So you want to be a hairdresser?
We look at the basic qualifications, skills and personality traits needed for common roles in the hair industry.
Multi-award winning stylist, Errol Douglas, has experience of every role within a salon.
He gives us the lowdown on each position.
Wage ranges are estimated, you might earn more than the top range through commissions. Responsibilities can also vary from salon to salon.
Receptionist
What the job involves: Booking appointments, assisting clients and the salon team. Working on a computer and telephone to take bookings and make orders. This role is the face of the salon
Who the job suits: Someone outgoing who is also a good communicator. Good people skills with both clients and personnel. The role can also be good as a part time or job shared role.
Experience: Front of house experience. Ideally retail experience with the public - people who've worked in restaurants can be well suited to this role.
Wage range: £14,500 - £24,000+ full time
Salon Junior
What the job involves: Long hours! Servicing clients with hair shampooing, customer service, shadowing senior stylists and colourists, representing the company and also 2 days a week in-house training (these usually happen in the evening) plus one day a week at a state registered college
Who the job suits: College or school leavers, particularly with a career in mind and who are prepared to do a 2-3 year contract in a salon to really learn the ropes.
Experience: No experience required, but interest and enthusiasm is a must.
Wage range: £7,500 - £10,500
Stylist
What the job involves: Huge potential here - you're dealing with clients and there's opportunities to join art teams, speak to the press, represent your company on product company tours. Attending educational days and doing in-house days for your team. Cutting, colouring, making your own artistic decisions with clients and having your own column
Who the job suits: Artistic, outgoing hairdressers with an ability to sell - yourselves, products, the salons. You have to be very tolerant and good with people.
Experience: 5-6 years experience in a salon, ability to work on all aspects of styling - cut, colour, styling, hair up etc; NVQ Level 3
Wage range: £20,000 - £25,000+
Style director
What the job involves: You should be able to work on 8-9 clients a day, do any kind of cutting from classical to street, have the ability to dress hair and to do your own shows - trade or consumer for example. At this level, you could take on the clients of the salon owner if needed.
Who the job suits: someone ambitious, artistic, flexible and a 'people person' - you may be looking after juniors and reception staff or the colour department - this person shows true leadership.
Experience: over 10 years in a salon
Wage range: £28,000 - £39,000+
Salon Owner
What the job involves: Managing staff, wages, commissions and the legalities of running a business - although you may employ a business manager or accountant to help with these.
Who the job suits: Someone who knows every aspect of the salon inside-out, from reception to colour to cutting. A hunger for the responsibility of running your own business and isn't afraid of the pressure involved. Another option is ready made franchises, where you have a support network but obviously you pay for this.
Experience: Complete hairdressing skills and financial acumen
Wage range: £50,000 - £100,000+
Colourist
What the job involves: colouring 9-10 clients a day, passing on knowledge and performing in-house training
Who the job suits: someone with at least 10 years experience and a flair for colour
Experience needed: Knowledge of all colour ranges from Schwarzkopf to Wella to L'Oreal. A Colour Masters Degree (or equivalent) is beneficial so that knowledge of the colour ranges can be passed onto other salon workers.
Wage range: £25,000 - £60,000
Errol's Advice
You have to case study or research the type of salon in the area that you'd like to work. Look for jobs in newspapers and online - don't forget to check out HJi Jobs - but also target individual salons with applications if you want to work there.
Look in magazines, specialist websites, and see how much consumer or trade press they get and if they're the type of company you want to work for.
Check out the basics on CV's and covering letters, interviews, negotiating pay, career focus and how to achieve a work-life balance.
What Do You Do?
This series will continue with interviews from people who work in the various roles and tips from those in the know.
If you work in any of these positions (or another position that might be of interest) and would like to answer questions about your job - email [email protected]. Please include a clear photo of yourself in the salon.