How To Land Your Dream Job As Hair Stylist

I have been a hairstylist for over 12 years. It’s one of my favorite jobs because every day is different and it allows me to have a creative outlet.

When I first started, though, I didn’t think it would be possible to land my dream job as a hairstylist. Here are some tips on how you can get your dream job as well!

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Takeaways
Research and choose a reputable cosmetology school or training program.
Gain practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering.
Develop strong technical skills in cutting, coloring, and styling hair.
Focus on building good communication and customer service skills.
Stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in the hairstyling industry.
Network with industry professionals and build connections.
Consider specializing in a specific area of hairstyling to enhance your expertise.
Obtain the necessary licenses or certifications required in your region.
Create a professional portfolio to showcase your skills and work.
Continuously improve your skills and stay passionate about hairstyling.

Table of Contents

Aim For Headshots. Right Now

If you want professional-looking photos, it’s best to seek out a good photographer. How do you find one? Ask around at salons. If they don’t know any photographers, they may be able to refer you to some websites where stylists can post their own headshots and portfolios.

What should I wear? A simple outfit is best: nothing too flashy or distracting. Avoid large logos on your shirt or jacket; keep things simple so that the focus is on your face and hairstyle!

How should I pose? The camera does not lie so if you’re looking uncomfortable in the photograph, people will notice it when they see it in person later!

Don’t try too hard just take deep breaths and look natural as possible while being aware of what kind of poses make for flattering shots (for example: standing up straight with shoulders back and chin down slightly).

What about my hair? You don’t have to get an elaborate haircut for these pictures simply wear it down without additional accessories so that the focus remains on your face instead! Check out our tips below for styling ideas that work well under bright lights during photo shoots.”

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Work Experience Is An Asset To A New Stylist

Work experience is an asset to a new stylist. A good portfolio can only take you so far in the world of hair, and it’s even more difficult to get that first job without any experience to show off.

A variety of ways exist for getting your foot in the door:

Salons. Most salons will allow you to observe their clients’ sessions and perhaps even give a few color retouching treatments or blow-dries as an apprentice or trainee (for which they’ll pay you at least minimum wage).

While this isn’t ideal because it doesn’t give you real responsibility over clients’ jobs, being able to prove that you’ve learned basic skills like styling and coloring will help convince them that they should hire you when they need extra hands around the salon.

Schools/colleges/universities. If there’s a cosmetology program at your local community college or state university, check out if there are openings for students who want hands-on experience working with clients.

They may offer internships where students get paid for their hours working with hair models who come into class each day after lunch break!

Some schools also have “model days” where anyone can get their hair cut by experienced stylists and receive feedback about how well (or badly) their haircut turned out;

This is another way for beginners looking for some guidance on what techniques work best with certain types of cuts/shapes

Start Early, Even If You’re Only Doing Hair At Home

Even if you’re just doing hair in your bedroom, it’s a good idea to start practicing early. “The earlier you start, the better,” says Marybeth Turner-Lee, a licensed cosmetologist and owner of Salon MBL in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

“It gives you more time to build up your portfolio and get better at what you do.” In addition to providing some extra cash for college (or even buying textbooks), she says that having work experience on your résumé can make all the difference when applying for jobs after graduation.

So how do you begin? First off: practice! If you’re interested in styling hair professionally but unsure where or how to begin taking steps towards achieving that goal.

Consider volunteering at a salon or barber shop where they could use some help on Saturdays or evenings and if possible find someone who might be willing to show you the ropes before leaving their business each day.

So that when they return the following week there will be less work left undone due to confusion about procedures like shampooing or cutting layers into long bangs without making them look choppy instead of cutely asymmetrical!

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Set A Goal Of Where You Want To Be In Five Years

Now that you’re ready to take action and land your dream job as a hair stylist, it’s important to set yourself up for success. To help make this happen, think about what you want your career to look like in five years.

In addition to identifying some of the things that are most important to you (such as working in a salon or continuing to learn new hairstyling techniques), consider how much time and money might be required of you during this period.

This will help determine where and how often you can travel while still meeting all of your other obligations and whether it makes sense for you financially.

Once you have an idea of what kind of work environment would appeal most strongly, write down three specific goals that align with these desires: one short-term goal (within six months) and two long-term goals (within five years).

Then write down some steps needed for each goal on how specifically they could come about; make sure these steps align with each other!

You may want more than one job over those five years; if so, make sure there is room in between when both jobs overlap so as not to waste any valuable vacation days at home relaxing instead!

Target Your Spare Time And Social Circle

You’ve been invited to a birthday party by one of your good friends. You’re looking forward to seeing everyone again and celebrating a great life event with them, but then you realize that the host is having a bad hair day and it’s clear that she hasn’t had any professional help lately.

Don’t let her suffer! Offer up some styling tips on how she could fix things up at home, whether it’s just something small or something more extensive (like getting rid of split ends).

If you like, ask if she’d like to set up an appointment with you so that you could make her look even better in person than she did today and maybe even give her free product samples or offer discounts to get people in the door!

Get referrals from clients who love their work cut or dyed by others who have worked on them before:

It’s Not Enough To Be “Good” At Your Craft; You Have To Excel At It

It’s not enough to be “good” at your craft; you have to excel at it. After all, if someone can do what you do, why would they need to hire a stylist? If they don’t need one, they won’t hire one. They’ll just go online and find someone who can do it cheaper or better than you.

How do you prove that you are the best at what you do? By showing your work! You don’t have any clients yet you’re still looking for them.

But when people come across your website and see how amazing the photos are, this will help them make up their minds about hiring a stylist without ever meeting with anyone in person.

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Know Yourself And What You’re Good At

In today’s job market, it is more important than ever to know yourself and what you’re good at. You need to be confident in your skills and match them up with the right job opportunity. It’s also essential that you know what kind of environment suits you best.

For example: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you like meeting new people every day or would rather stay focused on one project for several weeks?

What do these questions have to do with landing a dream career as a hair stylist? Well, they will help determine whether or not this is the right profession for YOU!

Create A Strong Portfolio

Your portfolio is the single most important thing you will bring to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to show how experienced, talented, and knowledgeable you are in your field.

If your portfolio isn’t up-to-date or relevant to the job you’re applying for, then it’s not going to get you any closer to landing that dream job as a hair stylist!

Your portfolio should showcase your best work from every area of your career: cutting hair and styling hair; coloring hair; perms; etc. You might want to include a few examples from each category so the hiring manager can see how versatile and experienced you are.

Make sure that all of these photos have been printed on a high-quality paper (like Kodak). Also make sure each photo is labeled with who did it (your name) when it was done (date), the location where it was done (a town near where you live), etcetera…

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Be Confident, But Not Arrogant

You are the most important person in this process, but you can’t be that way alone. You will need to find a team of people who inspire and motivate you, and they will help you succeed.

You must be confident in your ability to do great work and then actually do it. Take pride in what you’re capable of creating, whether it’s a haircut or an entire business model.

If something isn’t right about yourself or your situation, make changes so that both are as close to perfect as possible before launching into anything new (or old).

Decide On Your Target School And Equal Footing With Other Students There

Make sure the school is within your budget
Make sure you can afford to attend the school and live in the area.

If you want to become a hairstylist, you must consider how much it costs to attend cosmetology school before deciding where to enroll.

Your tuition will vary widely depending on whether or not your school is public or private, and whether or not it’s part of an accredited network like Paul Mitchell Schools, or Vidal Sassoon Academy.

Or Aveda Institute (which charges additional fees), and whether or not they offer financial aid packages designed specifically for students who come from low-income families.

In addition, don’t forget about living expenses! You may find yourself needing money for rent while attending classes.

As well as groceries during some semesters if commuting isn’t an option due to the distance between home and campus/workplace after graduation day arrives don’t forget about finances beyond tuition bills either: Student loans are also something else worth considering when deciding where

Have A Budget In Mind

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to find their dream job is not having a budget in mind. If you start with a set amount of money, this will help you narrow down your choices and stay focused on what’s important to you.

For example, if your dream job requires that you attend school for three years (which it probably will), then consider how much money per month or year that would take away from your budget.

You should also consider how much money each paycheck will give you after taxes are taken out and any bills are paid off every month.

This number can also be used by others as they try to help guide you towards making an informed decision on where to go next with your career goals!

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Get Referrals From Current Clients

If you’re looking to get your foot in the door or ask for a job reference, it’s important to have some basic information on hand.

A referral letter is a document that includes your name and contact information (email address and phone number), as well as details about what inspired the person who is writing the letter to recommend you.

One of the most effective ways to get one is by asking for one directly from clients who are currently receiving services from you.

Another option is having them fill out an online form that asks for specific details about how long they’ve been seeing you, how many times they’ve been seeing you, what type of service(s) they receive from their stylist at each visit, and why they think others should go see their stylist too!

These letters can be mailed directly to potential employers instead of resumes or cover letters because it saves time when applying for jobs online (which can sometimes lead nowhere).

It also allows employers who may be looking over hundreds if not thousands of applications visually identify those with similar backgrounds/experience levels which makes filtering easier on both parties involved:

Applicants don’t have as much competition while employers save time screening through applications which helps them stay focused on finding candidates who fit best within their company culture.”

Conclusion

Now, we know that it may seem overwhelming to think about all the steps you need to take to land your dream job. But don’t let the big picture scare you away from getting started on it!

The key is finding little ways to improve your skills and experience every day even if they’re small steps that seem insignificant at first glance.

So get out there and start practicing, learning new techniques as often as possible so that when opportunity knocks at your door one day (and trust us, it will), you’ll be ready for her!

FAQs

How do I become a professional hair stylist?

To become a professional hair stylist, you typically need to complete a formal training program in cosmetology or hairstyling. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including haircutting, coloring, styling techniques, and salon management. After completing your training, you may also need to obtain a state license or certification to practice as a professional hair stylist.

What skills are important for a successful career as a hair stylist?

A successful hair stylist possesses a combination of technical skills and personal qualities. Technical skills include expertise in cutting, coloring, and styling different hair types and textures. Additionally, good communication skills, creativity, and a strong sense of aesthetics are important for understanding clients’ needs and delivering satisfactory results.

How can I gain practical experience as a hair stylist?

Gaining practical experience as a hair stylist is crucial to honing your skills and building a portfolio. You can start by seeking apprenticeships or internships at local salons or assisting established hair stylists. Additionally, volunteering for community events, fashion shows, or photo shoots can provide valuable opportunities to showcase your talent and network with industry professionals.

What are the career prospects for hair stylists?

The demand for skilled hair stylists remains steady, offering a range of career prospects. Hair stylists can work in salons, spas, or even start their own businesses. Advancement opportunities include becoming a senior stylist, salon manager, or even a celebrity hairstylist. Staying updated with current trends and continuously improving your skills can contribute to a successful and fulfilling career in this field.

How can I stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in hairstyling?

To stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in hairstyling, you can attend workshops, seminars, or conferences specifically focused on hairstyling and cosmetology. Additionally, following industry-leading publications, professional associations, and influential hairstylists on social media platforms can provide valuable insights into emerging trends and innovative techniques.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.