- Hairstylist Resume and Cover Letter
- Resume Examples
- Cover Letter Samples
How to Find a Job as a Hair Stylist
Create a Portfolio. Demonstrating the ability to cut hair into appealing and attractive styles is a vital step in the job search process for stylists. Creating a viable portfolio is an effective way to show how you have transformed heads of hair in the past.
Take quality before and after photos of clients you have serviced and incorporate them into your portfolio. Secure recommendations from salon managers and testimonials from satisfied clients and include them with your photos. Consider showcasing your portfolio through a website so you can attach the address to your resume or conveniently show your portfolio to employers on your IPad or other mobile device.
Use Your Network of Contacts. Networking with salon owners and stylists is an excellent way to launch a job search in the field. Start with salon owners/stylists whom you know and get referrals from friends to salons which they frequent. Contact instructors from your beauty school and ask them for introductions to professionals whom they know. Approach these individuals and ask if they could meet with you to provide some feedback about your portfolio.
Apply in Person. Identify salons within your preferred work location and visit them at times when the salon is not busy. Ask to speak with the manager/owner. Ask if they might be available for a quick review of your portfolio now or at a later date. Offer to show them recommendations or a letter of introduction from an instructor or a previous salon where you have worked.
Job Search Online. Tap specialized beauty websites like behindthechair.com and salonemployment.com to secure listings of jobs in the field. Search job sites like Indeed.com and Simplyhired.com by keywords like “hair stylist” and “hairdresser” to generate more job listings.
Interviewing for Hair Stylist Jobs
Owners and managers of salons will be interested in your ability to generate business for their salon. If you have worked in a salon, make sure you can describe the volume of business which you attracted with particular reference to repeat customers. If you have worked for other local salons and have a book of customers who might follow you to your new employer, that information can be quite persuasive.
Be ready for questions about the latest hairstyles. You will often be asked about which styles and treatments are your favorites and/or which you can best execute. Use your portfolio to reinforce what you are asserting.
You will often be asked about your approach to customers so be prepared to share information and examples about how you engage clients and handle challenging situations.
Here’s a list of typical hairstylist interview questions you’ll be asked:
- Why do you like styling hair?
- How many clients do you typically see in a day? In a week?
- What kind of establishment are you interested in working in?
- How do you connect with clients?
- Why are people important to you?
- Have you ever dealt with an irate customer?
- Do you have an artistic background?
- Do you have experience in waxing or esthetics?
- Why are you interested in the beauty industry?
- Have you done anything to further your education?
- How do you keep up on style trends?
- What is the biggest challenge in a hairdressing career?
- What would your salon colleagues say about you?
- Do you work to targets? If so, how often do you hit your targets?
- Have you worked retail in a salon before? Would you feel comfortable doing so?
- Why do you want to work at this salon in particular?
- How do you handle multitasking? Tell me about a time when you had to handle many responsibilities at once.
- Do you work better as a part of a team or on your own? Why?
- What do you think defines good customer service?
- Do you have a work portfolio you can show me?
- How would you describe your personal style?
How you interact with your interviewer will be as valuable as what you say in an interview for a hairdresser job. Exude warmth and friendliness and bring a ready smile to your interviews.
Salon managers and owners will be looking to see if you are the type of individual that their customers will like on a personal level. Show some style in your dress and, of course, have your hair and makeup impeccably groomed.
Interview Follow Up
Compose a handwritten thank you note and deliver it to the salon as soon as possible after your interview. Or, if you are short on time send an email thank you message.
Emphasize why you think you are a terrific fit for that salon, state that you would really like the job and thank them for their time.
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