Hair Stylist Interview Preparation Guide

Download PDF

Industry knowledge is very important as one has to keep up with trends if one is to satisfy customers' ever changing requirements.

This can certainly be a fun question to answer, and although you may be tempted to provide an answer that you think your interviewer wants to hear, it is more important to be completely honest. After all, your personal style could bring something new and fresh to a salon, and this may be exactly what your potential employer is looking for. "My style is retro chic and I enjoy this style because it brings a crisp, modern edge to classic cuts and styles" is an excellent example. Be sure that you prepare an answer for this question ahead of time; it is asked in almost every hair stylist interview.

Education means something a little different in the beauty industry than in most other job markets. Your education as a hair stylist could be working under someone else who was talented and taught you first hand. Alternatively, you may have attended a beauty school and had a more formal education. If you've been working in the field for a while, make sure you address any continuing education you've received over the years. As trends come in and out of style, hair stylists often have to learn new techniques or how to use new tools, and it's important to show that you've kept up with the changes. If you've never worked in the field, but you attended a beauty school, talk about any experience you received during that education, such as working in an apprenticeship or in an on-campus salon.

Salons are similar to retail establishments. They are most productive during what is considered "leisure time" for other people. This means working nights and weekends. To avoid conflict with new hires, salon managers will always asked about your availability. They will want to know how late or how early you can work. They will also ask about availability during weekends and holidays. The Christmas season is by far the busiest time for salons. Anticipate questions about how many hours you can work during that time.

Hairdressers have more responsibilities than merely cutting and styling customers' hair. They need to make sure that tools of the trade are sterilized after every use, the spa is clean and appointments are scheduled. They also handle cashier duties along with up-selling retail products.

There are a number of advantages to taking an apprenticeship, instead of studying full time at college:

☛ Your learning group will be much smaller than at college. This means that you will have much more one to one time with whomever is teaching you.
☛ You will earn money whilst you are learning key skills.
☛ You will gain fantastic practical experience from the front line of the hair salon.
☛ You will hugely increase your employability, as you'll have more industry experience than if you had spent your time learning at college. You are also more likely to gain employment with the salon you trained at, since you have already built up a relationship with the staff.

If you are to make your clients happy with your skills and expertise, you must be able to communicate and listen effectively. Your client may know the hairstyle he or she wants, but if you are not prepared to listen very carefully, you could end up with a very dissatisfied customer on your hands. "I understand that each client also has a personal style. I take the time to listen to the client and then relay my ideas. In the event that a client shows me a picture of a hairstyle that is not quite possible for any reason, I take the time to explain why and offer alternatives that will work better." This answer shows that you respect your clients and that you are prepared to work hard to meet their needs.

Because past behavior offers insight into the future, expect questions about your work and education history. You will likely be asked why you left previous salons, and why you are looking for a new job now. The person conducting the interview will also want to know how you handled conflict with previous supervisors, co-workers and customers. Be prepared to provide specific examples of issues you have faced in the past, how you resolved them, and what the outcomes where. Also, be prepared to answer questions about what you enjoyed most and what you liked least.

Customer services are the most important part of working as a hairdresser. You need to be able to make customers comfortable with you as they are in a vulnerable position. You need to give them confidence that they will look nice once a treatment is finished and you need to make sure that they come back to you.

An apprenticeship enables aspiring hairdressers to learn their trade in the workplace environment, whilst studying to gain theory and qualifications. Usually, apprenticeships are taken by people aged 16 or over, to allow them to earn money whilst gaining experience. An apprenticeship in hairdressing will normally involve candidates working in the salon every day, and then spending 1 or 2 days at college. However, there are some salons who teach both theory and practical skills. In these cases, candidates will only need to enroll in college if their Maths and English skills are not up to scratch.

Usually, it takes between 3 and 5 years to become fully qualified as a hairdresser in the UK. This can depend upon if you are taking further courses in salon management, or where you start with your training.

Hair stylists are responsible for much more than simply cutting and styling hair. They must schedule appointments, provide advice over the telephone, give consultations, work with clients to find a style that meets their wants as well as their needs and much more. As such, your employer will want to ensure that you are capable of multitasking. "I was once the only stylist available to answer the phone, work with clients and restock supplies. In this situation, it is important to assess the needs of the clients first and perform other tasks in between as needed" is a fantastic answer. It shows that you will always put the needs of the clients first, but that you will not forget your other duties.

Customer service impacts client retention. Because superb customer service elevates one salon over another, salon managers often ask candidates how they deal with customers. Commonly asked questions include, "How do you handle dissatisfied clients;" "What methods do you use to 'upsale' services;" and "How do you explain products and services to clients?" Demonstrating knowledge of customer service skills will improve your standing with potential employers.

Hairstyle trends are very important because many of your clients will be men and women who enjoy a more modern look. There are many ways for you to keep up with trends in hairstyles, and your employer will want to know your favored method. "I have subscriptions to multiple fashion magazines and I pay close attention to what is trendy in large cities around the world. I also ask my clients about any hairstyles they have seen or in which they may be interested. In some cases, I ask them to show me a picture of the hairstyle in a magazine. It not only helps me stay knowledgeable, but it builds rapport with the clients" is a fantastic answer.
As a hair stylist, it is your job to help your clients put their best faces forward every day of their lives. You will need to project confidence and communication skills in order to get the job, so be sure to practice these answers a few days before your interview.

Hair salon owners want to know your plans for the future. The salon industry suffers from high employee turnover, and salon managers will present questions to help them determine if you are a risky hire. If your resume is peppered with short-term stays at other salons, be prepared to explain why. They will also want to know your aspirations for advancement and your commitment to the industry.

My customer service skills have earned me quite a lot of business through word of mouth from satisfied customers. Also, my ability to style customers' hair in a creative manner is quite popular.

☛ Be sure to arrive a little before the appointment. It's always better to wait outside and take a minute to compose yourself than it is to rush when you're running late. Try to give yourself plenty of time for traffic.
☛ Don't chew gum, play with your hair, bite your nails, or fidget. And do not dress casually, eg. jeans or provocative clothes. At a minimum, adhere to a smart, casual attire.
☛ Shake hands with people and look them in the eye. It shows confidence and openness.
☛ In the interview, relax, but use your best manners. Remember to just breathe when you feel nervous.
☛ Discuss what you have to offer the salon, such as energy and a fresh perspective.
☛ Research the salon at which you are applying by perusing its website, online reviews, etc. Discuss various aspects of the salon with the person interviewing you, as that knowledge is an expression of interest and sincerity.
☛ Keep the conversation professional, upbeat, and to-the-point. Don't ramble and don't criticize teachers or previous employers. Do not discuss any personal issues or political/religious views.
☛ Be prepared to let the salon owner know why you left your previous job or career. If you left on less-than-optimal terms, cast the situation in a positive light, such as: It wasn't the right place for me, or I needed more support to grow.
☛ If you have to do nails during the interview, make sure your tools and products are neat and in a professional-looking toolbox. (If you have to bring a model, she should look as professional as you do.)
☛ Be prepared to discuss your career goals and expectations for this job, such as mentoring or continuing education. It is okay to ask what the work environment at the salon or spa is like and what type of products are used and retailed.
☛ Don't appear to be only interested in the money. Most owners feel it is acceptable to inquire about how the company compensates, but to wait until the second interview to discuss how much (see page 14 for information on different compensation systems).
☛ When discussing work hours, try to be flexible and open to the needs of the salon, but forthright about your own limitations. If you have to be limited on certain days, try to offer more time elsewhere on the schedule.

Be prepared to answer more than just "yes" or "no" questions. Practice your responses to these interview questions by role-playing with classmates or a friend.

☛ What service do you find the most enjoyable to do? Which is the least?
☛ How will you market yourself and draw in your clientele?
☛ Why is it important to get manicures and pedicures?
☛ How personable are you with your clients?
☛ What will your reaction be if a client says she doesn't like your work and wants a refund?
☛ Are you willing to promote others in the salon and how?
☛ If you were experiencing a conflict with a fellow employee, how would you handle the situation?
☛ What are the possible consequences of using dirty implements?
☛ What are your strengths and weaknesses?
☛ How long does it take you to do a full set of gel? What about a full set of acrylic?

☛ Tell me about yourself?
☛ What is the most enjoyable part of your current job?
☛ Tell me what you think the biggest challenge in a hairdressing career is?
☛ Why do you want to leave your present salon?
☛ What is your present boss like?
☛ What can you tell me about our salon?
☛ What made you apply for this job?
☛ What qualities do you think you can bring to our salon?
☛ How long would you expect to work in our salon?
☛ What is your greatest strength as a hairdresser?
☛ What is your biggest weakness as a hairdresser?
☛ What would your salon work colleagues say about you?
☛ What would your friends say about you?

☛ How old are you?
☛ What religion are you?
☛ Do you have children?
☛ Do you plan to have Children?
☛ Do you have an disabilities I should be aware of?
☛ Do you drink, smoke or take drugs?
☛ How much time do you take off sick?

As a hair stylist, you will have to discuss with your customer what kind of style they are looking for. You may have customers who will provide you with pictures of celebrities cut from a magazine, pictures of themselves from some other point in time or perhaps just a description of what they're looking for. Your job is to listen to the client and help them to choose a variation of the style that will work for their hair type, face shape and typical beauty routine. Explain to the interviewer what questions you would ask the client to get to this result, and how you will explain your suggestions. Be sure to talk about how you will deal with a client who disagrees with your assertion. You should give the client good advice, but be willing to ultimately give them the haircut they want, regardless of whether or not you agree with it.

The five-point cut from Vidal Sassoon.

Whether you interview with a Mom & Pop salon or a national chain, potential employers will want to know how much you know about the place you're applying to. For example, they might ask what you know about the history of the salon, its clientele and its specialties. To properly answer these questions, you should research the salon by looking at its website, advertisements and brochures, and by finding information on blogs and news articles.

My Life, My wife

An apprenticeship enables aspiring hairdressers to learn their trade in the workplace environment, whilst studying to gain theory and qualifications. Usually, apprenticeships are taken by people aged 16 or over, to allow them to earn money whilst gaining experience. An apprenticeship in hairdressing will normally involve candidates working in the salon every day, and then spending 1 or 2 days at college. However, there are some salons who teach both theory and practical skills. In these cases, candidates will only need to enroll in college if their Maths and English skills are not up to scratch.

Usually, it takes between 3 and 5 years to become fully qualified as a hairdresser in the UK. This can depend upon if you are taking further courses in salon management, or where you start with your training.

When you work in a creative profession, it can be difficult when a client feels you've failed to give them what they wanted. Explain to the interviewer that because of your thorough consultation process, you do not anticipate having a dissatisfied customer. However, if a customer were to dislike their results, you would follow salon policy for managing the situation. If the interviewer asks what you would do if there were no policy in place, be diplomatic. Explain that you would offer to restyle the client's hair or offer additional services to make any changes the client requests. If you failed to give the customer what they wanted, say you'd offer a refund. If the customer had unrealistic expectations, explain you would do whatever you could to make them happy that day, but that you would not offer any money back on the services. Be careful to balance a response that makes the customer happy, and keeps the salon in the black.