Lifeguard Resume Examples (Templates & Tips)

Awareness, attention to detail, and being able to work in a team are some elements every lifeguard shall possess. Moreover, as a lifeguard, these shall be used when making your resume. 

A lifeguard’s main responsibility is the anticipation and prevention of risk behaviors or conditions that may lead to incidents within their surveillance area, with constant scanning and calls for attention, as well as carrying out relief maneuvers when necessary.

As a lifeguard, you play a crucial role in peoples’ lives when they face danger. Your lifeguard resume shall display your qualifications and capacity to undertake such a role. But, don't worry there are guidelines for making a perfect lifeguard resume. This article will help you in all aspects of crafting a lifeguard resume.

Here are some tips for writing a great lifeguard resume:

#Tip 1: Adopt an ATS-friendly resume format.
ATS, Applicant Tracking System, is a software that helps recruiters screen resumes. If your lifeguard resume is not ATS-friendly, it will be discarded by the system. An ATS-friendly resume format matches the job description with an easy-to-read layout, so try to adopt keywords used in the job description and keep the lifeguard resume formatting simple.

#Tip 2: Refer to online resume templates and examples.
Search and observe lifeguard resume samples online. Then, add any elements you deem useful to your lifeguard resume.

#Tip 3: Tailor your resume for the job position.
 A strong lifeguard resume includes relevant skills and outstanding work for the job position. Such positions contain certain keywords, so make sure to list relevant skills in your lifeguard resume. It is also important to distinguish between a resume and a CV. Your lifeguard resume only highlights your qualifications relevant to the job position on one page. On the other hand, a lifeguard CV can be composed of several pages, including every detail of your professional experience. Make sure you’re working on the document that employers ask for.

#Tip 4: Quantify results on resumes.
Significant measurable performances demonstrate your skills. For your lifeguard resume, you can add how many lives you saved or how you managed an emergency with zero casualties with a certain number of people.

#Tip 5: Add relevant certificates or training.
Employers seek personnel with credentials. If you have a certificate or you were trained by the Red Cross, do list the certificate(s) you obtained.

A resume objective or a career objective is the aim or purpose of your career. A well-written career objective is generally a not-so-extensive opening paragraph for a lifeguard resume.

Here are three important elements when crafting an objective for a lifeguard resume.

👍 Use positive traits
Describe yourself in your lifeguard resume with two or three positive attributes at the beginning of your resume objective.

👍 Include Experience Details
If you count on plenty of experience and this factor is part of the job description’s requirements, it would be helpful to have these details in the objective statement on your lifeguard resume.

👍 Include the organization’s name
Having the hiring organization’s name shows you did not send a generic resume, and that your resume has been written for that specific lifeguard job description. This shows your effort and enthusiasm for that vacancy.

A resume summary, or summary statement, is a paragraph that tells why you are a good candidate based on qualifications from past job experiences. This is ideal if you can show you have a lot of experience in your lifeguard resume. 

To write a professional summary for your lifeguard resume, consider the following:

• Emphasize safety and customer satisfaction
  A good lifeguard resume summary displays an interest in keeping individuals happy and safe in an aquatic environment and shows your commitment to the job.
• Emphasize your experience
  Highlight the length and details regarding your relevant work experience on your lifeguard resume summary.
• Put together your qualifications
  Based on your skills and experience, list some aspects you are capable of doing in your lifesaving job which you consider important towards employers.

Skills are fundamental in your lifeguard resume. There are four common formats to list skills in a resume. However, for a lifeguard resume, a simple bullet list and a list with expanded bullets are more effective.

🏷 A Simple Bullet List
This is the most direct way to list your skills in your lifeguard resume. This format is concise and easy to understand. However, this skills listing format in your lifeguard resume may not be detailed enough, so you shall explain further your skills in your work experience section and cover letter.

Examples:

• Attention to detail
• Swimming instruction
• Physical Fitness
  

🏷 A Bullet List with Details
This format provides more information and context than a simple bullet list regarding your skills in your lifeguard resume. Nonetheless, keep in mind that it takes more space in your lifeguard resume.

Examples:

• Routine Inspection
  Daily equipment maintenance, both safety and recreational objects, such as ropes, floats, trampolines, among other objects, for optimal performance.

• Emergency Response
  Respond to emergencies efficiently, such as rescuing people in danger and administering first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.

If you have no relevant experience, here are five recommendations for writing a lifeguard resume:

#Advice 1: Choose the right resume format.
There are 4 types of professional resume formats you can use for your lifeguard resume, and these formats are: chronological, functional, hybrid/combination, and targeted resumes.When it comes to an entry-level lifeguard resume, the functional or targeted format is the most suitable one as it emphasizes your skills rather than work experience.

#Advice 2: Adopt a career objective.
A resume summary is mostly made by experiences and abilities obtained through the years. If you lack experience, use a career objective for your lifeguard resume.

#Advice 3: Highlight your education.
Employers prefer lifeguards with education. You can also list training schools and certificates of completion you possess in your lifeguard resume.

#Advice 4: Include your personal website/social media.
Having a personalized website shows you have put real effort into the job hunting and can give help in ways a lifeguard resume is not able to, such as pictures and additional media.

#Advice 5: Write a sincere cover letter.
Writing a lifeguard cover letter with no experience is your opportunity to show yourself as a good candidate with a personal touch towards employers. You can take a look at this helpful guide for writing a cover letter for making a lifeguard cover letter.