Hair Stylist Resume: Your Complete Guide

Being a hair stylist is a dynamic, fun, and exciting career choice. Most people need your skills to care for their appearance and look their best during important occasions and milestones. And while your profession is in high demand, you still need to stand out from other applicants in order to find a job where you can grow and be comfortable.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or have years of experience as a hair stylist, you still need a professional resume highlighting your skills, achievements, and work history. But starting on a resume may seem daunting, especially if you’re unsure what to include.

To help, we’ve put together this complete guide to everything you need to know about creating a professional hair stylist resume. With some attention to detail and effort, you can have a solid well-formatted resume in no time, helping you find the job of your dreams.

General Tips for Hair Stylist Resumes

When you’re starting on your hair stylist resume, look at each job description and read it thoroughly to understand what the employer is looking for. Then, try to tailor the content in your document to the specific job posting. This customization process shows you understand the position’s needs and keeps you on the hiring manager’s radar.

Next, consider how you want to present your resume to a potential employer. Formatting is just as important as the content in your resume, especially in a creative field like styling. Keep your resume clean, professional, and easy to read. Use a legible font with a font size that is easy on the eyes.

Start your resume with a concise summary or objective statement that captures your essential skills and goals. In the experience section, highlight your accomplishments and responsibilities directly related to the hairstyling field.

Your resume should also include your education history and the licenses and certifications you hold. If you attended more specialized styling courses, apprenticeships, or workshops, mention those as well. Moreover, since all states require that hair stylists get a state-approved license, make sure yours is up to date.

For hair stylists in particular, it’s always a good idea to include a link to your online portfolio to show a potential salon owner your work. You can place the link in the header section for easy visibility.

Essential Components of a Hair Stylist Resume Template

Hair stylist resume examples can help you gauge what you want to include in your resume and what it should look like. That said, some hair stylist resume samples may not have all the information you need to start building your own from scratch, especially if you need a beginner hair stylist resume.

Now that you know what a standard hair stylist resume template should include, it’s time to see what a hair stylist resume looks like in real-time. Below is an example of a hair stylist resume format with all the correct information.

Sally Smith

Licensed Hair Stylist

(123) 123-1234

sally.smith@example.com

[portfolio link]

Licensed hairstylist with three years of hands-on experience in a variety of salon settings. Proficient in a broad range of hairstyling methods, color treatments, and tailored customer advisory. I aspire to apply my artistic flair, customer service abilities, and dedication to career advancement in a demanding role to uplift clients’ physical appeal and self-assurance.

Skills

• Customer Service
• Communication
• Advanced Styling techniques
• Color correction
• Washing and rinsing
• Cutting, trimming, and shaving
• Hair straightening and curling

Education

University of Example – Camden, New Jersey

• Bachelor of Science in Business Management
• Awarded Diploma: 2017

Hair Institute – Camden, New Jersey

• Awarded Certification: 2021

Experience

Hairstylist | Panna Hair Boutique, Camden, New Jersey | June 2017 - June 2023

• Performed services such as hair cutting, coloring, balayage, and styling to a diverse client base
• Promoted and sold salon services and retail products, achieving a 40% increase in retail sales within the first year
• Collaborated with the salon team to maintain a clean, organized, and positive environment
• Participated in training workshops to keep up with styling trends and techniques

Certifications and Licenses

• Cosmetology License – New Jersey Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | May 2019
• Certified Hair Colorist – American Board of Certified Hair Colorists | September 2020

Tips for Writing Each Section of the Hair Stylist Resume Template

Hair Stylist Resume Header

The first part of your resume should be the header. A strong header section for your hair stylist resume makes a positive first impression on potential employers. To make your contact information stand out, place it at the top, using a larger font size and bold formatting to draw attention to your name.

Underneath your name, include your phone number, email address, and a portfolio link. You can also add a link to your professional social media page if you use it as a portfolio.

Hair Stylist Resume Summary

For the professional summary, aim to overview your skills, experience, and career goals concisely. Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for by emphasizing the critical qualifications mentioned in the description.

Hair Stylist Resume Skills Section

To create a skills section that effectively highlights your most relevant abilities, list your essential skills related to the hairstyling field. Since your job is social, you should also list your people skills like effective communication or active listening. These go a long way when it comes to finding a solid job, attracting the attention of salon owners.

When formatting the education section of your hair stylist resume, include your highest level of education, such as a cosmetology degree, relevant certifications, or specialized training programs.

Hair Stylist Experience

In the experience section, it’s crucial to emphasize your achievements and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in bullet points, highlighting your expertise, client satisfaction, and notable results. Focus on quantifiable achievements whenever possible.

Using these tips, you can create a comprehensive and attention-grabbing hair stylist resume showcasing your best qualities and experiences to potential employers.

How to Customize Your Hair Stylist Resume Template for Specific Jobs

Customizing your hair stylist resume template for specific jobs is crucial to increase your chances of securing an interview. Carefully read and analyze job postings to identify the most essential skills, qualifications, and job requirements to include in your resume.

Then, adapt your professional summary or objective statement to align with the specific job you’re applying for. You can include the skills and experiences mentioned in the job posting that you have as well. For example, suppose the posting emphasizes the need for expertise in hair coloring techniques. In that case, you can highlight your proficiency in this area in your summary with a master hair stylist resume or a celebrity hair stylist resume.

When describing your work experience, highlight aspects of your work that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. Emphasize accomplishments, responsibilities, and achievements that align with the requirements mentioned in the job posting.

Beginner hair stylist resume templates and entry-level hair stylist resume templates differ from those who need a more experienced hair stylist resume. Make sure yours aligns with your experience and mention your accomplishments in your hair stylist resume objective.

Additional Tips and Tricks for Crafting a Strong Hair Stylist Resume

Edit, Scratch, Modify

Of course, it’s vital to proofread your resume to ensure it’s clear, concise, and error-free. Not doing so jeopardizes your professional image and may lead to the salon owner forgoing your application. If possible, use an online grammar and spelling checker before submitting your hair stylist resume template.

Get Noticed with Numbers

Another tip is to put numbers to your experience. This method attracts salon owners seeking a new professional who can help improve their establishment’s reputation and bottom line. For example, in your hair stylist resume summary or in the experience section, you can mention a percentage increase in salon revenue you achieved.

Look at Your Resume from Another Perspective

Look at your hairdresser hair stylist resume as a salon owner and see if it is visually appealing and professional. Although creative hair stylist resume templates are plentiful, stick to a classic format for the best results.

With Rocket Resume, you can choose any hair stylist resume format you prefer. It’s easy to get started, and you can choose the most suitable hair stylist resume samples among thousands of templates. Once you make your choice, all you need to do is answer the prompts, enter your information, and your hair stylist resume format will be ready in minutes.

That said, as you’re evaluating options, avoid going overboard with flashy or distracting designs. Leave the creativity to your portfolio! Instead, use a clean and professional layout with consistent formatting from Rocket Resume that features well-structured headings, bullet points, and appropriate white spacing.

Follow Up

After submitting your resume, follow up with a note expressing your continued interest in the position. This demonstrates professionalism and keeps you top-of-mind with the salon owner. However, it’s usually standard practice to wait at least a week before you do so. Following up too soon may give the wrong impression, causing the owner to see you as needy, pushy, or impatient.

How to Apply for Hair Stylist Jobs

Now that you have a professionally formatted resume from Rocket Resume, it’s time to apply for hair stylist jobs. Finding vacancies for this position can be trickier than other roles, since most employers are not large corporations with defined HR processes, and because many salons rely on word of mouth to find new hair stylists.

Still, there are many resources and strategies that can make your job search more accessible and practical. Networking greatly improves your job search, especially in the hair styling industry. The more people who know about your services, the better.

You can also reach out to local hair salons directly. Even if they’re not actively advertising a vacancy, expressing interest keeps you in mind for later. Due to high turnover in the industry, many hair salons need new employees consistently. They may also refer you to another salon that they know needs a stylist. Proactively building connections and getting the word out about your skill and job search will eventually lead to a job.

You may also be able to leverage the resources of cosmetology schools and training centers, as many of them have connections with local businesses and offer job placement assistance to graduates.

Finally, remember that patience and persistence are key. The hair stylist job market is competitive, and finding a good fit may take time. Keep refining your skills, stay updated with industry trends, and continue networking and applying. Your efforts and dedication to the profession will eventually pay off.

Are you ready to craft the perfect hair stylist resume for your needs? Start by creating a profile today with Rocket Resume.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to make a hair stylist resume

Choose a clean and professional template from Rocket Resume and add a header with your contact information. Then, write your professional summary, add a skills section, and list your education, certifications, and work experience. Finally, tailor your resume for the specific job you want, proofread it, and ensure it is visually appealing before applying to jobs.

How to write a resume for a hair stylist

For your resume, focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Customize your resume for each job application and proofread it carefully.

How to start a resume for a hair stylist

Begin with a header section containing your name, email, and portfolio link. You can include links to your social media pages as well if you use them for professional advertising. Follow with a strong summary highlighting your skills and goals as a hairstylist. Then, include sections for skills, education, and experience, tailoring them to the job you want.

What should I have listed under the skills section of a hair stylist resume?

List relevant skills like trimming, cutting, coloring, styling, client consultations, and customer service. Include specialized techniques or certifications to stand out from other applicants.

How to write a resume for a hair stylist assistant

If you’re a hair stylist assistant, include your experience and skills like supporting senior stylists, assisting with client services, and maintaining salon cleanliness. Include relevant education or training courses, and showcase your willingness to learn for the best results.

Ready to build a hair stylist resume that gets you noticed? Choose one of our recruiter-approved samples, and our resume builder will walk you through customizing it to your background. You can craft a professional resume in minutes, so get started now.