer to your career goals. Visit potential employers’ websites and social media, and search online for more insight into their client base, range of hair services, hair care products, and salon team.
If everything meets your expectations, compare the post to your master resume and extract matching industry experience and skills. Don’t forget transferable skills or portable skills. They’re soft skills that are transferable from one job role to another. Typical examples include customer service, communication skills, and creativity.
Once you’re sure you meet most of the critical requirements, it's time to write a targeted, job-specific resume for hairdresser jobs. While taking relevant skills and experience from your master, remember to edit the wording to mirror the keywords. That’s to ensure parsing software picks up these keywords and your resume moves through to the interview process. Also, list your professional experience in the same order as the job description; salon managers usually list responsibilities in order of importance. Doing this brings your value and potential to the fore.
Crucially, your job-specific resume for hair stylist applications must be no more than one to two pages long. Only include the job requirements written in the post. Anything else is immaterial and could hamper your application. A concise job-specific resume draws attention and gets you shortlisted. You can elaborate and provide additional info once you engage with the hiring team.
Last but not least, avoid self-defeating things like keyword stuffing or exaggeration on your resume.
Expert hint
You only want relevant skills, work experience, and qualifications in your job-specific resume. What’s not in the post is unnecessary. Show you’ve got more to give by adding “detailed resume available on request” at the end of your resume.
Sample hair stylist resume
Both candidates have opted for a double-columned template in these hair salon resume examples. Using two columns gives you more space for content than a single column. Experienced hairstylist Trudie chose our Standford resume template in bright pink to resonate with her caring, service-oriented personality. On the other hand, freelancer Liam went for our brilliant yellow Harvard template, boldly stating his independent, sunny disposition towards life. See more hair stylist resume samples here.
What to include in a resume for a hairdresser? Writing tips and examples
Job posts dictate what information to have in all sections of a resume for hairdressers. An impeccable resume includes all your skills and experience that match the job requirements and maybe other details that can enhance your application. Don’t add anything just for the sake of it, though; if it doesn’t add value, it doesn’t belong.
Look for mentions in the vacancy like “added advantage” or “nice to have.” While not essential, these experiences or skills will boost your application. For example, multilingualism might not be a prerequisite, but it enhances your application if the client base is diverse.
Writing resumes is a delicate balance, just like hair coloring. Too much spoils the result, while too little is likely ineffective. Keep assessing if including optional enhancements, like accomplishments, add or take away from your application.
How to write a personal profile on a hair stylist resume?
All salon resumes must have a brief hair stylist resume description as an opener. Known as a personal statement, resume summary, objective statement, or resume objective, it’s the first thing readers see.
Consider it the “about me” section of your resume. A resume objective comprises around 80 to 100 words in a 3-5 line paragraph, giving readers insight into your relevant qualifications, work experience, skills, and key achievements. Since it’s the first thing readers see, it’s your only chance to impress, meaning it makes or breaks your application.
Usually, it’s best to write your resume objective once you’ve completed your job-specific resume. That way, you ensure it’s relevant to the role and aligns with your resume. Include specifics, statistics, and numbers where possible for greater word count and impact. Write in a confident, persuasive tone, and don’t forget vital keywords. It must be interesting enough to grab the reader’s attention so they keep reading.
These resume objective examples give you an idea of how to write your own:
Senior hairstylist resume objective
Creative, committed, licensed hairdresser with 10+ years professional experience in hairstyling and related beauty services in an upmarket beauty boutique. Thrive in a customer-facing role involving building client relationships and providing excellent customer service. A knack for accurately interpreting client preferences and meeting their expectations. Experience includes expertise in color techniques, advanced cutting methods, hair health and care, high-quality hairstyling, and beauty service. Business management, supervising 5 junior stylists, and expenses and revenue. Initiated social media hair care pages that improve customer engagement and have resulted in 52% additional revenue month over month for the past 2 years.
Example objective for resume hair stylist
Versatile, caring, and dedicated licensed hairdresser with 7+ years of professional experience in hair and beauty services. Advising clients on hair care and styles to match their facial features, recommending and upselling hair and beauty products, and supporting clients on their beauty journeys. Working with a wide range of client personalities, keeping in alignment with client goals, and ensuring client satisfaction. Built a loyal customer base with a high client retention rate and 100% customer satisfaction rate. I am seeking a hair stylist role to bring my existing customer base into the salon, bringing additional revenue monthly.
Beginner hair stylist resume objective Service-oriented, bubbly, beginner hairdresser seeking a hair stylist position to match my level of experience. Completed internship and newly licensed. Despite limited professional experience, I have color expertise, including color correction, scalp treatments, advice on hair care, and creative hair styling. Excited to build a client list, gain client satisfaction ratings from a diverse range of clients, hear client requests, and bring the client vision to life. Up to date with current trends and excellent communication and time management skills. Given the opportunity of a full-time position, I will quickly gain the relevant work experience to contribute to the salon’s success.
Cover letters for hairdressers
A hair stylist resume summary is not a cover or motivation letter. Every resume wants a personal statement, but not every job application needs a cover letter.
Hair stylist resume objectives are part of targeted, job-specific resumes. They briefly summarize your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications related to the job. Conversely, a hair stylist cover letter is separate and more detailed, providing background details, intentions, and ambitions. Write it in 300 to 400 words, broken into three to six paragraphs on a single page. Usually, a cover letter is addressed to someone specific by name and follows the protocols of a business letter.
Target cover letters to individual job applications, too. Avoid generic cover letters sent with every application. They’re pointless and can damage your chances of getting hired.
Cover letters motivate job applications, articulating to prospective employers why you’re the best candidate. They aim to provide information backed up on the resume to give deeper insight into your application.
A cover letter’s length and additional content can confuse ATS, reducing the keyword ratio. So, include keywords from the post in your cover letter, too.
Not every job application needs a cover letter. Only include a hair stylist cover letter if:
- The job post specifies the inclusion of a cover letter.
- You’re applying directly to a company without replying to a job ad.
Hair stylist resume skills to list
Hair stylist skills are essential in your resume to get hired. Skills are the first place AI and salon managers scan through, making it one of the key sections.
In a job-specific resume, you want only the skills listed in the job post, irrespective of how many additional skills you’ve got. Hairstyling skills include soft skills and technical skills in the job description.
Soft skills are inherent or developed personality traits gained from family or social interactions. They can’t be taught through traditional education, but we can acquire them through career coaching. Active listening is a perfect example. We’re not all born great listeners, but we can learn listening skills from our social surroundings. Even in later life, if we choose to develop active listening skills, we can. It’s a necessary skill in customer service as it enhances the customer experience.
Oppositely, technical skills are learned through education, training, and hands-on experience. Initial foundational training continues developing through practice and continuous use. Take color skills, for instance; initially, learning coloring techniques can be daunting. Regular practice, however, improves skills, and soon your color expertise expands exponentially.
The more hairdressing experience you’ve got, the more skills you accumulate. While all skills must be in your master resume, they don’t all belong in your job-specific hair stylist resume skills section. A targeted, job-specific resume only lists skills stated in the advert.
List skills individually precisely as they appear in the post. Give a rating next to each skill from beginner to expert.
Typical professional hair stylist resume skills include:
- Excellent communication skills
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Doing thermal styling
- Applying scalp treatments
- Cutting and styling hair
- Doing hair extension
Expert hint
Include a brief list of your hair stylist resume skills and a proficiency rating per skill. Mirror the job post’s wording exactly, and don’t elaborate. Resume skills are always tagged as keywords for parsing software.
How to write work experience on a hair stylist resume?
Hair stylists can work in private salons, beauty boutique, salon chains, spas, cruise ships, and as salon owners or freelancers. They can also become hairstyling bloggers, social media influencers, or beauty school instructors.
The hair stylist job description resume section is second in importance only to the skills section. It becomes even more important once you reach the interview stage. Salon managers will base their interview questions on the details from this section.
Your resume objective gave a brief overview of what value you offer. Here, you expand on it and sell your knowledge of hair care services and products as the solution to the employer’s need. It’s uncomplicated - they need a hairstylist, and you’ve got the relevant qualifications, skills, and experience. It’s up to you to convince them you’re the best candidate with a perfect salon resume.
In hiring, it’s not necessarily the most experienced or cost-effective applicant who gets the job; it’s the first candidate most likely to succeed in the hair stylist role. Hairdressers who excel enjoy their jobs and stay. The client retention rate of a salon relates directly to the attitude and expertise of its long-term stylists.
Keep your resume authentic so you’re a perfect fit when you meet the hiring team. Write honestly and confidently, using strong action verbs and listing your work experience in the same order as the job description.
Fit each core responsibility into a single bullet point, including exact keywords. Various people will likely view your resume when you apply to large establishments. Ensure it’s easy to follow, comment on, and share.
Format for hairdresser resumes
Generally, a reverse-chronological order creative hair stylist resume template is the most popular and works best. Other resume formats include combination or functional resumes.
Irrespective of the format, all job-specific resumes have key sections that are mandatory and others that are optional. The below-mentioned sections must be in your resume:
- Resume objective
- Personal details
- Work experience
- Education/courses
- Licensing
- Skills
Optional sections depend on the job requirements, or you can include them if they enhance your application. They include:
At this point, you’re probably wondering whether to include a profile picture. A professional resume image depends on the country where the potential employer is based. English-speaking countries in the West mostly legislate against resume photos to prevent hiring bias. In some of these countries, resumes with a picture are deleted without being read to promote transparency in hiring. The lines are vaguer across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, where some countries expect a resume image and others don’t. A quick online check on labor legislation in the specific region will guide you.
Action verbs for a hairstylist resume
A positive, can-do attitude and excellent customer service skills are essential for hairstylists. Considering your resume precedes you, the language and tone of your resume must express your personality and proactive approach.
Including compelling action verbs, also known as power verbs, is an excellent way of engaging readers and demonstrating your personality. Skillfully weaving action verbs into your resume objective, work experience, and cover letter can compel readers to take action. A quick response gets you into the interview process ahead of other candidates and improves your chances of getting hired.
Hairstyling power verbs include:
- Analyzing
- Correcting
- Improving
- Recommending
- Resolving
- Upselling
Hairstylist resume finishing touches
First impressions count as much for your resume as they do for you in person. And as you already know from creative hairstyling, esthetics often come down to the finer details.
Your resume background must be white with a black business-style font. Use bullet points where necessary and have white space between sections. You want an AI-friendly resume that’s reader-friendly, scannable, and saved in PDF format. Using a resume builder is the best option because it sorts these issues, allowing you to focus on quality content.
Draw readers in with tasteful colors, but only as borders and resume headings. Avoid color kaleidoscopes by selecting one color only that enhances your resume and possibly reflects your personality or role.
Finally, limit your job-specific resume to one and no more than two pages. The critical job requirements must excite readers and get you on the interview list. Wordy, unnecessary details are a waste of time and will likely cause your resume to be binned.
Expert hint
Only include relevant skills, work experience, and qualifications in your job-specific resume. What’s not in the post is irrelevant. Show you’ve got more to give by adding “detailed resume available on request” at the end of your resume.
Key takeaways on writing a hairdresser/hair stylist resume
So, there you have it!
Use this resume writing guide, hairdresser resume examples, and expert hints to create the perfect hair stylist resume that salon owners will love.
Let’s recap the most critical points:
- Create a detailed master hairdresser resume upfront.
- Read job posts thoroughly before applying.
- Research the company to ensure it’s a good fit for you.
- Match the job requirements to your master resume.
- Compile a job-specific resume targeting the role.
- Keep your resume concise, and don’t exceed two pages.
- Professional creative hair stylist resume templates work best.
- Proofread and check your resume for grammar errors.
- Always save and submit your resume in PDF format.
- For absolute professionalism, use a resume builder.
- If in doubt, opt for a professional resume writing service.
Next steps?
Find your perfect hairdresser resume template
Make a stunning first impression in the early screening stages with a professional presentation. The hiring process is fast-paced, and resumes get scanned for suitability in seconds. Even if parsers move your resume on, salon owners won’t spend much time on a disorganized, difficult-to-read resume.
Select a modern, user-friendly, and AI-friendly template from CVMaker’s extensive library of customizable resume templates. Each template comes with color options for you to choose from. You can change templates and colors with a single click while making your resume or on completion.
One of job seekers' most common errors is designing DIY resume templates. Rather, deliver an impeccable hairstylist resume with perfect layout, style, and content with CVMaker's resume builder.
Resume writing service
Don’t miss out on hairstyling opportunities because you doubt your resume writing skills. Our amazingly talented expert resume writers are a click away. They’re at the top of their game regarding optimizing keywords and following current hiring trends. Using a resume review service makes your resume more likely to be on the interview list. We want you to succeed and can’t wait to start writing your flawless resume.
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FAQs
Do hairstylists need resume headers?
All resumes need resume headers. The combination of your personal details and resume objective makes up the top portion of your resume for hairdressers. When you use a resume builder, these sections automatically appear as a resume opener. Always use the address and contact details you currently use, even if they’re not permanent. That’s known as a de-facto resume header.
Is a hairdresser license required to work?
It’s not a requirement in all countries. However, most countries need salons to be registered and licensed, which includes a detailed record of all employees. For example, all states in the USA require a hairdressing license to work as a professional hairstylist. Since it’s one of the much-needed details, check online for regulatory bodies in your country.
Where do I find hair stylist resume examples?
This resume guide includes excerpts and two complete hairstylist resume examples. Our extensive library has a wide range of customizable resume templates to suit all levels of hairstylists. We also explain every stage of resume writing to ensure you can make an impeccable resume and show you’re a distinguished candidate.
What is a salon resume?
Impeccable salon resumes showcase your deep knowledge of current trends in coloring techniques, complex cuts, creative styling, hair trends, and hair care products. Most salons cover hair and beauty services, and many hairstylists also sell beauty products and provide some beauty services. Include key achievements using the STAR format indicates you’re a top-shelf candidate.