What Do Barbers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Barbers provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards, or giving shaves. They also clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.

Other tasks include:

• Drape and pin protective cloths around customers’ shoulders.
• Cut and trim hair according to clients’ instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
• Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
• Clean work stations and sweep floors.
• Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces.
• Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.

We asked Barbers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Barbers drape and pin protective cloths around customers’ shoulders. They cut and trim hair according to clients’ instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.

A typical day for a Barber will also include:

• Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients’ hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis.
• Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
• Clean work stations and sweep floors.
• Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
• Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.

We asked some Barbers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	90% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	8% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	77% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	32% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	55% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Barbers also measure, fit, and groom hairpieces. They may also curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Barbers Order supplies. They might also Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit.

In addition, they Shampoo hair.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Provide skin care and nail treatments.

To some Barbers, it is also their responsibility to Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Barber, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairdressers-and-cosmetologists.htm

http://www.beautyschools.org/

http://www.nationalbarberboards.com/

http://www.nictesting.org/