Cosmetology Resume Examples & Templates for 2025

More Cosmetology Resume Examples

Explore our cosmetology resume examples to learn how to highlight your styling expertise, customer service skills, and salon experience. These samples can help you craft a polished resume that grabs employers’ attention.

Advice for Writing Your Cosmetology Resume

Explore our tips on crafting a standout resume for a cosmetology position. Discover how to highlight your skills and creativity in the beauty industry, ensuring you capture the essence of what makes you unique as a cosmetologist.

From showcasing your expertise in hair, makeup, and skincare to reflecting your passion for transforming clients’ looks, we’ve got tips tailored just for you. Explore our guide on how to write a resume to make sure your application shines brighter than ever.

Showcase your portfolio or projects

Including a portfolio or projects on your resume is essential in artistic and creative fields like cosmetology. It allows potential employers to see your skills and style in action—something that’s especially important when hiring someone to create looks and styles for clients.

Your portfolio can feature photos of makeup applications, hairstyles, and other beauty treatments you’ve completed, giving visual proof of your talent that speaks louder than a skills list.

Linking to an online portfolio on platforms like Behance or Dribbble makes your work easily accessible. A personal website is even better, as you can tailor it to highlight your best projects. You can also include select projects directly in your resume. Structure these entries like work experience: list the project name, client or company (if applicable), provide a short description, and highlight your contributions and results.

Don’t limit your portfolio to paid jobs—freelance work, school projects, and personal creative endeavors all count. For each project, briefly explain what you did, who you collaborated with (if relevant), and how your work made an impact.

This clear, organized approach helps employers quickly understand the scope of your abilities and versatility in cosmetology.

Example of a projects section

Emphasize your most relevant skills

In cosmetology, showcasing both technical and soft skills is essential for standing out to employers. Technical abilities like hairstyling, makeup application, and skincare treatments demonstrate your professional expertise, while soft skills such as creativity, communication, and customer service show you can connect with clients and deliver an exceptional experience.

Include a dedicated skills section on your resume to make these strengths easy to spot. List your proficiency with styling tools, makeup brands, skincare products, and specialized techniques.

You can also highlight artistic abilities like color theory, face shape analysis, or design sense to convey your creative edge. When outlining your work experience, integrate these skills into your bullet points to show how you’ve applied them in real situations.

For example, instead of writing “Styled hair,” say “Styled hair using advanced cutting and coloring techniques to achieve customized client looks.” This approach demonstrates both your technical expertise and the value you bring to clients, making your resume more impactful.

Choose a professional resume template

When selecting a resume template for a cosmetology role, aim for one that strikes the right balance between creativity and professionalism. A clean, well-structured layout ensures your skills, experience, and achievements stand out without overwhelming the reader.

Clear section headings and organized formatting make it easy for employers to quickly find the information they need. Adding a subtle, cohesive color scheme can reflect your style while keeping the design polished.

It’s also important to choose a format that’s compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Many employers use these systems to screen resumes before they reach a hiring manager. To improve your chances of passing, avoid heavy graphics, complex layouts, or unconventional fonts.

Use standard headings like “Experience” and “Education,” and present your accomplishments in concise bullet points. This approach ensures your resume is easy to read for both ATS software and human reviewers, helping you make the best possible first impression.

Format your resume properly

A proper resume format is key to making your cosmetology resume easy to read and professional. If you have extensive experience in cosmetology roles, use a chronological format to highlight your career progression and past positions.

For those with less experience, opt for a functional format that emphasizes skills like styling, makeup application, or customer service over work history. Tailor the format based on your background and goals.

5 resume formatting tips

1. Choose a professional font: Use a readable resume font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10–12 pt size.
2. Organize sections clearly: Use bold headings for sections like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Portfolio” for easy navigation.
3. Use bullet points: Break down job duties and achievements into concise bullet points for readability.
4. Stick to one page: Aim for a one-page resume unless you have extensive experience in cosmetology.
5. Maintain consistent margins and spacing: Ensure proper spacing and alignment with 1-inch margins for a clean, professional look.