Pipe Fitter: Your 30/60/90 Day Plan for Early Wins

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Hairdresser: Achievements to List

You’re a Hairdresser who gets things done. You’ve likely protected revenue, contained costs, and aligned stakeholders. Now, you need to translate that experience into achievements that hiring managers will understand. By the end of this article, you’ll have a set of achievement-focused resume bullets, interview talking points, and a scorecard to help you prioritize which achievements to highlight. You’ll also get a checklist to ensure you’re presenting your accomplishments with maximum impact. Expect to rewrite at least 5 resume bullets and craft 2-3 interview stories this week.

What You’ll Walk Away With

A rubric to score your achievements based on impact and relevance.
Five+ rewritten resume bullets showcasing your most impactful accomplishments.
Two+ STAR method stories highlighting your problem-solving skills and results.
A checklist for quantifying your achievements with data and metrics.
A language bank of action verbs and phrases to describe your accomplishments effectively.
A list of red flags to avoid when describing your achievements.
A sample email to a former colleague requesting a reference that highlights your achievements.

What This Is and What It Isn’t

This is: About showcasing your accomplishments as a Hairdresser to land your next role.
This isn’t: A comprehensive guide to resume writing or interview skills; we’re focusing solely on achievement presentation.

The 15-Second Scan a Recruiter Does on a Hairdresser Resume

Hiring managers want to quickly see the impact you’ve made. They scan for quantifiable results, specific projects, and action verbs demonstrating leadership and initiative. They are looking for a clear connection between your actions and positive outcomes for the salon or clients.

What a Hiring Manager Scans for in 15 seconds

Quantifiable results: Revenue growth, client retention rates, or service efficiency improvements.
Specific projects: Mention of leading special events, launching new service offerings, or managing salon renovations.
Action verbs: Words like “increased,” “managed,” “developed,” and “implemented” to demonstrate initiative.
Leadership roles: Experience leading teams, mentoring stylists, or training new staff.
Client satisfaction: Evidence of building strong client relationships and exceeding expectations.
Problem-solving skills: Examples of resolving client complaints, addressing operational challenges, or improving service quality.

The Mistake That Quietly Kills Candidates

Vague descriptions of responsibilities without quantifiable results are a common mistake. Saying you “provided excellent customer service” doesn’t tell a hiring manager anything about your impact. Instead, focus on quantifiable achievements, such as “Increased client retention by 15% through personalized service and proactive communication.”

Use this when rewriting resume bullets to focus on impact.

Weak: Provided excellent customer service.

Strong: Increased client retention by 15% through personalized service and proactive communication, resulting in $10,000 in additional revenue per quarter.

Scorecard: Evaluating Your Hairdresser Achievements

Use this scorecard to prioritize which achievements to highlight on your resume and in interviews. Focus on accomplishments that demonstrate a significant impact on the salon or clients.

Since it is a hard rule not to include tables, I will simply list the criteria and their weights for you to evaluate on your own.

Impact on Revenue/Profit (30%)
Client Satisfaction (25%)
Efficiency Improvements (20%)
Leadership/Teamwork (15%)
Innovation/Problem-Solving (10%)

Rewriting Resume Bullets for Maximum Impact

Transform your resume bullets from descriptions of responsibilities into statements of accomplishments. Focus on quantifiable results and use strong action verbs to showcase your impact.

Here are examples of weak versus strong resume bullets:

Weak: Managed salon operations.
Strong: Streamlined salon operations, reducing wait times by 20% and increasing client satisfaction scores by 10%.
Weak: Provided hair styling services to clients.
Strong: Provided hair styling services to an average of 15 clients per day, generating $500 in daily revenue.
Weak: Assisted with salon marketing efforts.
Strong: Developed and implemented a social media marketing campaign that increased salon followers by 30% and generated 50 new client leads.
Weak: Maintained a clean and organized salon environment.
Strong: Implemented a new cleaning and organization system that improved salon hygiene scores by 15% and reduced supply costs by 10%.
Weak: Handled client appointments and inquiries.
Strong: Managed client appointments and inquiries, resulting in a 95% client satisfaction rate and a 10% increase in repeat bookings.

Crafting STAR Method Stories to Showcase Your Accomplishments

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your interview stories and highlight your accomplishments. This framework helps you provide a clear and concise narrative that demonstrates your skills and results.

Here’s an example:

Situation: The salon was experiencing a decline in client retention due to long wait times and inconsistent service quality.
Task: I was tasked with identifying and implementing solutions to improve client retention.
Action: I streamlined salon operations, implemented a new appointment scheduling system, and provided training to stylists on standardized service procedures.
Result: Client retention increased by 15% within three months, resulting in $10,000 in additional revenue per quarter.

Checklist: Quantifying Your Hairdresser Achievements

Use this checklist to ensure you’re quantifying your achievements with data and metrics. Quantifiable results make your accomplishments more impactful and credible.

Identify the key metrics you impacted (revenue, client retention, efficiency, satisfaction).
Gather data to support your claims (sales reports, client surveys, performance reviews).
Calculate the percentage increase or decrease in key metrics.
Present your achievements with specific numbers and metrics.
Explain the context of your achievements and the challenges you overcame.
Highlight the impact of your achievements on the salon or clients.
Use strong action verbs to describe your actions and results.
Focus on the positive outcomes of your achievements.
Tailor your achievements to the specific requirements of the job.
Practice articulating your achievements clearly and concisely.

Language Bank: Describing Your Hairdresser Achievements

Use these action verbs and phrases to describe your accomplishments effectively. Choose words that accurately reflect your actions and results.

Increased client retention by…
Generated … in revenue.
Streamlined operations to reduce…
Developed and implemented…
Improved client satisfaction by…
Led a team of…
Managed a budget of…
Exceeded sales targets by…
Resolved client complaints to…
Trained and mentored…

Red Flags: What to Avoid When Describing Your Achievements

Avoid these red flags when describing your achievements. These mistakes can undermine your credibility and impact.

Vague descriptions without quantifiable results.
Exaggerating your accomplishments or taking credit for others’ work.
Focusing on responsibilities instead of results.
Using jargon or technical terms that the hiring manager may not understand.
Failing to tailor your achievements to the specific requirements of the job.
Appearing arrogant or boastful.

Sample Email: Requesting a Reference That Highlights Your Achievements

Request a reference from a former colleague or supervisor who can speak to your achievements. Provide them with specific examples of your accomplishments to highlight in their reference.

Use this when requesting a reference.

Subject: Reference Request

Hi [Colleague Name],

I hope this email finds you well.

I’m currently applying for a Hairdresser position at [Company Name] and would be grateful if you could serve as a reference for me. I believe your insights into my work at [Previous Company] would be invaluable.

Specifically, I was hoping you could speak to my achievements in [Specific achievement 1, e.g., increasing client retention] and [Specific achievement 2, e.g., streamlining salon operations]. I’ve attached my resume for your reference.

Please let me know if you’re able to provide a reference and if you require any additional information.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

FAQ

What are the most important achievements to highlight on my resume?

Focus on achievements that demonstrate a significant impact on revenue, client satisfaction, or efficiency. Quantify your results with data and metrics to make your accomplishments more impactful. Highlight achievements that are relevant to the specific requirements of the job.

How can I quantify my achievements if I don’t have specific numbers?

Estimate the impact of your achievements based on available data or industry benchmarks. Use ranges or approximations if necessary, but be transparent about your assumptions. Focus on the positive outcomes of your achievements and the challenges you overcame.

What if I don’t have any quantifiable achievements?

Focus on qualitative achievements, such as improving client relationships, resolving complex problems, or leading successful projects. Highlight the skills and qualities you demonstrated in achieving these results. Seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors to identify the impact of your contributions.

How can I tailor my achievements to the specific requirements of the job?

Review the job description carefully and identify the key skills and qualities that the employer is seeking. Highlight achievements that demonstrate these skills and qualities. Use keywords from the job description in your resume bullets and interview answers.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when describing my achievements?

Avoid vague descriptions without quantifiable results, exaggerating your accomplishments, and focusing on responsibilities instead of results. Be honest and transparent about your contributions and avoid taking credit for others’ work.

How can I prepare for interview questions about my achievements?

Use the STAR method to structure your interview stories and highlight your accomplishments. Practice articulating your achievements clearly and concisely. Be prepared to answer follow-up questions about your actions and results.

Should I include all of my achievements on my resume?

No, focus on the most relevant and impactful achievements that demonstrate your skills and qualifications for the job. Prioritize achievements that align with the specific requirements of the job and showcase your strengths. Tailor your resume to each job application to maximize your chances of success.

How far back should I go when listing my achievements?

Generally, focus on achievements from the past 5-10 years. Highlight achievements that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, regardless of when they occurred. If you have significant achievements from earlier in your career, include them if they demonstrate valuable skills or experience.

What if I’m asked about a failure or mistake I made in a previous role?

Be honest and transparent about the failure or mistake, but focus on what you learned from the experience and how you improved as a result. Highlight the steps you took to correct the mistake and prevent it from happening again. Demonstrate your resilience and ability to learn from your mistakes.

How can I make my achievements stand out from other candidates?

Quantify your results with data and metrics to make your accomplishments more impactful. Tailor your achievements to the specific requirements of the job. Highlight your unique skills and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Showcase your passion for Hairdressing and your commitment to excellence.

What’s the best way to present achievements during salary negotiation?

Prepare a list of your key achievements and the impact they’ve had on your previous employers. Use this list to justify your salary expectations and demonstrate your value to the company. Be confident and assertive in your negotiation and be prepared to walk away if your needs are not met.

How important is it to get a reference to highlight my achievements?

Very important. A strong reference can validate your achievements and provide additional context and insights that you may not be able to convey on your own. Choose references who can speak to your skills and accomplishments and who are willing to advocate for you.