Hair & beauty / Nails
Nail Technician CV example (UK)
A UK nail technician CV for salons and self-employed work: gel, acrylic and nail art skills, hygiene, client care, qualifications and a portfolio link.
Example CV profile
Qualified nail technician with [three] years' experience in a busy [high-street salon]. Skilled in gel polish, acrylic and hard gel extensions, and freehand nail art, with a loyal client base and strong rebooking rates. Holds [a VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology] and keeps a high standard of hygiene at every station.
Key skills to include (if true for you)
- Manicures and pedicures
- Gel polish application and safe removal
- Acrylic, hard gel and BIAB extensions, infills and repairs
- Freehand nail art, chrome and ombre finishes
- Nail and skin consultations, including contra-indications
- Hygiene, sterilisation and COSHH-aware handling of products
- Client care, rebooking and retail sales
- Appointment booking systems such as [Fresha / Treatwell]
Example experience bullet points
- Delivered [n] treatments a week across manicures, pedicures, gel and acrylic sets, keeping to appointment times.
- Built a client base of [n] regulars, with [x]% rebooking within four weeks.
- Carried out consultations and patch tests, recording contra-indications on client cards before every new treatment.
- Kept workstations, tools and files sterilised and logged, in line with the salon's hygiene procedures and local licence conditions.
- Created seasonal nail art designs shared on the salon's Instagram, helping fill [n] extra bookings a month.
- Recommended aftercare and retail products, adding [£n / x%] to average spend per client.
Illustrative only. Replace with your own real roles, dates and results — never copy experience you don't have.
Education & training
- VTCT or City & Guilds Level 2 / Level 3 Nail Technology – [provider], [year]
- Product brand training – [brand, e.g. gel or BIAB system], [year]
- Level 2 Beauty Therapy (if held) – [provider], [year]
Keywords UK recruiters screen for
nail technician · gel polish · acrylic · BIAB · nail art · manicure · pedicure · consultation · hygiene · client care · rebooking · Level 3
Tips for a nail technician CV
- Add a link to your portfolio or salon Instagram near the top. For nail roles, pictures of your work often matter as much as the CV.
- List the systems and brands you're trained in, such as gel, acrylic and BIAB, and the finishes you can do.
- Show hygiene and safety: consultations, patch tests, sterilisation and safe product handling.
- Give numbers for clients, treatments a week and rebooking if you have them.
- Self-employed or mobile? Say so, and describe your client base, bookings and insurance.
- No salon experience yet? Lead with your course, case studies and practice work.
Nail technician pay depends on your experience, the salon and whether you are employed, rent a chair or work self-employed. Some roles add commission on treatments and retail. Check the advert. Salary checker (ONS data).
Official sources and further reading
What salon managers look for in a nail technician
Most adverts ask for evidence of:
- Qualifications. Your Level 2 or Level 3 nail qualification and any brand training.
- Technical range. Gel, acrylic, BIAB, infills, repairs and nail art.
- Hygiene and safety. Consultations, patch tests, sterilisation and product handling.
- Clients. Rebooking, retail sales and a friendly, professional manner.
- A portfolio. Photos of your recent work.
Paste the advert into the free job ad keyword extractor to see which of these that salon asks for most.
Nail technician or beauty therapist?
| Role | What the CV should lead with | CV example |
|---|---|---|
| Nail technician | Nail systems, nail art, hygiene, portfolio | This page |
| Beauty therapist | Facials, waxing, lashes, wider treatment menu | Beauty therapist CV |
| Hairdresser | Cutting, colouring, styling | Hairdresser CV |
Check it before you send it
Run your CV through the free CV checker for a suggested fix on each issue, or start with the free CV builder.
FAQs
What should a nail technician CV include?
Your qualifications, the systems you're trained in such as gel, acrylic and BIAB, nail art skills, hygiene and consultation practice, client numbers or rebooking rates, and a link to a portfolio of your work.
How do I write a nail technician CV with no experience?
Lead with your course and qualification level, your case studies and practice hours, and any customer service experience. Add a portfolio link with photos of your best work.
Do nail technicians need a licence?
It depends where you work. Many councils require a licence for nail treatments, and rules differ across the UK. Check with the local council for the area you'll work in, and mention a licence on your CV if you hold one.
Should I put a photo of my nails on my CV?
Don't put photos on the CV itself. Add a link to an online portfolio or Instagram page instead, so the CV stays easy to read and to scan.
Applying in the US, Canada or Australia? Is a nail technician resume different?
Call it a nail technician resume. Most US states require a state nail technician licence, so check before applying. Describe UK qualifications briefly.
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- Beauty Therapist CV example
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