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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hairdresser

💰 $ - $

BeautySalonCosmetologyHairdressing

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring a professional Hairdresser (Hairstylist) to provide expert hair cutting, coloring, chemical services, and styling while delivering a best-in-class client experience. The Hairdresser will consult with clients, recommend services and home-care, perform technical salon services to salon standards, maintain cleanliness and safety, and contribute to sales through retail recommendations and service add-ons. This role emphasizes technical excellence (precision cuts, color formulation, balayage, highlights, perms, relaxers), strong communication, appointment management, and the ability to build a loyal client base.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Stylist / Apprentice
  • Cosmetology School Graduate / Trainee
  • Salon Assistant / Shampoo Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Stylist / Master Stylist
  • Color Specialist / Color Director
  • Salon Manager or Artistic Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Platform Artist / Educator (brand-sponsored)
  • Freelance Stylist / Bridal Specialist
  • Retail Brand Representative or Haircare Sales Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct professional client consultations to evaluate hair type, scalp health, lifestyle, service goals and budget; develop tailored haircut and color plans with clear pricing and aftercare recommendations.
  • Perform precision haircuts for women, men and children using scissors, razors, clippers and texturizing techniques to achieve modern, salon-quality shapes that align with client consultations.
  • Apply hair color services including single-process color, root touch-ups, highlights, foiling, balayage, color correction and glossing; accurately mix and process color formulas while documenting client color history.
  • Deliver chemical services safely and expertly, including perms, relaxers, keratin treatments and bond-building services (e.g., Olaplex protocols), adhering to manufacturer instructions and allergy/patch test procedures.
  • Execute professional blowouts, thermal styling, up-dos and event hair, providing long-lasting finishes while using heat-protection and styling products to protect hair integrity.
  • Conduct strand tests and patch tests when required; monitor processing to prevent over-processing and maintain hair health, adjusting processes based on client hair condition and porosity.
  • Recommend and apply professional hair treatments (deep conditioning, scalp treatments, Olaplex, bond rebuilding) tailored to restore, maintain and enhance hair condition between services.
  • Build and maintain client records (color formulas, service notes, product preferences) to ensure consistent results on repeat visits and to support personalized marketing and rebooking.
  • Rebook clients and build a regular clientele through relationship-building, follow-up appointment scheduling, and proactive communication about maintenance and upcoming trends.
  • Provide retail recommendations and upsell appropriate professional haircare products, tools and at-home treatment regimens to drive salon revenue and improve client outcomes.
  • Manage appointment flow and time efficiently to meet schedule targets while delivering on quality; communicate realistically about timing for complex or multiple-step services.
  • Conduct color correction services with careful assessment, multi-step strategies and clear client expectation setting, documenting steps and costs before proceeding.
  • Maintain strict adherence to salon sanitation, OSHA and local health regulations: disinfect tools, clean stations, launder capes, and follow proper waste disposal and chemical storage protocols.
  • Train, mentor and provide feedback to junior stylists and apprentices; demonstrate cutting, coloring and client service techniques to elevate team skills and service consistency.
  • Participate in continuing education and in-salon or brand training to stay current with cutting-edge techniques (balayage, color melting, lived-in color), trends and product innovations.
  • Manage walk-ins and retail inventory: restock retail displays, track product usage, and assist with inventory counts and ordering recommendations to ensure product availability.
  • Handle client billing and POS transactions accurately; process payments, gift cards and retail returns; maintain accurate cash-out and sales reporting per salon policies.
  • Create and publish portfolio-ready content (before/after photos, social media posts) that represents the salon brand while obtaining client consent and adhering to privacy preferences.
  • Resolve client concerns and complaints with empathy and professionalism; offer corrective solutions, refunds or complimentary services in line with salon policies to protect client relationships.
  • Participate in team meetings, performance reviews and marketing initiatives; contribute ideas for promotions, events, and community outreach to grow the salon’s client base.
  • Monitor hair and scalp health and refer clients to dermatologists or trichologists when conditions fall outside the scope of salon services or when medical treatment is indicated.
  • Adhere to salon scheduling and punctuality standards; maintain a professional station appearance, uniform and personal presentation consistent with brand expectations.
  • Assist with front-of-house responsibilities during peak times, including greeting clients, answering phones, and scheduling appointments to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Secondary Functions

  • Support salon marketing efforts by promoting seasonal services, membership programs and special events to existing clients and on social media channels.
  • Participate in photo shoots, education nights or in-salon demonstrations to showcase technical skills and attract new clients.
  • Assist management with scheduling and shift coverage; provide input on stylist performance and client feedback during staff meetings.
  • Maintain and organize salon backbar and retail displays; coordinate with vendors on promotions, demos and samples for in-salon activations.
  • Contribute to salon safety protocols by attending health & safety training and implementing emergency procedures where necessary.
  • Provide light administrative support such as sending appointment reminders, updating online booking profiles and confirming new client paperwork.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Licensed Cosmetology / Barber license in accordance with local/state regulations.
  • Advanced haircutting skills (ladder cutting, graduation, texturizing, men's clipper work) with a strong portfolio of looks.
  • Expert hair coloring techniques including balayage, foils/highlights, color correction, root smudging, toning and lived-in color.
  • Chemical service proficiency: perms, relaxers, keratin/bond-repair systems and safe formulation/processing.
  • Thorough knowledge of hair structure, porosity and scalp conditions to recommend appropriate treatments and processes.
  • Strong blow-dry and thermal styling techniques for long-lasting finishes and salon-standard looks.
  • Product knowledge of professional salon brands, retail lines and ingredients to recommend at-home care and upsell effectively.
  • Sanitation, sterilization and CAP (cleaning and PPE) best practices compliant with OSHA and local health codes.
  • Proficiency with POS systems, appointment software (e.g., Salon Iris, Phorest, Vagaro), and client record-keeping.
  • Color formulation math and record-keeping for reproducible results across visits.
  • Photographic styling and portfolio development for social media and marketing use.

Soft Skills

  • Outstanding client consultation skills: listening, questioning, educating and managing expectations with diplomacy.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities to retain clients and grow a book of business.
  • Time management and organizational savviness to balance precision techniques with salon scheduling demands.
  • Sales aptitude and confidence to recommend retail, add-on services and membership programs in a consultative way.
  • Creative problem solving for color corrections and personalized styling challenges.
  • Empathy, patience and calm under pressure when managing difficult clients or high-volume periods.
  • Team player mentality who contributes positively to salon culture and supports colleagues.
  • Professionalism in appearance, communication and punctuality to reflect salon brand values.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new trends, techniques and product lines.
  • Strong verbal communication and clear record documentation skills.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent and completed cosmetology/barbering program with a valid state license.

Preferred Education:

  • Diploma or certification from an accredited cosmetology school with advanced coursework or certification in color techniques, texture services, or specialized finishing.
  • Continued education certificates from recognized brands or academies (e.g., Redken, Wella, L’Oréal, Aveda).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Cosmetology / Barbering
  • Trichology (scalp and hair health)
  • Beauty Industry Management
  • Salon Operations / Retail Sales

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5+ years for mid-level stylist roles; 5+ years preferred for senior stylist, color specialist or leadership positions.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrable portfolio of recent work showcasing haircutting, color, balayage and corrective color.
  • Proven track record of building and maintaining a client base, consistent re-booking rates, and retail sales performance.
  • Experience with salon point-of-sale and appointment management systems, and adherence to salon sanitation and safety standards.
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