Top Hair Stylist Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Hair Stylist interview by going through these most asked Hair Stylist interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: How do you handle stressful situations?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how the stylist deals with pressure. You can learn if they are likely to get flustered and make mistakes or if they remain calm and focused. You can also learn about their ability to work well under pressure from their answer.

    Sample Answer: I try to remain calm and think of a solution. I always try to do my best, so I don't let stress get in the way of my work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to stay calm
    • - Ability to remain focused
    • - Ability to work well under pressure

  • Question: Can you tell me about your background?
  • Question Overview: This is a general question that you can use to learn about the candidate's education, work history and personality. You can ask about their schooling, how they got into hair styling and what they like to do in their spare time. You can also ask about their family and friends, which can give you an idea of how well they get along with others.

    Sample Answer: I graduated from a cosmetology school in my hometown and have been working at this salon for the last three years. I love doing hair because it's fun to make people feel good about themselves. I also love to read and spend time with my family.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Education
    • - Work history
    • - Personality

  • Question: What is your availability?
  • Question Overview: This is a basic question that helps you figure out how flexible the candidate is. You can also ask about their availability for training and whether they are willing to work weekends or evenings.

    Sample Answer: I'm available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. I'm willing to work some weekends and evenings, too.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Availability for training
    • - Flexibility
    • - Willingness to work nights and weekends

  • Question: What are examples of customer service?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how well the candidate understands customer service. It is also a good way to see if they are likely to be friendly and helpful with clients. This question can help you learn if the stylist is likely to be a good team player, too.

    Sample Answer: I always try to greet customers with a smile and make sure they are comfortable while they wait. I also try to be friendly and helpful when they ask questions about products or services.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Friendly
    • - Helpful
    • - Good listener
    • - Willingness to go above and beyond

  • Question: When are you available?
  • Question Overview: This is a straightforward question that lets you know when the stylist is available to work. You can also use it to see if they are willing to work weekends and evenings.

    Sample Answer: I'm available on weekdays after 5 p.m. and all day on the weekends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Availability during busy times
    • - Willingness to work weekends and evenings

  • Question: How flexible are your working hours?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to learn about the stylist's work ethic and their ability to work with others. If they are willing to work extra hours when needed, they are more likely to be a team player. If they want to have a set schedule, you can learn if they are likely to be reliable or if they will need extra supervision.

    Sample Answer: I'm happy to work extra hours when needed, and I'm always on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Flexibility
    • - Ability to work with others
    • - Willingness to work extra hours

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the stylist's career goals and their ability to set and achieve goals. It also helps you figure out if the stylist is likely to stay with your business for a long time.

    Sample Answer: I'd like to be a color specialist, so I can help clients get exactly the look they want.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ambition
    • - Desire to work hard
    • - Desire to learn more about hair styling

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a stylist?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to learn about the candidate's self-awareness. You can see if they are honest and humble or if they try to make themselves look better than they really are. You can also learn about their work ethic and how they handle criticism.

    Sample Answer: My strengths are my attention to detail and my ability to listen to customers. I'm working on improving my ability to work quickly and efficiently.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty
    • - Ability to accept criticism
    • - Willingness to improve

  • Question: What are your strengths?
  • Question Overview: This question is a way to find out what the stylist thinks are their greatest skills. You can use this information to see if they are a good fit for your salon.

    Sample Answer: I'm really good at listening to my clients and figuring out what they want. I also love creating new styles and helping people feel confident about their hair.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Good communication skills
    • - Strong work ethic
    • - Creative

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to find out if the stylist is interested in your salon's brand or if they are just looking for a job. It also helps you find out if the stylist is motivated by money or by the desire to work with customers.

    Sample Answer: I've heard great things about your salon, and I love the way you do business. I want to be part of a team that works hard and cares about its clients.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to work with your salon's brand
    • - Interest in working with customers
    • - Willingness to work hard

  • Question: How do I sell a product?
  • Question Overview: This question helps you learn how well the stylist can sell products to clients. You can also ask about how they would handle a client who is hesitant to buy a product. This question is especially useful if you are looking for a stylist who can sell products to clients who are not used to buying them.

    Sample Answer: I would talk about what the product does and why it is good for the client's hair. I'd also let them know that I'm available for any questions they might have after they've used it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to sell products
    • - Willingness to sell products
    • - Knowledge of products

  • Question: How did you get into hair?
  • Question Overview: You can use this question to learn about the candidate's interest in hair styling. It can also help you figure out how long they have been in the industry and whether they have any experience working with your type of clientele.

    Sample Answer: I've always loved styling my own hair, so I decided to get a cosmetology license and start working as a stylist. I've been doing it for five years now.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the job
    • - Interest in the field
    • - Previous experience

  • Question: How old are you?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the candidate's maturity and professionalism. You want to hire someone who is mature enough to work with customers and who can handle the stress of the job. You also want to avoid hiring someone who is too young to be responsible for handling chemicals and sharp objects.

    Sample Answer: I'm 21 years old.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Maturity
    • - Professionalism

  • Question: What do you think about working here?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to find out if the stylist is enthusiastic about the job. You can also learn about their personality and how they handle stress. A good candidate will be excited about the opportunity to work with you and your clients, and they will also be able to talk about how they would fit in with your team.

    Sample Answer: I think this is a great opportunity for me to learn new skills and meet new clients. I'm excited to be a part of your team!

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Enthusiasm for the job
    • - Ability to work well with others
    • - Willingness to learn new skills

  • Question: How do you manage your haircut times?
  • Question Overview: This question helps you learn about the candidate's time management skills. It also lets you know how well they can handle a busy schedule. You can ask about how they prioritize their work, and you can also see if they would be able to work with a team of stylists.

    Sample Answer: I always make sure that I have enough time to get through my appointments. I like to give my clients the attention they deserve, so I don't rush through haircuts.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks
    • - Ability to work with others
    • - Ability to handle a busy schedule

  • Question: How will you gain and retain clients?
  • Question Overview: This question is a way to see how well the stylist understands customer service. You can learn if they have a good grasp of the basics of marketing and sales. You can also see if they will be able to handle the day-to-day tasks of running a hair salon, such as scheduling appointments and greeting customers.

    Sample Answer: I would offer up-to-date styles and a variety of services to keep my clients coming back. I'd also make sure to greet them warmly when they came in.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A good grasp of marketing and sales
    • - Willingness to learn about customer service
    • - A desire to help customers

  • Question: What makes you a good fit for this position?
  • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask at the end of the interview because it gives you a chance to see how well the stylist can sell themselves. You can learn about their personality and how they handle pressure. You can also get a sense of how they would fit in with your existing staff.

    Sample Answer: I'm a great fit for this position because I'm a team player who loves to help clients look their best. I'm also very detail-oriented and love to make sure my clients are happy with their new look.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Enthusiasm for the job
    • - Strong communication skills
    • - Willingness to work with others

  • Question: What is your best and worst haircut?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the stylist's ability to learn from mistakes. You want to hear that they have learned from their mistakes and can explain what they would do differently next time. You can also learn about their creativity and style by hearing about their best haircut.

    Sample Answer: My best haircut was a layered bob that I did for a client who had been growing her hair out for years. It was a big change for her, but she loved it. My worst haircut was when I accidentally cut off too much of a client's hair. I learned to be more careful with my shears after that.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes
    • - Creativity
    • - Strong customer service skills

  • Question: How would you handle a difficult client?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how the stylist deals with conflict. You can learn about their ability to keep a cool head and deal with clients in a professional manner. You can also learn about their ability to think on their feet and come up with a solution to the problem.

    Sample Answer: I would try to figure out what was bothering the client and then try to help them. I'd ask if they were happy with their haircut and offer to fix it if they weren't. If they were still unhappy, I'd ask if there was anything else I could do for them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Ability to think on feet
    • - Ability to solve problems

  • Question: If you were being hired to replace your best friend, how would that make you feel?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out how the candidate would react to a difficult situation. It also helps you learn how they feel about their coworkers and whether they would be willing to work with them.

    Sample Answer: I would be happy for my friend and try to get along with my new coworkers. I'd want to do my best for the business and make sure my friend was happy with my work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to work with others
    • - Ability to put aside personal feelings
    • - Desire to help the business succeed