How to Format a Resume for Massage Therapy and Esthetics Jobs

A well-formatted resume can make all the difference in landing a job in massage therapy or esthetics. Whether you’re an entry-level graduate or a seasoned professional, your resume should showcase both your technical qualifications and your people skills. In these client-centered fields, employers look for a balance of strong clinical expertise (e.g. massage techniques or skincare treatments) and the ability to build rapport with clients​. This guide will walk you through creating a clear, professional resume structure, choosing the right format for your career stage, and highlighting the credentials and skills that matter most.

Resume Structure: Key Sections to Include

To create an effective resume, include organized sections with relevant information. Here are the ideal sections and headers to use in a massage therapy or esthetics resume:

• Contact Information: Start with your name in a large, bold font and include your phone number, professional email, and city/state. You can also add a LinkedIn profile or portfolio link if relevant. Make sure this header stands out at the top of the page for easy visibility​.

• Professional Summary or Objective: A brief 2–3 sentence introduction at the top of your resume. If you’re experienced, use a Professional Summary to highlight your specializations, years of experience, and key strengths (for example, “Licensed Massage Therapist with 5+ years of experience in sports and clinical massage, skilled in deep tissue techniques and client relationship management”). If you’re entry-level, you might use a Career Objective to state your goal and what you offer (e.g. “Newly licensed esthetician seeking to apply top-rated client service and skincare skills in a high-end day spa”). This section should convey the role you’re seeking and the value you bring​.

• Skills or Highlights: A concise list or bullet section of your key skills. Include a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills. For massage therapists, hard skills might include modalities like Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports massage, trigger point therapy, etc. For estheticians, hard skills could be facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, hair removal (waxing/threading/laser), makeup application, and knowledge of skincare products. Soft skills for both might include communication, empathy, customer service, and time management. Employers value both technical expertise and interpersonal skills, so listing both types shows you are well-rounded​. You can label this section “Skills,” “Key Skills,” or “Highlights.”

• Work Experience: Detail your professional experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first)​. For each position, include your job title, the employer/spa name and location, and the dates of employment. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements in that role. Focus on relevant duties (such as specific treatments performed, client volume, or any special accomplishments) and try to quantify results when possible. For example: “Provided therapeutic massage to 50+ clients per week with a 95% satisfaction rate” or “Increased repeat client bookings by 20% through exceptional service and personalized skincare plans.” This section demonstrates your hands-on experience and should be the core of a resume for mid-level or experienced candidates​.

• Education and Training: List your educational background related to massage or esthetics. Include your degree or diploma (for example, Diploma in Massage Therapy or Certificate in Esthetics), the school or training program name, and the graduation year. If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you might place this section above your work experience to emphasize your training​. You can also mention notable coursework or the total hours of training completed if it’s relevant (e.g. “500-hour Massage Therapy training program”). If you have additional relevant education (such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field), list that as well.

• Licenses and Certifications: In massage therapy and esthetics, holding the proper license is mandatory, and additional certifications are highly valuable. Create a dedicated section to list these credentials clearly​. For massage therapists, this typically includes your state Massage Therapist License (often noted as Licensed Massage Therapist – State Name and license number or year obtained) and any certifications such as CPR/First Aid, or specialty certifications like Prenatal Massage Certification, Sports Massage Certification, or Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage (BCTMB)​. For estheticians, list your Esthetician License (state-issued), and any other relevant certifications, such as Certified Laser Technician, Microdermabrasion Certification, Makeup Artist Certification, or additional product/brand training certificates. These credentials prove you meet industry standards and have the required training​. Include the certifying organization and the year obtained or expiration if applicable (for example: “Licensed Esthetician – State of California, 2023”).

• Additional Sections (Optional): Depending on your background, you can include extra sections if they strengthen your resume. For entry-level candidates, an “Internships & Volunteering” section can showcase hands-on practice, such as a school clinic or an externship at a spa​. You might also include Awards (e.g. if you won a scholarship or competition in school) or Professional Affiliations (such as membership in the American Massage Therapy Association or Associated Skin Care Professionals). These extra details can demonstrate dedication and recognition in your field​, but only include them if they are relevant and recent.

All of these sections should be formatted with clear headings and in a logical order. A common order is: Contact Info, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, then Certifications. However, you can adjust the order to suit your situation​. For example, if you are a new graduate with little work experience, you might place Education and Licenses toward the top so that your qualifications are immediately visible, and list any unrelated work experience later or briefly​. On the other hand, an experienced massage therapist or esthetician will lead with a strong summary and a detailed work experience section. Keep each section distinct and use consistent formatting (e.g. all section headings in the same style).

Choosing the Right Resume Format (Chronological, Functional, or Combination)

Selecting an appropriate resume style is important for presenting your background in the best light. The three main resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid). The ideal choice can depend on your career stage:

• Chronological Format: This is the traditional format that lists your work history starting with the most recent job and working backward. It’s often the best choice for mid-level and experienced professionals in massage therapy or esthetics. A chronological resume clearly showcases your employment progression and growth in the field​. Hiring managers and spas are very familiar with this format, and it allows them to easily see where you’ve worked and for how long. For example, if you’ve worked at three different spas or clinics over the last 5+ years, a chronological layout will highlight your steady experience and any advancements (like moving from Junior Esthetician to Lead Esthetician). This format also leaves room to mention skills and achievements under each role, which gives context to your accomplishments. Tip: Even in a chronological format, you can still include a Skills section or brief summary at the top to call out key qualifications. Experienced candidates should almost always stick to a chronological or combination style resume to emphasize their work history​.

• Functional Format: A functional resume organizes your information by skills or functional areas of expertise rather than by chronological job history. This format highlights your skills (like “Therapeutic Techniques” or “Client Service”) as headings, under which you list accomplishments or experiences related to that skill, regardless of when or where you gained them. Entry-level candidates or career changers might consider a functional approach if most of their work experience is in unrelated fields. For instance, if you are newly certified as a massage therapist but previously worked in retail and hospitality, a functional resume could allow you to emphasize transferable skills such as customer service, communication, and organization that are relevant to a spa job​. You might have headings like “Client Communication Skills” and give examples of how you “handled customer inquiries and scheduling” in a past receptionist job – showing how it translates to a front desk or client management aspect of massage therapy. However, be cautious: many hiring managers dislike purely functional resumes because they can obscure your work timeline and lack context for your achievements​. If you use this style, be truthful and prepared to discuss your actual work history in interviews. It’s often better to use a hybrid format if you have any relevant experience at all.

• Combination (Hybrid) Format: A combination resume merges the best of both: it typically starts with a strong skills or summary section highlighting your key competencies, followed by a chronological work experience section. This format can work well for entry-level and mid-level professionals alike. For example, a combination resume might begin with 4–6 bullet points under a heading like “Professional Highlights” – such as “Certified in Aromatherapy and Hot Stone Massage” or “Skilled at upselling skincare products while maintaining client satisfaction” – to immediately showcase your strengths. After this, you would list your employment history in reverse chronological order as usual. The combination format is useful if you want to draw attention to specific skills or certifications (say you have specialized training that is a big selling point) while still providing a clear work history. New graduates often use a hybrid approach: they lead with relevant skills and training (since their work history is short) but still list any part-time jobs or internships chronologically to show responsibility and work ethic. This approach satisfies Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and employers by including a timeline, while also ensuring your top skills don’t get overlooked.

Which format to choose? In most cases, reverse-chronological order will be ideal because it emphasizes your professional achievements and growth​. Combination resumes are a close second, particularly useful if you have some experience plus noteworthy skills or certifications. Pure functional resumes should be used sparingly – typically only if you have little to no relevant job experience or are making a significant career transition into massage therapy or esthetics. Even then, consider that you can achieve a similar effect by using a strong summary and skills section at the top of a chronological resume (which is essentially the combination format). Always ensure that whichever format you use, the resume remains cohesive and easy to follow for the reader. The goal is to highlight your strengths (skills, training, and accomplishments) in a way that aligns with what employers are seeking, while still providing a clear picture of your background​.

Highlighting Certifications, Licenses, and Continuing Education

In the massage and esthetics industries, credentials are crucial. Employers need to know at a glance that you meet the legal requirements to practice and that you have specialized training that adds value. Make sure your resume prominently features your licenses, certifications, and relevant training:

• Licensure: Always list your professional license, including the state and the title. For massage therapists, this is your state massage therapy license (often abbreviated as LMT for Licensed Massage Therapist or similar). For estheticians, list your state esthetician license. You can include license numbers if appropriate, or simply the title and state (e.g. “Licensed Esthetician – New York”). If you hold licenses in multiple states or a dual license (such as massage therapy and cosmetology), include all relevant ones. Typically, the Licenses & Certifications section is placed near the top or just after Education, so it’s easily seen​. Remember, a spa or clinic will likely not consider an applicant who isn’t properly licensed, so don’t bury this information.

• Certifications: List any professional certifications or specialized credentials you have earned. This can include certifications required for the job as well as optional ones that demonstrate additional skills. For massage therapists, examples include Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB), Certified Prenatal Massage Therapist, Sports Massage Certification, Myofascial Release Certification, etc., along with general health and safety certifications like CPR and First Aid​. For estheticians, certifications might include things like Lash Extension Certification, Laser Hair Removal Certification (if not covered by your license), Microblading Certification, or specific product or technique certifications (for instance, certification in using a certain facial treatment device or skincare line). Each certification should be listed by its full name, and you can add the certifying organization and year obtained for clarity (e.g. “Certified Lash Technician – X Beauty Institute, 2024”). Highlighting these credentials is very important – it shows the employer that you have the proper education, meet industry standards, and have expertise in particular services​.

• Education & Training: In addition to formal education, include any significant training programs or workshops you’ve completed, especially those that count as continuing education or advanced training. Many states require massage therapists and estheticians to pursue continuing education to maintain their licenses, so listing recent courses or seminars can demonstrate your commitment to staying current. For example, if you took a workshop on a new deep tissue technique or attended a skincare conference on the latest anti-aging treatments, you could mention it as a bullet point in your Education or a separate Professional Development section. Be selective – focus on training that adds relevant skills for the job you’re targeting​. For instance: “Completed 16-hour Oncology Esthetics training, learning to safely treat clients undergoing cancer treatments (2022).” Such details can set you apart, especially for specialized roles.

• How to Format Credentials: Ensure that your licenses and certifications stand out visually. You can group them under a single heading (e.g. “Licenses & Certifications”) and use bullet points or a simple list format. If you have only one or two, you might also incorporate them into your Education section (for example: “California Massage Therapy License, 2025” right after your school). The key is that they are easy to find when someone scans your resume. It’s often recommended to use the official names of credentials and include issuing bodies and dates​. For example:

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) – State of Illinois (Issued 2023)

CPR and First Aid Certified – American Red Cross (Valid through 2025)

This level of detail gives a clear picture of your qualifications.

• Continuing Education & Memberships: If space allows, you can also note professional memberships (e.g. AMTA or a local estheticians’ association), as these show engagement in your professional community​. Additionally, mentioning that you regularly pursue continuing education can be a plus. You might say something in your summary like “committed to ongoing professional development (completed 20+ hours of continuing education in the last year)” to underscore that you actively keep your skills up to date. This can reassure employers that you’ll be aware of industry best practices and new trends.

In short, don’t be modest about your credentials. In these fields, licenses and certifications are often the first things employers look for. Having a separate section for them helps ensure they aren’t overlooked. Show that you have not only the required qualifications but also any extra training that makes you a stronger candidate.

Showcasing Soft Skills and Customer Service Abilities

Technical skills are essential, but soft skills and customer service aptitude are equally vital for success in massage therapy and esthetics. These jobs are all about providing a great experience and building client loyalty. Here’s how to highlight those qualities:

• Identify Your Key Soft Skills: Think about the personal qualities that make you good at working with clients. Common valuable soft skills in these fields include communication, active listening, empathy, compassion, patience, professionalism, attention to detail, and dependability. Also consider customer service skills like making clients feel welcome, handling scheduling or billing smoothly, and responding calmly to feedback or complaints. For example, being able to put a nervous first-time spa client at ease is a big asset – that involves empathy and communication. Similarly, being punctual and managing your appointment calendar well shows strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Incorporate Soft Skills in Your Resume: It’s not enough to just list soft skills as words; try to demonstrate them through your experience bullets or summary. For instance, instead of simply stating “strong communication skills,” you might write in your work experience: “Communicated with 15+ clients per day to assess needs and provide tailored treatment plans, resulting in consistent positive feedback and repeat bookings.” This shows communication in action and ties it to a result (positive feedback, repeat clients). Another example for an esthetician: “Known for calming anxious clients during procedures through friendly, informative guidance, leading to a 5-star customer satisfaction rating at XYZ Spa.” This illustrates empathy, communication, and customer service effectiveness all at once.

• Use a Skills Section for Emphasis: In your Skills/Highlights section, you can certainly include some soft skills as individual bullet points or phrases (such as “Excellent client communication” or “Empathy and active listening”). Many employers and recruiters do scan for these keywords. In fact, salons and clinics value candidates who can build strong client relationships just as much as those who have technical prowess​. By drawing attention to your communication and relationship-building skills, you signal that you understand the importance of customer care in wellness services.

• Leverage Past Experience: If you’re entry-level in the industry but have past work experience in other customer-facing roles (retail, hospitality, healthcare, etc.), make sure to emphasize the transferable soft skills from those jobs. For example, a former retail associate turned massage therapist could highlight their ability to upsell products tactfully and maintain customer satisfaction. Or if you worked as a receptionist, note your experience in appointment scheduling and greeting clients warmly. Transfer those experiences into the context of massage or esthetics – show how they prepared you to handle clients professionally in a spa setting​. This can be done in a brief bullet under an older job (e.g., “Developed strong customer service skills resolving guest issues at hotel front desk, an asset in managing spa client needs”). It reassures employers that even if you haven’t been a therapist or esthetician for long, you already know how to interact with clients effectively.

• Volunteer and Internship Experience: If you participated in any volunteer work (maybe giving chair massages at a charity event, or doing makeup for a community theater, etc.) or internships, use those to demonstrate soft skills too. You could mention how you collaborated with others, adapted to different client needs, or handled a busy environment. For a student esthetician, an internship bullet might say: “Maintained professionalism and friendliness while serving 10+ clients per day during school clinic sessions, earning positive feedback from instructors on client care.” This underlines both customer service and reliability.

• Quantify Client Satisfaction if Possible: Since soft skills can be hard to measure, one way to make them stand out is to use any metrics or achievements related to customer satisfaction. For example, if you know your personal client return rate or satisfaction scores, mention them. “Achieved a 90% client retention rate over 2 years by building trust and providing personalized care” speaks volumes about your service quality. Similarly, “Regularly requested by name by repeat clients” implies strong interpersonal skills. If you don’t have exact numbers, you can use descriptors like “high client satisfaction” or “strong base of repeat clientele” to suggest the result of your people skills.

Remember, in massage and esthetics, technical skills might get a client in the door, but soft skills keep them coming back. Employers know this. One spa director might put it this way: they can teach a new hire how to use a certain machine or technique, but they can’t easily teach someone to genuinely care about customers and be a team player. So make sure your resume shows that you are not only qualified to perform treatments, but also prepared to deliver an exceptional client experience. Highlighting soft skills like communication, empathy, and customer service – backed by examples – will demonstrate that you can foster the kind of positive, trusting relationships that spas and clinics value​.

Special Considerations: Highlighting Specializations and Unique Skills

Both massage therapy and esthetics encompass a wide range of specialties. If you have a particular niche or expertise, you’ll want to showcase that on your resume – especially when it aligns with the job you’re applying for. Here are some considerations for each field:

Massage Therapy Specializations: Massage therapists may develop expertise in certain modalities or work environments. Examples include sports massage, prenatal (pregnancy) massage, deep tissue, orthopedic/medical massage, trigger point therapy, reflexology, Thai massage, aromatherapy, or spa treatments like hot stone massage. If you have training or significant experience in any specialty, mention it prominently. You could incorporate it into your professional summary (“...specializing in sports and deep-tissue massage”), list it as a bullet in your skills section (“Skilled in prenatal and postpartum massage techniques”), and certainly include any related certification in your certifications section. Tailor your resume to the job: if a clinic or employer specifically seeks a certain skill set, make sure it’s highly visible. For instance, if a sports rehabilitation clinic is looking for someone with sports massage experience, your resume should explicitly highlight your work with athletes or your certification in sports massage. Perhaps under your experience at a spa you could add, “Developed treatment plans for athletes (runners, cyclists) incorporating deep tissue and sports massage techniques to aid recovery”. This shows you can meet the specialized needs of that job.

• If you have experience in a medical or clinical setting (like working with chiropractors, physical therapists, or in a hospital), emphasize that as a specialization. Not every massage therapist has that background, so noting things like “familiar with writing SOAP notes and collaborating with healthcare professionals” can set you apart for medical massage roles​.
• On the other hand, if your focus is more spa/wellness, you might highlight things like body treatments, knowledge of essential oils, or ability to provide a relaxing ambience.
• Physical stamina and ethics are important in massage but usually discussed in cover letters or interviews; however, you can indirectly reference them by mentioning your ability to maintain a full client schedule or your adherence to sanitation and client confidentiality protocols (which are part of professionalism).

Esthetics Specializations: Estheticians also have various areas of expertise. Some might focus on a particular facet of skincare or beauty, such as acne treatments, anti-aging facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or extractions. Others might specialize in medical esthetics, working alongside dermatologists or in medi-spas to do more intensive treatments (like laser therapy, IPL, microneedling) or pre/post-operative skincare. There are estheticians who carve niches in holistic or organic skincare, using natural products and techniques. And some estheticians expand into related beauty services: waxing and hair removal, brow and lash treatments (tinting, extensions), makeup artistry, or cosmetology. Identify what your specialties are and ensure your resume reflects them.

• If you’re a medical esthetician (or aiming to be), highlight any clinical experience or advanced training. For example, mention if you’ve worked with chemical peels of certain strengths, assisted with laser treatments, or are certified on particular machines. A bullet point could read: “Performed advanced treatments such as micro-needling and LED therapy on clients with dermatological supervision.” Also list any certification like a laser safety course or a state advanced license (some places have a Master Esthetician license).

• For those specialized in waxing or lashes, make sure to note your volume of experience (e.g. “Expert in full-body waxing, averaging 15 clients per day during peak season”) and any special skills (like speed waxing or painless techniques). If the job posting prioritizes someone skilled in, say, Brazilian waxing or eyelash extensions, you want those words on your resume.

• If you have knowledge of specific product lines or software (for scheduling or client tracking), you can mention that too. For example, “Product knowledge: Dermalogica, PCA Skin, and Image Skincare lines” or “Proficient in Booker and MindBody software for spa scheduling and client records.” These details can be bonus points if the employer uses those products/systems.

Tailoring to the Job: Always tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills the employer is seeking. If a job ad mentions a particular technique or specialization, try to work that into your resume if you have experience in it. Employers often scan for keywords, and matching those can increase your chances of being noticed​. For example, if a high-end resort spa is looking for someone with body treatment experience (wraps, scrubs) and you have it, include a bullet under your past spa job like: “Delivered full-body treatments (seaweed wraps, salt scrubs) in addition to standard facial services, enhancing client relaxation experiences.” If a sports clinic emphasizes orthopedic knowledge, mention your understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy or how you worked with injured clients. Essentially, think about what makes you uniquely qualified for that specific position and be sure your resume communicates it.

Showcasing Specializations in the Summary: The professional summary at the top of your resume is a great place to immediately broadcast your specializations. For instance: “Licensed Esthetician with 4 years of experience, specializing in acne treatment and advanced chemical peels, dedicated to helping clients achieve healthy, glowing skin.” Or “Certified Massage Therapist focused on rehabilitative sports massage and deep tissue therapy, with experience in chiropractic clinic settings.” This kind of opening lets the hiring manager know right away what your niche is. It can make your resume memorable and aligned with a specialized role.

In both fields, the services you offer can vary widely, so use your resume to carve out your professional identity. If you are a generalist, that’s fine – you can emphasize being well-rounded. But if you have a passion or forte in a certain area, don’t shy away from emphasizing it. Just ensure that you also mention the core skills every therapist or esthetician is expected to have (for massage: a variety of common modalities and good client care; for esthetics: proficiency in facials, skin analysis, product recommendations, etc.) alongside your unique talents.

By highlighting your specializations and tailoring them to each job application, you show employers that you’re exactly what they’re looking for. As one resume expert notes, reverse-chronological format combined with targeted details allows the hiring manager to see your most relevant experience first and understand your specific expertise​. Ultimately, this strategic focus can greatly increase your odds of securing an interview for your desired role.

Resume Formatting Best Practices (Length, Font, Spacing, and Style)

Finally, beyond content, pay close attention to the overall formatting of your resume. A well-formatted resume appears professional, is easy to read, and helps important information stand out. Here are some best practices regarding length, font, spacing, and style:

• Resume Length: For most massage therapy or esthetics professionals, a one-page resume is the ideal length​. Hiring managers often have many resumes to review and will appreciate a concise snapshot of your qualifications. If you are entry-level or mid-career (with less than ~10 years of experience), you should be able to fit everything on one page by focusing on the most relevant details. If you are highly experienced (10+ years) or have extensive certifications and related activities, a second page is acceptable – but only if the content on that second page truly adds value. In other words, don’t go to two pages for the sake of including old or irrelevant information. As one guideline suggests, use a second page only if you have significant accomplishments or additional qualifications that strongly support your candidacy​. Even then, ensure that your most critical information (licenses, key skills, recent experience) is on the first page. Very rarely would a resume need to be longer than two pages in these fields; three pages might be considered if you have a long list of continuing education courses or publications, but typically that much detail isn’t required. Brevity and focus are appreciated — your resume should demonstrate your ability to prioritize information.

• Font Choice and Size: Use a professional, easy-to-read font throughout your resume. Classic fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Garamond, or Helvetica are good choices. A sans-serif font (like Arial or Calibri) can give a clean modern look, while a serif font (like Times or Garamond) looks traditional; either is fine as long as it’s legible. Avoid overly decorative or script fonts – this is not the place for fancy cursive or anything that might be hard on the eyes. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points for body text, and slightly larger (maybe 14-16 pt) for your name at the top, and 12-14 pt for section headings. Indeed.com suggests using a 12-point font for readability​, which is a safe bet for most fonts. If you need to adjust to fit content, you could go down to 11 pt, but try not to go smaller than that. Consistency is key: use the same font for all sections (except your name could be in a different font or style if you want a personal branding touch, but that’s optional). Also, use black (or very dark) text on a white background for maximum contrast. Fancy colors or colored paper are generally not advisable – they can appear unprofessional and may distract from your content​. If you’re handing out physical copies, sticking to white or off-white high-quality resume paper with black ink is recommended for a polished impression​.

• Spacing and Margins: A well-formatted resume needs the right amount of white space to be readable. Use standard page margins (usually around 1 inch on all sides). You can shrink margins to 0.75 inches if you need a bit more room, but avoid going below about 0.5 inches, or the page will look too crowded and text may get cut off when printing​. For line spacing, resumes are typically single-spaced or 1.15 spaced – something in that range​. You want enough space that the text doesn’t look cramped, but not so much that it wastes space. Usually, single spacing for the lines in a bullet point and a blank line or a 6pt space between sections or headings works well. Ensure there’s a clear blank line (or more spacing) before each section heading so that each section is visually separated. Also consider spacing between bullet points – most word processors will handle this automatically if you use a list format. Consistent spacing makes your resume easily scannable, which is important since employers may only spend seconds skimming it initially​.

• Headings and Emphasis: Make your section headings (like “Summary,” “Experience,” “Education,” etc.) stand out by using bold and/or small caps. You can also slightly increase the font size of headings or use a simple underline. However, keep styling minimal and consistent. Use bold text for important elements like section titles, job titles, and degrees. You might italicize things like the names of workplaces or your major if you want, but don’t overdo it. The goal is to guide the reader’s eye to the key parts of each entry: for a job entry, typically the job title and employer are most important, so those could be in bold, followed by regular text for dates and the description. Using formatting like bold or italics sparingly, and in a uniform way, can improve readability and emphasize the right details​. For example, you might format an experience entry as: Esthetician – Serenity Spa – City, State (2019–Present) with the job title and spa name in bold, dates in plain text.

• Bullet Points: Use bullet points for listing responsibilities and achievements under each job, and for listing items in your skills or certifications sections. Bullets help break up text into digestible pieces. Ensure your bullets are properly aligned and indented consistently throughout the document​. All bullet points should line up the same distance from the margin, and you should use the same style of bullet (round, square, or dash, etc.) for similar lists. Typically, simple round bullets are preferred. Keep each bullet point relatively short – one to two lines is a good target. If one of your bullets is a lot longer than others, consider splitting it into two bullets or trimming it. Also, avoid “widow” words (a single word on a line by itself) by editing the text if needed, as this can create unnecessary blank space​.

• Consistency: Consistency in formatting cannot be overstated. Check that all sections are formatted the same way (e.g., if you italicize school names in the Education section, do the same for each school; if you list dates as 2019–2021 for one job, don’t use 5/2019 – Aug 2021 for another – pick one style). Consistent formatting makes your resume look professional and well-crafted. Inconsistent formatting, on the other hand, can be distracting and give the impression of carelessness.

• Avoiding Overly Fancy Elements: It might be tempting to use a creative template with multiple columns, graphics, or even include a photo of yourself – generally, avoid these for massage therapy and esthetician resumes. A clean, simple layout is usually most effective. Many employers use ATS software to scan resumes, and complex formatting can confuse these systems. Stick to a single-column format (aligning content on the left side of the page as Indeed suggests​) because it’s easier for both humans and computers to read. Use horizontal lines or extra spacing, not text boxes or images, to separate sections if needed. Also, do not include a headshot or any images unless explicitly requested – in the U.S. and many other places, resumes with photos are discouraged to avoid bias in hiring. Your work should speak for itself without a picture. The one exception might be if you have an online portfolio of before-and-after photos (common for makeup artists or estheticians) – in that case, provide a link to your portfolio rather than inserting images in the resume.

• File Format and Delivery: If you’re submitting electronically, save your resume as a PDF unless the employer asks for a Word document. A PDF preserves your formatting exactly as intended. Name the file professionally (e.g., JaneDoe_EstheticianResume.pdf). Test opening the file to ensure everything looks correct. If you are printing your resume to hand out (for example, dropping it off at spas or bringing to an interview), use good quality paper as mentioned, and print in high quality. The Estelle education site even suggests using a slightly heavier resume paper stock in white or off-white for a great first impression​ – small touches like that can subtly convey professionalism.

• Proofreading and Polish: Last but certainly not least, proofread your resume meticulously. Spelling or grammar mistakes, inconsistent punctuation, or typos can undermine the professional image you want to project. Take the time to read through multiple times, and consider asking a friend or mentor to review it for clarity and errors​. Ensure that all dates and details are accurate. Check formatting one more time after any edits to make sure nothing shifted out of place. A polished resume free of errors shows attention to detail – a quality that is important in any job, including spa services (for instance, attention to detail in following sanitation protocols or treatment steps).

• Keep It Updated: Make it a habit to update your resume regularly, even when you’re not actively job hunting. This way, you won’t forget to add new certifications or roles. And when you are ready to apply for a new position, you’ll only need to tweak or tailor the document, not overhaul an outdated resume. Keeping an up-to-date master resume with all your experiences can make it easier to customize a shorter version for each application.

By following these formatting guidelines – keeping your resume concise, clean, and organized – you’ll ensure that hiring managers can quickly find the information they need. A resume that is professionally formatted and easy to read is more likely to be taken seriously. It lets your skills and experience shine without distractions, increasing the chances that you’ll be invited for an interview.

Conclusion: Crafting a resume for massage therapy or esthetics roles involves balancing the right content with the right presentation. Use a clear structure with well-defined sections to showcase your qualifications, choose a resume format that best highlights your strengths for your level of experience, and always emphasize the certifications and soft skills that make you a great practitioner. Pay attention to formatting details like font and spacing to ensure your resume looks polished and is easy to read. A strong resume not only lists what you’ve done, but also tells the story of what makes you a compassionate, skilled massage therapist or esthetician ready to provide exceptional service. With a thoughtfully formatted resume in hand, you’ll be well-positioned to make a positive impression and move forward in your career in the wellness and beauty industry. Good luck with your job search!