How to Write a Nail Technician Resume (With Example)

If you're looking for a job as a nail technician, having a well-written resume allows employers to determine if you might be a good fit for the role. Resumes include essential information about your qualifications, such as your educational background, skills and professional experience. Writing an effective resume can help you highlight your qualifications for a job and may improve your chances of getting an interview. In this article, we explain how to write a nail technician resume and share a template and example you can use as a reference when writing your own.

How to write a nail technician resume

Here are eight steps you can take to write an effective nail technician resume that may help you make a positive impression on a hiring manager:

1. Identify keywords from the job description

When you find a nail technician job you're interested in, read the employer's posting carefully to ensure you understand the role's requirements and responsibilities. Highlight keywords you can include throughout your resume to prove your alignment with the job. These keywords might include specific skills, traits, tasks or professional qualifications, such as certifications. Keywords can also help you during the application process if employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS). This software scans resumes for specific keywords to ensure candidates meet the employers' minimum requirements for the job.

Related: ATS Resume Format Guide (With Template and Example)

2. Choose a resume format

If you have several years of professional experience as a nail technician without employment gaps, you may consider using the reverse-chronological format. This format focuses on your work history and lists your prior job titles from most to least recent. Meanwhile, if you have some employment gaps or are just starting your nail technician career, you might consider using a functional resume format. This format focuses on your most relevant skills, placing this information above your work history to prove you have the abilities sought by the employer. Use standard, easy-to-read fonts, such as Times New Roman or Arial.

Related: Resume Format Guide (With Examples)

3. Create a resume header

A resume header is the top section of your resume. It includes essential contact details, including your full name, phone number and email address. You can include your city and state or territory, but avoid adding your full address to protect your privacy. If you have a professional social media page, website or portfolio, you can include a link to it at the end of your contact information. This section is important because it allows hiring managers to find your contact information quickly if they want to contact you to schedule an interview.

4. Describe your qualifications with a summary or objective

A professional summary or objective serves as your introduction to the reader. The resume summary section briefly describes your most relevant or impressive qualifications for the role. You can also highlight specific accomplishments to showcase your value as a nail technician. By giving hiring managers a brief summary of your background, you may get their attention and make them want to learn more about you as a candidate. Here are some elements you may include:

• professional traits

• soft and technical skills

• employment experience

• educational credentials

• career goals

5. List your professional experience

After you include your professional summary, add a new section for your work experience. Start with your most recent role and include your job title, employer and dates of employment. Then, add three to five bullets explaining your primary work duties. You can highlight the extent of your experience by quantifying your duties. For example, when mentioning that you completed nail services for your clients, consider including the number of clients you served each day. Try to start each bullet with a strong verb to emphasise each duty, such as:

• managed

• advised

• maintained

• resolved

• scheduled

6. Highlight your relevant skills

When you're reading the job description for the job, note the soft and technical skills the employer is looking for in a candidate. Then, include these keywords in a separate section of your resume underneath your professional experience. This shows hiring managers you've gained skills that are critical to the role through your educational or professional experience. You might include specific nail care skills and transferable proficiencies like customer service, communication and work ethic.

Related: 10 Best Skills to Include on a Resume

7. Show your education and training credentials

If you have relevant education or training qualifications, you can differentiate yourself from other candidates by including them on your resume. This information is especially important if you're new to the field and have yet to gain professional experience. Include vocational educational training you have, such as a Certificate III in Nail Technology or a Diploma of Beauty Therapy. Add the educational institution where you received your credentials and the location of the facility.

Related: How to Become a Nail Technician (And Develop Your Skills)

8. Check your resume for errors

Employers appreciate an error-free resume because it shows that you took care and effort to provide a high-quality document for them. Removing grammar and spelling errors also shows your communication skills and attention to detail, two skills that can benefit you in your career as a nail technician. You can also edit your resume for other reasons, such as ensuring that you convey information clearly and concisely. When you've finished proofreading your resume, consider asking a friend, family member or professional connection to review your document.

Resume template for a nail technician

Here's a template you can use to write a resume for a nail technician position:

[Full name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[City and state/territory]
[Professional link]

Professional Summary

[Two or three sentences introducing yourself and your most relevant qualifications for the role]

Professional Experience

[Job title], [start date-end date]
[Employer name], [Employer location]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

[Job title], [start date-end date]
[Employer name], [Employer location]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

[Job title], [start date-end date]
[Employer name], [Employer location]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

• [strong verb + primary responsibility]

Skills

• [relevant skill]

• [relevant skill]

• [relevant skill]

Education and training

[Certificate, diploma or degree], [graduation year]
[Educational institution], [location]

Resume example for a nail technician

Here's an example of a nail technician resume you can use as a reference to help you write your own:

Sarah Moore +61 3 9876 5432
sarahmoore@email.com
Adelaide, South Australia
sarahmoorenails.com

Professional Summary

Motivated nail technician with over 10 years of experience providing a diverse range of quality nail services to clients. Specialisation in natural nail care, design trends and creative colour concepts. Proven record of maintaining client comfort, exceeding expectations and facilitating return visits.

Professional Experience

Lead nail technician, January 2018-present
Natural Nail Care Salon, Adelaide, South Australia

• provide holistic nail care and design services

• offer six types of pedicures and manicures using non-toxic products

• make nail treatment and style recommendations based on client preferences

• serve an active client base of 50+ regular customers

• train nail technicians on trending and emerging natural nail care solutions

Nail technician, February 2012-January 2018
New You Salon, Adelaide, South Australia

• communicated with 10 clients daily to determine customised nail care and design approaches

• provided basic nail services, including treatments, maintenance and design

• maintained clean and sanitised workspaces and nail care tools

Salon receptionist, March 2010-February 2012
Beauty Basics Salon, Elizabeth, South Australia

• scheduled appointments and took payments for 40+ clients per shift

• greeted clients with a refreshment upon arrival at the salon

• assisted beauty professionals with basic tasks, such as clean-up and sanitation

Skills

• communication

• time management

• hand-eye coordination

• nail design techniques

• nail treatment methods

• sanitation regulations

Education and training

Diploma of Beauty Therapy, 2017
Adelaide Wellness College, Adelaide, Australia

Certificate III in Nail Technology, 2011
North Adelaide TAFE, North Adelaide, South Australia