How to Make a Cosmetology Resume

If you’re passionate about the beauty industry and are ready to land your dream job in cosmetology, then it’s time to get serious about crafting the perfect resume. But it’s not just about your resume—you’ll also need a killer cover letter and a professional application. These three things are your golden ticket to getting noticed and landing interviews, where you can really showcase your skills.

Think of your cosmetology resume, cover letter, and application as the first impression you make on a potential employer. They may not see your hairstyling magic or your flawless makeup skills just yet, but they’ll see these documents first—and trust us, they matter. Let’s dive into some helpful tips that will make your resume stand out in the competitive world of cosmetology before you even step foot in the salon!

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes. Before applying to any job, take the time to tailor your cosmetology resume specifically to the position you want. This means reading the job description carefully and highlighting the skills and experience that align with what the employer is looking for.

For example, if you’re applying for a position at a high-end salon that specializes in hair coloring, emphasize your experience with color treatments, balayage, and foiling techniques. If the job calls for nail care expertise, be sure to spotlight your nail art skills, acrylic application, or gel polish experience.

Pro Tip: Look for keywords in the job description and incorporate them into your resume. This shows you’re a good match for the job, and helps your resume get noticed in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many employers use to filter resumes.

2. Highlight Relevant Experience

Cosmetology is an expansive field, so your experience might range from hair styling to skincare, nail art, makeup, or even spray tanning. Whatever your specialties, make sure to highlight the ones most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

If you’ve done haircuts, color treatments, styling for special events, or bridal makeup, make that front and center. Have experience in skincare services like facials or chemical peels? Include it! You might also want to mention additional services like eyebrow shaping, lash extensions, or airbrush tanning if they align with the job posting.

If you’re fresh out of cosmetology school and don’t have much hands-on work experience, consider including any internships, apprenticeships, or even volunteer work you’ve done in the field. Every bit counts!

3. Showcase Certifications and Education

Cosmetology is a profession that relies heavily on specialized training, and employers want to see that you’re well-prepared for the job. List any licenses you hold, such as your cosmetology license, esthetician certification, or barber license, front and center in your resume.

Beyond basic certifications, if you’ve taken advanced courses in hair coloring techniques, makeup artistry, or chemical treatments, make sure to include them. You might even mention any additional certifications in specific product lines or techniques that make you stand out.

Consider This: Make your education section shine! Include where you went to school, when you graduated, and any honors or special programs you completed. Even if you’re new to the industry, showing off your training is a big deal!

4. Include a Skills Section

The skills section is your time to shine! This is where you’ll list all the techniques and services you excel at. But be specific—don’t just say “haircuts” or “makeup.” Break it down into categories like cutting (layering, precision cuts, fades), coloring (highlights, balayage, color correction), and treatments (keratin treatments, perming, deep conditioning).

For makeup, include specifics like bridal makeup, contouring, special effects makeup, or airbrushing. Same goes for nails—mention things like manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails, nail art, or gel applications. This section is key to showcasing your range and expertise.

Don’t forget about your product knowledge, either! If you’ve got experience working with top-tier brands or tools (think Olaplex, Redken, MAC, or OPI), it’s worth mentioning in your skills section.

Having the skills to show off your cosmetology knowledge is one thing, but being certified is another. Learn the importance of obtaining a cosmetology license and accreditation.

5. Use Action Verbs

When listing your past work experience, spice things up with action verbs. These words grab attention and show that you’re an active, engaged professional. Instead of saying “Responsible for cutting hair,” try “Executed precision haircuts” or “Styled and cut diverse hair types with precision and creativity.”

Action verbs make your resume more dynamic, and help paint a picture of you as someone who takes initiative and gets results. Some great action verbs to consider include:

Performed
Created
Designed
Delivered
Enhanced
Developed
Achieved
Applied

6. Quantify Achievements

It’s one thing to say you’re good at what you do, but it’s even better when you can back it up with numbers. Quantifying your achievements helps potential employers visualize the impact you’ve made in your past roles.

Instead of simply saying “Increased client satisfaction,” try “Increased client retention by 30% through personalized consultations.” Or, if you’re a makeup artist, say something like, “Performed over 100 bridal makeup applications with 5-star client reviews.”

By adding these specific, measurable results, you’re giving employers concrete reasons to be impressed!

7. Include a Portfolio or Online Presence

If you’ve got it, flaunt it! In the beauty industry, visuals are everything. Including a link to your online portfolio, Instagram, or other social media accounts (as long as they’re professional!) can help hiring managers see your talent before they even meet you.

A digital portfolio showcasing your work, whether it’s before-and-after photos of haircuts, color jobs, bridal looks, or skincare transformations, is a fantastic way to make an impression.

Always make sure your portfolio is polished and up to date. A few high-quality photos are much better than a lot of blurry ones. And of course, don’t forget to get permission from your clients before posting their photos!

8. Keep It Concise

While it’s important to showcase your cosmetology skills for your resume, you don’t want to overwhelm hiring managers with a resume that’s too long. Aim for one page if possible—two pages max, but only if you’ve got extensive experience.

Use bullet points, short sentences, and clear headers to keep things clean and easy to read. Remember, the goal is to give employers enough information to be intrigued, not to provide them with your entire life story.

9. Proofread and Consider Professionalism

There’s nothing worse than submitting a resume full of spelling errors or typos. Before you hit send, take the time to proofread your resume and your cover letter. Better yet, have someone else look them over for you, since fresh eyes can often catch mistakes you might miss.

Beyond spelling and grammar, make sure your resume looks polished. Stick with simple, professional fonts (think Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri), and avoid using bright colors or over-the-top designs. You want your resume to reflect your creativity, but it should also come across as professional and organized.

Additionally, if you’re not confident in your editing skills, consider using a professional resume service or a free online tool like Grammarly to help spot errors.

The Bottom Line

Creating a standout cosmetology resume is all about balancing creativity with professionalism. Tailoring your resume to each job, highlighting your most relevant skills and experience, and quantifying your achievements can help you land that dream position in a salon, spa, or beauty studio.

Remember: your resume, cover letter, and application are often your first chance to make a great impression, so make it count! Keep things clear, concise, and packed with information that highlights you as the beauty pro you are.

Now go ahead, start drafting your cosmetology resume, and get ready to impress! Your next beauty gig could be just around the corner!

Jumpstart Your Cosmetology Career With Brillare Beauty Institute

Take your beauty career to the next level with expert training from Brillare Beauty Institute. Connect with us today and discover how we can help you build a standout cosmetology resume that gets noticed!