How To Write an Esthetician Resume
To generate interviews for esthetician jobs, you’ll want to create an accomplishment-driven resume that highlights your vast knowledge of hair removal and skin care treatments. Salons also value candidates who can build rapport with a wide range of clients, so you’ll want to draw attention to your communication and relationship-building skills. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide expert tips to help you achieve a healthy balance that will greatly increase your odds of landing the interview.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
Your professional profile is often the first thing the hiring manager sees as they review your resume. To make a positive first impression, you’ll want to incorporate three to four specializations that align with the job description into your opening sentence. For example, if a company seeks an esthetician with expertise in safety procedures, you may want to incorporate terms such as allergy testing and infection control.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Profile
A Senior Esthetician with 10+ years of experience developing customized treatment plans for skin care, hair removal, and facials for a diverse client base. A strong history of nurturing talent and building teams for luxury spas and beauty salons. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance the client experience.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Profile
A dynamic Esthetician with two years of experience delivering skincare and hair removal treatments to clients in a luxury spa. A proven track record of identifying ideal treatment methods based on individual needs. Adept at building rapport with clients and upselling cosmetic products.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Your professional experience section must highlight your most compelling career achievements. Employers want estheticians with the knowledge to perform a wide range of skincare and hair removal treatments safely and effectively. Showing you are proficient in multiple procedures shows you have the skills to choose the correct treatments for your clients. You should also quantify your experience whenever possible to create a sense of scope for your accomplishments.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
- Act as a preceptor to students on practicum placements, assess technical and customer service abilities, identify areas of improvement, and provide coaching
- Mentor new hires and provide ongoing professional development training to increase student confidence while applying facial treatments and chemical peels
- Support clients with the most complex skin conditions, perform comprehensive skin analysis, develop customized skincare routines, and achieve a 98% client satisfaction rating
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
- Prepare skin for hair removal, use threading and hot wax techniques to create a smooth result, build rapport, achieve an 85% client retention rate, and generate 91% positive reviews
- Perform initial consultations with clients, communicate with empathy and understanding, perform skin analysis, and develop appropriate treatment plans based on individual needs
- Apply cleansing and moisturizing facial treatments and recommend complementary take-home products from the salon’s range, achieving a 67% upselling rate in 2022
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Your most important certification is your state license, as this is a prerequisite for any esthetician position. Still, there are limited opportunities to pursue other credentials. For example, you can obtain certifications in facial treatments, waxing and threading, or laser hair removal to show prospective employers that you’re dedicated to advancing your knowledge in these techniques.
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
- High School Diploma
- MAPLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, Nashville, TN September 2012 – June 2016
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- Esthetician, Light Brand Beauty Institute, State of Tennessee, License #12345
- National Esthetician Certification, NCEA, 2017
- Facial Treatment Specialist Certification, NCEA, 2016
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
When hiring managers need to sort through numerous esthetician resumes, they try to narrow down their options as quickly as possible. This typically involves using an applicant tracking system (ATS), a software algorithm to parse resumes for specific keywords. If your document lacks key terms, your application may be automatically rejected before the hiring manager is reached. You’ll want to incorporate as many key skills and proficiencies as possible into your resume to ensure ATS compliance. Below, you’ll find a list of keywords you may encounter during the job search:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Allergy Testing | Beauty Services |
Chemical Peels | Client Relations |
Communication | Consultative Selling |
Customer Service | Dermatology |
Facials | Hair Removal |
Health & Safety | Infection Control |
Laser Hair Removal | Microdermabrasion |
Relationship Building | Skin Analysis |
Skincare Treatment | Upselling Techniques |
Recruiter Interview with Linda Conte

1. What are the most in-demand skills for an esthetician that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? Please include both hard and soft skills. +
The candidate should be able to perform various types of facials and chemical peels also proficiency with Waxing and Laser experience is a plus. Strong skills are necessary to evaluate a customer’s skin condition and recommend appropriate services and products for home care, as sales are a large part of the job.
2. What work experience and/or other accomplishments are hiring managers seeking in an esthetician?+
Hiring managers are looking for a candidate with confidence and the desire to learn new modalities. Experience in advanced facial massage, electrical modalities, peels, microneedling, and dermaplaning. If a candidate is dual licensed in massage therapy, that can increase earning potential and help meet the demand for the employer.
3. What else should an esthetician candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers besides a resume?+
The candidate should be available to perform a facial for the hiring manager and have a resume and cover letter that is up to date. Also, include any certificates from independent or workplace training.
How to Pick the Best Esthetician Resume Template
As a professional within the beauty industry, consider using a modern template that uses large amounts of color or flashy graphics. Although some aspects of the presentation may seem appealing, you should generally use a straightforward, simple template during the job search. Overuse of color tends to distract the reader from your career achievements and qualifications, which are always the determining factors in whether or not you land the interview.
Esthetician Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-level
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A dynamic Esthetician with two years of experience delivering skincare and hair removal treatments to clients in a luxury spa. A proven track record of identifying ideal treatment methods based on individual needs. Adept at building rapport with clients and upselling cosmetic products.
Key Skills
- Hair Removal
- Client Relations
- Skincare Treatment
- Facials
- Upselling Techniques
- Chemical peels
Professional Experience
Esthetician, The Wood House Spa, Seattle, WA
October 2022 – Present
- Prepare skin for hair removal, use threading and hot wax techniques to create a smooth result, build rapport, achieve an 85% client retention rate, and generate 91% positive reviews
- Perform initial consultations with clients, communicate with empathy and understanding, perform skin analysis, and develop appropriate treatment plans based on individual needs
- Apply cleansing and moisturizing facial treatments and recommend complementary take-home products from the salon’s range, achieving a 67% upselling rate in 2022
Esthetician, Avalon Spa, Seattle, WA
June 2021 – October 2022
- Analyze clients’ skin types and perform allergy patch tests to determine appropriate treatment in collaboration with experienced colleagues
- Educate clients on skincare products, provide routines to facilitate at-home, and utilize upselling techniques to generate an additional $2K sales revenue per month
- Perform facial threading and body waxing using gentle techniques, achieving 95% positive feedback
Certifications
- Esthetician, The Dawn Care Institute, State of Washington, License #12345
Education
High School Diploma
Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA September 2017 – June 2021
Skyler Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Miami, FL 12345
Profile
A passionate Esthetician with six years of experience performing skincare and hair removal treatments in luxury salons. A proven track record of communicating empathetically with clients and building long-term relationships. Adept at facilitating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for a diverse client base.
Professional Experience
Esthetician, Broadway Center Spa & Salon, Miami, FL
May 2019 – Present
- Prepare skin for hair removal, use threading and hot wax techniques to create a smooth result, build rapport, achieve an 85% client retention rate, and generate 91% positive reviews
- Perform initial consultations with clients, communicate with empathy and understanding, perform skin analysis, and develop appropriate treatment plans based on individual needs
- Apply cleansing and moisturizing facial treatments and recommend complementary take-home products from the salon’s range, achieving a 67% upselling rate in 2022
Esthetician, Modern Esthetics Salon, Miami, FL
June 2017 – May 2019
- Performed waxes and facial treatments, conducted skin analysis, developed treatment plans in alignment with client goals, and maintained a 97% customer satisfaction rate
- Developed long-term treatment plans in collaboration with clients, supported the implementation of a new loyalty program, and improved client retention by 40%
Key Skills
- Relationship Building
- Waxing Techniques
- Allergy Testing
- Health and Safety
- Facials, Chemical Peels, and Microdermabrasion
Certifications
- Esthetician, Miami Beauty Care Institute, State of Florida, License #12345
- National Esthetician Certification, NCEA, 2017
Education
High School Diploma
Miami Central High School, Miami, FL September 2013 – June 2017
Cameron Malfara
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Nashville, TN 12345
Profile
A Senior Esthetician with 10+ years of experience developing customized treatment plans for skin care, hair removal, and facials for a diverse client base. A strong history of nurturing talent and building teams for luxury spas and beauty salons. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance the client experience.
Professional Experience
Senior Esthetician, Epoch Beauty Studio, Nashville, TN
November 2016 – Present
- Act as a preceptor to students on practicum placements, assess technical and customer service abilities, identify areas of improvement, and provide coaching
- Mentor new hires and provide ongoing professional development training to increase student confidence while applying facial treatments and chemical peels
- Support clients with the most complex skin conditions, perform comprehensive skin analysis, develop customized skincare routines, and achieve a 98% client satisfaction rating
Esthetician, The Blennerhassett Hotel and Spa, Nashville, TN
June 2013 – November 2016
- Delivered quality hair removal, facials, and skincare treatments to customers, maintained a warm and calming atmosphere, and built long-term relationships, resulting in a 92% retention rate
- Applied cleansing and moisturizing facials, microdermabrasion, and chemical peel treatments on a wide range of skin types and performed routine sanitization to minimize infection risk
- Promoted a new loyalty membership program for the hotel spa, educated customers on benefits and cost savings, and achieved the highest amount of sign-ups across the team
Key Skills
- Facial Treatments
- Hair Removal
- Chemical Peels
- Consultative Selling
- Customer Service
Certifications
- Esthetician, Light Brand Beauty Institute, State of Tennessee, License #12345
- National Esthetician Certification, NCEA, 2017
- Facial Treatment Specialist Certification, NCEA, 2016
Education
High School Diploma
Maplewood High School, Nashville, TN September 2009 – June 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Esthetician Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for Esthetician resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs as you craft your bullet points. In many cases, there are only a certain number of verbs you can use to describe your application of skincare and hair removal techniques accurately. It’s important to diversify your language on the resume, as your bullet points may seem repetitive if you use the same three verbs repeatedly. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use to build your resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Applied | Analyzed |
Collaborated | Communicated |
Conducted | Consulted |
Created | Delivered |
Developed | Evaluated |
Identified | Implemented |
Improved | Managed |
Performed | Resolved |
Supported | Upsold |
How do you align your resume with an esthetician job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, esthetician jobs are expected to grow by 17% between 2021 and 2031. Although these projections are encouraging, skincare is a niche industry, and this only amounts to 13,500 openings each year. This means you’ll encounter a fair amount of competition for the most lucrative opportunities on the open market.
To maximize your chances of landing the interview, you’ll want to carefully align your resume with the job description. If a salon is seeking a candidate with advanced knowledge of hair removal techniques, you should emphasize specific techniques, such as waxing, threading, and laser removal. By tailoring your resume to the job posting, you’ll greatly increase your odds of securing that next big opportunity.
What is the best esthetician resume format?+
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for esthetician resumes. This approach places your most recent experience towards the top of the document and allows the hiring manager to work their way backward through your career. Although a functional resume may seem applicable, it’s generally advised to avoid skill-based formats because they fail to emphasize your professional achievements.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Creating a matching cover letter provides an opportunity to frame your experience differently from the resume. The most important aspect of the cover letter is customizing it to the organization you’re applying to. In the middle paragraph, you should mention something specific about the salon’s reputation and why it draws you to apply. For more guidance, you can view our cosmetologist cover letter guide.