You probably know exactly what a hairdresser is. Also known as hairstylists, they specialize in cutting, coloring, and styling people’s hair in a way that complements their beauty. In this article, we would be looking at everything you need to know about getting hairdressing jobs in the UK for foreigners.
The hairdresser’s job description includes responsibilities beyond hair treatments such as maintaining the cleanliness of the salon and equipment, looking after the inventory of hair products, collecting payments, and ensuring that the clients receive exemplary customer service in an orderly and timely manner.
There is basic skill sets required of a hairdresser while there are more advanced skill sets required from a hairdresser.
Choosing a specific area of expertise could help you stand out from other hairstylists and put you in higher demand as a consequence. Some of the treatments/skills that are often considered advanced include the following:
- Braiding
- Styling
- Scalp treatment
- Hot oil treatment
- Detox treatment
- Hair glossing
- Specific coloring techniques
- Artificial hair extensions and weaves
- Chemical relaxing / keratin straightening
- Traditional or modern perms
- hair extension styling
Hairdressing jobs in the UK tend to require you to work an average of 35 hours per week. So if you are the kind of person that likes to work a 9-5 job, this should be something you can do effectively.
Here is the breakdown of what we would be discussing in this article:
- Qualifications for hairdressing jobs in the UK
- Average Salary for hairdressing jobs in the UK
- How to Apply
Qualifications for hairdressing jobs in the UK
The most desirable UK qualification is an NVQ – National Vocational Qualification. Passing a Level 2 course will help you start out as a Junior Stylist. To be considered a Senior Stylist, alongside your experience, you will require a Level 3 qualification
Some salons offer accredited training or apprenticeship schemes that help you gain your qualifications while on the job.
You should usually be prepared to continue working for the salon for some years after your training is completed or pay back the entire cost of your studies.
You may also want to consider taking an accredited short course with a Professional Beauty Direct Accredited Trainer.
Details of approved training schools can be found on our website. Accredited courses give those who cannot afford to take a year out to attend college the ability to gain recognized qualifications at a faster pace.
Aside from official qualifications, a good hairdresser will possess additional key skills, which include a willingness to stay on top of industry trends and learn new techniques.
It also creates an awareness of the ever-changing fashion trends, great customer service and social skills, and perhaps above all, creativity
Average Salary for hairdressing jobs in the UK
The average salary for a Junior Stylist just starting work is around £14,000 a year. A more experienced and qualified hairdresser can earn up to £30,000 a year on average.
Hairdressers that are in high demand, such as celebrity hairstylists or those that offer specialist hair treatments, can look forward to a significantly higher payday. The basic salary that a hairstylist can expect to earn will also vary depending on their location.
For example, a known, well-established salon in Central London will most certainly make more money in any given year than a small, family-run hair salon in a rural town.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the service provided in a smaller shop is inferior to that of a big city establishment, but the price of treatment and the number of clients coming in for appointments on a daily basis will differ considerably.
As a qualified professional hairdresser or even as a student hairdresser, you need to make sure that you are insured for the different types of treatments that you offer to your customers.
Although it may seem that providing hair styling and treatment services is a pretty straightforward process, accidents can and sometimes do happen. After all, your most crucial tool is a pair of sharp scissors.
To get a better understanding of how much hairdressers make in your area, you can take a look at some websites such as indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Simple Hired.
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How to Apply
To start your application process, visit the following websites for more information and requirements.
- Indeed
- ZipRecruiter
- SimpleHired
- Jooble