Talented barbers are the heart and soul of your business, turning walk-ins into regulars and first-timers into lifelong fans. Hiring the right barbers can take your shop to the next level, and finding the perfect fit starts with a killer job description.

Let’s explore all the essential duties, responsibilities, and qualifications you must include in a barber job description. Plus, we’ll hook you up with an easy-to-use template to simplify your hiring process.

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Barber Duties and Responsibilities

A barber does way more than wield clippers and snip a little off the top. They’re part artist, part therapist, and part grooming expert. Here are the key barber responsibilities to highlight in your job description:

1. Consulting With Clients

Every great haircut starts with a productive hair consultation. Barbers need to listen, understand the look clients want, and offer expert advice – like which styles are right for a client’s face shape or which cuts work best with their hair type and texture.

2. Cutting Hair

This one’s a no-brainer. Barbers need sharp skills (and sharp tools) to create everything from classic crew cuts to intricate mid-fade designs to mohawks. Clean lines, smooth blends, and precision are the name of the game.

3. Shaping Facial Hair 

A barber’s work doesn’t stop at the hairline. These professionals are also responsible for mastering the art of the perfect shave and sculpting Instagram-worthy beards. Add a hot towel and nourishing beard oil, and you’re golden.

4. Doing Scalp and Hair Health Treatments

Sometimes, hair care is about more than just cutting. Barbers often provide scalp massages, conditioning treatments, and even a little TLC for thinning hair. Healthy hair is happy hair!

5. Recommending Grooming Products

Clients trust barbers to recommend the right pomade, beard oil, or shampoo to suit their needs – and to drop pro tips for styling hair at home. Selling retail products in a barbershop can also boost your shop’s revenue (or even your barbers’ take-home pay if they earn commissions).

6. Keeping It Clean

Barbers need to keep their tools, workstations, and chairs clean and sanitary. This ensures the shop looks professional and keeps clients safe and comfortable during their visit.

7. Managing Appointments and Payments

Barberbs often double as front-desk managers, handling everything from payments to scheduling. A smooth booking process and hassle-free checkout can make a big difference in pleasing clients and encouraging them to return.

8. Staying Up-to-Date on Trends

Barbering is a fast-moving industry. Staying current on the latest grooming trends – whether from TikTok or celebs – keeps your shop ahead of the curve. Plus, showcasing fresh ideas inspires clients to try new looks they’ll love.

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Barber Job Requirements

Your ideal candidate should bring the right mix of skills, training, and personality to the chair. Here’s a description of a barber’s job requirements to help you find that balance:

1. Completed Training

Every great barber starts out with a solid foundation. Candidates should have completed a state-approved barber program where they learned all the essentials, from cutting techniques to sanitation practices. This makes sure they’re ready to provide professional, high-quality barbershop services from the day you hire them.

2. Barbering License

A valid barbering license isn’t just a box to check. It’s non-negotiable. To get their license, barbers must prove they’re up to speed on safety and health standards, technical proficiency, and the latest industry regulations. You want that in a candidate – and you might get in legal trouble if you hire a barber who isn’t licensed, depending on where your business operates.

3. Mastery of Barber Techniques

Barbering is an art form, and your team needs to bring its A-game. Candidates should have mastered various haircutting techniques – like fades, straight razor shaves, and hair styling – and know how to execute them with style and precision. Ask for a portfolio. It’s a plus if applicants have unique talents like creating custom designs.

4. Attention to Detail

The difference between a good cut and a great one is all in the details. Barbers need a sharp eye to nail clean fades, symmetrical designs, and flawless beard trims. Those little finishing touches are what keep clients coming back for more.

5. Communication Skills

Every appointment should start with a consultation so the barber can understand what the client wants. Barbers should know how to ask the right questions, listen carefully, and offer advice when needed. Clear communication makes sure everyone leaves the chair happy and looking amazing.

6. Customer Service Skills

Barbering isn’t just about cutting hair. It’s about creating an experience. Customer service skills like friendliness and personalization make clients feel comfortable and valued. And cultivating a positive vibe in your shop creates an atmosphere where clients are excited to come back.

7. Mental and Physical Stamina

Let’s face it – barbering isn’t a sit-down job. Candidates should be prepared to handle long hours on their feet, bending, twisting, and moving with precision. They must also be able to stay focused through back-to-back appointments, and in some cases, listen to clients talk about their lives while staying upbeat and engaged.

What Are the Salary Expectations for a Barber?

How much should you pay the barbers you hire? Barber salaries vary based on factors like experience, location, and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, barbers made about $17 per hour in 2023, which is equal to about $40,000 a year. But some barbers earn more or less. It depends on their experience.

As you decide how much to pay staff, consider these factors:

• Tips: Encouraging clients to tip (subtly, of course) can seriously bump up a barber’s earnings.
• Clientele: If you have a loyal, high-end client base, your barbers can likely charge more for their services.
• Specialization: If your barbers have expertise in areas like hair coloring or custom designs, they’re in a prime position to charge a premium.

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Barber Job Description Template

What do barbers do in your shop? What skills and experience do they need to have? Think about daily tasks, responsibilities, and requirements, and include all the details in your job description. 

Also consider the kind of vibe you’re aiming to create for your clients. What personalities mesh well with your team? What do you value in an employee? While you shouldn’t hire based on personality traits alone, think about what kinds of people you work well with. Clashes ruin the vibe for everyone.

Here’s a short example of a job posting you can use as a template. Adjust the specific responsibilities and requirements as needed, and feel free to zhuzh up the language to fit your shop’s vibe.

Job Title: Barber

Responsibilities:

• Consult with clients to determine desired haircuts and styles
• Perform haircuts, trims, and styling for men, women, and children
• Shape facial hair, including straight razor shaving and beard grooming
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of tools and workspace
• Manage appointments and handle payments
• Stay up-to-date on current trends
• Recommend products and offer grooming advice as needed

Requirements:

• Proof of training and valid barbering license
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Expertise in various barbering techniques
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment

Compensation and benefits:

• $20/hour, plus tips
• Health insurance, paid time off, and flexible hours

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Scale Your Barbershop Team With GlossGenius

Hiring talented barbers is key to growing a successful barbershop. With the right team in place, you can provide top-notch service and create a loyal client base. 

But getting the best talent in the door is only half the battle – you’ve also got to manage your team, keep clients happy, and run your shop smoothly.

That’s where GlossGenius comes in. GlossGenius is an all-in-one tool for barbershops with features that can help them manage and grow their team, such as Team & Staff, Goal Setting, and Payroll. Start your free trial with GlossGenius today and see the difference.

FAQs

Still not sure how to hire a good barber? Here are some more details:

What’s Included in a Barber Job Description?

A barber job description should cover all the essentials potential candidates need to know. Highlight the core duties they’d do in your shop, like consulting with clients, cutting hair, and keeping things clean. Don’t forget about extras like managing appointments and recommending products.

What Career Opportunities Are Available for Barbers?

Becoming a barber opens up a world of possibilities. Beyond working in a barbershop, talented professionals can go freelance, start their own shop, or open a barbershop franchise. There are also opportunities to work in high-end salons or even travel as a celebrity barber. If you’re a hustler, the sky’s the limit in this industry.

What Kind of Training or Continuing Education Is Provided or Expected for a Barber?

Barbers typically start out with a state-approved barbering program that covers everything from cutting techniques to safety protocols. But the learning doesn’t stop there. Barbers are expected to keep up with the latest trends, tools, and techniques. To do that, they may need to attend workshops, product knowledge seminars, or even sign up for additional courses.