Hairstylists provide a highly personal service, and the key to building an impactful hairstylist resume is to tell your unique story as a hairstylist. Highlight achievements that demonstrate the nuances of your industry experience and display your skills, such as hair coloring, client relations, and cosmetology.
For example, suppose you have a strong history of creating inclusive salon atmospheres catering to a wide clientele range. This demonstrates your value to prospective employers and says something significant about your personal brand. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide expert tips to translate your hairstyling experience into a powerful resume.
“Hairstylist resumes should showcase creativity, customer service, and repeat business. Your resume should reflect how you build a loyal clientele.”
— Carolyn Kleiman, Resume and Career Advisor
Most Popular Hairstylist Resumes
Apprentice Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume demonstrates a solid foundation for someone beginning their hairstyling career. It highlights the blend of formal education and real-world training while showing initiative in assisting senior stylists. The inclusion of hands-on tasks supports readiness for higher-level roles. Learn more about what to put on a resume when you’re just getting started.
Beginner Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume effectively showcases how someone at the beginning of their hairstyling career can highlight relevant work, even in support roles. The focus on basic service execution and learning demonstrates growth potential. For more help creating a beginner-friendly resume, check out how to make a resume.
Experienced Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume clearly communicates the hairstylist’s experience and mastery of specialized services. The achievements are backed by retention and sales metrics, showing business value. Learn more about choosing the best resume format for your experience level.
Freelance Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights both the creative and business sides of working independently. It shows how freelancing can offer valuable, measurable experience. For help listing self-employment on your resume, check out how to make a resume.
Hairstylist Assistant Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume outlines a clear support role and demonstrates growth through learning and consistency. It helps employers see how assistant experience translates to future stylist readiness. For more advice on what to include, explore resume outline examples.
Hairstylist Career Change Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume bridges the gap between industries by emphasizing transferable skills like customer service and leadership. It shows a clear commitment to the new profession. For guidance on changing careers, check out resume summary examples.
Hairstylist Manager Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights leadership while showing the stylist is still hands-on with clients. It demonstrates business impact and team development. Learn how to present your leadership experience effectively with tips from resume skills.
Independent Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume blends creativity and business savvy, a key mix for independent stylists. It proves the ability to both style and manage operations. For more guidance on marketing your independent work, explore how to make a resume.
Master Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume emphasizes long-term expertise and mentorship, with accomplishments that speak to artistic excellence. It appeals to salons seeking senior-level talent. To learn how to structure a career-spanning resume, visit resume outline examples.
Professional Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume balances technical detail and client focus. It shows progression and practical experience with diverse clientele. For help emphasizing your strengths as a salon professional, check out soft skills for a resume.
Bridal Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights the stylist’s ability to manage high-pressure and time-sensitive situations essential for bridal work. It also shows specialization with consistent results. For more ways to emphasize focus areas on your resume, check out how to list certifications on a resume.
Salon Educator Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume showcases experience as both a stylist and educator. It positions the candidate as a leader who invests in others' growth. For tips on balancing technical and leadership roles, check out resume skills.
Texture Specialist Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume stands out for its specialized knowledge of textured hair. It speaks directly to the needs of clients often underserved by traditional salons. For help emphasizing niche expertise, see resume language skills.
Men’s Grooming Specialist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume focuses on men’s grooming and includes metrics showing client loyalty and business success. It’s great for barbershops or salons seeking a specialist. Learn more about technical skills for a resume to boost credibility.
Mobile Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume showcases mobile hairstyling as a professional, client-centered service. It shows independence, reliability, and organization, critical traits for on-the-go professionals. Learn how to tailor your resume for unique roles by visiting how to make a resume.
Blowout Specialist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights the hairstylist’s specialization in blowouts, a growing niche service. The focus on safety and product knowledge makes it stand out. For more on building a strong focus, read about how to list relevant coursework on resume.
Editorial Hairstylist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume showcases how to position creative freelance work as professional experience. It shows collaboration and fast-paced adaptability. For tips on formatting creative resumes, visit best resume formats.
Color Specialist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is a strong example of how to highlight deep specialization in one service area. It shows expertise, consistency, and client loyalty. Learn how to emphasize technical ability with technical skills for a resume.
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
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Hairstylist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Hairstylist Resume
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your hairstylist qualifications
To grab the attention of the most prestigious salons, craft a compelling opening summary that emphasizes your unique talents as a hairstylist. Salons value creative stylists who can build relationships with diverse clients. Emphasize your skill set and experience with inclusive beauty standards and trends in your profile.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A master stylist with over 10 years of experience supporting a wide range of clients throughout their beauty journeys. A seasoned professional with strong expertise in style design, color correction, and face shape analysis. Adept at identifying ideal styles, colors, and cuts in alignment with client goals and preferences.
Entry-Level Profile Example
An energetic hairstylist with two years of experience working with image-conscious customers of all ages. A strong history of delivering high-quality hairstyling and beauty services to support client vision. Adept at leveraging creative use of color, ombre, and extensions to maximize customer satisfaction.
2. Add your hairstylist experience with compelling examples
To create a results-driven professional experience section, emphasize your career achievements instead of job responsibilities. Incorporating data for client retention, satisfaction, and monthly sales is one way to enhance your bullet points, but not every achievement is easily quantifiable.
For example, rather than simply stating that you delivered creative hairstyling services, provide details about how you used innovative techniques to bring the client’s vision to life. Telling your unique story within the beauty industry is the surest way to differentiate yourself from the competition during your job search.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Master Stylist
Michael Anthony’s, New York, NY | July 2017 – present
- Design artistic, innovative hairstyles and colors for high-end clientele, utilize hair color and style techniques to reflect client personalities, and achieve a client retention rate of over 95%
- Manage, train, and mentor a team of more than 10 hairstylists, train on style designs, color techniques, and client relations, and successfully improve customer satisfaction rates by 30%
- Utilize state-of-the-art tools and haircutting techniques to produce high-quality styles
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Hairstylist
The Spa at Sun Valley, San Diego, CA | November 2022 – present
- Deliver high-quality hairstyling services for a diverse range of clients for a resort spa, including cuts, chemical services, and therapeutic hair and scalp treatments
- Recommend treatments and spa services to guests, upsell products and services, and generate over $5,000 in additional revenue month over month
- Build rapport with clients, communicate with empathy and understanding, achieve an 85% retention rate, and receive monthly customer satisfaction ratings of 89% to 94%
3. Include hairstylist-related education and certifications
Although no higher education is required to pursue a hairstylist career, you must obtain a license by completing a state-approved training program. In addition, consider pursuing other certifications to bolster your resume further. A Master Stylist Certification or a Certified Hair Colorist credential are two options that will show prospective employers you’ve continued to expand and refine your hairstyling techniques.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- High School Diploma
- Belmont High, Boston, MA – June 2015
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] – [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Hair Colorist, ABHC – 2016
- Licensed Cosmetologist, Johnson Beauty Program, Massachusetts – 2016, License #12345
4. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to hairstylists
Although not every salon will use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), ensure your resume has the right skills and key terms to attract attention from prospective employers. As you begin crafting your document, carefully analyze each job posting for keywords the organization is looking for. Incorporating these terms into your profile, professional experience, and skills section will increase your chances of landing the interview:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Balayage | Beauty services |
| Client relations | Communication |
| Consultative selling | Cosmetology |
| Customer service | Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) |
| Facial shape analysis | Finishing |
| Hair coloring | Haircutting |
| Hair extensions | Hairstyling |
| Health and safety | Inclusive beauty |
| Ombre | Redken color expertise |
| Relationship building | Upselling techniques |
How To Pick the Best Hairstylist Resume Template
When selecting your template, prioritize structure and organization over aesthetics in most situations. Salons will always be more interested in your professional achievements and hairstyling expertise, so choose an option that best highlights these aspects of your career. Although flashy colors and graphics may seem visually appealing, these elements can often distract the reader from your qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hairstylist Resume Examples and Advice
What is the best way to highlight my experience in my Hairstylist CV?-
The best way to highlight your experience in your Hairstylist CV is by emphasizing specific achievements in each role. Use bullet points to make your experience scannable and focus on results-driven accomplishments, such as improving processes or saving costs. Include quantifiable data like percentage increases or revenue growth to reinforce the impact of your work.
What are common action verbs for hairstylist resumes?-
You’re not alone if you run short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Often, you can use only a few verbs to describe your experience as a hairstylist accurately. Differentiating your word choice can enhance the reading experience and eliminate redundancy across bullet points.
We’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use to craft your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Applied |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Consulted |
| Created | Delivered |
| Developed | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Managed |
| Performed | Resolved |
| Supported | Trimmed |
| Upsold | |
How do you align your resume with a hairstylist job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hairstylist job opportunities are expected to grow by 11% between 2021 and 2031. Despite these optimistic projections, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to attract interest from high-end salons. As you build your resume, tailor your document toward individual job postings.
For example, if a salon seeks a hairstylist with experience across a wide range of natural hairstyles, feature your knowledge of coily, wavy, straight, and curly textures in your professional experience. Creating a resume that is fully targeted to specific job applications will help to differentiate you from the competition.
What is the best hairstylist resume format?-
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for hairstylist resumes. This ensures that your most recent experience is featured near the top of your document. Unlike functional resume formats, also known as skill-based resumes, this approach lets you properly detail your achievements and career experience. Even at the entry level, you’re better off providing insights into your cosmetology training program than only listing hairstyling skills.
What’s the ideal length for a hairstylist resume?-
A one-page resume is ideal for most hairstylist positions, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. For experienced professionals, a two-page resume may be appropriate, but only if it includes valuable, job-relevant content. Focus on showcasing your key achievements, certifications, and skills that align with the job description.
Aim to include work experience from the last 10 to 15 years. Older roles can be summarized or omitted unless they add significant value. Keeping your resume concise and relevant will leave a strong impression on hiring managers.
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Including a matching cover letter offers you an opportunity to tell potential employers more about who you are as a professional. Many salons often decide on cultural fit, so speak more about your personal brand. In the middle paragraphs, mention something specific about the salon’s reputation and why it draws you to apply for the role. For more insights, visit our cosmetology cover letter guide.
