Barbers have a variety of option for their career including the opportunity to work in an established shop or open their own shop. One can even become a certified instructor and teach others their skills.
However, to enter this profession, an individual must complete a barbers training program and then obtain state license. The training period depends on the institute you choose for the program. But, before starting your training you should know which skills you need for this profession.
Some of the skills required for barbers are mentioned below.
- Service orientation: Barbers should always be actively helping clients with their extensive knowledge related to hairstyles and more. Client relation is an important skill in this field.
- Active listening: They should give full attention to what clients prefer or want. They need to understand clients’ requirements and provide services accordingly.
- Critical thinking: Barbers should use logic and reasoning to identify alternative solutions for a client’s problems related to hair, infection control and more.
- Decision making: They should have the decision making ability to understand the benefits or results of their actions related to hairstyles, cutting etc.
- Creativity: Barbers should be creative enough to find innovative hairstyling methods.
A successful barber should be skilled in hair cutting, trimming, styling, coloring and other grooming techniques. To offer these services with quality, a barber should have the knowledge of different work values including –
- Relationships with others: They should know how to provide essential services to clients and how to work with co-workers in a friendly and non-competitive environment.
One can develop these skills and values through a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge received during training.
International Barber Institute 