Pet Groomer Resume examples & templates
Copyable Pet Groomer Resume examples
Ever notice how people treat their pets like family these days? That's great news if you've got a knack for handling animals and scissors! Pet grooming has transformed from a simple bath-and-clip service into a specialized profession requiring technical skills, animal behavior knowledge, and a dash of artistic flair. With Americans spending a record $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, the grooming segment is seeing particularly strong growth—especially for groomers who can offer specialized services like breed-specific cuts, anxiety-reducing techniques, or mobile services.
The job isn't just about making pets look Instagram-worthy (though that's definitely part of the fun). Modern pet groomers often serve as early warning systems for health issues, from skin conditions to ear infections that might otherwise go unnoticed. Many groomers find themselves building relationships with both the animals and their humans, creating a loyal client base that returns every 4-8 weeks like clockwork. As pet ownership continues climbing and premium grooming services become more mainstream, skilled groomers with the right mix of technical ability and genuine animal affection will find themselves in an increasingly rewarding field—both financially and emotionally.
Junior Pet Groomer Resume Example
Natalie Pham
San Diego, CA | (619) 555-8742 | natalie.pham@email.com | linkedin.com/in/nataliepham
Professional Summary
Recent graduate of professional pet grooming school with hands-on experience grooming dogs and cats of various breeds and temperaments. Quick learner who’s developed efficient bathing and styling techniques while maintaining animal comfort. Great at calming anxious pets and building rapport with their owners – they usually ask for me by name for their next appointment!
Experience
Junior Pet Groomer – Paws & Relax Pet Salon, San Diego, CA (January 2022 – Present)
- Groom an average of 6-8 pets daily, including bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and breed-specific haircuts
- Reduced average grooming time by 14% while maintaining quality through improved workflow organization
- Handle special requests for senior pets and those with skin conditions requiring medicated baths
- Manage appointment scheduling and client communications during receptionist breaks
- Received 4.9/5 star rating from client feedback surveys (highest among junior staff)
Grooming Assistant – Pawsitively Perfect, San Diego, CA (June 2021 – December 2021)
- Assisted lead groomers with bathing, drying, and basic prep work for 10-15 animals daily
- Maintained cleanliness of grooming stations, tools, and common areas
- Learned to handle difficult dogs that other assistants struggled with
- Practiced basic cuts on regular clients under supervision (poodles, schnauzers, terriers)
Pet Care Volunteer – San Diego Animal Shelter (September 2020 – May 2021)
- Bathed and brushed shelter animals to improve adoptability
- Helped socialize rescue animals with limited human contact
- Participated in weekend adoption events, preparing animals to look their best
Education & Certifications
Professional Pet Groomer Certificate – California School of Dog Grooming (2021) Pet First Aid & CPR Certification – American Red Cross (2021, renewed 2023)
Associate’s Degree, Animal Science – San Diego Community College (in progress, expected 2024)
Skills
- Breed-specific grooming styles
- Scissor cutting & precision trimming
- De-matting techniques
- Pet handling & restraint methods
- Tool maintenance & sanitization
- Animal behavior interpretation
- Skin & coat assessment
- Client communication
- Appointment scheduling (PetLinked software)
- Retail product knowledge
Additional Information
Available for early morning, evening, and weekend shifts. Currently training in creative grooming techniques (safe pet-friendly color application) during off-hours.
Mid-level Pet Groomer Resume Example
Sam Mitchell
Denver, CO 80202 • (720) 555-8194 • sam.mitchell@email.com • linkedin.com/in/sammitchell
Dedicated Pet Groomer with 5+ years of hands-on experience transforming pets of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Known for building trust with anxious animals and maintaining a 96% client retention rate. Skilled in breed-specific cuts, creative styling, and medical grooming for senior pets. Certified in pet first aid and passionate about creating a stress-free environment where both pets and their owners feel comfortable.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Pet Groomer – Happy Tails Grooming Salon, Denver, CO | March 2021 – Present
- Manage a team of 3 junior groomers while personally handling 8-12 grooming appointments daily
- Specialize in handling difficult-to-groom dogs, reducing incident reports by 78% compared to salon average
- Created a training protocol for new groomers that cut onboarding time from 4 weeks to 17 days
- Introduced a “Gentle Grooming” service for senior and special needs pets that generated $27,450 in new revenue
- Maintain detailed grooming records for 350+ regular clients, tracking coat conditions, behavior notes, and owner preferences
Pet Groomer – PetSmart, Boulder, CO | June 2019 – February 2021
- Performed comprehensive grooming services including bathing, brushing, haircuts, nail trimming, and ear cleaning for up to 10 pets daily
- Achieved highest customer satisfaction rating (4.9/5) among 7 groomers for 6 consecutive months
- Developed expertise in breed-specific cuts for poodles, schnauzers, and terriers
- Recognized as “Groomer of the Quarter” twice for exceptional client service and attention to detail
Grooming Assistant – Pampered Paws, Fort Collins, CO | August 2018 – May 2019
- Assisted lead groomers with bathing, drying, and basic prep work for 15-20 animals per day
- Managed front desk operations including scheduling, client check-in/out, and retail sales
- Maintained a clean, sanitized workspace that passed all health inspections with zero violations
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Pet Grooming Certification – Colorado School of Animal Management | 2018
Pet First Aid & CPR Certification – PetTech | Renewed 2022
AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Program – American Kennel Club | 2020
Associate’s Degree, Animal Science – Front Range Community College | 2017
SKILLS
- Breed-Specific Styling & Cuts
- De-matting & Deshedding Techniques
- Hand Scissoring
- Handling Difficult or Anxious Animals
- Skin & Coat Assessment
- Feline Grooming
- Grooming Equipment Maintenance
- Client Education & Communication
- Salon Management Software (123Pet, Pawfinity)
- Basic Animal Health Monitoring
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Member of National Dog Groomers Association of America
Volunteer groomer at Denver Animal Shelter (monthly since 2019)
Won 2nd place in Creative Grooming category at Rocky Mountain Pet Expo 2022
Senior / Experienced Pet Groomer Resume Example
Megan Winters
Portland, OR • (503) 555-8127 • megan.winters@email.com • linkedin.com/in/meganwinters
Professional Summary
Dedicated Pet Groomer with over 9 years of hands-on experience transforming pets of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Known for creating calm grooming environments and building loyal client relationships that have resulted in a 91% retention rate. Skilled in specialized techniques for senior pets, anxious animals, and breed-specific styling. Currently managing a team of 4 groomers while maintaining a personal client base of 200+ regular customers.
Professional Experience
Lead Pet Groomer & Shift Supervisor | Paws & Reflect Pet Salon | Portland, OR | May 2019 – Present
- Oversee daily operations for busy salon handling 30+ pets daily, including scheduling, quality checks, and client communications
- Train and mentor junior groomers in breed-specific cuts, handling techniques, and salon best practices
- Manage inventory and equipment maintenance, reducing supply costs by 17% through vendor negotiations
- Specialize in handling anxious and elderly pets, developing a “Gentle Touch” protocol now used salon-wide
- Introduced a digital booking system that decreased no-shows by 64% and streamlined appointment scheduling
Senior Pet Stylist | Furry Friends Grooming | Beaverton, OR | June 2016 – April 2019
- Performed full-service grooming for 8-12 pets daily, including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and styling
- Diagnosed and properly treated common skin conditions, referring more serious issues to veterinary partners
- Created a specialized bath treatment for dogs with sensitive skin that became the salon’s premium service
- Generated $14,500+ in monthly revenue through service excellence and client referrals
- Collaborated with local shelters to provide grooming for adoptable pets, increasing adoption rates by 32%
Pet Groomer | Happy Tails Pet Spa | Portland, OR | March 2014 – May 2016
- Provided complete grooming services for cats and dogs of various breeds, sizes, and temperaments
- Built a loyal client base of 150+ regular customers through attention to detail and personalized service
- Assisted in developing salon safety protocols that reduced workplace incidents by 78%
- Maintained detailed grooming records for each pet, tracking health concerns and styling preferences
Education & Certifications
Certified Master Groomer | National Dog Groomers Association | 2017
Pet First Aid & CPR Certification | Pet Tech | Renewed 2022
Advanced Pet Styling Certificate | Portland Pet Grooming Academy | 2015
Associate’s Degree in Animal Science | Portland Community College | 2013
Skills
- Breed-specific styling & hand-scissoring
- Handling of anxious & senior pets
- De-matting & coat restoration
- Cat grooming specialist
- Skin & coat health assessment
- Team leadership & training
- Grooming equipment maintenance
- Client relationship management
- Inventory control & ordering
- POS systems (Salon Iris, Square)
Professional Memberships
National Dog Groomers Association of America
Oregon Pet Groomers Association
International Society of Canine Cosmetologists
How to Write a Pet Groomer Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect pet grooming job means showcasing your skills with scissors and your way with anxious animals. Your resume is often the first impression a salon owner gets of you—before they ever see you transform a matted mess into a pristine poodle. I've reviewed hundreds of groomer resumes over the years, and there's a clear difference between ones that get interviews and ones that don't. This guide will walk you through creating a resume that highlights your grooming expertise, animal handling skills, and client relationship abilities.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your pet groomer resume clean and organized—just like your workstation should be! Aim for 1-2 pages max, with clear sections and plenty of white space.
- Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Georgia work well)
- Include your name, phone, email, and location at the top (no need for full address)
- Stick to reverse chronological format if you have experience
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a .doc)
- Name your file professionally (JaneDoe_PetGroomer_Resume.pdf)
Pro tip: Much like a well-groomed pet shows off your skills, a well-organized resume shows off your attention to detail. Salon managers notice these things!
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief (3-4 sentence) summary that captures your experience level, specialties, and what makes you stand out. This is your "elevator pitch" to grab attention.
For example: "Detail-oriented Pet Groomer with 4+ years handling all breeds from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. Specialized in senior pets and anxiety reduction techniques. Known for efficiency without sacrificing quality—averaging 7 grooms daily with 92% client retention rate. AKC Certified Groomer seeking position with full-service salon."
Professional Experience
This is where you shine! List your work history starting with most recent, focusing on achievements rather than just duties.
- Include salon name, location, your title, and dates worked
- Use action verbs (groomed, styled, managed, trained)
- Add numbers when possible (handled X dogs daily, increased client retention by Y%)
- Highlight specific breed experience, especially with challenging coats
- Mention any client relationship management or booking system experience
Example bullet point: "Transformed a severely matted rescue Shih Tzu into a show-quality cut, leading to 6 referral clients and recognition from local rescue organization"
Education and Certifications
The grooming industry values hands-on skills and formal training. Include:
- Grooming school or apprenticeship details
- Certifications (NDGAA, IPG, AKC, etc.)
- CPR/First Aid for pets
- Continuing education workshops (list the most recent/relevant)
- High school diploma/GED or college if applicable
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger pet chains use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Include these industry terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Breed-specific grooming (poodle cuts, terrier stripping, etc.)
- Tools (clippers, shears, stripping knives, forced-air dryers)
- Techniques (hand-scissoring, pattern setting, deshedding)
- Software (123Pet, DaySmart, pet salon scheduling systems)
- Safety protocols (proper restraint techniques, first aid)
Industry-specific Skills to Highlight
Beyond basic grooming, emphasize these valuable skills:
- Animal behavior management and reading body language
- Handling challenging pets (aggressive, elderly, special needs)
- Identifying skin conditions or health concerns
- Breed-specific styling and competition experience
- Client communication and education
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't sabotage your chances with these resume blunders:
- Using generic terms like "animal lover" (show, don't tell!)
- Focusing only on bathing if you have full grooming experience
- Forgetting to mention specific breeds you're comfortable with
- Omitting metrics (average dogs per day, client retention)
- Including irrelevant work history without connecting transferable skills
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for grooming dogs and cats at Fluffy Friends. Did nail trims and baths. Good with animals."
After: "Completed full-service grooms on 8-10 pets daily at Fluffy Friends, including breed-specific cuts for Bichons, Schnauzers, and Poodles. Developed gentle handling technique that reduced anxious behaviors in 75% of nervous pets. Maintained detailed client cards tracking coat conditions and owner preferences."
Remember—your resume should be as unique as your grooming style! Tailor it for each position, focusing on the skills most relevant to that particular salon or shop. Good luck, and may your career be as rewarding as a perfect scissor finish!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Pet Groomer resume
- Animal handling finesse and behavior interpretation (calms anxious pets during high-stress grooming)
- Client communication skills, particularly explaining complex grooming issues to concerned pet parents
- Time management across multiple appointments – juggling walk-ins with scheduled clients without rushing quality
- Conflict resolution for situations with dissatisfied customers or when pets are returned with matting
- Team coordination during busy seasons (holidays typically see 3x normal booking rates)
- Adaptability to different animal temperaments and unexpected behaviors mid-groom
Hard skills for your Pet Groomer resume
- Breed-specific grooming techniques for 30+ dog and cat breeds
- Hand-scissoring precision cuts and specialized pattern trims
- Pet First Aid/CPR certification (American Red Cross)
- Grooming software proficiency (123Pet, Gingr, PawFinity)
- Medical bathing protocols for skin conditions and parasites
- Canine/feline dental maintenance and ear cleaning
- Safe handling of challenging and anxious animals
- Maintenance/troubleshooting of professional grooming equipment
- National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) qualification