Want to explore the world?
Yours to decide.

For all Japan-based stylists, assistants, and contractors (freelance), 15% of product sales is paid as a retail-product commission. It is calculated independently of the returning-client and new-request commissions, and added to your monthly salary.

At our salons in Japan, full-time employees receive a commuting allowance covering actual costs, up to a monthly cap of ¥15,000; contractors (freelance) are not eligible. At overseas salons, commuting support follows local practice — we'll explain at the interview.

At our salons in Japan, full-time employees are paid a base salary plus commission (including retail-product commission). The allowance is the commuting allowance (its cap is under "Are commuting costs covered?"); there is no separate skill or duty allowance. Some roles, such as salon manager, carry their own role allowance. As a rule there is no bonus and no retirement payment. Assistants' base salary is rank-based, so it rises as they move up a rank; stylists are on commission, so their income grows with their sales. For overseas salons, we'll explain the terms at the interview.

The main differences are as follows.

Full-time employee — a combination of base salary and a commission scheme. This includes full social insurance, 20 days of paid leave per year, a commuting allowance, and participation in in-house training and lessons. It's designed to make it easier to secure both stable income from the fixed salary and upside from commission.

Contractor (freelance) — a fully commission-based arrangement (a commission rate based on sales + retail-product commission). Social insurance, paid leave, and benefits are not provided, but as an independent contract arrangement it offers a high degree of flexibility in your working schedule. Participation in in-house lessons is available.

Which suits you best depends on your preferred way of working, your view of your career, and your experience — please discuss it with us at the interview.

Yes — most of our hires are mid-career, and mid-career applicants for assistant positions are welcome too. For mid-career roles we look for about two years of salon experience (new graduates have their own route — see the new-graduate page). English is not required: everything you need can be learned after you join. What we care about most is that you genuinely love hairdressing — our system and company are built so our staff can focus on what they love: hair. We do not promise a debut date; your stylist debut comes by passing our internal tests.

Each salon sets its own menu, and the current prices are always listed on that salon's public booking page. Prices can also differ by stylist rank: from November 2026, Assort Amsterdam introduces a Top Stylist rank — a haircut with a top stylist is EUR 80 and with a stylist EUR 70 (only haircut prices differ by rank; all other menu prices are the same). For every other city, please check that salon's booking page for the live menu.

At Assort we offer several training programmes, including technical lessons, colour seminars, and style training. They take place during working hours, and depending on the salon and position, may also be held before or after work. The specific days and times vary by salon and position, so we'll explain them at the interview.

Depending on the salon and position, time may be set aside for practice or lessons before or after work. The content includes honing technique toward your stylist debut, guidance from senior stylists, sharing techniques within the team, and more. The attendance schedule is adjusted to suit salon operations and your own level of proficiency. We'll explain the details at the interview.

At our salons in Japan, there is individual variation, but you'll work toward your stylist debut in roughly 3–4 years. During the assistant period you'll progressively master the fundamentals of shampooing, blow-drying, colour assisting, and cutting technique. The timing of your debut is decided in light of your own level of proficiency and the salon's team composition. At overseas salons, the path to debut varies by location — we'll explain at the interview.

Yes, it's no problem if you can't speak English when you apply. At Assort we provide an in-house English-learning support programme, and you can study progressively as you wish.

That said, the Tokyo and Osaka salons see many clients from overseas, so there are opportunities to use English in practice on the floor. For those considering a future career at our overseas salons (New York, London, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Vancouver, and others), acquiring English skills becomes important.

Please note that our hiring process and internal communication are conducted in Japanese or English — you'll need to be comfortable in at least one of the two.

At our salons in Japan, standard working hours are 9:00–18:00 (a 9-hour span including a 60-minute break), on a shift system adjusted to each salon's opening hours. Overseas salons follow local law and their own opening hours — we'll confirm the details at the interview.

Many of our menus take time — colour, perms and Japanese straightening. A visit takes about 2 hours on average, and about 4 in 10 take 2 hours or more (Japanese straightening about 3.5 hours). So the number of guests a day is set by how long the menus are: full-time stylists see on average about 4.5 guests a day in Tokyo and about 3 in Osaka. Even so, their days are mostly booked — a guest is booked for about 80% of their working time in Tokyo and about three quarters in Osaka (July–September 2026).

Yes, there is. At our salons in Japan, new graduates and those without experience work toward their stylist debut after a training period of about 3–4 years as an assistant. Those who already have experience as a stylist may have a shortened assistant period, or none at all, depending on their experience and skill level. At overseas salons, the training path varies by location — we'll explain at the interview.

Yes — at our salons in Japan you choose your own clothes. We only ask for a clean look that suits the salon. Each overseas salon follows its own local guidelines — feel free to ask at the interview.

At our salons in Japan, side jobs are not allowed without the company's approval. At overseas salons, the rules follow your local contract — we'll explain the details at the interview.

There are two main ways to work at one of our overseas salons from Japan, and a rare third. (1) Straight overseas: interviews → that country's visa or permit → a trial day at our Tokyo or Osaka salon → you start at the overseas salon. (2) Join us in Japan first: you are hired at our Tokyo or Osaka salon and work there while your visa is prepared, then move once it is ready — many people choose this way. To work as a hairdresser in Japan you need a Japanese cosmetology licence (美容師免許); New York also needs a New York State licence. (3) Rarely, hired from the online interview: sometimes we hire from the online interview alone, with no trial day. You then get your own visa or permit, tell us when your papers are ready, and start directly at the overseas salon. We decide which way together at the interview.

If you take way (2), we cannot promise in advance how long you will work in Tokyo or Osaka before you move — not even a longest time. We decide it from your experience, your skills, how your work in Japan goes, whether the salon you want has a place, and your visa. Your work overseas starts only once the visa or permit that country needs is in place. We first learn about your experience and wishes at the interviews and the trial day, and then talk with you about Tokyo or Osaka and the move after it. Even when selection is over, the timing is not promised, and wanting to work overseas does not on its own decide a move. Some of our staff have already moved from our salons in Japan to our salons overseas, and you can go ahead with selection aiming for an overseas salon.

There is no minimum number of years. When you move from one of our salons to another, the company books your one-way flight. It is paid as a melting loan: it gets smaller every month you work with us, and after a set period (for example 12 months on a working holiday in Australia or Hong Kong, 24 months in the UK) you owe nothing. If you choose to leave earlier, you pay back only the part that has not melted yet. If the company ends your work, or your visa's own rules end it, you owe nothing. Visa government fees (and the UK health charge) are your own: the company can pay them first, and you pay them back from your pay over 12 months. Where our immigration lawyer handles your visa, the company pays the lawyer first, and that cost melts the same way over the length of your permit (in Australia, the costs of sponsoring you are always the company's, as the law requires). Everything is put in writing before anything is paid.

If you would need visa sponsorship, we consider each case individually — just tell us your visa status when you apply. Please discuss the details at the interview.

If you already have the right to work in the country you're applying to (citizenship, permanent residence, or a valid visa), none of this applies to you.

For those who would need sponsorship: we don't normally sponsor at entry. In Australia and the UK, most international hires start on a working-holiday visa, and sponsorship (a 482 or Skilled Worker visa) is typically considered after around two years with us. In Australia and the UK, if you're over the working-holiday age limit, sponsorship at entry is possible but very rare. That said, Assort Limited (London) holds a UK government Skilled Worker sponsor licence, and stylists with roughly five or more years of experience as a stylist can discuss sponsorship at entry, subject to selection and an interview.

For Canada (our Vancouver salon): working-holiday hires are very welcome. Our Canadian company has only just opened, so employer-sponsored work visas are not something we can offer for the next few years.

To work as a hairdresser (stylist or assistant) at our salons in Japan, you need both a Japanese cosmetology licence (美容師免許) and a status that lets you work as a hairdresser in Japan (Japanese citizenship, permanent residence, a spouse or long-term resident visa, and similar). Students at a Japanese cosmetology school may apply before they hold the licence (it follows the national exam). Assort does not sponsor visas for hairdressers in Japan.

If you're currently sponsored by another employer, please tell us on the application form.

No — Assort has no company age limit for any role, in any country. We warmly welcome applications at every age and career stage.

The one thing to be aware of is visas: when working at an overseas location depends on a visa (working-holiday visas in particular), the visa itself may carry an age cap. That is set by each country's immigration law, not by us, and those rules change from time to time — so please check the latest visa conditions for the country you're interested in. You're also welcome to ask us in the chat, together with the role and country you have in mind.

Right now there is no English level required to apply — you can apply, to our salons abroad too, even if you do not speak English yet.

After you join, you can build your English step by step while you work, with our in-house English-learning support. Our in-house English test is there to help you learn, not to screen applicants.

Please note that our hiring process and internal communication are conducted in Japanese or English — you'll need to be comfortable in at least one of the two.

The salary structure at overseas salons varies by location (country and city) and employment type (full-time employee or contractor). Salaries are designed to reflect each country's labour law, tax system, market rates, and currency, and we offer terms aligned with the local cost of living.

Specific salary ranges are explained at the interview.

Housing, deposits, and initial costs are arranged and paid by you — the company does not look for a flat for you. If the company already rents a flat in that city, you may be able to use it at its full cost, paid from your pay. Your flight is handled separately (see “When can I work at an overseas salon?”).

For finding accommodation locally, our in-house staff will share information and advice where possible.

Assort is a team that began in Tokyo and now operates 9 salons in 8 cities across 7 countries (Vancouver opens in January 2027). By blending the high technical skill of Japanese hairdressers with international service for clients around the world, we aim to be a globally capable team of hairdressers under the vision "Hair, globally crafted."

We will continue to enrich our salons, services, and staff education, aiming to deliver the very best experience both to the clients who visit us and to the hairdressers who work as part of the team.

People who thrive at Assort tend to share the following traits.

• Eager to master their craft as a hairdresser, and not averse to continuous learning
• Able to attend carefully to each individual client and provide service suited to them
• Value collaboration as a team and build good relationships with seniors and juniors
• Have a global outlook and an interest in overseas expansion and serving clients from diverse cultural backgrounds

And above all, those who are not content with the status quo, who want to take on new challenges and broaden their own potential. We want to work with such "colleagues who can grow together with us." Regardless of experience or age, we welcome those who can approach the work with a sincere and positive attitude.

Assort is a team with a warm, open atmosphere — one that values quality of technique and service while not being stiff or formal.

We have diverse staff from Japan and abroad, and a culture is firmly rooted in which we respect one another and naturally share technical and service know-how. Guidance from seniors to juniors emphasises a relationship as partners growing together, rather than rigidly stressing hierarchy.

The best way to experience the real atmosphere is firsthand — by visiting as a client, or during the salon practical in the hiring process.

We don't offer individual salon tours. The best way to experience a salon is to book an appointment as a client — you'll feel the atmosphere first-hand and can talk with your stylist directly.

If you'd like to ask a manager questions, please sign up for one of our information sessions (the signup page is in Japanese).

If you’re currently enrolled at a beauty school, we offer a salon practicum program where you can experience real salon work — we recommend this instead of a tour. See "Do you offer a student practicum?" below, then apply via the application form (beauty-student intern).

Yes. We welcome students currently enrolled at a beauty school for a salon practicum — a chance to experience real salon work and learn the service skills the industry asks for.

The conditions are set by Assort: each practicum runs as a fixed set from Wednesday to Sunday (5 days, 12:00–18:00 with a break), and we cannot adjust the schedule to school-designated periods or personal availability. On the application form you submit your first to third choice of the fixed week sets, and Assort decides the accepted week.

Typical practicum work: salon cleaning, drink service, treatment assistance, guiding clients, and general salon-work support. During the practicum we value initiative — thinking about what clients and staff would appreciate rather than waiting for instructions.

Eligibility: currently enrolled at a beauty school and able to accept the schedule, hours and content above. Applications close once places fill. Apply via the application form (beauty-student intern).

After your interview, most applicants spend one trial day at a salon. What the day is depends on the salon.

Tokyo, Osaka, London, Melbourne and Hong Kong (Vancouver once it opens) — a paid hands-on day. For that day you work for that country's Assort company and are paid at least the local minimum wage for the hours you are with us, by bank transfer on a set date, with a pay slip by email. Stylists and assistants help with the salon's everyday work: cleaning, serving drinks, greeting guests, and helping with colour and treatments where they can. Receptionists help at the front desk for a morning.

Amsterdam and New York — a watching day. You watch the team at work, you do no tasks, and the day is unpaid.

One person at the salon meets you and looks after you on the day. Some applicants have interviews only, with no trial day — for example if you have worked with us before, or if you live in a country where we have no salon. If you live in Japan and apply to a salon abroad, your trial day is in Tokyo or Osaka. Our email tells you which applies to you, with the date, time, address and what to bring.

Travel and accommodation are at your own expense — the company never pays for flights or hotels. There is one trial day only; if you cannot come, we offer you one new date. After the day you send us a short form with your impressions, and we give you our answer within 3 working days.

The application process has the following 4 steps.

1. Document screening — review of your application materials
2. Interview (online, on Google Meet; group interview for new graduates) — review of your motivation, experience, and career outlook
3. Trial day — one day at a salon (a paid hands-on day at most salons, a watching day in Amsterdam and New York)
4. Final interview — a final conversation with our CEO or the manager responsible for your role

The interval between each step is roughly 1–2 weeks (for new-graduate recruitment, a specific schedule is published).

New-graduate (shinsotsu) applications have their own page — see the New Graduate page for the current schedule and entry form.

For each step, the result is normally sent within one week by email.

The final result is communicated within 3 business days of the final interview as a guide.

What to bring to the interview will be stated in the guidance email sent when you pass document screening, but generally the following.

• Résumé and work history (if not already submitted at the document screening stage)
• A copy of your hairdressing licence (if you have one)
• Portfolio work (optional — sharing via Instagram is also fine)
• Pen and notepad

What to wear for the online interview: there is no dress code. Clean, neat everyday clothes are fine, and a plain T-shirt is fine too.

For a paid hands-on trial day, stylists bring their own styling tools, assistants bring theirs if they have them, and receptionists need nothing. For a watching day, no tools are needed. Our trial-day email confirms what to bring.

Only if you write your name in kanji. If you enter your name in kanji on the application form, please also give the furigana reading, so we know how to say your name. The furigana box is on the form either way — if you apply with your name in English letters only, you can simply leave it blank.

For new-graduate recruitment, we do not accept late entries or run a second round after the application deadline.