Barbers

Overview

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Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.

Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.

Yearly Salary

High: $63K
Median: $32K
Low: $21K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
  • Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
  • Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
  • Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
  • Clean work stations and sweep floors.
  • Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.
  • Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
  • Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
  • Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
  • Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
  • Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems.
  • Order supplies.
  • Provide skin care and nail treatments.
  • Shampoo hair.
  • Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit.
  • Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies.
  • Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment.
  • Provide face, neck, and scalp massages.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Calendar and scheduling software
Appointment scheduling software
Data base user interface and query software
Customer information databases
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Point of sale POS software
Point of sale POS payment software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video creation and editing software
YouTube
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Commercial and industrial furniture
Adjustable barber chairs
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Laptop computers
Domestic appliances
Curling irons
Hand tools
Strops
Personal care products
Facial hair trimmers
Plumbing fixtures
Latherizing machines

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Customer and Personal Service
89%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management
64%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language
63%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Economics and Accounting
61%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Psychology
60%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Mathematics
57%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Production and Processing
55%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Sales and Marketing
53%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Education and Training
52%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Administrative
48%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Top 10 Skills

Active Listening
68%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Service Orientation
63%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness
63%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking
63%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Critical Thinking
58%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring
58%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension
55%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Time Management
53%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Learning
50%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Top 10 Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
78%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Near Vision
73%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
73%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Finger Dexterity
68%
Importance

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Manual Dexterity
68%
Importance

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Oral Expression
65%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Recognition
65%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Selective Attention
63%
Importance

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Speech Clarity
63%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Control Precision
60%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Top 10 Work Activities

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
94%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Thinking Creatively
78%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Performing General Physical Activities
77%
Importance

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
75%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Assisting and Caring for Others
70%
Importance

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Handling and Moving Objects
69%
Importance

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
68%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
66%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
65%
Importance

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
64%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Clean tools or equipment.
  • Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
  • Trim client hair.
  • Discuss service options or needs with clients.
  • Clean facilities or work areas.
  • Maintain financial or account records.
  • Supervise service workers.
  • Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
  • Perform human resources activities.
  • Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
  • Provide medical or cosmetic advice for clients.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin.
  • Sell products or services.
  • Promote products, services, or programs.
  • Treat nails by shaping, decorating, or augmenting.
  • Maintain client information or service records.
  • Apply solutions to hair for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes.
  • Administer therapeutic massages.

Education

Interests

Realistic
77%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional
56%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising
52%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Social
52%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Artistic
39%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Investigative
15%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Work Values

Relationships
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
50%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
48%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Support
34%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.