Barber Interview Questions & Answers

A hairdresser or barber is someone whose job is to cut or style people’s hair to change or maintain their appearance.

This is accomplished through the use of a combination of hair coloring, haircutting, and texturing techniques. The majority of hairdressers have a professional license as a hairdresser, barber, or cosmetologist. There are numerous part-time and full-time jobs available in the hairdressing industry.

Nowadays, some of the popular hairdresser jobs include beautician, hairstylist, barber, hair assistant, creative hairstylist, makeup artist, beauty therapist, pedicurist, hairstyle trainer, and beauty counselor, among others. All of these require interview preparation.

The Top 21 Interview Questions To Prepare Well

1. Assume a client’s hair has been damaged by excessive dyeing. What treatment would you suggest?

Sample Answer

If a client’s hair was damaged from overdyeing, I’d recommend a deep conditioning treatment or oil and steam treatments.

I’d also go over our salon’s product offerings to recommend something they could use at home to continue treatment. In addition, I’d recommend specific hairstyles or cuts to help them conceal any hair damage.

2. Could you please tell me a little bit about yourself?

Sample Answer

I am very enthusiastic about the baking industry, owing to my interest and zeal in seeing my finished products and releasing them into the market. I enjoy experimenting with recipes to see which one turns out the best.

I enjoy both training and learning from others. I’m a seasoned customer service representative with strong analytical abilities, which compelled me to join this team that improves the lives of others.

3. What do you consider to be the most important aspect of a barber’s job? Why?

Sample Answer

Customer service is the most important aspect of being a barber. You must be able to make customers feel at ease with you because they are in a vulnerable position. You must instill confidence in them that they will look good once the treatment is completed, and you must ensure that they return to you.

4. What are some of the most important non-styling responsibilities of a barber?

Sample Answer

Barbers are responsible for more than just cutting and styling their customers’ hair. They must ensure that all tools of the trade are sterilized after each use, that the spa is clean, and that appointments are scheduled. They are also in charge of cashiering and upselling retail products.

5 . What is your proudest achievement as a barber?

Sample Answer

A few years ago, a member of a local theatre group used to work at the salon where I was employed. We were the only ones that worked in the hairdressing section of the salon, which was just two of us. 

I was left to offer hairdressing services to all 23 artists on the day of the event since the other barber phoned in ill on the day before. Fortunately, everything went off without a hitch. This is the most significant achievement I’ve had yet.

6 . How do you stay current in hair fashion?

Sample Answer

I devote a significant amount of effort to studying new fashion trends. In addition, I am continually training because I feel that to stay up with the times, one must always be aware of what is going on around them.

7. Have you ever been in a situation where your customer service skills were truly put to the test? What happened, please explain?

Sample Answer

It was a client who came in for a haircut as well as a blow-dry. I paid close attention to what she had to say before concluding that she required a fashionable haircut of the day. Throughout the procedure, I continued asking her whether she liked what she was seeing, and she always responded affirmatively.

However, immediately after the blow-dry, she erupted in rage, yelling profanities at me and saying that I had “ruined” her hair. There was a long period during which I attempted to defuse the issue while the manager intervened and resolved the matter for both parties involved. To my advantage, other customers had overheard her instructing me on how to style her hair and could vouch for my professionalism.

8. Where do barbers stand when it comes to marketing the facility and its services?

Sample Answer

Barbers do more than just grooming and cutting. They are also in charge of marketing the services of the facility for which they work barber’s marketing responsibilities include reaching out to prospective clients to educate them of new or better services, developing outreach materials such as brochures, and aggressively upselling the salon’s goods.

9. How do you keep up with the word when you have to be on your toes all the time?

Sample Answer

Being on one’s toes is something that comes with the territory. When I’m having a good time at work, I don’t feel sleepy or bored. Indeed, lulls in my job sometimes leave me feeling as though I’m not putting my all into it.

10. What skill or skills have you developed that have helped you succeed in your current position as a barber?

Sample Answer

My customer service abilities have brought me a great deal of business via word-of-mouth referrals from delighted clients. Aside from that, my skill to artistically style the hair of my clientele is well-known.

11. What are some of the most important tasks that barbers perform daily?

Sample Answer

Customers’ preferences in terms of haircuts and other grooming services are determined by the barber, who also analyses their hair and skin to determine what type of treatments are required. Other responsibilities include scheduling appointments and providing follow-up, performing manicures, pedicures, and facials, and styling customers’ hair.

12. When will you be able to begin working with us?

Sample Answer

I have to give my current job 30 days’ notice before I may move on. In the next weeks, I’d want to take 5 working days off to allow myself to unwind. In the last six months, I haven’t taken a single day off. I’m available to begin working immediately.

13. How long do you anticipate working with our salon?

Sample Answer

As long as feasible, I’d want to continue to work and contribute to the organization since I believe you provide wonderful prospects for growth and development. Both of these people are highly precious to me.

14. What are your long-term goals?

Sample Answer

In the next five years, I plan to work hard to obtain a supervisory or managerial position in a busy salon.

15. What do your coworkers think of you?

Sample Answer

I am confident that my coworkers will agree that I am a pleasure to work with. They will also mention that I am a pleasant person who is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.

16. Explain an instance in which you were disappointed with a choice you made. What was the outcome in the end?

Sample Answer

I used to work in a salon where the owner wanted to offer low-quality skincare items while pocketing the difference in profit. I informed her that this was incorrect, and she responded by offering me the choice of either keeping her secret or quitting my work. That’s when I concluded that I had had enough.

17. What difficult tasks have you completed in your professional life?

Sample Answer

I was supposed to do the bride’s hair for a wedding that the salon was catering to. Her hair reached her ankles, making it difficult to keep it in place. After 3 hours of experimenting, I finally came up with a hairstyle that would look good on her and not be too heavy on her head.

18. How do you promote the services of your salon?

Sample Answer

To be honest, I don’t feel the need to explicitly advertise the salon. Management is in charge of handling this. I do, however, publish images of my work on social media, along with a hashtag specific to my salon. Of course, word-of-mouth is inescapable in the business world.

19. Describe one of your favorite aspects of your present position.

Sample Answer

Honestly, I don’t feel the need to explicitly advertise the salon. Management is in charge of this. I do, however, share images of my work on social media, along with a hashtag specific to my business. There is no escaping the power of word of mouth.

20 . If a customer approached you and wanted you to give your services outside of the salon in a personal capacity, what would you say and do?

Sample Answer

Some salons tolerate moonlighting with their clientele, while others do not. Before responding to a client’s request, I would make certain that I followed all applicable policies and procedures.

21. What would you do if you were asked to undertake an immoral duty at your place of employment?

Sample Answer

I just would not do such a thing. I don’t engage in unethical behavior because I am not willing to endure the repercussions of my actions in the future.

References

1. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1994-03702-001
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0165178194901104