Hairdresser CV Example & Writing Guide

A hairdresser CV is like the initial consultation you have with your clients. Just as you would advise your client on what you can do for them, you should take the same approach with your CV by letting a prospective employer know the results you can provide.

You pay close attention to detail as a hairdresser to ensure that you fulfil your client's needs. Your hairdresser CV will also need to be approached with care and an eye for style.

You’re the hairdressing expert, but when it comes to job hunting, you may need some guidance. Resume.io offers expert CV guides and CV examples as well as an easy CV builder for seamless CV creation. With our help, you can express yourself confidently and create a CV that helps you progress to the next stage in your career journey.

In this CV guide, together with the corresponding CV example, we will look at a range of these topics relating to your hairdresser CV:

• What is the role of a hairdresser?
• How to write a hairdresser CV (with tips and tricks)
• The best format to use for your hairdresser CV
• Advice for creating the content for each section of your CV
• Layout and design hints and tips.

What does a hairdresser do? 

A hairdresser styles, colours, and cuts hair and makes their customers feel fabulous! They must be trained in hairdressing and different techniques, either through attending a course or on-the-job training. They will also be able to advise their clients on the best colours and styles to suit their complexion and face shape.

After being hard hit by the pandemic, the hairdressing industry is worth over £6 billion in the UK and is still a competitive business, especially if you want to work for one of the top players. Therefore, you must pay attention when writing your hairdressing CV and give yourself the best possible chance of success.

How to write a hairdresser CV

To ensure your hairdresser CV flows well, using a standard structure is a good idea. At a minimum, your CV should contain these sections:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The education section
• The CV skills section

You can add sections such as achievements or interests  if you feel like your CV is too short or if you feel the additional sections are particularly relevant. Use our CV samples for further insight.

Your CV should be geared towards the employer in style and tone. Think about it as a conversation with the potential employer and how you may speak to them.

It is good to gather some information on the type of salon you are applying to and the people who are likely to be reviewing your CV. For example, there are clear cultures within hairdressing salons. Some are casual, with the local community being the usual clients, while others may be high-end and in which case, the tone would be more professional and possibly, commercial.

Don't worry, you won't be left to cut through all this information yourself; we have a style you can follow to create the perfect finished product:

• Consider the employer and tailor your CV to suit them and the culture they cultivate.
• Ensure that your CV is professional and has a straightforward design, which is simple but attractive.
• Keep it professional but friendly, and show your personality as this is just as important as your skills and experience. Our CV examples will help you create a professional CV.

Choosing the best CV format for a hairdresser

The most popular CV format to use is reverse chronological. In this style, your employment section takes up the most space. It should begin with your most recent workplace and proceed backwards.

The only exception to this format is if you have no experience, and in this case, you may choose the function CV format, which focuses more on your skills than your experience. The combination format is another alternative, which is a mix of both. Check out our hairdresser CV sample for more ideas on creating a great format.

CV summary example: the consultation

Any good hairdresser will begin the customer's journey with a consultation. During the consultation, the hairdresser will find out about the customer, what they like, don't like, and what they can provide. Think of your CV summary (or profile ) in this way. 

It is a brief introduction to who you are and what you can do for the company. You should avoid using 'I' throughout the summary. Instead, focus on action verbs. For instance, "demonstrated an ability to provide favourable style ideas to each customer based on their needs and features."

A good CV summary highlights your main skills and experience and your main achievements. You only have a few sentences, so aim to summarise the most inspirational aspects of your career. See the summary from our adaptable CV sample below.

Employment history sample: the main event

When your customer sinks into the chair at the hairdressers, they are ready for you to work your magic. It is the main event in their experience. The employment history section of your hairdresser CV is also where you turn your attention to the main event. 

Within this section, you will be going into detail about your employment. You should state your employer, job title, and years of work, together with bullet points detailing the role's main responsibilities. Again, stick to action verbs instead of using 'I.' If you can quantify any of your duties, even better. For instance, the number of customers you see per day/week, the profits you brought to the business, or anything else that may be useful.

You can find a hairdresser employment history CV sample below.

Hairdressing CV education example

An NVQ in hairdressing is highly desirable or even essential in some salons. If you have this qualification, list it in the education section of your hairdresser CV.  However, this may not be necessary. Many hairdressers start as juniors and work their way up to become a hairdresser.

If you don't have any academic qualifications but have the training, make sure this is listed in your education section. Below you can see an education section from a hairdressing CV example.

CV skills example: your cutting edge

Hairdressers need to have a range of skills they can demonstrate in this section of their hairdresser CV. Of course, they need to be qualified and experienced in cutting, colouring, and styling, but the skills necessary to be a successful hair stylist don't end there. 

Hairdressers also need to have good interpersonal skills to communicate well with their customers and provide friendly service. Customers are unlikely to come back if the hairdresser fails to make them feel valued and at ease. They are paying for the end-to-end experience.

Therefore, you should include both your hard and soft skills on your resume, ensuring these are relevant to the role. These are your abilities as a hairdresser and how you make the customers feel. Take a look at our CV samples for some inspiration.

CV layout and design: making a great first impression

Alongside your hairdresser CV content, there is also the consideration of the design. Should you think of a quirky design that will impress the hiring manager, or just keep it simple?

The main considerations are whether it is easy to read and pleasing to the eye. It doesn't need to be anything outlandish; keep it simple but ensure it is easy to read and free from errors. An uncomplicated approach is always favourable when it comes to the design of your CV.

Writing a CV is no mean feat, so you may want to consider our CV templates to offer a helping hand in creating your masterpiece.

Key takeaways for a hairdresser CV

1. The role of a hairdresser focuses as much on your ability to make the customer feel at ease, as it does on creating the perfect cut or style. Focus on both your hard and soft skills.
2. Find out about the salon you are applying to and what the culture is like. Tailor your CV to suit.
3. Don't forget to follow up on your CV submission with a quick phone call. Hair salons are small, and they appreciate the personal approach.
4. Use our CV creator and CV examples to help you create your own.