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A Barbers job description and required duties

It is often assumed that the job role of a qualified hair stylist will be very similar to that of most barber job roles. In truth, the duties are very different. As well as excellent hairdressing skills you will be required to learn a different range of gents hairdressing techniques and possess additional skills, all used in modern barber jobs.

Many barbers begin their career as an apprentice and will often carry out jobs similar to those of young stylists in ladies hairdressing job roles. Cleaning and observing cutting techniques for several months should be expected. Over time the apprentice can expect to become more involved in the practical services such as styling a haircut, or blow-drying and finishing the style.

With barbering and men's grooming salons becoming increasingly popular there are always many barber jobs to be found.

What would a barber job role involve? Most Barbering duties would include the following daily tasks:

Consultations

A barber, just like a stylist, will need to carry out a detailed consultation with the client. This can include discussion about hair condition, colour, growth and coming to an agreement about a suitable style to suit the individual. This is often regarded as the most important part of the haircut and so excellent vision, creativity and communication skills are required.

Cutting & Clipper work

Many areas of a barber jobs are quite different to ladies cutting. Due to many gents choosing short, cropped styles, the ability to use clippers to a high standard is crucial. The value of this skill can be seen in many traditional barber shops where barbers complete full haircuts to a high standard without the use of scissors at all.

Another area of clipper work that continues to be a valuable asset is the ability to shave creative patterns into hair. From relatively simple lines or borders to more detailed scenes or even portrait designs continue to be in popular demand and a large part of some gents hairdressing jobs. Many companies regularly run courses providing a good insight into this skill.

Most hairstyles will require the use of scissor cutting and so a great barber needs to be equally strong at this skill. Trainees with a background in ladies hairdressing can benefit from knowledge of cutting and styling longer hair as long hair styles are still popular with many modern men.

Wet shaving

The art of shaving is a very valuable skill to learn to become a successful barber. Hot towels, face massages and wet shaves are in high demand and are a daily practice in many barber shops and male grooming centres.

As an apprentice in a barbershop wet shaving will likely be included in your training, for trainees from a unisex hairdressing background it may be necessary to attend an additional course to learn the required barbering skills.

Colouring

Colouring is an area of barber jobs that has become more popular in recent years. Highlighting and colouring to cover grey are services requested by many of today's male clients. Coming from a ladies hairdressing background will provide an excellent foundation in this skill, if not, the need to attend an external course in modern colouring techniques may be necessary. These are readily available at locations across the UK including courses ran by the manufacturers themselves.

Blow drying

Finishing a cut is one of the most important aspects of barber jobs. The finish of the style will often be the only way to highlight the quality of the cut. Barbers should be competent in all areas of blow-drying, straightening and styling to cater for any client that should enter the salon.

After at least one full year as an apprentice you can expect to have learnt many of these core skills, another 12 months improving and perfecting these techniques will ensure you develop into a well rounded, competent barber.

General requirements and desired traits for barber jobs:

Personal characteristics: Creative, enthusiastic, reliable, motivated.

Previous experience: Hairdressing experience, basic barbering.

Qualifications: Hairdressing NVQ 1,2,3 or apprenticeship experience.

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