Resume Writing Guide
A step-by-step guide for health and fitness professionals
1. Resume Fundamentals
Format & Length
- One page for entry-level and early career (0-5 years experience)
- Two pages acceptable for experienced professionals with extensive relevant experience
- Use consistent formatting: same font, spacing, and alignment throughout
- Save as PDF to preserve formatting across devices
Font & Styling
- Use professional fonts: Arial, Calibri, Garamond, or Times New Roman
- Font size: 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for your name
- Margins: 0.5" to 1" on all sides
- Use bold and caps sparingly for emphasis
Pro Tip: Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Use a simple, single-column format without tables, graphics, or headers/footers to ensure your resume parses correctly.
2. Contact Information
Place at the top of your resume. Include:
- Full name (make it prominent)
- City and State (full address not necessary)
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile URL (customized)
Avoid: Unprofessional email addresses (partyguy@email.com), photos, age, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the job.
3. Professional Summary
A 2-3 sentence overview that highlights your value proposition. Tailor this to each position.
Weak Example
"Recent graduate looking for a job in fitness. Hard worker who is passionate about helping people."
Strong Example
"Kinesiology graduate with 400+ hours of hands-on experience in personal training and group fitness instruction. Skilled in exercise prescription, fitness assessments, and client motivation. Seeking to leverage evidence-based training methods and strong interpersonal skills as a Personal Trainer at XYZ Fitness."
4. Writing Powerful Bullet Points
The Formula
Action Verb + Task + Result/Impact
Strong Action Verbs for Health & Fitness
| Category |
Verbs |
| Training |
Coached, Trained, Instructed, Demonstrated, Guided, Mentored |
| Assessment |
Evaluated, Assessed, Analyzed, Measured, Monitored, Tracked |
| Program Design |
Designed, Developed, Created, Implemented, Customized, Structured |
| Results |
Achieved, Improved, Increased, Enhanced, Reduced, Exceeded |
| Communication |
Educated, Communicated, Presented, Collaborated, Coordinated |
Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers make your accomplishments concrete and memorable:
Without Numbers
"Helped clients achieve their fitness goals"
With Numbers
"Coached 15 clients to achieve an average 12% improvement in cardiovascular endurance over 8-week programs"
5. Education Section
For recent graduates, place education before experience. Include:
- Degree name and major/concentration
- University name and location
- Graduation date (month and year)
- GPA if 3.0 or higher
- Relevant coursework, honors, or academic achievements
6. Certifications
Essential for health and fitness careers. List:
- Certification name
- Issuing organization
- Date obtained or expiration date
- Certification number (optional)
Common Certifications to Include
- CPR/AED/First Aid
- Personal Training (NASM, ACE, NSCA, ACSM)
- Group Fitness (ACE, AFAA)
- Specialty certifications (corrective exercise, nutrition, etc.)
7. Skills Section
Include a mix of technical and soft skills relevant to the position:
Technical Skills
- Fitness assessment protocols
- Exercise prescription
- Program design
- EMR/EHR systems
- Fitness tracking software
- Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
Soft Skills
- Client communication
- Motivational techniques
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Team collaboration
8. Final Checklist
- ☐ No spelling or grammar errors
- ☐ Consistent formatting throughout
- ☐ Contact information is current
- ☐ Tailored to the specific job posting
- ☐ Keywords from job description included
- ☐ All dates are accurate
- ☐ PDF format for submission
- ☐ File named professionally (FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf)
Final Step: Have someone else review your resume before submitting. Fresh eyes catch errors and can provide valuable feedback on clarity and impact.