Hairdresser CV examples

A great haircut starts with a solid consultation – your CV works the same way. Before employers see your talent, they need to see clear evidence of your skills, experience, and qualifications laid out in a professional format.

This guide takes you step by step through writing a CV that covers everything from precision cutting and colouring techniques to client management and salon teamwork. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, this will help your CV stand out in a crowded industry.

Recruiters don’t have time to dig through tangled information, so a clear, professional structure is key. It’ll let them quickly understand your experience and creative skills. It’s all about presenting your strengths clearly, so they can see exactly what makes you a valuable addition to their salon team.

Here’s the layout your CV should follow:

• Name and contact details – Your name and personal details, with an optional photo, should be clearly positioned at the top so salons can contact you easily.
• Profile – Hook the reader with a summary of your hairdressing expertise, specialisms, and customer service skills.
• Core skills – Give a quick snapshot of your technical abilities, from cutting and colouring to client consultations.
• Work experience – List your salon roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on your technical skills and client care.
• Education – List your hairdressing qualifications and any specialist training or degree.
• Additional info – You can optionally list any relevant hobbies, awards, and interests which help to convey your suitability.

A messy CV is like a botched haircut – fixable, but not the impression you want to leave. Presentation matters, so your CV format should be easy to read and clearly organised, free from any mistakes that’ll overshadow your talent.

Keep these formatting tips in mind:

• Bullet points – Help the recruiter skim your CV quickly and pick up the important bits with ease.
• Divide sections – Each part of your CV should be clearly separated so nothing gets lost.
• Use a clear and readable font – Just make sure it’s a clear and easy font to read.
• No more than 2 pages – This is the perfect length to cover the essentials without getting boring.

Your CV profile is the first chance to show off what makes you a great hairdresser. It should briefly highlight your creative flair, technical abilities, and customer service skills, giving employers a quick sense of what you bring to the salon.

Here’s what to include:

• Hairdressing experience – Mention how long you’ve been working, and whether you’ve worked in salons, freelance, or both.
• Creative and technical skills – Highlight your cutting, colouring, and styling abilities.
• Client care – Show your dedication to building client relationships and delivering excellent service.
• Specialist areas – If you have expertise in bridal hair, colour correction, or men’s grooming, mention it here.
• Product knowledge – Note familiarity with professional brands and product lines.

Your CV skills section should be like a quick consultation – showing salons exactly what you can do and why clients love your work. It’s a great way to show off your key strengths before employers dive into your work history.

Avoid generic soft skills and go for the things that recruiters are looking for. They could cover everything from scissor work and creative colouring to client consultations, upselling treatments, and staying current with hair trends. This bit should be a quick and easy read, helping recruiters spot your strengths at a glance.

Your work experience should show more than just where you’ve worked – it should demonstrate how you’ve built loyal client bases, developed technical expertise, and contributed to each salon’s success.

List each role in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Emphasise the skills you used, the services you delivered, and any additional responsibilities, like mentoring junior staff or assisting with stock management.

If you’re new to the industry, include placements, apprenticeships, or part-time salon roles, highlighting how they helped you develop core skills.

• Outline – Give a brief description of the salon, its clientele, and the services offered.
• Responsibilities – Describe your main tasks, such as cutting, colouring, styling, and offering aftercare advice. Use action words like “styled,” “advised,” and “consulted.”
• Achievements – Highlight notable successes, such as building repeat clientele, introducing new treatments, or achieving salon sales targets.

For hairdressing, formal qualifications prove your technical knowledge and professional training. That being said, recruiters value experience more, so keep your education section brief.

List your NVQs, diplomas, or apprenticeship qualifications, as well as any advanced courses like creative colouring or hair extensions. If you’re newly qualified, include key training highlights, such as workshops or competitions you participated in during training.