Nail Technician CV example

You might know the difference between gels, acrylics, and dip powders with your eyes closed – but employers won’t guess your talent if your CV is dull or disorganised. 

Nail salons and spas want someone creative and professional, and your CV should make it crystal clear that’s exactly who you are. This guide will help you write a CV, making sure potential employers quickly spot why you’re the nail technician they need behind their table.

Think of your CV layout as the manicure itself – carefully shaped, clearly presented, and flawless in detail. A well-organised CV shows salons and spas that you understand the importance of presentation and professionalism: so they’ll instantly know you take pride in your work, before they even get to your impressive expertise.

Here’s your go-to structure:

• Name and contact details – Place your name and contact info prominently at the top of your CV for quick access. Adding a photo is up to you.
• Profile – Open with a compelling overview of your skills, experience, and career goals.
• Core skills – List your key abilities in this section, focusing on those that will be most relevant to the job.
• Work experience – Provide a detailed breakdown of your work history, starting with the most recent job first.
• Education – List your qualifications, including degrees and relevant certifications, in reverse chronological order.
• Additional info – Optional, but a great spot for extra certifications, relevant hobbies, or even social media links to your portfolio.
  

Choose a clean and easy-to-read font, use bullet points for clarity, and divide your sections clearly with headings. Keep your CV format tidy and concise – two pages length at most – enough to impress recruiters without overwhelming them (save the rest for a cover letter, if you want).

Your profile is the CV equivalent of your favourite nail design – it’s the first thing someone notices, so it needs to make an instant impact. Here you’ll quickly let employers see your creative flair and your ability to keep clients coming back for more. Whether you specialise in detailed nail art or classic manicures, your profile should emphasise the value you’ll bring behind the table.

Here’s what to have in your profile:

• Where you’ve worked – Salons, spas, mobile nail services, or freelance.
• Your top qualifications – Nail tech diplomas, NVQs, product-specific training.
• Essential skills – Creativity, precision, time-management, customer care.
• Specialities or techniques – Nail art, acrylic, gel manicures, luxury pedicures.
• Your personal approach – How you make every client feel special and relaxed.

Think of this section as your “best-of” nail collection – quick highlights of your strongest CV skills. It’s not just about listing things like “good at nails” (they’ll assume that!), it’s about quickly showing the special details: maybe you’re known for stunning, intricate designs, your speed and accuracy, or how clients always leave happier than they came in.

Read through the job ad for the specific roles and keywords recruiters are going to be looking for when they open up your CV: make sure to include them.

Now’s your chance to show potential employers you’re not just great at doing nails, you’re brilliant at building business too. This section is more than just where you’ve worked – it’s how you’ve created fantastic client experiences.

List your previous nail technician roles starting with your current or latest one. Include your job title, the salon name, and the dates you worked there. Then add engaging bullet points detailing your responsibilities throughout your work experience, along with any standout achievements.

• Outline – Briefly describe the salon, spa, or service you provided.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “created,” “enhanced,” “managed,” or “built client relationships”.
• Achievements – Share real outcomes, such as “Increased repeat bookings by 25%,” “Introduced a new nail art service that boosted salon revenue,” or “Consistently maintained 5-star client reviews.”

This section shows that your nail skills aren’t just self-taught – you’ve earned your place at the table. Employers value nail technicians who keep their skills fresh and up-to-date, so clearly list your education, starting with the most recent qualification.

Include your main nail tech diplomas or NVQs, followed by product-specific training, nail art workshops, or advanced nail technique courses. Every bit of extra training can help show that you’re serious about delivering quality services, but make sure to keep this section short: experience matters much more.