Hair Stylist Interview Questions

The goal for a successful interview for a Hair Stylist is to showcase their creativity, expertise, and ability to communicate effectively with clients to provide excellent customer service.

Situational interview questions

• If a client came in with a specific hairstyle in mind, but their hair texture or length made it impossible to achieve, how would you handle the situation?
• You notice a client’s hair has a severe color correction need, but they are reluctant to make any drastic changes. Walk us through your approach to discussing the necessary changes while making the client feel heard and comfortable.
• Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a hair cutting technique or styling tool mid-service and how you resolved the issue.
• A client has a big event coming up, but their hair isn’t cooperating with the desired style. How do you help the client achieve the look they want while still making sure their hair stays healthy?
• A client comes in with a hair issue from a previous stylist. How would you handle the situation and what steps would you take to gain their trust?

Soft skills interview questions

• Can you describe a time when you had to deal with an unhappy client? How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?
• How do you prioritize and manage your time while working on multiple appointments at once?
• How do you stay up-to-date with the latest hair styling trends and techniques, and how do you implement them in your work?
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member and how you handled the situation?
• How do you handle constructive criticism from clients or colleagues, and how do you use it to improve your skills?

Role-specific interview questions

• What are some common hair styling techniques you use to achieve a natural beachy wave?
• In what ways have you kept up-to-date with the latest hair trends and styles?
• Describe your process for a hair coloring consultation. How do you determine the best color for a client?
• Can you walk me through your steps in providing hair extensions? What types of extensions are you familiar with?
• How do you handle difficult clients? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a demanding client and how you resolved the situation?

STAR interview questions

1. Can you describe a time when you had to fix a client’s hair after a previous stylist had made a mistake? (Situation)

What was your task in this situation? (Task)

What steps did you take to correct the mistake? (Action)

What was the end result? Did your client leave satisfied? (Result)

2. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult or unhappy customer in the salon? (Situation)

What was your responsibility in this situation? (Task)

How did you handle the situation? Did you use any specific techniques? (Action)

What was the outcome? Did the customer leave satisfied? (Result)

3. Describe a time when a client came in with a specific request for a hairstyle that you had never done before. (Situation)

What was expected of you in this situation? (Task)

What steps did you take to learn how to do the new hairstyle? (Action)

How did the client react to the final result? (Result)

4. Can you give an example of a time when a client was unsure of what hairstyle they wanted? (Situation)

What was your role in helping the client make a decision? (Task)

How did you guide the client through the decision-making process? Did you offer any suggestions or advice? (Action)

Was the client happy with the final result? (Result)

5. Have you ever had to work on a big hairstyle project such as a wedding or fashion show? (Situation)

What was your responsibility in this project? (Task)

What steps did you take to prepare for the project? (Action)

What was the final result? Did you receive any feedback from the project coordinator or customers? (Result)