Luxury spas, high-end products, swanky treatment rooms, and a hefty paycheck — that’s the dream, right? There’s just one problem: you don’t have much work experience in the esthetician field. Sure, you have the training and licenses, but your resume looks a little sparse to be securing those top jobs. 

Getting your foot in the door starts with your resume, and you can still make a strong impression even if you’re light on experience. Your training, certifications, and ambition speak volumes if you know what details to include and how to lay them out for potential employers. 

This guide will show you how to make it happen. Find out: 

• What to include with our esthetician examples for every field and experience level. 
• How to write an esthetician resume, whether a seasoned professional or beginner. 
• The best ways to optimize your esthetician resume to impress future employers. 

Esthetician Resume Examples

An esthetician provides treatments surrounding skincare. But anyone who’s worked in this field knows there’s more to it than simply giving facials — and employers know it, too. If you’re applying for a job focused on laser hair removal, a generic esthetician resume won’t work. And your old esthetician student resume isn’t going to cut it if you’ve been in the industry for years. 

Making the best first impression is about knowing what you bring to the table, understanding what the employer needs, and tailoring your resume to highlight the right skills.

Below, you’ll find examples of esthetician resumes tailored for different niches and experience levels. Let’s start with various areas in the esthetician world.

Licensed Esthetician Resume

For a Licensed Esthetician resume, highlight your proficiency in beauty treatments and skin care services. Mention your experience in makeup, body treatments, hair removal techniques, and your ability to inform clients about proper skin care. Include your esthetic license and other relevant credentials, like the Master Esthetician License or Acne Specialist Certification. 

Student Esthetician Resume

Your Student Esthetician resume should focus on your education and training to highlight your areas of expertise. List your degree, school name, and expected graduation date. Include relevant achievements, training, and scores if you attended a beauty or esthetician school. Detail the skills you’ve learned in your esthetic courses, like laser hair removal, waxing, and microdermabrasion. 

Laser Esthetician Resume

With a Laser Esthetician resume, emphasize your skills with cosmetic laser technology, including procedures like laser hair removal, photo facials, and cellulite reduction. Mention your proficiency in operating and maintaining laser equipment and your strong knowledge of laser safety, troubleshooting techniques, and calibration procedures. 

Spa Esthetician Resume

For a Spa Esthetician resume, emphasize your skills in exfoliation, facials, body wraps, and waxes. Highlight your background in client consultations, where you assess skin types and goals to recommend the best treatments. Include your experience maintaining a clean workspace, especially during and after treatments. Emphasize how you can work with spa attendants, and other service providers to create a luxury experience. 

Medical Esthetician Resume

Your Medical Esthetician resume should focus on your experience in medical and recovery clinics, working with patients like burn victims or those recovering from surgery. Emphasize your proficiency with medical-grade equipment and your commitment to sanitation, safety, and patient confidentiality. Mention your ability to work alongside oncologists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons for optimal patient care. 

Paramedical Esthetician Resume

With a Paramedical Esthetician resume, emphasize your skills in treating patients with burns, and trauma, and those preparing for or recovering from cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Mention your ability to provide emotional support to patients, using compassion and patience to ease their anxiety about procedures. Include your experience in medical settings where you educated patients on proper skin care and recovery techniques.

Assistant Esthetician Resume

For an Assistant Esthetician resume, highlight your experience assisting lead estheticians with services like skin masks, exfoliation treatments, waxing, and laser hair removal. Mention your skills in preparing treatment rooms, maintaining cleanliness, and assisting with patient intake and assessment. Show your communication skills and teamwork, as working closely with the lead esthetician and other staff is crucial. 

Consultant Esthetician Resume

With a Consultant Esthetician resume, focus on your ability to create personalized skincare formulas by discussing skin type, conditions, concerns, and client preferences. Emphasize your skincare knowledge, including staying updated on new treatments. Include your ability to advise clients on the best beauty and skincare products for their needs. 

Check out these esthetician resume examples for different experience levels. 

Entry-Level Esthetician Resume

Your Entry-Level Esthetician resume should start with an objective that shows your passion and commitment to the field. Mention a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program and your newly earned license. Include examples of your customer service experience, such as providing friendly and helpful service in retail positions. Emphasize your readiness to apply your skills and grow as an esthetician.

Junior Esthetician Resume

For a Junior Esthetician resume, highlight your understanding of client needs and ability to handle basic treatments. Emphasize your experience with various skincare practices like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and body scrubs. Mention your eagerness to learn, contribute to the team, and stay current with industry trends to demonstrate professional development.

Experienced Esthetician Resume

With an Experienced Esthetician resume, show your extensive background in managing a wide range of skin care treatments and beauty services. Quantify your achievements, like the number of treatment techniques you’ve mastered or the volume of clients you’ve serviced. Mention your experience training and mentoring junior staff and collaborating with other businesses for joint promotions. 

How to Write an Esthetician Resume

Short answer:

To write a standout esthetician resume, start with a clear summary highlighting your work history, abilities, and passion for skincare. Tailor your resume to the job by emphasizing skills and experiences that align with the specific role, such as facial treatments, laser procedures, or customer service. Use bullet points to show your achievements and results, like improving client satisfaction or mastering new techniques. List your relevant certifications and licenses prominently, and include any ongoing education and specialized training. Make sure to proofread and format your resume to be clean and professional.

Structure your resume with the right format 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder — but when it comes to resumes, most recruiters have a clear idea of what catches their eye. Mess up the format, and your resume could get overlooked. So what’s the key? The tried-and-tested reverse chronological format.

This format involves listing your most recent job first and working backward. It’s popular among recruiters and hiring managers because it lets them immediately identify your most recent experiences and achievements. 

Here’s what the reverse chronological format looks like for an esthetician resume:

• Header with contact information
• Resume summary or objective
• Work experience
• Education or training
• Certifications or licenses 
• Skills and esthetician proficiencies 

Now, this format can be a little daunting if you’re an entry-level esthetician — how do you fill out your work experience section without any actual work experience? While some might suggest a functional resume focusing on skills, I recommend opting for a modified reverse chronological format. 

Swap the work section for your education and focus on your esthetician training, courses, and any certifications you’ve earned. For the work experience section, include apprenticeships or any job where you developed transferable skills like customer service. This way, recruiters can see your relevant background and potential right away.

Find out more about beautifying your resume with the right layout: How to Format a Resume & What Standard Resume Format to Use

Add a header and contact information

Adding a header and contact information only takes a few minutes, but it’s one of the most important parts of your resume — one typo could cost you an interview (no pressure). 

Start by placing your details at the top of the page. This should include your full name, phone number, and professional email address (surfergirl@hotmail.com won’t cut it). You could also add a link to your professional website or portfolio with client photos or testimonials to show off your work.

Here’s how to list your esthetician contact information: 

William Blake
‍555-123-4567
william.blake@email.com
www.blakeesthetics.com

Learn more: What Sections to Include on Your Resume?

Outline your esthetician background and successes 

Ever walked into a spa to find a long list of tempting beauty treatments? Let’s say you try a few treatments — you’re unlikely to get a different esthetician for each one. That’s because employers want estheticians who can cover a range of services and meet all their clients’ needs.

To show off your extensive skills, use bullet points to list the different services you’ve offered in your career. But don’t stop there — focus on the positive outcomes and achievements to really impress recruiters. 

For example, I once met an esthetician who claimed to be an expert in facials. Short story: I ended up with a rash. Could she do facials? Technically, yes. Could she do them well? Questionable. 

It’s not just about showing recruiters what you did, but how well you did it. Did you have high client satisfaction or retention scores? Don’t be afraid to brag a little. You could even mention any positive feedback from your past employers or customers. 

Here’s how you could structure your work experience section for a spa esthetician resume:

Spa Esthetician | Blissful Beauty Spa | New York, NY
June 2019 – Present

• Performed a variety of skincare treatments, including facials, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, resulting in a 95% client satisfaction rate.
• Managed client consultations to assess skin conditions and recommend personalized treatment plans, improving client retention by 20%.
• Executed waxing and hair removal services with precision, ensuring a comfortable and efficient experience for clients.
• Maintained high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in treatment rooms, receiving praise from clients and management for consistently clean and welcoming environments.

Include metrics, like the number of clients you served or sales increases, to give recruiters a more concrete picture of your abilities. Use action verbs like “delivered,” “increased,” and “trained” to make your achievements stand out. 

Learn more about making your skills shine through your work experiences: How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume.

Include your relevant education and training

If you’re just getting started as an esthetician, your education and training can help fill in the work experience gaps. It’s your way of telling the recruiter what area you specialize in and how committed you are to your craft. 

You don’t need a college degree to be an esthetician, but if you’ve got one, list it along with the university and any impressive courses related to skincare, medical procedures, or beauty. 

Most estheticians go down a different route, such as an apprenticeship, beauty school, community college, or an esthetician course. Include any training with the institute’s name, areas you specialized in, and certifications. 

Here’s what your training section for an esthetician could look like: 

Esthetician Diploma
Star Cosmetology School, New York, NY
Courses included: Advanced Skin Analysis, Facial Treatments, Hair Removal Techniques, and Sanitation Practices

Be specific about the courses, as many employers want estheticians with specific skills and knowledge to align with the treatments they offer customers. You can also mention any extra workshops or classes that show your dedication to learning and growing in your field — especially important if you don’t have much full-time esthetician work experience yet.

Then you have those all-important esthetician licenses — but in many cases, these deserve their own section on your resume. 

Find out more about highlighting your education: How to List Education on a Resume

Create a licenses and certifications section 

Having a license isn’t just a legality; it shows you’re well-trained and up-to-date with industry standards. Employers need to see your license immediately to check off that essential box, so having a dedicated section makes it easy for them to spot it right away. 

Since licensing requirements vary by state, including all the details is important. Start by creating a section titled “Licenses and Certifications” or “Professional Licenses.” List your esthetician license with the state, license number, and the issue date. 

Got additional certifications? Adding these demonstrates your commitment and expertise. Here are some popular ones to consider:

• National Esthetician Certification (National Coalition of Estheticians Association)
• Medical Esthetician Certification (National Institute of Modern Aesthetics)
• Advanced Esthetics Certification (The Aesthetic Science Institute)
• Laser Certification (National Laser Institute)
• Certified Acne Specialist (Face Reality Skincare)

If a job posting specifically calls out the need for a state license, don’t just stick it in this section. Highlight it in your objective statement or summary to show employers you’re credible and serious about the role. 

List your esthetician skills and technical abilities 

As an esthetician, your skills are more than your abilities — they represent your services and expertise. While your skills should shine through your work experience and training sections, including a list can help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and make it easier for employers to check you fit the requirements. 

If you’re limited on space, focus on your hard skills and esthetician proficiencies, as your soft skills should be implied in your other sections. However, if you want to fill up the page, you can touch upon interpersonal skills and anything related to having a strong work ethic. 

Here’s some inspiration for your esthetician skills section: 

Hard skills 

• Beauty and skincare knowledge
• Body wraps 
• Chemical peels 
• Facial treatments
• Laser hair removal
• Lash and brow tinting
• Makeup application
• Microdermabrasion
• Skin analysis
• Waxing 

Soft skills 

• Adaptability 
• Cleanliness 
• Constructive feedback
• Customer service 
• Dedication
• Empathy 
• Leadership
• Strong work ethic 
• Teamwork
• Willingness to learn

Tailor this section to the specific role you’re applying for. If the job emphasizes advanced treatments or customer service, move those skills to the top of your list. This way, hiring managers can quickly see that you’ve done your homework and have the necessary abilities. 

Discover how to get your skills noticed: How to Put Skills on a Resume

Create an eye-catching resume summary or objective

Your resume summary might be at the top of the page, but it’s the last thing you should write. Why? Because it’s designed to highlight the best parts — a quick snapshot of your achievements, training, and skills that you’ve laid out in detail below. 

Think of it like a movie trailer: a great preview makes people want to see more. Keep it short and sweet, just 3 to 4 sentences. Mention your job title, years of experience, key skills, and any relevant certifications. And if you have any accomplishments (even the small wins) now is the time to let them shine. 

Here’s an example for a laser esthetician:

Certified Laser Esthetician with over 5 years of experience specializing in advanced skin treatments. Proven track record in client satisfaction and skin rejuvenation techniques. Skilled in laser hair removal, chemical peels, and personalized skincare consultations. Recognized for boosting client retention by 20% through tailored treatment plans.

Newbies to the scene, I know what you’re thinking — how do you describe your track record and achievements with no experience? Including your training can do most of the heavy lifting to show your skills and expertise. You can also use a resume objective that focuses more on your goals and career aspirations.

Here’s an example of an esthetician resume objective: 

Motivated recent graduate and licensed esthetician with hands-on training in facials and skincare. Eager to leverage strong communication skills and a passion for skincare to contribute to a dynamic spa team. Completed certification in advanced skincare techniques with a focus on customer satisfaction.

In both cases, include what drives you and how you handle challenges, like stress or difficult clients. This gives employers a glimpse into your personality and working style.

Selling products is one thing, but selling yourself is another. If you’re struggling with an opening paragraph, our Rezi AI Resume Summary Generator can do it for you. Just enter your details and our AI technology will generate a summary in seconds. 

What Makes Esthetician Resumes Different

In short: show your dedication to your craft and desire to improve your expertise and services. 

Tailor your resume to the esthetician role

Everyone in beauty has their own style — but the sign of a true professional is putting aside their preferences to address the client’s needs and wants. Do the same with your resume by tailoring it to what the employer is looking for and the key skills in the job ad. 

• Read through the job listing carefully and include relevant keywords like “client consultations,” “facial treatments,” and “laser hair removal” to match the job description and get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
• Focus on how your skills and experiences align with what the employer needs and the business goals, such as increasing client satisfaction or driving product sales. 

Emphasize strong customer relationships

Working with customers means the toast burning, your kids having a tantrum, and the dog eating your mascara (all in one morning) has to stay at home. Customer service and retention are big in the beauty world — an excellent treatment can do wonders for the business by word of mouth alone. 

• Highlight customer satisfaction with specific examples where your personalized care led to better client outcomes, like improved skin conditions or repeat bookings. Quantify these impacts with percentages or metrics to give employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the company. 
• Showcase your interpersonal skills by emphasizing the positive results of your communication and empathy, demonstrating how these strengths help you connect with clients and build trust.

Show passion for the beauty and skincare industry

While showing passion for your work is helpful in any job, there are several ways you can show your interest and drive in the beauty and skincare industry to impress employers. 

• Demonstrate continuous learning by listing beauty courses, workshops, or certifications you’ve completed. You want to show employers you’re dedicated to staying updated and improving your services.
• Mention your core values and what drives you in your summary. Whether it’s helping clients feel confident or staying on top of beauty trends, this adds a personal touch that sets you apart from more generic resumes. 

Add the necessary licenses and certifications

Many jobs rely on a degree or a high school diploma to show you’re qualified — but as an esthetician, your training, licensing, and certifications reign supreme. They tell employers you’re legally qualified to work for them and your area of expertise. 

• Create a dedicated section for “Licenses and Certifications” and list all your relevant credentials, starting with your state esthetician license. Include details like the issuing state, license number, and date.
• Highlight specialized training through advanced certifications in areas like microdermabrasion or chemical peels. It shows you’re committed to expanding your expertise and raising the bar with your treatments. 

Bonus Resources for Estheticians

You've got your license and completed your training, but you’re still up against more experienced candidates for that dream job. You know you’re dedicated and driven, but it's your future employer who needs to see that. To stand out, consider boosting your resume with additional courses and certifications.

Keeping up with the latest trends is also key, so dive into newsletters and blogs for estheticians. The more you know, the better your treatments will be — something your future self will thank you for when scoring those top jobs. 

Here are some popular esthetician courses and newsletters worth checking out: 

Certifications and courses 

• National Esthetician Certification (National Coalition of Estheticians Association): The NCEA Certification is the top voluntary credential for estheticians in the US, elevating standards beyond basic licensure. It validates expertise, offering consumers confidence in an esthetician’s training and skills through a standardized, legally sound exam.
• Laser Certification (National Laser Institute): This two-week laser course provides comprehensive training, combining expert-led classroom instruction and hands-on practice in a spa setting, leading to certification in safe, advanced laser techniques.
• Microdermabrasion Certificate (Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie): The course will teach a range of Microdermabrasion techniques covering essential skills like cleansing, skin analysis, and facial massage. Before entering the course, you must complete 75 hours at an accredited CIDESCO School. 
• Chemical Peel Training Course (The American Board of Aesthetic Medicine): This one-day course doesn’t come cheap at $1,700, but covers essentials like skin prep, chemical agents like TCA and Glycolic Acid, and treatment techniques to prevent complications, with a focus on different skin types.

Newsletters and blogs 

• DERMASCOPE Magazine: DERMASCOPE Magazine, since 1975, offers unbiased education and industry insights, serving as a trusted resource for aestheticians and spa owners, covering topics from chemical exfoliation to business trends.
• Skin Inc: Skin Inc. magazine offers essential business and technical insights for spa professionals, focusing on skincare industry needs in the U.S. and Canada, with content tailored for spa owners, managers, and estheticians.
• The Solo Esthetician: The Solo Esthetician’s mission is to offer a thorough resource hub for esthetic entrepreneurs, covering skincare, business, makeup, and beauty. Their offerings include webinars, and workshops on various subjects, such as marketing, client retention, and financial management. 
• Modern Aesthetics®: Modern Aesthetics® offers aesthetic physicians expert advice on patient care, practice growth, and integrating new technologies, with insights on minimally-invasive procedures and skincare from leading industry clinicians.

Summary

Here are the key steps to help you craft a resume highlighting your strengths as an esthetician: 

• Detail your contact information and add links to your social media or website to show your work. Your portfolio can include client testimonials to add credibility and a personal touch.
• Outline your work history in reverse chronological order, focusing on specific duties and achievements. Mention the types of treatments you provided and any special techniques you mastered.
• Include your education, training, esthetician license, and certifications to show your areas of expertise. Make sure these are current and clearly displayed, so employers can quickly check off those boxes. 
• Showcase your technical skills (like facials, waxing, and skincare consultations) and soft skills (like customer service and communication) in a list and throughout your work experience and training sections. 
• Include any workshops, seminars, or additional training you’ve completed to stay up-to-date with industry trends and show you’re committed to growing in the field. 
• Round up your resume with a brief, punchy summary of your key accomplishments, skills, and certifications to give employers a quick snapshot of who you are and if you’re a good fit. 
• Customize your resume for each position you apply for by emphasizing the skills and experiences that match the job description and the goals of the business.
• Keep the design simple and professional, with clear headings and bullet points to make your resume easy to read.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes can make you look unprofessional, so double-check everything before you send it out.

FAQ

What is the difference between an aesthetician and an esthetician?

Estheticians specialize in cosmetic and maintenance procedures like facials, skin treatments, and makeup applications. Aestheticians, often called medical aestheticians, perform more advanced treatments, including laser hair removal, chemical peels, and care for skin trauma or aging. 

While estheticians work in spas and salons, aestheticians often work in medical settings, assisting patients with more serious skin conditions. So, think of aestheticians as the go-to for medical-grade skincare, while estheticians focus on enhancing beauty.

How do you describe esthetician experience on a resume for another role?

When translating your esthetician experience to another role, highlight transferable skills. Emphasize client interactions, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. For instance, if you managed a busy salon, you likely have strong organizational and customer service skills. 

Mention any achievements like improved client satisfaction or sales increases, as these demonstrate valuable soft skills and a results-driven approach. Tailor these experiences to match the requirements of the new role you’re targeting.

What to include in an esthetician resume with no experience? 

If you’re new to the field, focus on your training and certifications. Highlight any apprenticeships, workshops, or courses related to esthetics. Mention specific skills learned, like facial techniques or client consultations, and include any certifications or licenses. 

Craft a strong resume objective to convey your enthusiasm and commitment. Even if you lack professional experience, showcasing your education and passion can make a strong impression.

How to list an esthetician license on a resume?

Create a separate section titled “Licenses and Certifications.” List your esthetician license here, including the state where it’s issued, the license number, and the date of issuance. 

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If you have additional certifications, like advanced training in specific treatments, include those as well. This section ensures that employers can quickly verify your credentials and see your professional qualifications.

What is a good objective for an esthetician’s resume?

A strong objective for an esthetician resume should highlight your enthusiasm, relevant skills, and career goals. For example:

“Enthusiastic licensed esthetician with hands-on training in advanced skincare techniques and a passion for customer service. Seeking to leverage my skills in facials and client consultations to contribute to a dynamic spa team. Committed to delivering exceptional beauty treatments and building lasting client relationships.”

A resume objective is ideal for those without much work experience as it places the focus on your commitment, aspirations, and how they align with the goals and needs of potential employers.