There’s a reason successful barbers undergo months or even years of training: The job requires a specific set of skills that you can only gain through hours of practice. Still, being a great barber goes way beyond cutting and styling. You want your clients to feel comfortable, cared for, and relaxed in your chair, which involves an array of interpersonal skills. So, what skills do you need to be a barber? From interpersonal skills like conversation and time management to technical skills like shear cuts and beard design, read on to find out about the most important skills for today’s modern hair maestros.
Essential Skills for Successful Barbers
First things first: Barbers should be highly knowledgeable about every aspect of their field. A good barber knows the ins and outs of different hair types and textures, as well as the latest styling products and techniques. They should be able to recommend styles based on a client’s unique face shape, hair type, and personal aesthetic; they should also have the flexibility to adjust mid-cut if necessary and the capacity to take constructive — sometimes confusing — feedback from clients. But for today’s barber, that’s only the beginning. Sure, technical skills are important — but stellar interpersonal skills are essential to help you grow in the field.
Scissors Down: Why You Need Social Skills to Be a Barber
Barbers are more than hair care specialists — for many clients, they’re trusted confidantes as well. That’s why people skills are truly the most important part of the job. Successful barbers should have excellent interpersonal skills to help facilitate a community feel in and out of the chair, including the following:
- Time management and efficiency while managing multiple appointments
- Attentive listening to clients’ requests
- A warm, friendly, and professional approach
- Conversation skills to make clients feel comfortable and welcome
- Flexibility to change course if clients change their minds during the styling process (it happens!)
- Cultural sensitivity regarding grooming preferences and communication styles for clients of all backgrounds, races, and ages
Technical Skills for Barbers
A trustworthy barber needs significant hands-on experience to develop technical skills. For many newcomers to the field, that means undergoing months of education and an extended period of apprenticeship. Don’t worry — it pays off when you’re able to make a name for yourself as one of the most skilled barbers in the game. Some of the most important technical skills include the following:
- Cutting, styling, and grooming hair of all types and textures
- Expertise with tools, including clippers, shears, and razors
- Hygiene and sanitation expertise, including sanitizing tools
- Precision and attention to detail throughout the client experience
- Blending and fading styles
- Scalp care and knowledge of scalp conditions
- Facial hair design and maintenance for mustaches, goatees, and beards
- Knowledge and expertise in new or trending styles to advise clients who may be looking to switch things up
So, what skills do you need to be a barber? It starts with technical prowess, but it goes much further than that. Succeeding as a barber involves mastering a combination of technical and interpersonal skills to help your clients feel comfortable and cared for every step of the way. Like we mentioned above, people skills are the most important part of the job. You might be a whiz with the shears, but creating a friendly environment is just as essential to building your barbering career.
At Hudson Hawk, we believe in the power of community. One way we reinforce that belief is by empowering our barbers to build their careers for decades to come. If you’re curious about becoming a barber, look no further than Hudson Hawk Barber & Shop. Since launching in 2013, we’ve become the go-to barbershop in numerous Midwestern communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. We offer community, conversation, and an unforgettable experience for men of all ages to receive quality haircuts. Give us a call if you’d like to hear more about the skills you need to become a barber.