When first applying for a career with the beauty industry, it can feel both daunting and exciting. We have all been there, done that. Sometimes it can feel like hours to come up with a solid resume and a lot of work when getting noticed by potential employers. If you are just about done with beauty school and becoming a licensed professional, then we have the perfect guide for you to get started on the next step to your future as a cosmetologist, barber, nail tech, or esthetician. 

Share Your Skills

Don’t be afraid to boast about yourself. A resume is the perfect opportunity to do so and the more you share about what you have to offer, the better chance you have in getting your foot in the beauty industry door. No skill is wasted and can support necessary skills needed at your dream job. If you ever worked in retail, be sure to mention this. It may not be a spa or salon, but a job in retail shows that you are experienced with customer service and sales. Here are a few important skills you can mention when creating your resume:

• Communication Skills
• Organization
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Trend Awareness
• Product Knowledge

Any skills you have can relate to a career with the beauty industry. Be sure to mention all of your skills and relate them to your career of interest. If you feel you are lacking in some important skills, it is never too late to learn. Get involved in the community, volunteer, attend a beauty school, and work at places where you can develop necessary skills that can help you in the beauty industry.

Show Your Work

What’s even more important than just sharing your skills is having proof of work experience that you can show potential employers. There are a few ways to show what you have learned in beauty school or from other relatable jobs you have worked for. The more platforms you have for your work, the more you stand out. Here are some ways to showcase your skills:

Social Media

Social media is more popular than ever and TikTok and Instagram are the best accounts to create when showcasing your work. It’s a competitive world out there and social media is a great way to get noticed by employers or future clients. If you are currently attending beauty school, be sure to take advantage of your experience and take as many photos of your work as possible. 

When you practice skills at the student salon, we highly recommend taking before and after photos so that you can post consistently. Videos are also a great way to build your profiles. Whether you are cutting hail or applying skin masks, be sure to film your process so you have more content to post. Be sure to take quality videos and photos that attract and engage potential clients. 

Digital Portfolio

A digital portfolio is a great way to display your work. If you have photos of hairstyles or makeup, be sure to add your best work to your portfolio and online for everyone to see! A portfolio is there to show who you are as an artist and it’s evidence of your skill set. Your portfolio can give you the chance to express your creativity and style. When taking photos for your portfolio, be sure to add a variety of styles and services to show others what you know.

Non-digital Portfolio

Even though we live in a digital world, you always want to have a hard copy of your work on hand. When going into an in-person interview, it’s more professional to have a folder of your work as an introduction of who you are. Having a copy of your portfolio can leave a great first impression that is sure to impress your interviewer.

Create a Website

You don’t have to be a software engineer or web developer to create a great website. There are a lot of easy-to-use website building tools out there to help you to set up your site. Website builders like Squarespace are a great source when creating your website. When you have a site, you can create business cards to hand out during your interview or have a great place to show your professional work. This is an easy way to share your work and attach a link to your resume. 

Beauty School Education

Attending beauty school is an important step to completing your resume and you need to be licensed before even being considered as a beauty professional. Besides, beauty school is a great way to gain experience and develop more skills. If you are just starting your beauty industry journey and not even close to the job application process, that’s okay! Now you know what you need to do now to fully prepare for your first beauty resume and what you can do now to stand out. 

Ready to gain more experience and have the credentials you need to succeed? Check out Salon Success Academy in California and the many programs we have to offer. We have several locations near you and if you aren’t sure which school to attend, book a tour with us! Scheduling a tour of our schools is the best way to get the information you need to get started. Call our admissions office today and we can answer any questions you may have.