Getting a Job as a Lifeguard

Benefits & Responsibilities | Classes

Today's lifeguards are responsible for the safety and well-being of friends, family and neighbors alike. They hold the key to making sure everyone has a great time hanging out around the water this summer. Becoming a lifeguard brings many benefits and responsibilities.

Becoming a lifeguard requires thorough preparation. It's a hot job with cool rewards and qualified people are often looking for the same position. The best way to become the one with the job is to prepare ahead of time.

Bring a Resume
The best way to show your qualifications for a lifeguarding position is through a resume. Your education, work experience and contact information represent the qualities you have to offer an employer. Your resume should be as specific, clean and well organized as possible. More than just a piece of paper, a resume helps employers decide which applicants to interview and what questions to ask.

What To Put On a Resume
Build your resume around basic information. Include your:

• Name, address, phone number and e-mail;
• Educational background (i.e. high school or college you attended with address);
• Job experience (your best and most relevant previous employment);
• Current qualifications and certifications - such as Lifeguard Training, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and first aid;
• Awards, honors and extracurricular activities;
• References (not relatives)

Finding a Job
Once you have a resume together, the next step is finding places that are hiring. The best way to find a job opening is to check:

• Newspaper employment ads
• The local library
• The Internet
• Community bulletin boards
• Key personal contacts, such as pool managers or lifeguards
• School guidance counselors or occupational specialists

Recreation centers, swim clubs, schools, fitness clubs, apartment complexes, hotels and motels are often looking for summer lifeguards. Try calling around to local facilities. Even if they're not hiring, they may know someone who is.

Getting the Job
Getting a job requires good speaking and writing skills. You must fill out a job application, be contacted by the agency, and then interview for the position. Although you may not get the first job you apply for, you can learn from the experience and use it to help you with the next job. Keep in mind that it's normal to feel nervous the first time you apply for a job. Understanding what an employer expects from you and the best ways to present yourself will help keep those sweaty palms in check.

Job application forms vary from employer to employer, but they often ask for the same basic information. Keep a copy of your resume with you and refer to it as needed. Be certain to use a blue or black ink pen and write clearly! Fill in all of the blanks, even if you're attaching a resume. If a question does not apply to you, write "NA" for not applicable.

Along with preparing information for the interview, you need to prepare yourself, too. Making a good first impression is very important. It starts with setting up an interview and filling out the application yourself, instead of having a friend or relative do it. To give an employer the best impression, follow some general guidelines:

• Be on time for the interview
• Dress neatly, even when dropping off an application (shorts and sandals may come with the job, but while you're still an applicant, a sharper look is better)
• Be courteous and polite
• Maintain eye contact
• Avoid distracting habits
• Smile
• Listen
• Be honest
• Ask questions - this is one of the best ways to show you're really interested in the job. Questions may include topics such as duties, hours, benefits and pay
• Follow up by sending a thank-you letter after the interview

As with any job, preparing ahead of time is key to getting the position you want. But with the right foundation, you can become part of an elite group of professionals who hold the lives and safety of others in their hands.