Examples

• Level 1 read instructions, precautions and other short comments on labels, product inserts, customers' history cards and forms such as supplier invoices. For example, they read product inserts to learn that latex gloves are required when handling peroxides. They read instructions on labels for maintaining, sanitizing and disinfecting equipment.
• Level 2 read descriptions of new products in catalogues and brochures. For example, hairstylists may read brochures describing how the use of ceramic hair dryers will improve the appearance of hair and the advantages of using ultraviolet sanitizing equipment.
• Level 2 may read short memos, notices and bulletins to learn of upcoming events and changes to workplace practices. For example, hairstylists working in large salons may read notices outlining changes to prices, hours of work and housekeeping procedures.
• Level 3 may read manuals to learn about policies and procedures. For example, hairstylists working in retail chains read policy manuals that describe dress codes, hours of work, workplace safety and hygiene.
• Level 3 read articles in trade magazines such as Canadian Hairdresser and Salon Magazine to stay informed about industry trends and developments. For example, self-employed hairstylists may read articles describing various pricing strategies or offering tips for achieving salon style by carrying out simple renovations and using monogrammed robes, smocks and styling capes.
• Level 4 may read regulations, chair rental contracts and agreements outlining salaries and commissions. For example, hairstylists renting chairs from salon owners read contracts with clauses outlining fees charged to hairstylists to cover costs such as the use of furniture, utilities, capes, towels and shampoos. Self-employed hairstylists working out of private residences may read city bylaws to determine licensing requirements and allowable business practices.

Examples

• Level 1 scan labels on product packaging to learn about ingredients, storage techniques and safety hazards. They skim signs to determine prices, promotional specials and the location of supplies such as capes, towels, disinfectants and cleaners.
• Level 1 complete a variety of forms. They record appointments in daily schedules. They enter operating data such as numbers of clients served in monthly business summary forms. They use inventory count forms to monitor inventories of supplies such as appointment books, safety glasses, shampoos, first aid kits, cutting capes and perm picks.
• Level 2 follow procedures described in line art diagrams and photograph sequences to learn how to achieve particular hairstyles. For example they may scan a series of line art diagrams to learn how to reproduce hairstyles by dividing and cutting sections of hair at different lengths and angles.
• Level 3 review specifications on colour charts and tables to locate product names, identification numbers, processing times and mixing ratios for peroxides and colouring agents.

Examples

• Level 1 write short reminder notes and comments on customer history cards. For example, hairstylists may write notes to remind helpers about the proper storage of cleaners or to record events such as problems with hair colouring dyes on customer history cards.
• Level 2 may write letters to suppliers and manufacturers expressing opinions about specific products and services.

Examples

• Level 1 may make payments for supplies such as shampoos and conditioners using purchase orders, cash and credit cards.
• Level 1 may schedule appointments of varying lengths to accommodate customers and minimize slack time. They choose dates, times and intervals between appointments to ensuring sufficient amounts of time are available to complete scheduled services and minimize down time.
• Level 1 measure amounts of fluids such as colouring solutions, peroxides and disinfectants using graduated beakers and tubes.
• Level 1 compare measurements of time, temperature and fluid volume to specifications outlined in product information sheets and colour charts so that they can control the outcomes of hair colouring treatments.
• Level 1 estimate lengths of hair being cut. They eyeball lengths and use their fingers, combs and clipper guards as approximate guides.
• Level 2 may prepare bills and collect cash, debit and credit card payments for hairstyling and related services. They charge set rates for the services performed and add applicable taxes such as the goods and services tax.
• Level 2 may reconcile cash floats and prepare financial summaries. They separate, count and record cash and credit receipts. They calculate totals for deposit slips and closeout books.
• Level 2 estimate the amount of time it will take to complete appointments. They consider the services being delivered, the condition of hair, times specified on product information sheets and the amount of time previously needed for similar tasks.

Examples

• Level 1 may greet customers in person, listen to voice mail messages and respond to questions over the telephone. They use the telephone to provide customers with pricing details, hours of operation and availability of appointments.
• Level 2 talk with customers about a wide variety of topics including lifestyle, hair style preferences, application techniques, new products and fashion trends. For example, they discuss the hair style choices best suited to customers' facial features and life style preferences and promote advertised specials. They provide customers with information about the safe use tools such as irons and blow dryers and exchange incidental information such as the names and ages of children to establish relationships.
• Level 2 exchange information with helpers, co-workers, suppliers and supervisors. For example, they may instruct apprentices how to wash hair properly, mix colouring agents, peroxides, disinfectants and how to use equipment such as hair straightening tools and blow dryers. They may speak with other hairstylists during in-house training sessions to learn how to achieve desired hair colours and styles. They may speak with supervisors about shift schedules, hours of works, product sales and changes to policies and procedures.
• Level 3 talk with distressed and unsatisfied customers to provide reassurances and resolve conflicts. For example, They may reassure and calm distressed customers with badly damaged hair by explaining how specially formulated conditioners will restore sheen and lustre. They may negotiate agreements and resolve misunderstanding with customers who are unsatisfied with their hairstyles.

Examples

• Level 1 fall behind schedules because of delays created by late and double-booked customers. They apologize to customers inconvenienced by delays and request help from co-workers to get back on schedule.
• Level 2 may find that customers are unable to pay for their hair cuts because they have forgotten their money. They allow customers to drop off payments later, pay at the next appointment or leave items of value behind until payments are received.
• Level 2 discover that customers have contagious skin and hair conditions. They speak with customers to determine the seriousness of their conditions and may ask them to leave to avoid infecting others. They then sanitize and disinfect equipment and tools that may have been contaminated.
• Level 2 discover that customers are dissatisfied with the services they have received. They talk to customers to determine the source of the dissatisfaction. They may re-cut, re-colour and restyle hair as requested.
• Level 2 find that chemical treatments result in unexpected hair colours. After consoling the customers, they use peroxides to remove the unwanted colour and then apply colouring agents and special conditioners to obtain the desired colours and minimize hair damage. They offer the customer price discounts or free products and note the incidents in customers' history cards.

Examples

• Level 1 select tools and products to create specific hairstyles. They select from a variety of tools such as electric clippers, rollers and styling irons and from products such as colouring agents, peroxides, shampoos and conditioners to create various hairstyles.
• Level 2 choose methods to repair and colour chemically damaged hair. They consider customers' hairstyles, colour preferences and hair conditions when choosing products that would be most restorative.
• Level 3 may set fees for services such as colouring, perms, cuts and styling. They consider the fees charged by competing hairstylists and factors such as the locations of their salons, the sizes of their existing customer bases and numbers of walk-in clients they get.

Examples

• Level 1 judge the performance of hair care products such as colouring agents, shampoos and conditioners by considering the effects these products have on customers' hair.
• Level 2 evaluate the condition of hair and scalps to determine treatment and hairstyle options. They evaluate the health and condition of hair by observing features such as the hair porosity, elasticity, density and texture. They assess the condition of scalps by noting cuts, abrasions and signs of psoriasis and head lice.
• Level 2 judge the suitability of customer hairstyle choices. They consider bone structures, facial shapes, hair growth patterns, ear and nose sizes, skin tones and eye colours.
• Level 2 may assess the competence and attitudes of helpers and apprentices. They observe the workers' technical skills, efficiency and attitudes when interacting with co-workers and customers.

Examples

• remember colouring agent product codes, application times and ingredients.
• remember customers' names, their colour and style preferences and incidental information such as their hobbies and the names and ages of their children.

Examples

• Level 2 locate specifications such as application times, colour codes, grey coverage and ingredients by scanning product labels, packaging and information posted at manufacturers' web sites and by talking with suppliers and other hairstylists.
• Level 2 find information about fashion and fashion trends by observing hairstyles worn by models, musicians and actors and by talking with suppliers and other hairstylists.
• Level 2 locate information about customers, such as their hairstyle and colour preferences and the names and ages of children by asking them questions and reviewing customer history cards.

Examples

• Level 2 may use databases. For example, they may use salon management software to input customer and product data, to query inventory quantities, upcoming appointments and customers' names, phone numbers and hairstyle preferences.
• Level 2 may use bookkeeping, billing and accounting software. For example, self-employed hairstylists may use salon management software to input and track sales and commissions and to produce and print reports such as payment method summaries, product sales summaries and income and expenses statements.
• Level 2 use communications software. For example, they use programs such as Outlook to send or receive e-mail confirming customers' appointments.
• Level 2 use the Internet. For example, they use Internet browsers to locate information on new products by accessing websites operated by suppliers and product manufacturers.

Physical Aspects

Hairstylists and barbers require good hand-eye and upper limb coordination. They need fine motor skills to hold and cut strands of hair to desired lengths and angles using scissors, clippers, combs and brushes. They are required to meet the physically challenging task of standing for long periods of time with arms raised at shoulder level. They are frequently required to walk short distances to greet and escort customers in and out of salons. They lift loads such as boxes of shampoos and conditioners that generally weigh less than ten kilograms.

Attitudes

Hairstylists need to be friendly and personable so that customers feel at ease. They must be detail-oriented and have the patience required to work for long periods of time on intricate hairstyles.

Future Trends Affecting Essential Skills

In the future, hairstylists will need enhanced continuous learning skills to keep pace with quickly changing fashion trends and stronger reading text and document use skills to effectively use new hair treatment products. Enhanced computer skills will be required of those hairstylists that use new salon management software.