How to write a coaching resume
Whether you select a chronological, functional or combination resume format, your resume will always include a header, a resume summary or resume objective, skills, work experience and education. The position (and length) of those sections will vary depending on your format. Here are helpful tips for putting together each major section of your resume.
Include the following sections in your resume:
- A professional header
- A short but sweet resume summary or objective
- Skills, certifications and work experience sections
- Education section
Header
The header is fairly simple to write. All you need to include in it is the following contact information:
- Your full name
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- (If applicable) LinkedIn profile link
Resume summary or objective
The resume summary tells recruiters who you are at a glance. It should go over your coaching skills, relevant work experience and volunteer experience in just a few sentences. Be as succinct as you can, targeting specific skills and qualifications mentioned in the employer’s job description.
Example:
Dedicated and disciplined assistant coach looking to move up to a head coach position. Managed both junior varsity and varsity teams, developed efficient training strategies suitable for every member of these teams and organized a master calendar for all games, sports events and after school practices.
A resume objective is also a brief summation of your skills and qualifications, but unlike the resume summary, the objective also states your industry passion and career goals. Candidates with an entry-level coaching resume or less than two years of experience should consider writing one.
For example:
Motivated volunteer youth football coach with a college football background eager to apply football instruction skills, quarterback expertise, analytical game plans and creating innovative, strategic plays in a challenging middle school assistant football coach role. A quick learner with a proactive approach, excited to gain hands-on experience on and off the football field.
Skills and certifications
Professional coaches should have a varied mix of hard skills and soft skills on their resumes. Here is a quick list of relevant skills coaching resumes should contain:
- Teamwork/teamwork building
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Knowledge of the fundamentals of one or more sports
- Quick decision-making
Depending on the type of coaching jobs you apply for, you may also need specific certifications to apply as well. If you plan to also teach within the K-12 public or private school sphere, then many schools will also need you to have a teaching license.
Some states might also require other certifications. In California, for instance, the California Interscholastic Federation’s Coaching Education Program assures California high schools that certified coaches from their program have received enough training for the role.
Examples:
Skills
- Innovative coaching strategies
- Organizational skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Fundraising and marketing
- Mentoring student athletes and monitoring progress
- First aid
Certifications
- California Interscholastic Federation Coaching Orientation certified, January 2020
- National Federation of State High School Associations Coach Level 2 National Certification, May 2020
Work experience
Your professional experience should reflect the required qualifications from the job description. Higher-level coaching positions will require more experience or higher degrees of education. Even if you don’t have much experience in this field yet, having certain certifications and volunteer experience can boost your chances of landing at least an assistant coaching job.
Example:
Assistant Coach, Valley High School, Los Angeles, CA, September 2021-Present
- Organized and supervised well-executed practice programs to prepare for upcoming games.
- Coached games and directed practices to hone team abilities and win two championships.
- Inventoried equipment to keep gear and equipment available for practices and events.
- Managed workout sessions and practice drills to keep players in physical shape.
- Scheduled transportation, food and lodging to facilitate team travel.
- Organized fundraisers to increase budget for better tools and equipment.
Education
Most professional coach positions will require you to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in physical education, kinesiology, sports management or sports medicine, or nutrition and fitness. This degree proves that you are not only dedicated to health and fitness but that you have studied how to help student athletes reach their best physical potential.
Example:
- California State University, Los Angeles, CA
- Bachelor of Science, Nutrition and Fitness
- Graduated with distinction
- Graduated with honors
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