Tell me about your customer service experience.

"Before doing hair and makeup I worked in a restaurant where learned how to handle difficult customers and keep a positive attitude. Since I started working with clients in school, I learned even more how important it is to be patient and listen to customer needs. I strive to give them consistent service and make sure they walk out happy."

You will be working one-on-one with clients and building relationships with them. Your prior customer service experience will help you to communicate effectively with customers and understand their needs.

"Answer example, "Customer service is a large part of what we do before, during and after working with clients for their hair and makeup needs. I try to understand what they are looking for early on in our work together and utilize this as a guideline throughout the client experience."

Tell me about a difficult work situation. How did you handle it?

"My coworker and I had a miscommunication about an issue with a client. I knew that if I continued to butt heads with her it wasn't going to solve the situation. I suggested we talk about it when we are more calm, so we followed up the next day. By staying calm and thinking rationally, we were able to find a compromise."

Challenges with customers and coworkers sometimes just can't be avoided. How you handle it is the most important part! Think about some of the situations you may encounter in your beauty career. Customer complaints, gossip among coworkers or disagreements with your boss could stand in the way of your success if you let it get to you. Give an example that shows you can deal with challenges and overcome them."My coworker and I had a miscommunication about an issue with a client. I knew that if I continued to butt heads with her it wasn't going to solve the situation. I suggested we talk about it when we are more calm, so we followed up the next day. By staying calm and thinking rationally, we were able to find a compromise."

"Answer example, "I was recently working with a client who changed the direction of her look mid way through working together. This called for us to revamp our supplies, resources and team. We had to coordinate to do what was necessary to make the change. We are happy to accommodate our clients."

Tell me about an area you could improve upon.

"I have been practicing updo hairstyles because I want to do hair for weddings and work with event planners. I wasn't great at them at first, but the more I practice the better I get. I like the challenge of working with different hair types and learning creative ways to make beautiful designs."

What are some skills you'd like to work on? Think about some qualities or skills that are not fully developed or where you're weaker. Don't be discouraged by your weaknesses! Think of them as opportunities to learn and grow. Give an example that shows you have put some thought into it and that you are taking a proactive approach. Here's one way to answer the question:"I have been practicing updo hairstyles because I want to do hair for weddings and work with event planners. I wasn't great at them at first, but the more I practice the better I get. I like the challenge of working with different hair types and learning creative ways to make beautiful designs."

"Answer example, "I am always trying to improve as a stylist in all areas. Right now, I am working on perfecting the art of balayage."

Tell me about your strengths.

"Answer example, "My strengths are creativity, experimentation and detail in artistic expression. They serve me well in cosmetology."

Your strengths can be anything from your character qualities to skills that you have been working to perfect during your training. It can seem a little overwhelming to answer a question so broad, so try to narrow your focus to just a few things. Share at least one trait that is unique to you, like your ability to listen and empathize with your customers. When thinking about these traits, keep the job description in mind. What strengths will be most helpful to do this job well? You will need a steady hand and attention for detail when doing hair, makeup or nails. This would also be a great quality to share! What are some other strengths that will make you a great stylist? What are some skills you've learned that will help you be the one that will keep your clients coming back?

Why do you want to work for us?

"I want to do makeup in the fashion industry. Because you have such a great reputation and so much talent, I will be surrounding by people who can teach me and help me grow in my skills. I feel confident in my skills but I know I could learn so much from working with your team that would help me to move forward in my career."

What's important to you at your next job? The interviewer wants to know that you're not just interested in any place that will hire you. They want to know that you want to work for them. Before the interview, learn as much as you can about their garage. You can search customer reviews to learn about their reputation. An auto repair shop with good reviews reflects their values as well. Think about the places you have worked. What did you like most about them? If you can't find much online or through asking around beforehand, try to list at least three things you have read that you like about their garage. It's always good to share how working for them will help you achieve your goals."I want to do makeup in the fashion industry. Because you have such a great reputation and so much talent, I will be surrounding by people who can teach me and help me grow in my skills. I feel confident in my skills but I know I could learn so much from working with your team that would help me to move forward in my career."

"Answer example, "You are the top salon in this area and I have been a happy customer for years. It would be an honor to deliver value in cosmetology services to a place that radiates innovation in style."

Are you a team player?

Respond with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" Even though you may work independently at a salon where you get to manage your business and your clients, you still need to communicate well with your team and be a positive influence. Everyone has to work together to maintain the reputation of your salon. Share how you prioritize your work relationships as much as your clients. Your attitude and willingness to be flexible are super important! Consider giving an example of how you have worked well as a team in your most recent job. How did you contribute to the team?

"Answer example, "Being a team player is an important part of our work. I work well with and draw inspiration from my teammates as much as I can."

Describe your typical day at work.

"Answer example, "Part of what is most fun about being a cosmetologist is that there is no such thing as a typical day! I can be doing anything from gaining new business, working on hair or makeup for a high profile event to transforming a group of teenagers into princesses for their prom!"

What do you expect work to be like from your experience? You may have little on the job experience, but you have a clear understanding of the job description and your education to back you up. You may have a lot of questions about what a typical day would look like at their salon, massage or skincare company, but start with what you know: You'll be on your feet all day. You may need to order products and learn about them. You will need to use your listening and observation skills when doing makeup, hair or performing facials. If you specialize in a particular area, focus on how you strive to enhance the client experience when performing that particular service. Show them you can handle it by demonstrating your understanding and experience as you walk them through your typical day.

Where do you gain your inspiration for trying new trends, styles?

"Answer example, "I gain inspiration from all over! I follow top fashion trends, watch all the top fashion events and read magazines as much as I can. Style is inventive and I am always trying to create new style trends on my own too."

Do you like watching fashion shows or reading fashion magazines? Are you always looking out for the latest beauty tips and hair trends? The interviewer wants to hear that you are passionate about your work and always looking for inspiration that will help you improve and grow. Share how you get your ideas. What inspires you? If you have a mentor you've been training under, talk about how they have helped you think outside the box.

Do you have any experience with events?

Have you ever done hair or makeup for weddings, concerts, galas or other big events? Having the skills to quickly apply makeup and design hair styles for models, actors or brides-to-be will help you branch out beyond the salon and spa. Describe any experiences you've had where you worked on big events. What were the challenges? What did you enjoy about it?

Tell me about your experience coloring hair and working with color-treated hair.

"Answer example, "When interning at a top salon in NYC, I was the color stylist. I have experience preparing hair for coloring and working with the stylists throughout the process. I also change my color all the time based on my mood."

This may or may not be your specialty. Coloring hair is a science that requires practice and understanding of the right blends of chemicals and tones. Share your experience, focusing on techniques and principles you've learned that have helped you achieve the desired results. Color-treated hair can be very processed and damaged. What have you learned to remedy the worst split ends and breakage?

How do you build relationships with customers?

"My customer, Helen, has continued to come back for facials and waxing. We get along great, and I make a point to ask her how she's doing and follow up with her every time she comes in about different topics we discuss. I run specials and keep her updated by sending out emails and calling to make sure she is informed and can schedule her next appointment."

Your business is dependent on having solid relationships with customers. Draw from your experience. What have you learned about building these relationships? Your customer service skills are essential. Your sales and marketing skills will be helpful as well. If you can give an example of a good relationship with one of your customers, the interviewer will have a much clearer picture of your skills in action.

"Answer example, "I pride myself on building effective relationships with my clients and I do so by asking questions to learn about who they are as people. I take note of important people or events going on in their life and wherever possible, incorporate things they like into their style."

Tell me about a time when a customer was not satisfied with the service you provided. How did you handle it?

"I had a client who wanted to color her hair much darker than her natural color. I advised her to stay with warmer tones since it would complement her eyes and skin tone. She insisted on going more on the ashy side, so I gave her exactly what she requested. In the end she wasn't satisfied. I did a color correction towards what I had originally recommended, but I could tell she was frustrated about the situation. I gave her a complimentary blowout in return, and learned that sometimes it's better to use your best judgement, even if a customer wants something different."

Unfortunately, sometimes you just can't seem to get it right. Some customers will just never be satisfied, no matter how hard you try. Give an example of a time when you had a hard time meeting the customer's needs. Be sure to talk about what you did to remedy the situation and what you learned from it. Here's an example to get you thinking in the right direction:"I had a client who wanted to color her hair much darker than her natural color. I advised her to stay with warmer tones since it would complement her eyes and skin tone. She insisted on going more on the ashy side, so I gave her exactly what she requested. In the end she wasn't satisfied. I did a color correction towards what I had originally recommended, but I could tell she was frustrated about the situation. I gave her a complimentary blowout in return, and learned that sometimes it's better to use your best judgement, even if a customer wants something different."

"Answer example, "It rarely happens because we talk a lot as we go, but if/when it does, I offer to redo the service or provide them with a discount on the service. Most of all, I listen and make sure their concerns are heard."

How do you communicate with clients who are introverted or shy?

"I had a new client who wanted her haircut but had trouble communicating what she really wanted. I showed her pictures and gave her time to think it through. I described what I recommended based on her current style and the pictures she showed me. Once we figured out what she needed, I asked her questions to get to know her and told stories I thought she might like. It can be hard to break the ice, but I've learned ways to communicate with even the most shy individuals."

Give an example from your experience. Here's an idea of how to approach this:"I had a new client who wanted her haircut but had trouble communicating what she really wanted. I showed her pictures and gave her time to think it through. I described what I recommended based on her current style and the pictures she showed me. Once we figured out what she needed, I asked her questions to get to know her and told stories I thought she might like. It can be hard to break the ice, but I've learned ways to communicate with even the most shy individuals."Some people get tense in social settings. Helping your clients relax will help them to feel more comfortable and might also help them know better what they really want.

"Answer example, "I consider myself an ambivert and am therefore easily adaptable to both extroverts and introverts. I ask a lot of probing questions and build a relationship with a client to ensure they are comfortable to connect."

When did you decide to become a cosmetologist?

"Answer example, "Early on as a child, I was always interested in fashion and beauty. I admired how makeup can transform a person and help them make a statement to match their mood or a style. I decided then I wanted to be a cosmetologist."

Do you remember the time in your life when you were most inspired to pursue this career path? Explain how you use to do makeup on your sisters when you were young or how everyone wanted you to do their hair at prom. When interviewers ask this question, they want to hear about your passion. They also want to know that your decision to become a cosmetologist was well thought out, not just a last minute decision because you weren't so sure about college. Share a brief story about how you decided to choose your career and don't be afraid to express your passion!

Do you work well on your own?

"I enjoy working independently and with others. Even though I'm very team-oriented, I also enjoy the responsibility of managing my own clients and my chair. I love learning about new products and take initiative to find opportunities to grow in my skills."

One of the nice things about working as a cosmetologist is that you have the freedom to work independently. This freedom also comes with responsibility. If you are renting a chair in a salon, you have to pay a monthly rate and report to the salon manager. If that salon uses a particular product, you will need to attend trainings to learn about the products and how to use them for different styles and hair types. To answer the question, how do you feel about the responsibility of working on your own? Here's a sample response:"I enjoy working independently and with others. Even though I'm very team-oriented, I also enjoy the responsibility of managing my own clients and my chair. I love learning about new products and take initiative to find opportunities to grow in my skills."Initiative is the key word. Being a go-getter, proactive type of person shows you can handle working on your own.

"Answer example, "Very much so! Part of what I enjoy about being a cosmetologist is that I can work independently, along with being a part of a larger team. At the end of the day, I am here to work with clients and that is something I enjoy very much."

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"Answer example, "In five years, I see myself with my own cosmetology practice and servicing private, high end clients for special events."

Now that you have achieved your goal of becoming a cosmetologist, it may seem overwhelming to think about the future. You've been working hard to get to this point, but take heart! The interviewer doesn't expect a detailed answer. They just want to get an idea of how this position fits into your future goals. Do you plan to do hair for a salon for two years and then start your own? Do you plan to get more certifications to focus on color and color correction? What about skincare? Do you want to add on more certifications? Think about some of these questions if you're not quite clear on your goals. Offer up a couple of things you're interested in doing in the future and show the interviewer that this position will help launch you into your dream career!

Describe your dream job.

"My ideal job would be working in a salon with coworkers I can rely upon and managers who treat me with respect. I do my best to keep a positive attitude, and it is much more enjoyable to be around others who strive to do the same."

What sort of work environment do you thrive in? What kinds of personalities do you enjoy working with? Share what you are looking for in a job. Why are those aspects important to you?

"Answer example, "My dream job is to work with some of the top cosmetologists in the industry and perhaps be an on hand cosmetologist for a local star!"

Tell me about your training. What did you like most about it? What didn't you like?

"Answer example, "I trained with top artists in the NYC area and enjoyed trying to master new cosmetology skills with their expertise on hand."

Share some of the highlights of your training. If you are now specialized in hair or nails, talk about why you chose that particular area. When talking about your training, share some of the skills you learned. Talk about your client interactions as you were trying out new techniques. What was it like to work with a client for the first time? Do you feel like your schooling prepared you for your career? Think of one thing you really enjoyed during your education, whether it be getting hands on experience or learning about how to apply makeup in new ways. Think of one thing you didn't like. Perhaps you didn't feel like the products you learned on were the best or you disagreed with a policy. Focus your attention on the overall experience and show the interviewer you are ready to take on the new challenges at their salon.

Tell me about your experience styling hair?

"Answer example, "I went to school for cosmetology for 4 years and interned at one of the top salons in the NYC area. I have worked with clients privately for events and have gained 5 years experience in the salon I currently work with."

Think about your clients, their hair, colors, and ways you have helped them get the look that they want. Even if your clients were all from hair school, talk about the ones who kept coming back. Those client relationships show you are competent in your skills and knowledge. What are some of the best moments from your experience? What were some of the challenges and how did you overcome them? Give the interviewer a brief summary of your experience and what you have learned.

What hair styles do you believe look the best for women?

Brush up on your knowledge of the latest trends in hair. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable doing women's styles and that you are familiar with some of the most recent styles that women tend to request. Remember "The Rachel" haircut? Well, now girls want to die their hair silver or two-toned, or add streaks of pink and purple. Grab a Glamour magazine and flip through to make sure you're on top of the trends!

"Answer example, "I think it depends on the individual. There is no one magic bullet hair style that is right for everyone. I try to learn about my client's personalities and then match them with a hair style that compliments that, along with their overall appearance."

Do you have any experience with men's hair styles?

"I haven't had much experience with male clients, but I look forward to getting more! I feel confident in my skills, judgement and understanding of what clients need and want. I know I can improve quickly."

When the salon manager asks you about a specific style or type of hair, they are curious because it is something they may be expecting you to be familiar with. If you don't have experience with men's hairstyles or any other specific style, let them know, "I haven't had much experience with male clients, but I look forward to getting more! I feel confident in my skills, judgement and understanding of what clients need and want. I know I can improve quickly."

"Answer example, "Absolutely! I have worked on a wide age group of women and men's hair including children and elderly."

What aspect of doing hair is most challenging for you?

"Answer example, "I am always trying to challenge myself to explore hair and makeup styles that make me a better cosmetologist. Keeping up with latest trends and be at the forefront of fashion is a great challenge for me."

Are you new to color? Do you have trouble with ethnic hairstyles? How do you feel about client interactions? Doing hair can be one of the most fun and challenging aspects of working as a cosmetologist. If you are new to the career, you may still feel a little shaky about making conversation with your clients. You may feel nervous about creating certain styles or big changes on a person. As you talk with the interviewer, explain the challenge but focus on what you're doing to overcome it. When you're new, it can be hard to have confidence in your skills. Practice makes all the difference! Answer with confidence about what you already know and then reassure them you are working on perfecting those areas where you're not as strong.

What techniques do you enjoy while styling hair?

"Answer example, "I enjoy the actual process of styling hair and building relationships with the clients I work with along the way."

Share a few of your favorite techniques you've learned in school. Talk about your favorite styles and your knowledge of how everyone's hair needs different products and tools to give it shape and body. How do these techniques work on fine or coarse hair? Why do you use different tools with different hair textures?

How do you help clients choose the best hair style?

"Answer example, "I work with clients to find out what look they are going for. If they are looking for a classic look, we will explore statement up-do or if they are looking to stand out, we will talk large wavy curls. I ask clients about the event or occasion they are styling for and we work from there."

When a client comes to you looking for a change, how do you help them make the best decision? Do you ask them to look through magazines to find their ideal haircut? Do you make sure they're not making a last minute emotional decision? Your job is to help identify what clients like and make sure that you are both on the same page about expectations. Explain that you know how important it is to have clear communication with your clients in order to give them what they want.

What excites you about designing hair styles?

"I love being creative and finding ways that will be more flattering to enhance my client's eyes or jaw line. I get a lot of ideas from clients and I love making them happy."

"I love being creative and finding ways that will be more flattering to enhance my client's eyes or jaw line. I get a lot of ideas from clients and I love making them happy."Is it the creativity? Is it customer satisfaction? What gets you going when you get to try new styles on your clients?

"Answer example, "There is so much you can do with styling and designing hair. It excites me that you can make a statement by simply designing hair in a certain style."

Cosmetologist Interview Questions

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1. Tell me about your customer service experience.
2. Tell me about a difficult work situation. How did you handle it?
3. Tell me about an area you could improve upon.
4. Tell me about your strengths.
5. Why do you want to work for us?
6. Are you a team player?
7. Describe your typical day at work.
8. Where do you gain your inspiration for trying new trends, styles?
9. Do you have any experience with events?
10. Tell me about your experience coloring hair and working with color-treated hair.
11. How do you build relationships with customers?
12. Tell me about a time when a customer was not satisfied with the service you provided. How did you handle it?
13. How do you communicate with clients who are introverted or shy?
14. When did you decide to become a cosmetologist?
15. Do you work well on your own?
16. Where do you see yourself in five years?
17. Describe your dream job.
18. Tell me about your training. What did you like most about it? What didn't you like?
19. Tell me about your experience styling hair?
20. What hair styles do you believe look the best for women?
21. Do you have any experience with men's hair styles?
22. What aspect of doing hair is most challenging for you?
23. What techniques do you enjoy while styling hair?
24. How do you help clients choose the best hair style?
25. What excites you about designing hair styles?

Cosmetologist Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your customer service experience.

2. Tell me about a difficult work situation. How did you handle it?

3. Tell me about an area you could improve upon.

4. Tell me about your strengths.

5. Why do you want to work for us?

6. Are you a team player?

7. Describe your typical day at work.

8. Where do you gain your inspiration for trying new trends, styles?

9. Do you have any experience with events?

10. Tell me about your experience coloring hair and working with color-treated hair.

11. How do you build relationships with customers?

12. Tell me about a time when a customer was not satisfied with the service you provided. How did you handle it?

13. How do you communicate with clients who are introverted or shy?

14. When did you decide to become a cosmetologist?

15. Do you work well on your own?

16. Where do you see yourself in five years?

17. Describe your dream job.

18. Tell me about your training. What did you like most about it? What didn't you like?

19. Tell me about your experience styling hair?

20. What hair styles do you believe look the best for women?

21. Do you have any experience with men's hair styles?

22. What aspect of doing hair is most challenging for you?

23. What techniques do you enjoy while styling hair?

24. How do you help clients choose the best hair style?

25. What excites you about designing hair styles?