Let's start this out with a bold truth: yes you need a go-to, kick-ass resume as a beauty pro. Even though our industry can be a little non-traditional at times, some conventional things still ring true, and that includes having a bomb resume to back up your killer skills.
So, one more time for the people in the back—resumes are an absolute must in the beauty industry, OK!
While we understand that what we do in this industry is an art (whether it’s hair, makeup, skincare, or more), and that art may not easily translate to a resume – a resume is still entirely necessary.
Why?
Because we, just like anyone else, need a platform to brag about ourselves, to show off, to give some hard evidence that we’ve worked our butts off and are incredibly qualified – and the way that gets accomplished in the modern world is through platforms like resumes and portfolios.
If you’re not really a resume-type person, don’t worry. We’ve laid out some of our top beauty biz resume tips about what to include, what to consider, and how to craft the ideal piece of proof that you’re just as awesome as you say you are.
Top Resume Tips for the Ambitious Beauty Pro
Build it Up, Buttercup
Okay, for starters, you have to have some content for your resume, and you can’t create this out of thin air. Before you can write up a gorgeous, beautiful, self-boosting resume, you have to have the skills, experience, schooling, and accomplishments first. Think about it – you can’t write it down if it doesn’t exist. If you find yourself in the situation where you’re realizing you don’t have much to throw on your beauty industry resume, then you’re probably still in the building blocks phase. You know what? That’s okay!
Everyone has to start somewhere. Take your time to build it up. Do good work that you’d be proud to put on a resume. Take some classes. Get certified. Find your passions. Work with a mentor. No matter what, make sure you’re investing the time and effort into getting your beauty career going.
The next step? Taking all of those awesome feats you’ve accomplished and put them down on paper.
Level Up Your Resume with CanvasMe
Just because the notion of having a resume is traditional certainly does not mean your resume or portfolio should be boring. We have the luxury of working in an innovative, exciting, and creative industry—and your resume can be all those things. This is where CanvasMe can help.
Simply put, CanvasMe is an e-portfolio platform that was created just for the beauty space. You can upload photos and videos, sync your Instagram account, highlight certifications and awards, and showcase so much more than a traditional resume.
With CanvasMe, you can put all of your information in one place, create an impactful connection through your personalized bio and videos, and even directly apply for mentorships, jobs, and more with the click of a button.
We highly recommend giving CanvasMe a peek before you start building your resume so you can witness the ultimate potential out there.
What Should Go on My Resume?
We’re so glad you asked this question—it’s the most important question after the whole, “wait—do I seriously need a resume?” question. What you put on your resume can make an impactful difference on your job prospects, the opportunities you’re up for, and your future, too. This is the fun part—the part where you get to brag about yourself and show your future employers or mentors exactly what kind of back-breaking work you’ve been putting into your career.
Here are a few must-hit points you have to include on your resume to dazzle any prospective partner in the biz.
Let’s Talk about Schoolin’
We suggest placing your most recent education first, followed by the other schools, classes, or programs you may have attended. It’s important that you don’t leave anything out. If you completed a course a few years ago in one sector of the beauty industry but have just completed a course in your primary specialization, don’t hesitate to add in the older education. All of your training is going to benefit you and show that you offer a myriad of skills! Consider this like a fun, exciting, career snapshot.
This is your chance to explain to all your prospective clients, employers, partners, etc. just how much cool, on-the-job experience you’ve had. Talk about where you’ve worked, who you’ve worked for or with, who inspired you, and what you liked best about each position. If you have space, briefly add what you learned from each position and how it benefits you!
This leads us to the question: “What if I’m a recent grad who doesn’t have work experience?”
Fair point, but we’re here to counter this a little. Consider all of the education experience you’ve gained (working with mentors, clinic floor hours, etc.) and any volunteer experience as work experience. Obviously, preface it as what it is (never lie about your experience, ever!), but it’s okay to count these things as experience, because that’s what it is!
Skills, Skills, Skills
This is the exceptionally fun part – this is where you really get to brag about your skills and tricks of the trade. Make sure you’re being accurate here, but don’t try to be too concise. You want to make sure you’re writing down all the relevant, awesome skills you’ve acquired during your training and experience so that everyone reading your resume can get an accurate picture of everything you can do! Don’t just talk about your industry-specific skills, either.
Are you great with customers? Excellent.
Awesome at organization? Write that down, too.
No matter what, if it’s a relevant skill, write it down! Make sure everyone knows how awesome you are.
Don't Forget Those Certifications
We bet you have certifications too, so it’s important you list these bad boys. Give yourself all the credit when it comes to this section. Any license or certification you have, include it.
Are you a licensed microblader? Lash diva? Master esthetician? Sugarist?
Let’s see it!
Brag a Little Now
You know you’ve got the goods, and now that you have a brilliant resume, you have the platform to back that up. This is the part where you get to humble-brag about yourself a little.
Show off those accomplishments. Have you won any awards? Awesome! Throw those down in a special section. Have you received special recognition? We bet you have. Include it!
Too often, people tend to shy away from their accomplishments, but you need to show off when it’s resume time! This is not the time to keep quiet about your accomplishments – include everything relevant you can think of.
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