Whether you’re fresh out of school or graduated a while ago, your time as a student-athlete is still useful. Participating in sports teaches people many valuable lessons that they can apply to real-world situations. If you’re looking to change your career path, now is the time to include the skills you learned from athletics. Learn how to boost your resume with sports experience to secure your dream job.
Use Strong Action Words
The best resumes use specific keywords and phrases and highlight their experience and abilities. You can apply this knowledge to your own situation by using strong action words when talking about your past sports participation.
Mention you were part of a team, but don’t stop there; frame your experience to showcase what you were able to achieve. Some examples of action words you might want to include are:
- Established
- Collaborated
- Oversaw
- Influenced
Focus on Transferable Skills
Whether you know it or not, all athletic participation teaches people essential life lessons. If you’re in the market for a new job, use your sports experience to demonstrate transferable skills.
You learned more during your time in athletics than simply how to play a game, no matter your sport of choice. Use your resume to explain how participating in sports taught you how to communicate, work in a team setting and perform well under pressure.
Mention Athletic Achievements
If you want to boost your resume with sports experience, be sure to mention your athletic achievements. This section on your resume should include more than trophies and titles. Include athletic scholarships, awards, and other accomplishments, too.
Did you hold a leadership position or implement a successful practice strategy? Employers want people with tangible achievements on their team, so make sure to show them everything you’ve accomplished.
Showcase Relevant Sports Experiences
Successful resumes are like snowflakes; not a single one should be the same. You need to tailor your applications to address key components of your desired job description.
When discussing your previous sports involvement, be sure to include only relevant information. For example, if you were captain of your sports team and are applying for a leadership position, make sure to emphasize your experience.
You can include any kind of sports experience on your resume to help you get the job. Even if you didn’t compete in an NCAA-regulated sport, there are plenty of college club sports benefits to help you get the job. If you lean into your strengths and present them with confidence, you’ll significantly increase your chances of getting an offer.