8 tips for hairdresser career progression

Advancing in a hairdressing career requires a combination of skill development, networking and strategic planning. It’s a career that can truly last a lifetime and can develop, grow and change over time.

Whether you aim to move up within a salon, specialise in a particular area or start your own business, here are our tips for career progression as a hairdresser.

How to progress as a hairdresser

If you want to progress as a hairdresser, here are a few key areas to consider:

Focus on continuous education

Stay updated with the latest trends, techniques and products in the hairstyling industry. Attend workshops, classes and courses to expand your skill set. Sometimes, being one of the first to offer a service automatically develops your career and puts you ahead of the trend. The industry moves at such a fast pace that investing in education throughout totally makes sense.

Specialise

Consider specialising in a niche area of hairstyling, such as bridal styling, colour correction, scalp bleaching, extensions, or editorial work. Specialisation can set you apart from your competitors and allow you to hone your skills, leading to career opportunities and being in demand.

Networking

Build relationships with colleagues, industry professionals and clients. Attend industry events, join professional associations and use social media to connect with others. Often, just knowing the right people or moving in the right circles can set you in the right place for opportunities.

Mentorship

Connect and seek mentorship from experienced hair stylists - ideally, those who are where you want to be in your career. Learning from seasoned professionals can accelerate your growth and provide valuable guidance. Building personal relationships can open doors for you in the hairdressing industry.

Build your online presence

Create a professional online presence through a website or social media platforms. Share your work, interact with followers and use these platforms for self-promotion by showcasing your skills, expertise, knowledge and personality. Many celebrity stylists are now hair influencers in their own right.

Positioning yourself as an expert

Let's be real—you're an expert in what you do, so offering your opinions, comments and expertise in the press, at events and on public forums can seriously raise your profile, leading to more opportunities for development. This can lead to development in other areas of your career, too. Stay updated on industry trends and developments to stay aligned with the evolving beauty industry.

Change the way you work

You might currently be employed as a stylist, or you may be a mobile or self-employed hairdresser. But what are your goals? To own your own salon? Work with high-profile clients? Have the flexibility to travel? Look at how you can change the way you work to get that and focus your development on that. It’s all part of business and future planning.

Create your own products

Creating your own retail line as a hairdresser can be an exciting venture that allows you to share your expertise and product preferences with your clients. It can enhance your income, grow your expertise and raise your profile, leading to self-development and learning new skills.

The skills you need to develop your hairdressing career

To develop your hairdressing career, you need to have self-awareness, planning skills and the ability to motivate yourself. Resilience and adaptability will also stand you in great stead to continue progressing and developing within the industry.

Being able to assess where you're at and analyse things you could do differently, better or refresh to make it work better for you is important, too. Business planning, financial management and marketing also work really well when it comes to developing your career and getting you in front of more people who can support you with your career goals.

Remember that career progression in the hairstyling industry can be gradual, so be patient and persistent in pursuing your goals. Your dedication to skill development and client satisfaction will play a significant role in your success.

How to set career goals as a hairdresser

Setting clear and achievable goals is essential for personal and professional growth as a hairdresser. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set goals effectively in your hairstyling career:

Self-reflection—begin by reflecting on your current situation. What are your strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement? What do you enjoy most about hairstyling, and where do you see yourself in the future?

Identify your values and priorities—determine what matters most to you in your career. Is it building a loyal clientele, becoming a specialist in a particular technique, opening your own salon, or working in the fashion industry? Your values and priorities will guide your goal-setting process.

Define your goals—make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of setting a vague goal like "improve my hairstyling skills," a SMART goal would be "attend advanced hair colour training workshops and achieve certification within six months."

Short-term and long-term goals—differentiate between short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals can be achieved within a few months to a year, while long-term goals may span several years. Both types are important for your career development.

Prioritise your goals—prioritise your goals based on their importance and urgency. Some goals may be stepping stones to larger, long-term objectives, so plan your timeline accordingly.

Break down complex goals—if you have a large, complex goal, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. This makes the goal less intimidating and allows you to track your progress more easily.

Set measurable milestones—define specific milestones that will help you gauge your progress toward each goal. Milestones act as checkpoints and motivate you to stay on track.

Create an action plan—develop a detailed action plan for each goal. List the tasks, resources and deadlines necessary to achieve your objectives. This plan will serve as your roadmap.

It would help if you also looked for someone who'll keep you accountable, as well as visualising success and tracking your progress. Celebrating successes and not getting down when challenges and setbacks pop up is important, too.

Remember that goal setting is a dynamic process. Your goals may evolve as you gain experience and your priorities change. Regularly revisit and adjust your goals to ensure they align with your career aspirations as a hairdresser.

Specialist hairdressers insurance through Ripe

Now you know how to set goals for your progression as a hairdresser, you may want to consider specialist insurance to protect your growing business.

Insurance arranged by Ripe includes up to £10m of Public and Products Liability cover, and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard, so you’re protected against third-party claims for injury or property damage.

You can also include cover for your equipment up to the value of £250k, so you don’t have to replace it out of your own pocket if it’s damaged or stolen.

Learn more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote.