Cosmetology Resume Examples & Writing Guide
Use our free downloadable cosmetologist resume examples, template, and helpful tips to write a resume that lands you your next cosmetology job.
If you’d like a different template, our free resume template collection has many options.
Cosmetology Resume Template (Text Format)
Don’t forget to include a well-written cosmetologist cover letter with your application.
- Communication skills
- Skincare consultation
- Product recommendation
- Interpersonal skills
- Aesthetic laser use
- Creativity
- Hair care
- Schedule 12+ daily client appointments
- Developed and apply 7 original hair styles and beauty treatments
- Trained and oversee 10 new hires
- Perform 15+ laser procedures per week for diverse client needs, including hair removal, tattoo removal, acne treatment and wrinkle amelioration
- Recommend cosmetics, lotions, and gels to clients with a 43% higher buying rate compared to my colleagues
- Performed facials, cut, styled, and dyed hair, and carried out manicures and pedicures in a skillful and friendly manner, resulting in a 90% customer return rate
- Shaped facial hair, including beards, moustaches, eyebrows, and eyelashes every month for 50+ new clients and 30 regular customers
- Removed hair from problematic locations, including nasal and ear hair
- Promoted 12+ consumer products, including shampoos and conditioners, leading to a 15% increase in overall sales
- Certified Laser Aesthetic Operator – Hennepin Technical College, 20XX
We’ve prepared additional resume samples for different skill levels and job titles to ensure you find a cosmetologist resume example that you can model your own resume after.
Entry-level cosmetologist resume
If you’ve just completed your cosmetology training, this is a good example of what your resume should look like:
Example highlights
- Detailed education section: When you lack formal work experience, a good way to ensure you have enough information to put on your resume is to include detailed information about your education. Employers will be interested to know what you learned during your cosmetology training.
- Strong resume summary: The applicant starts off their resume introduction by mentioning that they possess a cosmetology license and then goes over their skill set and professional goals.
Experienced cosmetologist resume
If you’ve got a few years of experience as a cosmetologist, use this resume as a reference when writing yours:
Example highlights
- Hard skills: In their skills section, the applicant focuses on the technical skills they’ve honed throughout their time as a cosmetologist. Doing this can help set you apart from other applicants who might not be familiar with the same tools and techniques.
- Quantified bullet points: The bullet points on this resume contain numbers and percentages, giving employers a clear understanding of the extent of this applicant’s achievements.
Hairstylist resume
Use the following hairstylist resume sample as reference to craft your own:
Example highlight
- Professional association membership: Including a professional membership on your resume, like this applicant does, can enhance your credibility and prove that you take your job seriously.
Esthetician resume
When writing an esthetician resume, you’ll need to highlight both your customer service and technical skills, like in the sample below:
Example highlight
- Skill bars: Skill bars are useful because they allow you to effectively communicate your level of expertise. This is particularly helpful if you want to include techniques on your resume that you’re learning, but haven’t fully mastered, to show that you’re a well-rounded candidate committed to growing your skill set.
Makeup artist resume
A good makeup artist resume highlights your skills in both the work experience and skills sections:
Example highlight
- Industry-relevant award: Listing awards on your resume is a great way to prove your skills as a cosmetologist.
Average cosmetologist salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data is presented based on the top states in the USA.
Average cosmetologist annual salaries by state
State | Salary / Year |
---|---|
Massachusetts | $46,410 |
California | $37,170 |
New York | $32,930 |
Texas | $29,270 |
Florida | $33,910 |
Pennsylvania | $31,170 |
Illinois | $35,940 |
Ohio | $33,920 |
Georgia | $29,290 |
North Carolina | $36,020 |
National Average | $34,375 |
How to write a cosmetologist resume
Follow these three tips to learn how to write an impressive cosmetology resume that showcases your top cosmetology skills and gets you hired in the beauty industry:
1. Tailor your resume to the salon you’re applying to
All beauty salons are not created equal — some cater to a particular clientele, while others have a broad customer base. Additionally, some concentrate on providing skincare treatments, whereas others mostly style hair.
Because the cosmetology industry is so diverse, you should tailor your resume to each salon you’re applying to by including hard and soft skills that they mention in the job description, or services you know they specialize in.
Here are some examples of hard skills salon owners often look for:
- Aesthetic laser knowledge
- Acrylic nail application
- Computer skills
- Cuticle trimming
- Facial and makeup application
- Good personal hygiene
- Language skills
- Manual dexterity
- Nail treatments
- Perming, straightening, and coloring hair
- Physical stamina
- Product knowledge
- Skincare consultation
- Waxing
- Administrative skills
- Wig cutting and cleaning
By contrast, soft skills relate to how you interact with customers and colleagues in a professional setting, so make sure you include them too.
Here are some examples of skills to add to your cosmetology resume:
- Active listening skills
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Leadership skills
- Management skills
- Organizational skills
- Patience
- People skills
- Problem solving skills
- Sales skills
- Time management skills
2. Use a resume summary to quickly showcase your expertise
The first thing the hiring manager sees on your cosmetologist resume is your resume summary, which is a 3-5 sentences long statement that creates a positive first impression of you by:
- Highlighting your relevant certifications, training, and education
- Mentioning how many years of experience you have and what tasks you performed
- Conveying your top skills and how you’ll use them to benefit to your new employer’s business
Here are 3 examples of effective cosmetologist resume summaries to give you an idea of what yours should look like:
Creative Hair Stylist with 5+ years of experience in cutting, coloring, and styling. Adept at interpreting client needs and delivering trendy, personalized looks. Proven track record of building a loyal clientele through exceptional service and attention to detail. Passionate about staying up-to-date on the latest hair trends and techniques to ensure clients receive the best possible care.
Versatile cosmetologist with 4+ years of hands-on experience in hair, skin, and nail care. Skilled in a wide range of cosmetology services, including hair cutting, coloring, chemical treatments, facials, and manicures. Known for creating a relaxing and enjoyable client experience, resulting in a 98% satisfaction rate and repeat business.
Certified esthetician with 3+ years of experience specializing in skincare treatments, including facials, peels, and microdermabrasion. Expertise in analyzing skin conditions and recommending tailored treatment plans and products. Committed to helping clients achieve their skincare goals through high-quality service and personalized care.
3. Quantify your bullet points
The work experience section of your resume is meant to advertise what you’ve achieved throughout your career. To convince employers that you’re the right person for their salon, quantify your resume bullet points to make your accomplishments stand out. Do this by adding a number or percentage wherever it can help illustrate the impact of your work.
Below are five examples of concise but impactful bullets for a cosmetologist resume:
Quantified resume bullet points
- Increased client retention rate by 15% within the first year by providing exceptional customer service and personalized beauty solutions
- Boosted salon revenue by $15,000 annually by upselling premium hair care products and additional services
- Serviced a clientele base of 100+ regular clients, contributing to a monthly revenue increase of $3,000
- Attended 5 professional development workshops and training sessions annually to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques
- Reduced appointment scheduling errors by 12% by implementing a streamlined booking system, enhancing overall client experience
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
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