As a nail technician, you're at the intersection of beauty and wellness, making sure your clients nails are properly groomed and looking fabulous. But what if it's your resume that needs to be manicured?
That's where we can help. With 300+ resume examples and writing guides, Resume.io is an expert resource for job seekers in all fields and levels of their careers. We'll show you how to beat out the competition with a resume that's functional, attractive and convincing.
This guide, along with the corresponding nail technician resume example, will cover the following topics:
- What does a nail technician do?
- How to write a nail technician resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a nail technician resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints
What does a nail technician do?
Nail technicians are customer-service professionals who work with clients to achieve nail goals by providing them with treatments and services. Nail technicians typically work in salons or spas, but may also be self-employed. They usually graduate from a program specializing in nails or cosmetology, where they learn the ins and outs of applied nail services. They perform services such as manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, fabric wrapping, gel application, and more. Nail technicians utilize strong customer service skills to enhance the experience of clients and achieve return clients. They also might be required to perform other duties in a salon or spa related to facility upkeep, inventory, marketing or billing.
If you're just getting into the nail industry, you could not have picked a better time. Business is booming and is only expected to increase over the coming decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for manicurists and pedicurists to increase by 33 percent.
Need more help to write your nail technician resume? View these other resume examples below and get more inspiration.
How to write a nail technician resume
A great resume for a nail technician should include many of the sections found in most CVs. Here are the essential elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
A nail technician resume should showcase a candidate’s ability to perform nail treatment services to customers in a professional and satisfying manner. Due to the customer service nature of this position, it is important to emphasize interpersonal and communication skills. Your resume should include impressive skills like knowledge of nail technology, manicuring skills, pedicuring skills, nail extension skills and other nail treatment skills. Some nail technicians have knowledge about the anatomy of the hand and foot, so if you do, be sure to include that as well. Be sure to emphasize excellent interpersonal skills, which aids you in communicating well with clients about their desires and needs. The ideal candidate has a motivated attitude, and a strong social awareness and understanding of trends.
Choosing the best format for a nail technician resume
A great nail technician resume should convince the hiring manager that you are an experienced professional by listing other jobs in the beauty and wellness industry. The best way to do this is by using the reverse chronological resume format. This format centers on an employment history section where you can show off your previous positions and list the related duties and skills, going back through the past ten years.
We recommend this resume format because it is the one most commonly requested by hiring managers and preferred by the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) built into most online application portals. However, it is not the only option available to you. If you are just starting out or making a career change, you may consider using an alternative resume format like the functional or hybrid models.
Resume summary example
The resume summary is the introduction to you and your experience. In these 3-5 sentences, you have full rein to point out your achievements and skills. You can also add a touch of personality to help convince the hiring manager to keep reading. Since nail techs need great people skills, the summary is the place to show them off. Highlight your biggest accomplishments and attributes here. Remember to use as many powerful action verbs and job specific information as you can, further attesting to your expertise in working with nails. Check out the summary from our resume sample below.
Experienced Nail Technician with several years of experience providing quality nails services to clients. Dedicated to remaining up to date with the latest nail service technologies, designs, and trends. Bringing forth advanced nail technical abilities and the desire to provide clients with the best and most pleasurable salon experience possible.
Employment history sample
The employment history section is the star of your resume – this is the place to showcase the previous positions that have left you with the right skills and experience needed for your potential employer. In reverse chronological order, list all positions of importance and positions that have transferable duties and/or required skills necessary for a nail technician position. Remember to use powerful action verbs and mention job specific accomplishments that prove you are an excellent candidate. Use numbers and statistics to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Check out the employment history section from our resume sample below.
Nail Technician at Central Avenue Salon, San Francisco
June 2011 - September 2019
- Maintained a clean and sanitary work environment at all times.
- Aimed to provide clients with the best customer service possible.
- Utilized advanced technical skills to achieve beautiful manicures and pedicures.
- Performed Nail and Hand Rejuvenation treatments.
- Applied my knowledge of hand and foot anatomy to enhance the physical contact experience.
- Built a clientele consisting of 90% return clients.
Salon Assistant at Central Avenue Salon, San Francisco
September 2009 - May 2011
- Assisted Nail technicians and the Salon Manager with any tasks necessary.
- Greeted visitors and escorted them to their appointment station.
- Aimed to be as hospitable as possible, offering beverages and assistance to clients and visitors.
- Promoted the salon mission of quality customer service on a daily basis.
CV skills example
Your skills are your service when it comes to work as a nail tech, so make sure to show them off in this essential CV section. While other places on your resume may be perfect for complex abilities that require more explanation, the CV skills section is the best place to drive home your areas of expertise and make sure that the hiring manager (and ATS!) doesn't miss them. Use a mix of technical, nail-related abilities and customer service skills to show that you are a well-rounded applicant. See the skills section from our adaptable resume example below.
- Nail and Skin Technologies
- Manicures and Pedicures
- Nail Enhancement Techniques
- Marketing Strategies
- Knowledge of Anatomy of the Hand and Foot
- Excellent Customer Service Skills
Nail technician resume education example
Most nail technicians will be licensed to do their work so make sure to list all degrees and certifications here. Any honors or distinctions should be noted here as well. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor's degree, you may leave out your high school. You can also create a separate section for certifications in your resume if you choose. Check out the adaptable resume sample below.
Nail Technology at American Beauty Institute, San Diego
June 2011 - June 2012
High School Diploma at Roosevelt High School, San Francisco
September 2007 - May 2011
Resume layout and design
Just as the exterior appearance of the salon convinces a client of your professionalism before they ever walk through the door, the layout and design of your resume shows a spa manager that you are an experienced nail tech. The header of your resume is where you'll have the most space to add touches of color or other visual elements – just be sure to choose a design that matches the look and feel of the spa or workplace. You may even want to use different looks for different job openings.
Don't forget to leave a balance of white space to text so that the resume is not tiring on the eye. You'll want to limit your resume to one page by taking off any irrelevant information and using concise sentences with action verbs. Never submit your application without first proofreading for any spelling or grammar mistakes.
If you want to save time and focus more on the writing, consider using a professionally-designed resume template. These layouts come with attractive color schemes and headers so the hard work is taken care of.
Key takeaways for a nail technician resume
- The job market for nail technicians is booming so now is the time to get your resume in top shape and land one of the many opportunities that are available.
- Make sure your summary showcases a bit of personality since nail techs work in a customer service-oriented field.
- Use action verbs, numbers and statistics to make your employment history section stand out.
- Check out our adaptable nail technician resume sample for more ideas on creating a great page layout.
