Crafting a CV that Highlights Your Skills & Experience in the Hair Industry

As a hair stylist, your resume is your ticket to landing interviews and opportunities. While your portfolio showcases your work, your resume tells your professional story. Here's how to create a resume that stands out in the competitive beauty industry:

1. Start with a Personal Summary

Begin with a brief, compelling overview of your skills, experience, and what makes you unique as a stylist.

2. Showcase Your Technical Skills

Create a dedicated section for your hair styling skills, including specific techniques, color work & specialised services you offer. Don't forget to mention important soft skills like customer service, time management, and teamwork. Make use industry keywords: Include terms like "color correction," "balayage," or "bridal styling" to catch the eye of hiring managers and beat applicant tracking systems.

3. Detail Your Work & Career History

List your positions in reverse chronological order. For each role, include:

• Dates of employment

• Salon name

• Your job title

• Job responsibilities

• Notable achievements (e.g., "Increased client retention by 30%")

4. Highlight Your Qualifications & Certifications

List your certifications and any upskilling or training workshops you have completed recently.

5. Mention any Awards and Recognition

If you have won any styling competitions then showcase this! Or if you have received recognition from your salon?

6. Optional Other Sections:

You might also consider adding in any of the following sections:

• Relevant Software Proficiency - it might be worth mentioning if you're familiar with scheduling software, point-of-sale systems, or social media management tools

• Hobbies & Interests - if you would like to give an insight into what makes you, uniquely you!

• References or testimonials - these could be prior employers or even snippets from testimonials or reviews your have recieved!

7. Don’t forget about the design!

While content is king, a clean, professional layout can make your resume more appealing. Just don't go overboard with fancy fonts or colors.

8. Last of all, check carefully!

Proofread your CV (and Cover Letter) before you send it anywhere. Typos and errors can make you appear careless. Double-check everything and have someone else review it too

Remember, for each job application you should craft a suitable cover letter specific for that role, make sure you highlight your skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. A well-crafted resume, combined with a strong portfolio, can open all the doors in your hair career.

If you need help crafting a unique CV for your background why not try our CV & Portfolio Builder or if you still don’t know here to start contact one of our team for a confidential chat today!