Wondering what skills you need to be a barber? You’ve come to the right place. Whilst there is a lot you’ll learn at barbering academy, there are a few key skills needed before you start out. You may be considering becoming a barber and not sure if you’ll enjoy it, so we’ve listed a few things you will encounter in this job, and skills that will help you along the way.  

As with any job, who you are as an individual matters. There are always things that won’t be strengths to start and can always be worked on, so if you see something and don’t consider it one of your skills, know that there are things that can be improved over time.  

Want to know how to become a barber and what your options are? Take a look at our blog on becoming a barber.  

Customer Service 

Being good with people is a must! You’ve got to be able to talk to all kinds of people from all walks of life, every day. There will be times when disagreements happen, so it’s good to know how to diffuse a situation and come to a compromise. Not everyone you encounter will be friendly all the time, so knowing what to do in difficult situations can help.  

That’s not to say people you meet won’t be nice. You’ll get to build up a rapport and even friendships with your clients. So, if talking and working with people is something you enjoy, a career as a barber is a good choice.  

Good time management  

This is something that will improve as you do as a barber. As you get to know different hair types, your clients, and how long certain cuts and shaves take, you will get into the flow of things. However, it’s important you keep in mind appointment times and how to structure your day.  

If clients know you are reliable, they are more likely to build loyalty to you. If you’re always behind and rushing, this can put people off. As you start out, make sure you schedule your time to do what you can manage, don’t overpromise and under-deliver!  

Social Media 

We live in an age where social media is a huge part of business. If you’re good with social media this can benefit you in many ways. Whether you rent a chair or own a shop, social media has its merits for everyone. If you have a shop, having active profiles on social media is great for letting people see your shop and your work.  

You can post photographs of your cuts and styles on platforms such as Instagram to connect with potential clients and keep up to date with the latest products and trends in the industry.  

Top tip – tag the brands you’re using! Whether that’s the shampoo, styling products or equipment used to create the style, tag the brands in your photo and the content of your post for increased exposure (and you might even get a re-share to their followers!).  

Good Hygiene Practices  

This is in relation to you as a person, and what you do in the workplace. Keeping yourself looking good in terms of personal grooming is appealing for clients and customers. Would you consider going to a barber who looks like they don’t take care of their appearance? Whilst this isn’t a skill as such, it’s good to remember to look professional.  

Good hygiene practices in the workplace are important, especially given what we’ve all been through during the pandemic. Keep your shop and work area clean. Make sure you sweep up hair, clean the mirrors, wipe down surfaces and do all you can to keep your area and the shop clean and tidy. Attention to detail is important. 

Become a Barber 

This isn’t an exhaustive list, there are a lot of things that make people good barbers. If you want to become a barber, you’ve got to have a passion for hair and the industry and keep up to date with cuts and trends. You will spend a lot of time on your feet every day, so that’s worth keeping in mind. There are many skills that you will need to master that don’t involve cutting hair if you want to become a great barber. Here are a few other skills that will benefit you if you’re thinking of becoming a barber: 

• Basic business skills 
• Financial skills 
• Patience  
• Adaptability  
• Product knowledge 
• Creativity 

Here at Thomas Lloyd Barbering academy, we will teach you everything you need to know to be ready to work as a barber in just nine weeks. You’ll learn health and safety, client consultation, shampooing and conditioning hair, blow drying, finishing, cutting facial hair to shape, as well as the art of hot towel wet shaving and skin fading. Want to know more? See our courses here. If you have any questions, get in touch today!