With barber shops expected to employ 400,000 professionals in the U.S. by 2026, now is the time to get your foot in the door. You might know your buzzcut from your crew cut, but how can you share your clipping talents on your resume?
Hitting the mark can be tough, especially if it’s been a while since you last applied for a new job. Chances are, you have a lot you want to share with the reader. However, you need to make sure that your barber resume is professional, succinct, and easy to read.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll be looking at how to write a barber resume, what features to include, and sharing some examples to help you along the way.
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This resume guide and corresponding barber resume example will cover the following:
Before you start working on your barber resume, you need to know what to include. Here are the elements that you will need to feature in this document:
When sending a resume, your main goal is to entice the hiring manager. Rather than sending them a resume packed with many different messages, it’s smarter to stick to one. What is the main point that you want to lead with? This is often referred to as a unique selling proposition. Consider what your main value is to the business and start with that when applying for a role.
There are plenty of routes you can go down here. You may have won a barbering award, have a certain qualification, or have worked with high-profile clients. Whatever the case, think about how you can make a major impression on the hiring manager with this initial statement.
Let’s take a look at some of the other ways you can impress the reader:
Optimize for the ATS
Many employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to review incoming resumes. The ATS uses an algorithm to rank each new resume based on how well it fits the criteria of the position. Only the highest-ranking resumes will be seen by a human reader. The rest will be sent to the trash before anybody gets the chance to see them.
Luckily, you can optimize your resume with keywords. For example, the barber job posting lists the following requirements:
Your resume profile summary, when integrating the keywords, could read:
“Senior barber with 10+ years of experience and a current cosmetology license. Adept in delivering exceptional client service leading to a high return customer rate. Known for having excellent communication skills.”
To learn more about conquering the ATS, check out our article Resume ATS optimization.
The format of your resume needs to be clean cut: plain and simple. You want the reader to get the information that they need quickly and easily.
The best resume format for barber roles tends to be reverse chronological. This structure lets you list your previous experience in reverse chronological order. It tells a story about your career up to this point. If you’ve had a linear career so far, you should use this approach.
However, there are other options available. If you’re new to the realm of barbering or you’re a career changer, you can use an alternative format, such as the functional format. This structure places more emphasis on your skills and talents than it does on your experience.
We have a wide selection of resume templates in our resume builder using an array of resume formats. You should also take a look at our library of resume examples for inspiration.
When it comes to the look of your barber resume, it’s smart to opt for a modern layout. Above all else, you want to make sure that your resume is easy to read for anyone.
Once you’ve wowed the hiring manager with your barber resume, they will want to get in touch with you. Your header is your resume’s business card, including your basic contact details.
You need to make sure that this information is clearly laid out. Here’s what you should include:
Don’t include:
Eric James
Barber
Miami, FL
0823 2937 1237
e.james@email.com
Eric James
Style Guru
18 Flowerpot Av., Miami, FL
0823 2937 1237
flowerpower@email.com
Next up, it’s time to tackle your summary. This is the short paragraph that sits at the top of your barber resume. It’s the most freeform section of the document. However, you shouldn’t allow it to intimidate you. Simply logically approach this task and you’ll be fine.
Your resume summary needs to be punchy and to the point. You only have 2 to 3 sentences to play with here, so you need to make each one count. There’s no room for flowery language or sentences that don’t add any value to your application. Instead, make sure that each part of your resume summary positions you well for the vacancy at hand.
Get started by including a selection of action verbs in either simple past or present tense. Examples include delivered, achieved, expanded, excelled, and impressed. Consider where and when you can use these words to have the biggest impact on the reader.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to simply repeat information from elsewhere on your resume. You don’t want to do that. Instead, you should add new information into the mix and quantify your actions. For example, you might write “Fully-trained barber with 10+ years of experience offering services to 20+ clients every week.”
You want to put your best foot forward. That means leaning on your most notable achievement or experience. Think about what experiences you’ve had that are likely to impress the hiring manager. These are the things you want to lead with. It may be worth considering a few options and picking the best one from your drafts. That way, you can choose the most impactful option.
Looking for inspiration? Take a look at our related resume examples:
You can find adaptable barber resume examples summary below:
Apprentice barber seeking entry-level position in which to hone existing skill set. Previously trained at The Barber Education Academy gaining a wealth of practical barbering skills. Adept in precision haircutting, coloring, and styling.
Licensed barber with 5 years of experience working in an upscale barbershop in Miami, Florida. Specializing in delivering precision cuts using modern grooming techniques. Known for building strong, lasting relationships with clients and colleagues, and creating a welcoming, friendly environment in the barbershop.
Senior barber with 12+ years of expertise, delivering exceptional grooming services to a diverse clientele in Florida. Proficient in a wide array of cutting, styling, and grooming techniques, with a sharp attention to detail and a focus on client satisfaction. Winner of 2023 Barber of the Year award at the state barbering championships.
Now that you’ve got the reader’s attention, it’s time to outline your most recent work experience. You don’t need to include every role you’ve ever held. Instead, you should only go back as far as the last 10-15 years and include relevant positions. If you’ve had a selection of jobs that don’t fall into the barbering sector, you may choose to list them under “Other experience”.
It’s important to save words in this section as you don’t have much space. You can do this by excluding the use of “I” or “I am”. You should also use dynamic action verbs, such as delivered, collaborated, and managed to show that you were in the driving seat of this position.
You may be tempted to merely list your day-to-day duties in this section. For example:
While these statements cover your duties, they don’t tell the hiring manager much about your value. Sure, you can complete the main tasks of the role, but what results can you offer? Shifting the narrative to encompass your achievements is a smart way to gain attention.
Switch these generic phrases for hard-hitting, results-based points. Focus on what value you brought with each of your actions. By including a selection of statistics and numbers, you start to paint a clear picture for the reader, showcasing your skills and experience.
Let’s take a look at how you might rework the above statements:
Take a look at the barber employment history resume sample below:
Lead Barber at The Vintage Barber Shop, Atlanta, GA
August 2018 - Present
Barber at Hawthorne Barbershop, Portland, OR
June 2015 - July 2018
Barber at The Grooming Lounge, Charleston, SC
March 2011 - May 2015
While there are many routes to becoming a successful barber, apprenticeships have become increasingly popular. If you are applying for this educational program, you need to show the reader that you have both passion and dedication to the sector at hand.
Start things off by emphasizing your transferable skills. While you will learn a selection of barber-specific skills during your apprenticeship, it’s important to show that you have a good starting point. Consider what soft skills you already have and shout about them.
Next up, you should highlight any experience you have that is relevant. Have you already held a public-facing role? For instance, if you’ve been a server in a restaurant, you are used to working directly with customers and understanding their needs. You may outline this in your application and include details of how this experience boosted your communication abilities overall.
Additionally, you should delve into why you have decided to pursue the role of barber. What is it about this field that excites you? What unique skills do you bring to the table? When did you first decide that you wanted to follow this career path? Add in these details, where possible.
When you have no direct experience on your resume, it’s vital that you use an enthusiastic tone. The hiring manager will be looking for a professional who is willing to give this role their all.
Every barber needs a mixture of both hard and soft skills on their resume. Perfecting this art is a fine balance, and you should think long and hard about the skills that you have.
Hard skills are the ones that directly apply to the barbering field. These are the talents you learned when you first trained in this profession. For example, they may include cutting, styling, and grooming techniques plus equipment sterilization.
On the other hand, soft skills allow you to work well with customers. These include communication skills, organization skills, time management, and active listening. You need to make sure that each customer feels seen when you work with them.
Our resume builder serves up a selection of pre-written skills you can pick from. In each case, you can add your own proficiency levels. You might also want to add your own skills here.
Here’s what the skills box looks like in our barber resume template.
While you can list your top skills in a dedicated skills section, it doesn't end there. It’s smart to give context to each of these skills and pepper them throughout the rest of your resume.
Here are some of the ways you might add context to your skills:
Always look to the job description as a guide for what key skills to include.
Soft skills vs hard skills
When you’re completing your skills section, you may wonder how many hard and soft skills to include. Since barbering is a customer-facing role, you need to show that you can work well with various clients. With that in mind, keep the split relatively even on your resume.
The education section for your barber resume doesn’t have to be complicated. As we’ve already covered, there are many different routes to this role. Simply take the time to outline how you got here, i.e. what training you have, in the most direct, straightforward manner. That means using the reverse chronological approach and listing your education in that order.
Let’s take a look at some of the educational feats you can include:
Diploma in Barbering, Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta, GA
The design of your barber resume speaks volumes. Make sure that it’s easy to read without being too flashy. Choose a professional font and use limited color throughout the document.
We recommend using a two-column structure, as this allows you to include a lot of information on one or two pages. You should also make sure that there’s a good amount of white space around the margins and between each section.
You can make a professional resume in minutes using our resume templates. Check out our resume builder tool to get started now.
Profile
Experienced and passionate barber with over 12 years of experience in providing exceptional grooming services to a diverse clientele across multiple states. Skilled in a wide range of cutting, styling, and grooming techniques, with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to client satisfaction. Adept at building lasting relationships with clients and colleagues alike, fostering a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the barbershop.
Employment history
Lead Barber at The Vintage Barber Shop, Atlanta, GA
August 2018 - Present
Barber at Hawthorne Barbershop, Portland, OR
June 2015 - July 2018
Barber at The Grooming Lounge, Charleston, SC
March 2011 - May 2015
Skills
Education
Diploma in Barbering, Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta, GA
The future is bright for barbers in the United States. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 649,400 barber jobs in 2023. The experts suggest that this sector is growing at a rate of 7%—faster than average.
Barbers can expect to make around $16.87 per hour, or $35,080 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, how much you actually make will depend on where you work and your skill level.
Crafting a barber resume that wins you an interview doesn’t have to be hard. Make sure you start strong with your unique selling proposition and focus on the value that you bring. Use professional and persuasive language to show the hiring manager that you have what it takes. You should also adopt a straightforward, structured design that suits this competitive field.
Kickstart your barber job search with our online resume builder, then supercharge it with Resume.io.