With increased professionalism sweeping through the hair and beauty industry, the need for a professional looking CV is vital. As salons select from an increasing number of high calibre applicants, choosing who to interview from CVs is their first course of action so yours must stand out and impress! Your CV will dictate the type of position you can apply for and the salary you can expect to earn, so it’s important to get it right.

Many CVs miss basic and vital information so you can get eliminated as a prospective candidate simply because your CV is incomplete, so here’s what you need to do.

If you have developed a professional reputation within your employment then you will need to demonstrate this to a prospective employer. Most salons will not take chances or unnecessary risks when it comes to their team, and you will want them to be proud that you have selected their salon as a place you want to develop your career.

Starting with personal details, ensure your address, phone number and email address are there and are correct. To accompany your CV, make a personal statement that’s interesting, relevant and not too long; it's always worth inserting a photo as this personalises your CV too. Check out the company culture of the salon you are applying to, look at their website and do a little research to make sure this is the right career choice for you, and try to tailor your personal statement to suit the company image. A prospective employer is more likely to single you out if you have done some background work and can explain why you want to work for them specifically. Many people just send a CV in as any job will do, but if you have a passion to work for them and can explain why, this will work in your favour!

Always state your current role within the personal statement and include when you started and left. If you are still in your job, let them know your termination details. Detail your role, responsibilities and experience in your position and highlight any achievements and successes attained during employment. This demonstrates willingness and ambition to grow in employment status. It may be highlighting a particular strength you have which may enhance their salon such as customer service, retail skills, a promotion or your progression in the salon.

An employer will always study lengths of previous employment and ensure there are no gaps, so you need to be aware of this. If there are gaps in your employment, or you have moved from salon to salon on a regular basis, you may need to explain these so be prepared and try to explain this without criticizing previous employers or colleagues. Salons are making an investment both in terms of time and money to employ new people, and they need stability and consistency in the salon and loyalty and commitment from their team, so you have to demonstrate this and position yourself as someone who is worth their investment.

Keep your CV precise and to the point, giving factual information and keep to a maximum of two pages. If you have a portfolio of images and work, save these for your interview and state that references are available on request without providing details of your referees. However, if you are leaving a job without a new one sorted, ask for a written reference that you can keep on file and produce when required. Take a photocopy to your interview to demonstrate you have left previous employment on good terms, which always looks good.

Ian Kent - Partner: Atrium HR

For information email or visit www.atriumhr.co.uk