In our review of different careers, we take a look at how to become a hairdresser, what a hairdresser does and what skills and attributes are required to become a hairdresser.
What Does a Hairdresser Do?
The job of a hairdresser is to cut and style people's hair in a variety of ways. This will involve washing people's hair, cutting it into a style that they have chosen, dyeing hair, perming hair and shaving hair.
As a hairdresser, you are a designer. Being a hairdresser is an artistic job as well as a technical one. Day to day in your job as a hairdresser you would meet and greet clients, advise them on hair style options that might suit them, wash and style their hair in the way they have decided, try to sell them additional products that are for sale in your salon, cleaning the salon and your workstation after use and ordering equipment.
Being a hairdresser provides and opportunity to work for yourself as many people like to have their hair done in the comfort of their own home. You can also work either self-employed or as an employee in a salon depending on how the owner of the salon likes to run his business.
When working in a salon you will either be paid a basic wage and then receive an additional bonus for every client that who you work with, or you will be rent for the chair in the salon and keep all of the money that every client you work with pays.
Working hours are usually between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Is Becoming a Hairdresser Right For Me?
To become a hairdresser the following skills and attributes are important:
- The ability to listen, understand and follow instruction
- Practical ability and a steady hand
- A willingness to keep up to date with the latest fashions and trends within the industry
- The ability to make conversation with strangers for long periods of time.
- Creativity
How Much Can a Hairdresser Earn?
A hairdresser can usually earn between £14,000 and £20,000 a year depending on skills and experience.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Hairdresser?
To become a hairdresser you will need a Level 2 or a Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing. You can either train while working, or complete a full-time college course.
