Hair Stylist Resume Example & Writing Guide

Why use this hair stylist resume example?

Your resume has to grab the reader’s interest right away. Having a great, concise summary is the best way to do this. The example has a solid summary that is short and to the point. It also includes important skills needed to be a successful hairstylist.

Including a separate list of hard and soft skills, like in the sample, is a great idea. This gives your potential new employer or recruiter a single place where they can quickly scan all of your skills to see if you are a good candidate. It is very important to list your best skills. Don’t make your list too long, around ten items, at most. We recommend you tailor your list of skills to the specific job you are applying for. Look at the job ad and make note of the skills and keywords they use. Use any of them that are a match for your skill set.

Your job experience is very important, but you want to keep the descriptions concise. Don’t get wordy or give a lot of little details about your job tasks. The hiring manager probably knows what a hair stylist does, so you don’t need to waste space explaining that on your resume. Take a cue from the sample and keep each description focused on what you accomplished and what makes you stand out as a great hairstylist.

The example resume does a good job of keeping the professional experiences brief, but they each include relevant information about the job function. Each professional experience also includes a bullet point or two about specific achievements for that role. This is key because it highlights things that make them a great candidate.

How to write a great hair stylist resume

Being a professional hair stylist requires certification and a lot of training. You can include these in a separate section for education, certifications, and training. This is where you list all the schools you went to, what certifications you’ve received, and any other relevant professional development training you have attended.

1. Highlight your certifications and licenses. Many places require a license to practice any form of cosmetology. So, this is one of the first things an employer is going to look for on your resume. Make sure it jumps out at them. Another good idea is to mention that you are licensed in your summary section. This puts it right up front for your potential employer to see. You can include more details about your licenses and certifications in a separate section. Don’t forget to include the name of the license or certification and where you received it. If the license or certification requires a regular renewal, then you can just list the expiration date.

Here’s an example of how to list a cosmetology license: 

Cosmetology License - Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

2. Customize your resume for each job application. Study the hair stylist job description for the position you are going for and write your resume to match it. Obviously, you can’t just copy and paste the job description into your resume. Look for skills, responsibilities, specific requirements, and other keywords. Blend those into your resume in each section as appropriate.

3. Include numbers. Including numbers on your resume is more effective than just saying “increased sales.” Employers like to see hard numbers on your experience and accomplishments because this allows them to better understand the scale and scope of what you did. So, put numbers on as many things as you can. How many people did you supervise? How many clients did you manage? Things like this will make your resume stand out.

Which key skills are relevant for a stylist resume?

The list of skills on your resume may make the difference between getting a call for an interview or not. So, make sure your resume has your best and most relevant skills. Soft skills are also important, the best hair stylists use their people skills and customer service to create a loyal clientele.

Some of the more sought-after skills for a hair stylist to list on your resume include:

• Hair coloring (Balayage) and extensions

• Thermal styling

• Face waxing

• Customer service

• Upselling

• Proficiency in a second language

• Knowledge of current trends & styles

• Verbal communication

• Empathy

• Negotiation

• Problem-solving