Writing a Hair Stylist Job Description? Read This to Attract Top Talent

Hiring the best beauty experts in your area starts with an effective, alluring hair stylist job description.

A beauty salon is only as good as the stylist behind the chair, so putting together a talented beauty team is vital. You’ll need alluring wanted ads to attract the best possible candidates, but writing a hair stylist job description is a skill in itself. This checklist will help you create a job ad that reflects the role, your salon, and the value you place in your stylists.

Writing a hair stylist job description

The goals of any job posting are to describe the role, summarize relevant information, and — most importantly — make the position desirable for potential applicants. Stylists should know what to expect from their position, what the salon is like, and how much they’ll be paid! Even the address can be a deciding factor, especially if there are multiple chains or franchise locations in the area.

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Position title

The job title is the first thing any applicant will see when opening the hair stylist wanted ads, so it’s essential to be clear and concise. You’ll need to provide enough information to convince them that the listing is worth investigating without being overly wordy.

“Hair stylist” is perfectly straightforward and serviceable — but every salon needs stylists! Instead, consider any adjectives or descriptors that differentiate the job. Are the hours part-time or full-time? Is it a senior position or a student training role?

For example, the titles “Senior Hair Stylist” and “Part-time Hair Stylist” are just detailed enough to distinguish themselves without featuring details from the posting itself.

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Job summary

Once the applicant opens the job posting, the next thing they’ll need to see is an attention-grabbing, high-level overview. Get right to the point with a strong opening statement that summarizes the position and the kind of candidate who should fill the role. Next, briefly summarize what the job looks like, but don’t go too far beyond core job expectations — the complete list of responsibilities will follow this section.

Depending on what website is hosting this job application, the summary may also be an excellent opportunity to share details about the business. If you have space, feel free to describe the work environment, overall brand, and why your salon is a great place to work.

If you’re not sure where to get started, use the sample job summary below as a template for drafting your own:

Senior Hair Stylist

Boulevard Beauty is looking for a hair stylist who can join our Los Angeles salon! We need a beauty specialist with five to ten years experience that can manage a diverse range of clients. If accepted, you’ll be responsible for tackling hair appointments, maintaining professional relations with clients, sanitizing your work station between appointments, and other standard practices. In exchange, you’ll gain a competitive starting salary, commissions, flexible hours, and the thrill of working with the best team in beauty! Please see below for position details and our preferred contact information.

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Duties and responsibilities

Every hair stylist job description assumes the candidate will be styling hair, but you’ll need to drill down into specific work tasks, responsibilities, and expectations. Start with the core duties — what you’re hiring for that sets them apart from everyone else on the team. Be upfront with what they’ll be doing every single day, from client work to cleaning tasks. The most common examples include:

• Complete hair care services, including cutting, styling, shampooing, and coloring

• Sanitizing stations after each appointment and general cleaning tasks

• Maintaining positive relationships with regular clients

• Completing appointments within a fixed schedule

• Staying up to date on hair fashions and products

Next, briefly describe less common or irregular tasks that may come up from time to time, but aren’t hiring dealbreakers. For example, if you’re a small business that will need stylists to manage the phones, that’s a core responsibility. On the other hand, if you have a dedicated front desk assistant, you might prefer stylists who can handle incoming calls, but you should note it is a secondary preference.

This distinction is crucial because you want to be clear about your expectations. Don’t blindside hair stylists with additional responsibilities that you weren’t fully upfront about!

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Job qualifications

Hair stylists have unique qualifications and requirements that set them apart from other professionals. Make sure to outline these in your job description — even if for no other reason than to filter out unqualified applicants. At a minimum, these will include:

• A hair styling license that meets regional requirements

• A high school diploma or GED

• Graduation from an accredited cosmetology program

Outside of education and licensing, a hair stylist job advertisement can also highlight necessary skills and qualifications. These might include relevant job experiences, transferable soft skills, and personal characteristics:

• Customer service and communication skills

• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and flexible hours

• Outgoing and friendly demeanor with clients

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Salary, commissions, and benefits

Every part of a job application is important, but the salary will determine whether the best candidates submit an application or close the page to look elsewhere. So you need to get it right the first time.

In the United States, hair stylists earn an average salary of $17.05 per hour. Of course, this figure can vary by city or state, but going too far below this number will drive away the best candidates — especially if you expect experienced staff to fill senior positions.

Be sure to outline any commission structures for the position. Will stylists earn 50% of all service earnings? Some balance of salary plus commissions? Offer a rate that reflects the number of regular clients you expect the stylist to have — for example, new graduates will need to rely on wages over commissions until they find their footing. (Oh, and that figure does not include tips, which you also should mention.)

Don’t forget to include additional benefits such as sick time, health insurance, retirement plans, or other bonuses. The more attractive the perks, the more likely you are to attract high-quality stylists.

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Salon description

If you didn’t already include these details in the job summary, be sure to describe the salon itself. Stylists are shopping for employers just like you are looking for new team members — give them information that will inform their decision. If you have space, go beyond a website link to share the following:

• What makes your salon unique?

• How long has your business or chain location been in operation?

• What’s the work culture like?

Don’t be afraid to tell a few jokes or get personal if it reflects your brand persona. Stylists who pick up on these details may feel more confident applying to a salon with a personal touch.

Of course, creating the hair stylist job description is just the first step. You’ll still need to read through each application, make a list of candidates, and conduct interviews. But if you include the right details in the job description, you’re far more likely to attract stylists who are a perfect fit for your team — and who will feel your salon is the ideal fit for them.

FAQs:

What specific qualifications or certifications are typically required for a hair stylist position, and are there any additional training programs or education paths that are recommended for aspiring stylists?

Qualifications and certifications for a hair stylist position can vary depending on the employer and specific job requirements. Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required, and many employers prefer candidates who have completed a formal training program at a cosmetology school. Additionally, obtaining a state license is often necessary to practice as a professional hair stylist. While not always mandatory, continuing education courses and certifications in specialized techniques or product lines can enhance a stylist's skills and marketability.

Can the article provide insights into the typical salary range or compensation structure for hair stylists, including whether there are opportunities for commission-based earnings or other incentives within the industry?

Typical compensation for hair stylists can vary widely depending on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, clientele base, and the type of salon or establishment where they work. In many cases, hair stylists may earn a base salary along with opportunities for commission-based earnings, tips, and bonuses. Some may also receive benefits such as health insurance and paid time off, although this can vary depending on the employer.

Are there any particular challenges or trends within the hair stylist profession that individuals should be aware of, such as shifts in consumer preferences, emerging technologies, or industry regulations impacting the day-to-day responsibilities of stylists?

It's important for individuals considering a career in hair styling to be aware of various factors that can impact their work. This may include staying updated on emerging trends in haircuts, styles, and color techniques, adapting to changes in consumer preferences and purchasing behavior, and navigating industry regulations and licensing requirements. Additionally, advancements in technology and the rise of social media have transformed the way stylists market their services and engage with clients, presenting both opportunities and challenges in building and maintaining a successful career in the field.