Cosmetologist Resume Example

Cosmetologists help their clients feel beautiful for big events, such as weddings or proms, or for daily life. They cut and style hair, paint nails, and provide skincare treatments like facials. 

Cosmetologists, barbers, and hair stylists are currently experiencing a 1% decline in job growth. But don’t worry, the job outlook is likely to improve once the world returns to normal!

Nevertheless, the uncertain job market makes it all the more important to craft a stellar resume.

At the end of this article, you’ll be able to pick the right resume template, use strong action verbs, and describe your experiences in a way that demonstrates why you are perfect for the job. 

Let’s get started! 

Cosmetologist Sample Resume 

Senior Cosmetologist 

• Increased revenue by 15% by bringing existing clientele to spa
• Trained 12 new employees
• Styled celebrities for photoshoots and film premiers
• Ensured clients left feeling beautiful and confident
• Developed hairstyles that appeared in 3 national magazines, including Cosmopolitan and Glamour
• Readied 6 models for a local fashion show, including hair, nails, and makeup
• Expertise in laser hair removal
• Developed new technique for eyebrow shaping that decreases time spent by 26%
• Specialized in recommending the proper products for those with sensitive skin
• Improved salon offerings by listening to clients and recommending new services to salon managers, including eyebrow threading and permanent makeup application
• Ranked in the top 10% of team members based on sales performance

Junior Cosmetologist

• Recommended makeup and skincare products to clients, resulting in a 23% increase in sales
• Cut, styled, and dyed hair
• Performed facials, manicures, and pedicures
• Ensured proper sanitation procedures were completed after each appointment
• Improved salon's Instagram following by 13%
• Scheduled client appointments
• Ensured salon was clean and well-stocked
• Washed, cut, and dyed hair under supervision of senior stylist
• Performed manicures and facials
• Handled cash and credit card payments using POS systems
• Suggested styles to fit clients' desired looks

1. Choose the Right Format for a Cosmetologist Resume

The first step to writing a resume is choosing which format to use. 

You have 3 main options:

1. Reverse-Chronological: this format lists your most recent work experience first. This helps employers see the growth of your career.
2. Functional: this format highlights your skills, and is best for those with less work experience; like if you took a break from the workforce to care for children or an elderly parent. 
3. Hybrid / Combination: this format is a mix of both functional and reverse-chronological resumes. List your skills and abilities first, then follow it up with your work experience.

At a high level, hiring managers want to glance at your resume and get a sense of the following:

• Knowledge of your industry -- beauty trends, makeup products
• Experience with a variety of cosmetic procedures, from hair styling to facials
• Excellent customer service

Any of these three formats will work for a Cosmetologist, so pick which one best fits your work experience and your array of skills. 

2. Write a Strong Cosmetologist Resume Summary

Did you know that resumes are looked at for less than 10 seconds? 

This means you need an eye-catching resume with a striking resume summary. 

A resume summary is one or two sentences at the top of your resume that summarizes your career and capabilities. It’s the appetizer that leaves the hiring manager wanting to know more about you. 

For a Cosmetology career, include the following points in your summary

• Years of experience. If you don’t have many years, then leave this part out.
• Procedures and treatments (i.e., highlighting hair, giving facials) in which you are well-versed. 
• What you’re looking for next. This is a great way to tie your resume into the specific job to which you’re applying. For example, if you’re applying to work as a cosmetologist for a modeling agency, note that you’re seeking a job in which you can help designers’ visions come to life. 

Note that the best strategy in this section is to only include info that is relevant to the job. Your summary should only be 2-3 sentences. Keep it short, sweet, and concise. 

Here is a good example of a resume summary:

12 years of experience styling and coloring hair according to the latest beauty trends, applying makeup for special occasions, and providing skin care treatments such as manicures and pedicures. Excellent customer service skills with a keen attention to detail. 

This is good because it’s specific and detailed. It tells the employer what you can do and what you’re looking for. 

Here is an example of a bad resume summary:

Cosmetologist with experience with hair, makeup, and nails. Seeking a job that I love. 

This is a bad resume summary because it is vague and dispassionate. 

For more information checkout our guide on writing a killer resume summary.

3. Describe Your Work Experience as a Cosmetologist

It’s important to write your resume experience in a way that anyone in your industry will understand. You don’t know who will be reviewing your resume, so you want it to be clear. This means you should avoid using company-specific language. 

Bad Example: Tyloma removal using filing, exfoliation, and scraping. 

What is a Tyloma? And those words sound scary -- not to mention painful -- especially since we don’t know what’s going on. 

Better Example: Specializes in removing calluses using pain-free techniques, including exfoliating the skin and gently shaving off the callus

Now we know what you’re doing -- removing a callus -- and this description is far easier to read. 

Relevant Skills

• Customer Service
• Dexterity 
• Patience
• Creativity 
• Awareness of Current Beauty Trends and Products
• Product Knowledge
• Time Management 

If you want to learn how to nail this section, read our guide on the proper way to include skills on your resume.

4. Include an Education Section 

College is not necessary for a career in Cosmetology, however, you will need formal training in this industry. Most states require that you attain a license in Cosmetology, which can be acquired through Cosmetology School. Most programs are around 40 weeks and consist of both on-the-floor training and traditional learning (i.e., textbooks and exams). 

To become a Cosmetologist 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Completion of Cosmetology school or similar program
• Pass a state-licensing exam

5. Mention Certifications Relevant to the job

Certificates are not necessary for Cosmetologists, but adding certificates to your resume shows employers that you have gone above and beyond your career’s required education. Certificates also help your resume to stand out by demonstrating that you have additional skills.  

Some Cosmetologists attain additional certificates in order to offer more services. Examples include: Licensed Laser Hair Removal and Chemical Peels. 

For more information on adding certifications to your resume, check out our guide on how to include certifications on your resume the right way.

6. Pick the Right Template

Cosmetologists should pick a resume template that is professional yet aesthetically beautiful. Since this career is creative, your resume should reflect that! 

Our most popular resumes for Cosmetologists are Burnside, Pelham, and Woodlawn. 

7. Takeaways

In this article we reviewed what a Cosmetologist does and what the career’s outlook looks like. Then we discussed which resume format and template to use, and how to craft the perfect resume to wow any HR manager. 

Next Steps: 

• Research the job description you want to locate keywords. Try to include these words in your resume
• Select a professional or creative resume template
• Write your resume summary, including your skills and experience
• Include your education and relevant certifications
• Write your experience section in a way that any outsider could understand. Talk more about the how and why of your responsibilities. Quantify your results.

You can start from the resume example here to save time and get started right away. 

Good luck!