The Ultimate Resume Building Guide

Whether you are approaching graduating from a beauty school or just starting your cosmetology program, there is no need to stress about your resume! Your resume is the first thing that potential employers see, so it’s important you make a good first impression! We have the perfect guide to help you come up with a well-written resume that stands out from the rest of the crowd and can reflect your talents and experience in the beauty industry! If you are building a new resume or tweaking an old one, going through it step by step can help to ensure a quality end product. Read more to find out how!

FIRST THINGS FIRST, NAME AND CONTACT INFO

A resume isn’t a resume without some basic information about who you are. After all, if it doesn’t have your name or contact info, how are potential employers supposed to get in touch to schedule an interview? Make sure your name stands out  right at the top and is front and center. The first part of your resume should also include your:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Portfolio/Website

We don’t recommend sharing your address because there is a lot of spam out there and if you are applying to larger hiring sites, like Indeed or Facebook, anyone can access your information. Other information such as your phone number and email don’t need to be as prominent as your name. Give them their own, clearly labeled section so that when the interviewer looks for it they can easily find it. 

Something else to consider is that you add your social media links and portfolio. Social media is an even more important asset in the beauty industry. Showing others that you’ve built and maintained your presence and credibility on social media is a huge accomplishment that people admire! Including those links in your contact section can serve as a portfolio. That being said, always keep it professional and engaging.

Keep in mind that many companies can look potential employees up on social media. Make sure you are careful about what you publicly put out there! A good question to ask yourself is if what you are posting on social media is a good reflection of who you are.

Example:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Second to your basic contact information is your schooling and personal experience with the beauty industry. Future employers want to know where you went to school, if you specialized in anything, and your expertise. After all, every beauty school is different and each curriculum is unique! If you are still looking into starting your cosmetology education in Omaha or Grand Island Nebraska, then check out Xenon Academy’s programs to see if our courses are the right fit for you and meet with your future goals.

If you went to a school that has a focus in specific areas, like trendy hair colors, be sure to mention that so your resume can stand out even more! Whether you want to specialize in coloring or cutting, having an area dedicated to your expertise can look even more impressive to future employers. List each school separately, in order of attendance. Make the school name, location, and attendance dates easy to read. In addition, include a sentence that details your focus or degree to help the interviewer  gain a better understanding of your abilities and experience.

Example:

STATE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

 You cannot work as a beauty professional without a state license, so it is important you are fully aware of your state’s requirements and that you get the education you need to allow you to sit for the state exam. If you haven’t sat for the state exam, it is important you mention on your resume that you are scheduled to take the test, so that future employers are aware that you are on the right track.

Along with your state license, this section is a perfect place to include any additional training or certifications you have. Did you take a makeup certification course? Do you have a certification in threading or body wrapping? Did you get your lash extension certification? Any extra training that you have can allow you to stand out more from other applicants. While you are attending beauty school, we highly recommend taking advantage of any additional certifications or programs that your beauty school has to offer. Not only do additional certifications strengthen your knowledge, but they can give you the competitive edge to get the job of your dreams.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Your work experience can make or break any interview. If you are new to the beauty industry and are searching for your first beauty-based career, don’t worry about not having a salon job listed front and center. Chances are that you have had jobs that match many of the skill sets that salon and spa owners are looking for. Have you ever worked as a receptionist? Or in retail? Believe it or not, these types of jobs have helped prepare you for working on a salon floor.

When listing past work on a resume, make sure to include the name of the business as well as the location. Directly under this information should be your job title and the time worked. Years works best if it’s more than one, otherwise, you are going to want to include the month. In addition to the basics, include a brief overview of your duties. Be descriptive, but don’t go on for paragraphs. You want your resume to fit on one page, so keep that in mind as you are adding info.

Example:

SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

You may have something else up your sleeve that you probably haven’t even thought about or considered was worth mentioning on a cosmetology or esthetician resume. Whether you worked or volunteered for a movie project or know a second language, this is a good time to mention all your skills and accomplishments. 

Example:

REFERENCES

References are valuable and important contacts that employers want to get in touch with to get a better idea of your work ethic or how well you did in school. As a general rule of thumb, be sure to stay away from mentioning relatives in your references. You are going to want to share contact information for 3 people and this can include co-workers, employers, volunteer leaders, or school instructors.

OTHER HELPFUL RESUME TIPS

Once you’ve figured out what to include in your resume, there are a few other things you can do to make your resume stand out.  Here are some helpful tips to consider:

• Use clear formatting to keep information organized and easy to read.
• Bolding, caps, and italics can be helpful in making specific information stand out. However, do not use them excessively. Keep your formatting consistent and well organized.
• An image can create personality in your resume, but too many visual elements can look tacky.
• Check your spelling!
• Ask someone else to read through your resume for clarity and feedback.
• Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself. That’s what resumes are for.

If you still feel overwhelmed or need a little bit more guidance, check out canva.com and search resumes for free templates that can get you moving in the right direction. Need more guidance on how to write a killer beauty resume? Check out Xenon’s Ultimate Resume Building Guide to learn more!

LOOKING FOR AN EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE?

It’s so important to get an education that leads you towards your future goals! Schedule a tour at Xenon Academy today to get more information on our programs, and answers to any questions or concerns you may have.  Need more help starting your future in beauty? Read our ultimate guide on how you can prepare for your beauty school education. 

Example:

Resume Example