Hairdresser CV: how to write one (with a South African example + no-experience version)

A hairdresser cv works best when it’s specific: the exact services you can do (cuts, colour, braids/weaves, treatments), how you treat clients, and how you keep your station clean and safe.

If you want to build and format yours quickly, you can create a free CV on CV Hub and update it as you gain clients and experience.

Why hairdresser CVs get rejected (even when you can do the work)

Most salon CVs fail for one of these reasons: they’re too generic, they don’t list services clearly, or they don’t prove trust (hygiene, punctuality, client care, handling money, and confidentiality).

In South Africa, many roles are filled fast via WhatsApp or walk-ins. That means your CV needs to be easy to skim on a phone and still sound professional.

What to include in a hairdresser CV (the best section order)

Use this order because it matches how salons screen: can you do the services, can they trust you with clients, and can you work in a team.

• Name + contact details (cell, email, area, availability)
• Short profile (2–3 lines: your level, services, what you’re known for)
• Key services (a service menu-style skills list)
• Work experience (salons, chair rental, mobile/home-based, assistant roles)
• Training & qualifications (college, SETA/short courses, in-salon training)
• Portfolio link (Instagram, Google Drive, PDF pics)
• Tools/products you can use (brands optional; focus on techniques)
• Other strengths (sales, bookings, POS, stock, client retention)
• References (or “Available on request” if you prefer)

If you’re not sure what recruiters expect from each section, use this guide to double-check your basics: What to put on a CV: complete section-by-section guide.

How to write a hairdresser profile that sounds like a real stylist

Your profile is not your life story. It’s a snapshot of your level, your strongest services, and what type of salon/client you’re a good fit for.

2–3 line profile formula

• Who you are: Hairdresser / junior stylist / salon assistant / apprentice
• What you do: 4–6 core services (cuts, colour, relaxer, braids, installs, treatments)
• How you work: client care + hygiene + speed/quality

Copy-and-edit profile examples

• Experienced: “Qualified hairdresser with 4+ years’ salon experience in ladies’ cuts, blow-dries, colour application, and treatment services. Known for neat sectioning, clean workstations, and calm client service in busy Saturdays.”
• Junior: “Junior hair stylist with strong wash-bay and blow-dry skills, basic colour support, and braiding/weave prep. Reliable with bookings, workstation hygiene, and assisting senior stylists during peak hours.”
• No experience: “Entry-level hairdresser focusing on braiding and protective styles, with home-based client experience and a photo portfolio. Completed short courses in hair hygiene and product knowledge; available for assistant/junior roles and eager to learn salon systems.”

Need more help with this section? See: CV Personal Statement Examples (South Africa).

Key services section: list what you actually do (cuts, colour, braiding, treatments)

This is where you help a salon owner say “Yes, we need that.” Keep it concrete. If you only have basic exposure to something, label it honestly (assistant/support).

Service list ideas (choose what matches you)

• Cuts & styling: ladies/gents cuts, fades (if relevant), blow-dry, flat iron, curls, upstyles
• Colour: colour application, root touch-ups, toner, highlights/foils (assistant or full), colour mixing (if trained)
• Protective styling: knotless braids, box braids, cornrows, faux locs, twist styles
• Weaves & installs: sew-in/weave installs, wig prep, frontal closure prep, basic wig customising
• Relaxing/chemical services: relaxer application (only if trained), texturising, aftercare
• Treatments: deep conditioning, protein treatments, scalp care, hot oil treatments
• Client care: consultations, aftercare advice, retail recommendations

Work experience: how to write salon bullets that prove value

Even if you weren’t “the main stylist”, you can show what you handled daily: wash-bay, prep, hygiene routines, assisting with colour, front desk support, and retail sales.

Strong bullet structure

• Task + volume/speed (busy weekends, multiple clients)
• Quality/safety (clean tools, sanitising, patch tests if applicable)
• Outcome (repeat clients, positive feedback, upsells, fewer complaints)

If you’re applying online, keep your formatting simple so systems can read it. This helps: ATS Friendly CV: How to Pass Automated Screening in South Africa.

Portfolio: the fastest way to strengthen a hairdresser CV

A portfolio does not need to be fancy. It just needs to show your work clearly.

Easy portfolio options (choose one)

• Instagram/TikTok page dedicated to hair (best for quick viewing)
• Google Drive folder with 10–20 labelled photos (before/after where possible)
• PDF (photos + short captions: style, time taken, products used)

Add one line near the top of your CV: “Portfolio: [link]”. If your link is long, use a simple short label like “Portfolio available on request” and send it when asked.

Hairdresser CV example (South Africa) — copy and edit

Use this as a base. Keep it to one page if you’re entry-level; two pages is fine if you have years of experience.

Hairdresser CV with no experience: what to write instead of salon jobs

If you haven’t worked in a salon yet, don’t leave the CV empty. Swap in proof that you can do the services, learn fast, and take hygiene seriously.

What counts as experience (use what’s true)

• Home clients (braiding, washes, installs) — even if it’s weekends
• Assisting a family member’s salon or doing model practice
• College practicals (state what you did in training)
• Photo portfolio of work on friends/family/models
• Short courses/workshops (especially hygiene, colour basics, client consultation)

Copy-and-paste no-experience block

If you’re building a CV from scratch, this guide helps you “fill the page” without lying: CV With No Experience: How to Fill It (South African Examples).

Quick checklist: before you send your hairdresser CV

• Contact details are correct and professional (email, not a nickname)
• You listed services clearly (not just “hairdresser”)
• You added a portfolio link or stated how you’ll share it
• Your experience bullets mention hygiene and client care
• You included relevant training/short courses
• Your CV is easy to read on a phone (short bullets, no tiny fonts)
• File name looks professional: [Name] Hairdresser CV.pdf

For more formatting help, use: CV format: the correct CV layout for South Africa (with examples).

Common mistakes salons notice fast

• No proof of work: no portfolio, no service list, no practical details
• Overclaiming: saying you do advanced colour/cutting with no training or supervision mentioned
• Messy presentation: long paragraphs, spelling mistakes, unclear dates
• Missing availability: salons often need weekend/late shifts—state what you can do

If you want a general “what not to do” list, this is worth scanning before you apply: CV Mistakes: 10 Errors That Cost South Africans Interviews.

Next step: build a clean CV and keep it updated

Your hairdresser CV should make it obvious what you can do, what you’ve been trained on, and where your work can be seen.

When you’re ready, create a free CV, then update your CV profile whenever you add new services, photos, or short courses. If you want more guidance, browse more CV and job search advice or contact CV Hub with a question.

Related read: Barista CV: how to write one (with a South African example + no-experience version) (useful if you’re applying to salon reception/coffee-bar hybrid spaces in malls).