Sports CV Example — 2024’s Top Sample

As seen in 1

Table of contents

Sports CV Template
Sports Resume Questions
What Most Sports Jobseekers Forget to Include
Excellent Action Verbs for Sports CVs
Sports CV Templates

Not all sports employers will require a CV – the practice is more common in academic disciplines and in Europe. But even if you haven’t been asked to submit a CV yet, there are a few ways in which writing one can pay big dividends. Compared with a one-page resume tailored to a specific position, a curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of life”) typically spans multiple pages and outlines the entirety of your experience. Since careers in sports are by nature competitive, keeping a running list of your qualifications can help you stay sharp. If a potential employer asks you to submit a resume highlighting certain skills, you can reference your CV and extract the most relevant pieces of information. The ability to paint a picture is key to any job search. To learn what a great CV looks like, read our sports CV templates below.

Create this CV

Sports CV Template

Umpire CV Template

Umpires and referees need their CVs to show expertise and reliability. Beyond direct experience, it’s helpful to highlight either expertise in one sport or knowledge of a wide range of sports, depending on the job. Demonstrating sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and stress management will take your CV to the next level. When writing your CV, remember these factors:
• Projected Job Growth until 2024: 5% (average)
• Education Section Must Have: High School Diploma
• Skills Section Must Have: Attention to Detail

High School Coach CV Template

Any amateur sports coach’s CV should prove their thorough understanding of the game(s). Describe any experience as a player, if applicable. Further, show that you are trustworthy and a good communicator. Coaches are leaders and problem-solvers, so focus your points on how you fit into that role. When writing your CV, remember these factors:
• Projected Job Growth until 2024: 6% (average)
• Education Section Must Have: Bachelor’s Degree
• Skills Section Must Have: Organizational Skills

Athlete CV Template

An athlete’s CV is straightforward at first glance: the history of your time as a player. But what makes you a strong competitor can range from performance stats to team leadership to community service. Especially in team sports, you must prove that you have discipline, drive, and the ability to think on your feet. When writing your CV, remember these factors:
• Projected Job Growth until 2024: 6% (average)
• Experience Section Must Have: Competitive Sports
• Skills Section Must Have: Communication Skills

Customize CV

Sports Resume Questions

Before you dive into creating an exhaustive list of your hobbies, take a moment to ponder the job for which you’re applying. Are your hobbies relevant to the advertised position? If the answer is yes, it’s acceptable to include these to show the hiring manager you’ve even more to offer than professional skills and abilities. In the sports industry, team-based hobbies are particularly valuable, as are those that demonstrate your leadership qualities or deep industry knowledge. Browse our sports resume sample collection for examples of tying hobbies into a document’s narrative.

Your experience section should showcase professional work experiences that are most relevant to the job for which you’re applying. As our sports resume sample demonstrates, start with the most recent experience and work backward in time. Title each entry with the name and location of your employer, your official title, and the dates you held the position. Craft a succinct summary of the job’s major responsibilities, followed by two or three bullet points that illustrate your successes. Use active verbs and number-driven examples to show hiring managers how you advanced an initiative or solved a problem.

There are a couple of options to show you work well in a team on a sports resume. First, you can provide evidence of team successes within your experience section. This strategy shows the hiring manager that you are a successful team player within the workplace. Another strategy is to showcase your extracurricular activities and accomplishments involving teamwork. An MVP award for a sporting, charitable, or volunteer event powerfully communicates your value in a team setting to the hiring manager. Refer to our sports resume sample list for examples of team-based accomplishments and successes.

If you’re seeking to land your first job, a one-page professional document is standard within most industries. For jobseekers with more than 10 years’ experience, two pages is standard. Regardless of your status, always choose the work experiences, internships, trainings, and certifications most relevant to the job for which you’re applying. Visit our sports resume sample collection to see examples of varying lengths.

Browse our sports resume sample collection and you might notice a common theme in design: simplicity. Go for a simple and clean design with plenty of white space to soothe the hiring manager’s eye. Choose a modern sans serif font such as Arial for readability that translates well to digital and hard copies alike. Bear in mind that an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), a tool that employers use to screen submissions based on keywords, is often unable to read overly designed resumes. However, it’s okay to set off your name and contact information with a horizontal rule or a contrasting font to add character to your resume. Ready to get started? Create a document in minutes with our resume builder.

What Most Sports Jobseekers Forget to Include

Everyone working in the sports industry must focus on their game time (and practice time) know-how. But how can you prove your passion and dedication to the world of sport? If you’re just beginning your career, what will make someone bring you on their team? Employers and agents often seek out talent based on both skill and charisma. Let your individuality show by describing any relevant interests or accolades in your CV. Committing to a career in sports takes interest and investment in the game. Mental and physical health are paramount, as it takes self-discipline, organization, and courage to go far in sports. Every sports career requires you to support others and contribute to a team mindset, both as a leader and as a participant. Surface any examples of these traits as you describe your past endeavors. Anything counts: multiple sports, community service, passions. Any accomplishment you feel worth sharing with a team member has a place on your CV. You have to be patient, but hard work pays off in sports. Our sports CV templates provide a good first step in your journey.

Excellent Action Verbs for Sports CVs

Much like one call or play can change the outcome of a game, one intriguing word can make your CV catch a potential employer’s eye. Replacing commonplace verbs like “completed” and “participated,” with more dynamic ones is a great way to make your value clear on paper. It shows passion as well as attention to detail. Plus, the reader will consider how your perspective can add to their organization’s existing structure. Have a look at our sports CV templates for action verbs and consult the list below as well.

Assessed
Evaluated
Represented
Determined
Improved
Accomplished
Earned
Developed
Conditioned
Instructed

These action verbs are for general use and fit a range of career paths across the athletics industry. But your story is unique, and it deserves to come across that way. Whether you are the trusty referee, the star athlete, or the cool coach, the active choices you choose will help your CV stand out when it counts.