In beauty, your portfolio matters most—but you still need a solid resume. It's often the first thing hiring managers see, and it determines whether they look at your work. A well-crafted resume positions you as a professional and highlights what makes you valuable before they ever see your cuts and color.
Resume Format & Structure
Keep it clean, professional, and easy to scan. Salon owners are busy—they won't read walls of text.
- One page is ideal; two max for extensive experience
- Clean, readable font (no script or decorative fonts)
- Clear section headings and consistent formatting
- Reverse chronological order (most recent first)
- Include a link to your portfolio or Instagram
- Save and send as PDF to preserve formatting
Pro tip: Your resume should look as polished as your work. If it's messy or hard to read, salon owners will assume your station is too.
Contact Information
Make it easy to reach you. Include modern contact methods.
- Professional email (not cutiepie2003@...)
- Phone number with professional voicemail
- City and state (full address not needed)
- Link to professional Instagram
- Link to portfolio or ChairTribe profile
- LinkedIn optional but professional
Professional Summary
A 2-3 sentence snapshot of who you are and what you bring. Make it specific to you.
- Lead with years of experience and specialty
- Mention key skills or techniques you're known for
- Include what type of salon environment you thrive in
- Avoid generic statements like "hard worker" or "team player"
- Tailor it to the specific role when possible
Work Experience
Show your trajectory and accomplishments, not just job duties everyone knows.
- Salon name, your title, and dates employed
- Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities
- Include specific numbers when possible (client retention, revenue)
- Highlight any specialties or services you excelled at
- Note promotions or increased responsibilities
- Keep descriptions concise—3-5 bullets per role
Education & Certifications
List relevant training that shows your commitment to the craft.
- Cosmetology school and graduation year
- State license (include license number if requested)
- Advanced certifications (color, extensions, etc.)
- Brand-specific training (Balayage certification, etc.)
- Continuing education courses
- Industry awards or recognition
Skills Section
A quick-reference list of what you can do. Be specific.
- Technical skills: cuts, color, extensions, treatments
- Hair types you're experienced with
- Product lines you know well
- Salon software proficiency (booking, POS systems)
- Languages spoken
- Soft skills: consultation, client education, retail
Common Resume Mistakes
Avoid these errors that make hiring managers move to the next candidate.
- Typos and grammar errors—proofread everything
- Generic descriptions ("provided haircuts")
- Including every job you've ever had
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Lying about experience or certifications
- Forgetting to include portfolio link
- Dense paragraphs instead of scannable bullets
Strong Action Words
Start your bullet points with powerful verbs that convey action and achievement.
- Built (client book, relationships, revenue)
- Increased (retention, sales, bookings)
- Specialized (in color, extensions, texture)
- Trained (junior stylists, assistants)
- Developed (techniques, clientele, specialties)
- Achieved (goals, certifications, recognition)
- Collaborated (with team, on photo shoots)
Frequently Asked Questions
Include them if relevant or if they fill employment gaps. Customer service experience, retail, or reception work shows transferable skills. Don't include unrelated jobs that crowd out salon experience.
Focus on education, certifications, and any work—even on friends and family. Highlight training, techniques learned, and your specialty interests. Everyone starts somewhere; show enthusiasm and potential.
Don't list them on the resume—just have them ready. 'References available upon request' is unnecessary. Prepare 2-3 professional references who can speak to your skills and work ethic.