1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Barbers
  4. Required Skills Responsibilities Activities

Barbers Occupation Detailed Description

Barbers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Barbers

The main tasks and work activities of Barbers are to clean tools or equipment, trim client hair, discuss service options or needs with clients, clean facilities or work areas. In general, for the Barbers, active Listening, service Orientation, social Perceptiveness, speaking and other 2 skills are required.
Barbers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Barbers jobs. 24.55% of Barbers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 28.70% of Barbers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
20.94%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
24.55%
Post-Secondary Certificate
28.70%
Some College Courses
11.74%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
11.13%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
2.94%

Tasks and Work Activities of Barbers

  • 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.
  • Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
  • Order supplies.
  • Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
  • Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
  • Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems.
  • Shampoo hair.
  • Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit.
  • Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
  • Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment.
  • Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.
  • Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces.
  • Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies.
  • Provide face, neck, and scalp massages.
  • Provide skin care and nail treatments.
  • Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or PeopleAssessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Clean tools or equipment.
  • Trim client hair.
  • Discuss service options or needs with clients.
  • Clean facilities or work areas.
  • Maintain financial or account records.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
  • Provide medical or cosmetic advice for clients.
  • Apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin.
  • Maintain client information or service records.
  • Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
  • Supervise service workers.
  • Perform human resources activities.
  • Apply solutions to hair for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes.
  • Groom wigs or hairpieces.
  • Promote products, services, or programs.
  • Sell products or services.
  • Administer therapeutic massages.
  • Treat nails by shaping, decorating, or augmenting.
  • Assess skin or hair conditions.

Skills and Abilities for Barbers

  • Active ListeningGiving 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 OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Swiveling barber chaire.g. Adjustable barber chairs
  • Hair scissorse.g. Barber scissors
  • Hair or curling irone.g. Curling irons
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Razorse.g. Electric shavers
  • Electric hair clippere.g. Facial hair trimmers
  • Hair combs or brushese.g. Hair styling combs
  • Domestic hair dryerse.g. Handheld blow dryers
  • Electric hair clippere.g. Handheld electric hair clippers
  • Hair combs or brushese.g. Hot air brushes
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Soap dispensere.g. Latherizing machines
  • Tweezerse.g. Pointed tweezers
  • Barber and salon hair cutting gown or capee.g. Protective capes
  • Hair combs or brushese.g. Rat tail combs
  • Hair combs or brushese.g. Round brushes
  • Shaving brushese.g. Shaving brushes
  • Hand sprayerse.g. Spray bottles
  • Razorse.g. Straight razors
  • Hair scissorse.g. Straight-bladed scissors
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge 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 ManagementKnowledge 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 LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Economics and AccountingKnowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  • PsychologyKnowledge 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.