Salon Owner Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a salon owner, you'll need experience in supervising staff performance and overseeing P&L statements. If you want to stand out with your salon owner applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your salon owner applications.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other salon owner applicants. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning salon owner resume.
What to include in a salon owner resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a salon owner resume being no different. If you're lacking relevant work experience, you might choose to add sections that showcase your skill set earlier than in a traditional resume layout. These sections might include projects, education, hobbies and interests, skills and other optional sections.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Camila Lee
camila.lee@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
linkedin․com/in/camila–lee123
Resume Profile
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a salon owner.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for salon owner roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of how to approach your salon owner resume.
Good example:
Experienced Salon Owner and Manager with a proven track record of driving business growth, enhancing client satisfaction, and leading high-performing teams. Skilled in strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and operations, with a strong focus on delivering exceptional service and maintaining industry standards. Proficient in staff training, inventory control, and customer relationship management. Dedicated to fostering a positive and professional salon environment
Bad example:
Salon owner and manager with some experience in running a business and working with clients. Have done planning, managing money, and marketing. Focused on providing good service and keeping things up to standard. Have trained staff, managed supplies, and worked with customers. Aim to create a nice and professional place to work
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Skills
The skills section of a salon owner resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include cosmetology licensing compliance, effective time management or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for salon owner positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
How to include hard skills on your salon owner resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for salon owner positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your salon owner job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the salon owner role. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a salon owner resume below.
- Business management acumen
- Client relationship management
- Cosmetology licensing compliance
How to list soft skills on your salon owner resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective salon owner resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Customer service excellence
- Effective time management
- Strong leadership abilities
Education and Qualifications
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to salon owner roles.
Opportunities as a salon owner and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your advanced hairstyling techniques or business management acumen.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2017 - 2020
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a salon owner. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a salon owner.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a salon owner resume:
- Cosmetology License, 2022
- Barbering Certification, 2022
- Esthetician License, 2022
Work History
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a salon owner. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to salon owner jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Salon Owner and Manager, January 2022 - Present
Radiant Reflections Salon, Milwaukee
- Increased annual revenue by 40% through strategic marketing and client retention programs
- Successfully managed and trained a team of 15 stylists, improving overall customer satisfaction by 30%
- Implemented eco-friendly practices, reducing salon waste by 50% and earning a local sustainability award
Bad example:
Salon Owner and Manager, January 2022 - Present
Radiant Reflections Salon, Milwaukee
- Improved business operations and customer service
- Led a team to achieve business goals
- Enhanced company practices for better efficiency
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Expert Tip:
Additional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a salon owner resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a salon owner resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for a salon owner resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's not typical to include references in a salon owner resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References will be available upon request.
Best strong verbs for your a salon owner resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Manage
- Coordinate
- Supervise
- Collaborate
- Consult
- Innovate
- Market
- Train
- Enhance
- Evaluate
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample resume for salon owner positions
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your salon owner resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
•
camila.lee@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/camila–lee123
Experienced Salon Owner and former Salon Director with a proven track record in managing high-end salon operations, leading and training professional teams, and delivering exceptional customer service. Skilled in business development, client retention, and innovative salon management strategies. Passionate about beauty industry trends and committed to fostering a welcoming and luxurious client experience
Salon Director
2020
-2022
Radiant Styles Salon (Wichita)
- Increased salon revenue by 30% within one year through strategic marketing initiatives and exceptional customer service improvements
- Successfully managed a team of 15 stylists, resulting in a 25% reduction in staff turnover and enhanced team productivity
- Implemented a new booking system that improved client scheduling efficiency by 40%, leading to higher customer satisfaction rates
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2017
-2020
Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
- Business management acumen 
- Client relationship management 
- Cosmetology licensing compliance 
- Customer service excellence 
- Effective time management 
- Strong leadership abilities 
- Cosmetology License 
- Barbering Certification 
- English - Fluent 
- Spanish - B2 
Do's and don'ts of a salon owner resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Kick off your salon owner resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- List key skills throughout your resume that show you're a good fit for the role, and include a separate 'skills' section.
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Make your salon owner resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't list irrelevant work experience as it will likely do nothing for your chances of success.
- Don't fill up your salon owner resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your salon owner career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When you're writing your salon owner resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a salon owner resume
Alongside your salon owner resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the salon owner job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
If you have plenty of experience as a salon owner, you'll want your resume to showcase your extensive career history and achievements. You may wish to include a longer-than-average work experience section in your salon owner resume, to emphasize your career experience to date and showcase relevant achievements in work. Your salon owner resume could also include optional sections that demonstrate your experience levels and reputation in your industry. These could include, for example, awards, achievements and successful projects.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for salon owner jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Salon Owner and Stylist
- Expert Salon Owner & Stylist
- Experienced Salon Management Professional
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Takeaways for your salon owner resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications, New York State Department of Labor: https://dol.ny.gov/resumes-cover-letters-and-job-applications
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