Lifeguard CV—Example and 25+ Writing Tips

Below, you’ll see an AAOx3 lifeguard CV sample.

Why is it a lifesaver?

Because employers know anyone can sit near a pool.

To get hired, your CV needs to get attention like an air horn.

Ready? Let’s swim it to the wall.

In this guide:

• A lifeguard CV sample better than most.
• How to write a lifeguard CV that gets interviews.
• How to commit your lifeguard job description to the job.
• Why you can’t just list lifeguard skills (and what to do instead).

Will you have every achievement in this CV for lifeguard jobs?

Nope.

But as you read it, you’ll think of dozens more you do have. They will get you hired.

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Looking for a different kind of CV? See:

• Customer Service CV Examples
• Hospitality CV Examples
• Career Change CV Examples
• Retail CV Examples

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Lifeguard CV Example You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a lifeguard CV that works like a cigarette boat:

1. Use the Right Lifeguard CV Format

Cue Jaws music.

A lifeguard CV with shady CV formatting will go under fast.

Use these formatting tips to stay afloat:

Lifeguard CV Format

• Start with a CV font like 11–14pt Goudy Old Style or Didot.
• Create a one–page CV for lifeguard jobs.
• List previous roles in reverse-chronological CV order.
• Leave white space to add breathing room.
• Write CV sections for Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.

Expert Hint: PDF CVs are your best bet. They look trim and clear on all display types. Plus, ATS hiring software reads them just fine.

2. Write a Lifeguard CV Objective or Summary

Sink or swim time:

Most hiring teams go through stacks of CVs like water.

They spend extra time with CVs for lifeguards that catch their eye.

Give your CV staying power with a career objective or career summary.

Add:

1. An adjective (physically fit, observant, certified)
2. “Lifeguard”
3. Years of experience (1+, 3+)
4. What you’ll do for whom (deliver safety excellence at Lee Lanes Pool...)
5. Best CV accomplishments(treated 7 cases of hypothermia...)

See these lifeguard CV examples:

Lifeguard CV Summary—Example

Physically fit, observant lifeguard with 1 year of experience in basic life support and water rescue. Eager to deliver safety excellence at Lee Lanes Pool. At London Municipal Pool, spotted and prevented 2 dry-drownings and treated 7 cases of hypothermia.

Experienced lifeguard, skilled in basic life support and water rescue. Expert at treating hypothermia and identifying dry-drownings in progress. Good at enforcing rules and ensuring safety in swimming areas.

See that?

Both lifeguard CV samples promise skills.

But the first does more. It shows 1 year of experience, 2 dry-drownings stopped, and 7 cases of hypothermia treated.

“Hey, hang on! Who’s that, David Hasselhoff? I’m a newbie lifeguard!”

No problem.

See these entry-level CV samples for lifeguard jobs:

Entry-Level Lifeguard CV Objective

Entry-level lifeguard with experience in basic life support and water safety. Eager to provide supervision at London Municipal Pool. As swimming instructor at Lake Obsoquami, provided lifeguarding to classes of 12+ students and enforced swimming rules.

Entry-level lifeguard with skills in monitoring swimming areas and basic life support. Haven’t yet worked a lifeguard job, but I’m a quick study and excited to learn on the job.

Night and day.

Entry-level lifeguard CV examples won’t float without at least a few achievements.

3. Target Your Lifeguard Job Description and Skills

What skills do you need in a CV for lifeguard jobs?

See this CV skills list:

Lifeguard CV Skills

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Enforcing Pool Rules	Interpersonal Skills
Basic Life Support	Decision Making
10-20 System	Physical Fitness
Rescue Buoys	Work Ethic
Swimmer Identification	Risk Assessment
Spine Immobilisation	Attention to Detail
Beach Patrol	Problem Solving
Weather Monitoring	Communication
Rescue Cans and Boards	Time Management
EMS Communication	Teamwork

But—

Don’t oversaturate your CV for lifeguard jobs with skills.

Customise your CV for best effect with the CV keywords in the job listing.

These lifeguard CV samples show how:

For a job that wants skills in enforcing rules, swimmer identification, and communicating with EMS:

Lifeguard Job Description for a CV [Sample]

Experience

Lifeguard

London Municipal Pool

2019–2020

• Served as lifeguard in busy pool. Provided monitoring, rule enforcement, rescue, and customer service to users and birthday parties.
• Enforced pool rules for adults and minors with no complaints. Commended by supervisor for interpersonal skills.
• Identified 7 hypothermic children, removed them from the pool, and provided basic life support, averting serious incidents.
• Identified 2 dry drownings in process and delivered life support.
• Communicated 5 serious issues to EMS.

Key Achievement:

• Raised pool rules compliance to 99% through suggestion and implementation of new, easier to read signage, strategically placed.

Big difference.

The first of those lifeguarding CV examples answers the listed needs.

The last one doesn’t. It could also use some numbers like 7, 2, 5, and 99%.

Is your lifeguard experience barely treading water?

In a CV for entry-level applicants, just strut the best stuff you have.

See these entry-level lifeguard CV examples. The job needs skills in basic life support, enforcing rules, and teamwork.

Beginner Lifeguard CV Job Description [Sample]

Swimming Instructor

Thames Park Community Pool

May–Sept 2018

• Provided lifeguarding and basic life support services to groups of 12+ students.
• Ensured swimming area rules were followed.
• Recognised by supervisor for teamwork skills.

Team Member

The Black Cat Restaurant

20119–2020

• Served food in a busy restaurant.
• Restocked napkins, plates, and cups.
• Commended by manager for teamwork.

Interesting.

The first of those school lifeguard CV samples is afloat.

But even the second scores a point with teamwork skills.

Expert Hint: Research by the CDC shows 1% of rescues made by lifeguards save lives. Showing past rescues on a CV for lifeguard jobs is a great way to prove your value.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

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4. Write a Buoyant Education Section

Spoiler alert:

You don’t need education in a CV for lifeguard jobs. But—

If you’ve got it, show it the right way.

Show school accomplishments that matter for lifeguards (if you have some).

See this lifeguard CV sample:

Lifeguard CV Template—Education

Education

Twyford Church of England High School

2014–2018

• Captain of swim team, 2017 & 2018.
• Led team in stretches and organised meet lineups.
• Taught swimming to children’s class, providing lifeguarding.

That adds key swimming skills to your CV.

If you’re in university, list that too, with “expected completion date.”

5. Add “Bonus” Sections to Your Lifeguard CV

What’s the burning question on the hiring manager’s mind?

“Can she do the job or not?”

Your work experience goes a long way toward an answer.

But your lifeguard duties CV needs as many “wins” as possible.

Add material like:

• Certifications (Red Cross, RLSS, etc.)
• Associations (RLSS, etc.)
• Volunteer work
• Freelance work
• Awards or honours
• Additional activities
• Languages you speak
• Exercise

See these lifeguard CV examples:

Lifeguard CV UK—Other Sections

Certification

2019 – Lifeguard Certification, Eric Liddell Sports Centre

Additional Activities

Competition Swimmer, 2019

• Participate in 2x 50-mile swims per year.
• 4th runner-up in the Missouri Water Marathon 2019.

Leader, Springfield Swimming Club

• Organise group of 15+ swimmers in weekly workouts.
• Manage 5 competition swimming events per year.
• Created and run annual Springfield Water Fling with 400+ participants. 

Lifesaving & Swimming Merit Badges, BSA

Additional Activities

• Swimming for fitness
• Running

First, meet last.

The first of those lifeguard CV samples is Mark-Spitz-level. It proves you care about your work.

But put your certification right up top in your CV for lifeguard jobs.

Expert Hint: Add a cover letter to your CV for lifeguard jobs. Show enthusiasm for the job, and your top two or three lifeguarding achievements.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here’s how to write a lifeguard CV:

• Use a lifeguard CV template. Breathe life into it with your best lifeguard accomplishments.
• Add lifeguard skills like basic life support and water rescue. Add numbers where possible for scale.
• Write a lifeguard CV objective that gives a view into your CV’s greatest hits.
• Add other sections for your lifeguard certifications or fitness pursuits.

Got questions on how to write good CVs for lifeguard jobs? Not sure how to describe lifeguard on a CV? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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