Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Working Life

The Hair Department Trainee works under the under the direction of senior members of the department in carrying out various tasks. Through their training they have the opportunity to enter the film industry and learn within this creative environment. 

• Liaise with the hair assistants on the looks to be achieved and support and reference look boards in the planning stages. 

• Work with extras, maintain and record the extras list, wash and dry wigs, and maintain records.

• Learn how to read and break down a script according for hair design, developing an understanding of continuity, and how a film set operates. 

• Ordering and maintaining stock.

• Responsible for the upkeep of work stations on a daily basis during filming. 

Works with

• Hair Designer
• Hair Assistant
• All of the Hair Department
• Actors

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep work stations clean and sanitise tools, such as scissors and combs.
• Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
• Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and rasors.
• Schedule client appointments.
• Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
• Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
• Analyse patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
• Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
• Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
• Order, display, and maintain supplies.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Education Route: This is an entry level role. A qualification as a hair dresser is essential with experience in a hair salon. It is important to have a portfolio of work.

Career Path to Hair Department Trainee: Experience in hair salons or creative projects such as theatre can be beneficial. 

Career Path from Hair Department Trainee: Hair Assistant, Hair Designer.