Securing your dream hairdressing position in Australia’s competitive beauty industry can be challenging when your resume isn’t showcasing your skills effectively to salon owners and managers. Whether you’re a recent beauty school graduate ready to start your apprenticeship, an experienced stylist looking to advance to senior positions, or someone transitioning from another industry with a passion for hair and beauty, creating a standout hairdresser resume is crucial for landing interviews at top salons. With Australia’s beauty industry valued at over $4.7 billion and growing demand for skilled hairdressers across major cities and regional areas, qualified professionals who can demonstrate both technical expertise and exceptional customer service skills are highly sought after by employers affiliated with industry bodies like Hair and Beauty Australia and the Australian Hairdressing Industry Council.

Hairdresser Resume Examples and How to Write

This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything needed to create an exceptional hairdresser resume that captures the attention of Australian salon owners and beauty industry employers. From understanding the specific requirements of different salon environments to showcasing your technical skills, creativity, and client relationship abilities, you’ll learn how to transform your application from overlooked to interview-ready. We’ll cover essential sections, provide practical examples, and share industry insights that will help your resume stand out in Australia’s dynamic hairdressing landscape.

This free sample resume for a hairdresser has an accompanying hairdresser sample cover letter to help you put together a winning job application.

Hairdresser Resume (Text Version)

What is The Best Format for a Hairdresser Resume?

The reverse chronological format is ideal for hairdresser resumes in Australia, as it clearly demonstrates your progression from apprentice to qualified hairdresser and showcases your growing expertise in different salon environments. This format allows salon owners and managers to quickly assess your experience level, the types of salons you’ve worked in, and how your skills have developed over time. Australian beauty industry employers prefer this format as it provides clear evidence of your commitment to the profession and career advancement.

Use clean, professional fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica in 10-12 point size for body text, with headings in 14-16 point size. Maintain consistent 1-inch margins and ensure adequate white space to create an organised, easy-to-read document. Always submit your resume as a PDF file unless specifically requested otherwise, as this preserves your formatting and ensures your professional presentation remains intact across different devices.

Your hairdresser resume should include these essential sections:

Header: Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location (city and state). Consider adding your professional Instagram handle or portfolio website if you showcase your work online.

Summary: A compelling 3-4 line overview highlighting your hairdressing experience, specialisations, and client service achievements.

Experience: Your professional history in reverse chronological order, focusing on hairdressing roles and related customer service positions.

Education: Your hairdressing qualifications, including certificates, apprenticeship completion, and any additional beauty training.

Other sections: Additional relevant information such as skills, certifications, professional development, awards, or languages that enhance your candidacy.

What Experience Should Be on Your Hairdresser Resume?

Your experience section should showcase your technical hairdressing skills, client relationship abilities, and business contribution to previous salons. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your expertise in cutting, colouring, styling, and chemical services, while highlighting your ability to build and maintain a loyal client base. Include specific metrics such as client retention rates, revenue generation, social media growth, or sales targets exceeded that show your value to salon operations.

Emphasise experience that shows your knowledge of current trends, advanced techniques, and commitment to ongoing professional development. Australian salon owners value hairdressers who can demonstrate creativity, technical excellence, and strong customer service skills while contributing to the salon’s reputation and profitability. Include any leadership roles, training responsibilities, or special projects that highlight your professional growth and industry expertise.

Entry-Level Hairdresser Resume Samples [Experience]

For entry-level positions, highlight your apprenticeship experience, training placements, volunteer work, and any customer service roles that demonstrate your people skills and professionalism. Focus on showing your passion for hairdressing and your developing technical abilities.

How to Write the Education Section for Your Hairdresser Resume

The education section is essential for hairdresser positions in Australia, as you must hold recognised qualifications to practice professionally. Include your Certificate III and IV in Hairdressing (if completed), the institution where you studied, and graduation year. Australian employers need to verify that you’ve completed approved training that meets industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Highlight any specialisations, awards, or distinctions you received during your training. Include details about practical placements, advanced courses, or additional beauty qualifications that demonstrate your commitment to professional development. If you’ve completed training with major hair product companies or attended industry workshops, these additions can set you apart from other candidates.

Hairdresser Resume Example [Education]

How to Write the Skills Section for Your Hairdresser Resume

The skills section should demonstrate your comprehensive hairdressing abilities, combining technical expertise with customer service and business skills. Include 12-16 skills that reflect both your hands-on hairdressing capabilities and the interpersonal qualities essential for building client relationships. Balance technical skills like cutting and colouring with soft skills that show your ability to communicate effectively with clients and work collaboratively in salon environments.

Focus on skills that align with current industry trends and the specific requirements of Australian salons. Emphasise abilities that show you can contribute to salon success through excellent service delivery, client retention, and business growth. Include any specialised techniques or product knowledge that sets you apart from other hairdressers.

Hairdresser Resume Skills (Hard Skills)

• Precision cutting (layered, graduated, textural)
• Advanced colour techniques (balayage, foilayage, colour melting)
• Colour correction and problem-solving
• Chemical services (perms, relaxers, keratin treatments)
• Hair styling and blow-drying
• Hair extension application and maintenance
• Bridal and formal styling
• Product knowledge and retail sales
• Hair analysis and consultation
• Salon software and appointment systems
• Social media content creation
• Health and safety compliance

Hairdresser Resume Skills (Soft Skills)

• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Creative flair and artistic vision
• Attention to detail and precision
• Time management and efficiency
• Customer service excellence
• Patience and empathy
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Problem-solving abilities
• Stress management under pressure
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Professional presentation
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness

How to pick the best Hairdresser skills:

1. Review the job description and identify specific techniques or skills mentioned by the salon
2. Research the salon’s style and services to align your skills with their offerings
3. Include skills that demonstrate both technical expertise and customer service abilities
4. Highlight skills that show your knowledge of current trends and techniques
5. Balance hard technical skills with soft interpersonal skills essential for client relationships
6. Include any specialised training or product certifications that add value to your application

Hairdresser Resume Examples [Skills]

Should I Add Bonus Sections to My Hairdresser Resume?

Additional sections can significantly enhance your hairdresser resume by showcasing your commitment to professional development and specialised expertise. These sections are particularly valuable in Australia’s competitive beauty industry, where ongoing education and industry recognition are highly regarded by salon owners and managers. Consider including relevant certifications, professional associations, awards, social media presence, or volunteer work that demonstrates your passion for hairdressing and community engagement.

Choose bonus sections that directly support your application and demonstrate your professional growth beyond basic qualifications. For example, competition entries, industry awards, or specialised product training can set you apart from other candidates and show your dedication to excellence in hairdressing.

Hairdresser Resume Examples [Other Sections]

Tip: Include personal interests only if they directly relate to your creativity, fashion sense, or client interaction skills (such as photography, fashion styling, makeup artistry, or volunteer work with community groups). Professional achievements and industry involvement are more valuable than general hobbies.

How to Write a Hairdresser Resume Objective or Resume Summary

A compelling resume summary is crucial for hairdresser positions as it immediately communicates your technical expertise, creativity, and client service abilities. Your summary should be 3-4 lines that highlight your experience level, specialisations, and track record of client satisfaction and business contribution. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to build client relationships, stay current with trends, and contribute to salon success through excellent service delivery.

Key elements to include:

• Years of experience and types of salons you’ve worked in
• Specialised techniques or services you excel in
• Client satisfaction rates, retention statistics, or revenue generation
• Awards, recognition, or professional development achievements
• Commitment to ongoing education and trend awareness

Hairdresser Resume Summary Examples

For entry-level candidates, focus on your qualifications, training placements, passion for hairdressing, and any relevant customer service experience. Emphasise your eagerness to learn and commitment to developing your technical skills in a professional salon environment.

Entry-Level Hairdresser Resume Summary Examples

How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile When Updating Your Hairdresser Resume

Maintaining alignment between your resume and LinkedIn profile is increasingly important in Australia’s beauty industry, where salon owners and managers use social media and professional networks to discover talented hairdressers. Your LinkedIn profile should complement your resume while showcasing your personality, creativity, and professional brand in the hairdressing industry. Many Australian salons value stylists who can contribute to their online presence and attract clients through professional networking and social media engagement.

When updating your LinkedIn profile, ensure consistency with your resume while taking advantage of LinkedIn’s visual features to showcase your work. Use high-quality photos of your hair creations, client transformations (with permission), and professional headshots that reflect your personal brand as a hairdresser.

LinkedIn Headline Optimisation for Hairdressers

Your LinkedIn headline should incorporate keywords that salon owners and beauty industry recruiters search for, while highlighting your specialisations and location.

LinkedIn Summary vs Resume Summary: Key Differences

While your resume summary focuses on professional achievements and technical skills, your LinkedIn summary can include your passion for hairdressing, what inspired you to enter the beauty industry, and your philosophy on client service and creativity. Australian salon owners appreciate authenticity and creativity, so your LinkedIn summary can showcase your personality while maintaining professionalism. Include your approach to staying current with trends and building client relationships.

Your LinkedIn summary should be 3-4 paragraphs that expand on your resume with personal insights about your hairdressing journey, your favourite techniques or services, and what you enjoy most about transforming clients’ looks and confidence.

Showcasing Hairdresser Experience on LinkedIn

LinkedIn allows you to provide more detailed explanations of your hairdressing experiences and include visual examples of your work. Use this space to explain specific transformations you’ve achieved, challenges you’ve overcome, and the impact you’ve made on clients’ confidence and satisfaction. You can share before-and-after photos (with client consent), videos of your techniques, or examples of styles you’ve created for special events.

Consider including testimonials from satisfied clients, photos of your work featured in competitions or publications, or behind-the-scenes content that shows your creativity and technical skills in action.

LinkedIn Skills and Endorsements for Hairdressers

Focus on skills that are specific to hairdressing and align with current industry trends and techniques. Seek endorsements from colleagues, salon managers, and satisfied clients who can validate your technical abilities and professional service. Consider completing relevant online courses through LinkedIn Learning related to customer service, small business marketing, or creative skills that complement your hairdressing expertise.

Request recommendations from salon owners, senior stylists you’ve worked with, or clients who can speak to your technical skills, creativity, and professionalism. These testimonials provide powerful evidence of your impact as a hairdresser and your ability to deliver exceptional results.

LinkedIn Profile Tips for Australian Hairdressers

Optimise your profile for the Australian beauty industry by following relevant organisations such as Hair and Beauty Australia, major hair product brands, and leading salons in your area. Engage with content shared by industry leaders and contribute thoughtful comments that demonstrate your professional knowledge and passion for hairdressing.

Join LinkedIn groups for Australian hairdressers and beauty professionals. Share insights about new techniques, trends you’re excited about, or transformations you’ve achieved (with appropriate privacy considerations). This engagement helps build your professional network and establishes you as an active, knowledgeable member of the hairdressing community.

Creating an outstanding hairdresser resume is your key to unlocking exciting opportunities in Australia’s thriving beauty industry. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to showcase your technical skills, creativity, and client service excellence that salon owners and managers value most. Your resume should reflect not only your hairdressing abilities but also your passion for transforming clients’ looks and building lasting professional relationships.

Remember that your resume works best as part of a complete application strategy. Complement your polished resume with a creative hairdresser cover letter that expresses your artistic vision and enthusiasm for joining their salon team. Explore current opportunities through leading Australian job platforms like Seek and industry-specific recruitment agencies that specialise in beauty and wellness roles. With commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with the latest trends and techniques, you’ll be well-positioned to build a successful and fulfilling career in Australia’s dynamic hairdressing industry, creating beautiful results and lasting relationships with clients who trust you with their personal style and confidence.