Summary. We reviewed real candidate profiles to learn the best path to become a groom. We'll guide you through the education, experiences, and skills hiring managers look for in a groom.

  • Common job titles before becoming a groom include cashier, sales associate, and customer service representative.

  • Hiring managers expect a groom to have soft skills such as dexterity, listening skills, and physical stamina.

  • Once you have all the required skills and experience, it takes an average of 1-3 months of job training to become a groom.

  • Getting a certification as a National Certified Master Groomer will help you to earn more as a groom.

  • To become a groom, you typically do not need formal education.

How to become a Groom in 5 steps:

  • Step 1: Explore groom education
  • Step 2: Develop groom skills
  • Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship
  • Step 4: Research groom duties
  • Step 5: Prepare your resume

Key Steps To Become a Groom

  1. Explore Groom Education

    If you're interested in becoming a groom, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 24.2% of grooms have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.5% of grooms have master's degrees. Even though some grooms have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

    Groom Degrees

    High School Diploma

    37.9 %

    Bachelors

    24.2 %

    Associate

    22.1 %

  2. Develop Groom Skills

    It'll be a good idea to develop groom skills before applying for a job. Here are some skills commonly requested in groom job descriptions:

    SkillsPercentages
    PET71.44%
    Clipping11.36%
    Animal Handling3.63%
    Pet Care3.27%
    Compassion3.17%

  3. Complete Relevent Training/Internship

    Grooms spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. During this time, new grooms learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as a groom based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real groom resumes.

    Average Amount Of Time At Training

    None

    Less than 1 month

    1-3 months

    3-6 months

    6-12 months

    1-2 years

  4. Research Groom Duties

    When you decide to become a groom, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most groom jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:

    • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
    • Provide excellent customer service and interact with pet parents.
    • Perform all grooming procedures including bath, brush, clips, and shave downs.
    • Toe nail clips, ear cleanings, and also extensive de sheds and mat removal.
    • Perform animal grooming such as washing, brushing, trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
    • Answer calls, make grooming appointments, wash and dry dogs, trim/ grind nails, brush coats appropriately

  5. Prepare Your Resume

    Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Groom Resume templates

    Build a professional Groom resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Groom resume.

    Groom Resume
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  6. Apply For a Groom Job

    With your ready resume, it's time to start searching for a new job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

    Groom Jobs

  7. How To Become a Groom
    How To Become a Groom Career Overview