Hairdresser

As a hairdresser or barber you could:

• talk to customers and discuss styling ideas
•  wash, cut and style hair
•  apply colours, tints, braids and hair extensions
•  trim and shape beards and moustaches
•  finish jobs using hair products
•  order stock, take payments and make appointments

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• active listening skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to learn through your work
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You could get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

With experience, you could:

• become a senior stylist, barber or salon manager
•  open your own salon or barbershop
•  get qualified to train or assess student hairdressers or barbers
•  work freelance and rent space in a salon
•  use your skills as a hair professional in the theatre, film or television industries