Crafting the perfect CV for a career in sport and physical activity
Fresh out of school, college or university? Eager to dive into the dynamic world of sports and physical activity?
Whether you dream of becoming a coach, fitness trainer, sports manager or any other role in this vibrant sector, your journey starts with a standout CV. Here’s your ultimate guide to crafting a CV that will set you apart and kickstart your career.
Why a great CV matters
A CV (curriculum vitae) is more than just a list of your experiences and qualifications. It’s your personal marketing tool, showcasing your skills, achievements and potential to employers. In the competitive sports industry, a well-crafted CV can be the difference between landing your dream job and being overlooked. We’ve provided some guidance on what you need to include and how to make sure it catches the attention of potential employers.
A step-by-step guide to writing your sports CV
To make sure that potential employers understand how great you’d be as their employee, there are a few key sections you need to include. We’ve explained them here in the order they’re generally set out in, so you can add to your standout CV one step at a time.
Contact information
To be able to invite you to an interview or even hire you, potential employers need to know how to contact you. At the top of the page, make sure to include your:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile (add a link to this if you have one)
Professional summary
Next, write a brief, compelling summary of your career goals and what you bring to the table. Tailor this section to the role you’re applying for, highlighting your passion for physical activity and any relevant experiences.
Example:
“Passionate and dedicated aspiring sports coach with a strong background in physical education and team leadership. Proven ability to motivate and inspire individuals to achieve their fitness goals. Eager to leverage my skills and enthusiasm in a dynamic sports environment.”
Education
After the summary, you need to provide more details of your knowledge. Clearly list your educational background, starting with your most recent qualification. Make sure that you include any sports-related courses, certifications or training.
Example:
A Level – Loughborough College, 2023
Physical Education – B
Modules included: Sports Psychology, Skill Acquisition, Sport and Society
GCSEs – Loughborough High School, 2021
English Literature – 8
Maths – 7
Biology – 8
- Captain of the school football team
- Member of the athletics club
- School prefect
Work experience
Then comes the really important section: detail any work experiences, including internships, part-time jobs or volunteer work related to sport and physical activity. Focus on your achievements and responsibilities in these roles to show how your experience is relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Example:
Assistant Coach
- All Star Athletics Club, 2022–2023
- Assisted head coach in training sessions and competition preparation
- Managed team logistics and equipment
- Motivated and mentored young athletes
Fitness Instructor (intern)
- Loughborough Gym, Jul–Aug 2022
- Conducted fitness assessments and personalised training programmes
- Assisted with group fitness classes
Skills
After this, you should highlight relevant skills you have that make you a strong candidate for the role. These could include technical skills, soft skills (such as communication, time management and leadership) as well as any specific competencies. Check the job advert and person specification for ones that the employer might be looking for specifically that you can include.
Example:
- Team leadership
- Communication
- Coaching and mentoring
- First aid
- Organisational skills
Extracurricular activities
Here, you can showcase your involvement in sports outside the classroom. This demonstrates your passion and commitment to the field.
Example:
- Captain of school football team
- Volunteer at community sports events
- Member of local athletics club
Certifications and awards
Finally, list any certifications or awards you’ve received that are relevant to the sports industry or the role in particular.
Example:
- First Aid and CPR Certification, 2022
- Awarded “Best Sportsperson of the Year”, XYZ College, 2023
Tips for a winning CV
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Tailor it
Customise your CV for each job application to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills for the role you’re applying for. -
Be concise
Keep your CV to one or two pages long. Use bullet points and clear headings for easy reading and try to keep information in a logical order. -
Use action words
Start each bullet point with action verbs like “led”, “managed”, “developed” or “coached” to ensure that the important information stands out. -
Proofread
A clean, professional CV reflects your attention to detail, so make sure yours is spot on if you want to impress. You can do this by ensuring there are no spelling or grammatical errors – ask a friend, family member or teacher for help if spelling isn’t your strong suit.
Find out more
Your CV is your first step toward an exciting career in the sport and physical activity sector. Follow this guide, put your best foot forward and get ready to make your mark in the sports world. Good luck!
If you would like to learn more about writing your CV for the sport and physical activity sector, Skill360 are able to help with their interview and CV guidance eLearning.