Career Advice for a Barber

Barbers cut and trim a client's hair according to their requirements. They work within a barbershop and provide wet shaves, trims, and hair cuts. Barbers work with scissors, clippers, and razors to trim and style hair, beards, and moustaches. They may also provide other treatments such as shaving and facial cleanses.

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How to Become a Barber

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Barber

Should you wish to work as a Barber you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Barber

  • 2 or more GCSEs
  • Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Barbering
  • Completion of Barbering apprenticeship

Key Responsibilities for a Barber

  • Welcoming clients to the premises and determining their required styles
  • Cutting and trimming hair according to instructions
  • Performing shaves and other facial treatments
  • Styling hair using various tools
  • Shaving, trimming, and shaping beards and moustaches
  • Washing and conditioning hair
  • Colouring hair
  • Giving face and scalp massages
  • Sanitising and cleaning equipment after each use
  • Providing style tips and suggestions

What to expect as a Barber

Barbers provide various hairstyling services to primarily male clients. They colour and style hair, trim and shape beards and moustaches and provide facial hair grooming services. Barbers consult with clients and offer services that fit their requirements. To be a successful barber, you will need to be up to date with the latest grooming trends and styles and provide advice on aftercare to customers.

Recommended Barber Jobs

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How to get Barber Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Barber job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Barber application. If you have not held a Barber position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Barber role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Barber CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Barber application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Barber in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Barber 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Barber and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Barber experience.

How to get Barber Experience

What does it take to be a Barber? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Barber jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Barber through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Barber Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Barber part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Barber or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Barber freelance work

If you have impressive Barber qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.