Written by Bill Vasko, Founder XO trainer And Training Portfolio Guide
What to do on a resume if you are in a bad program
Over the years, I’ve gotten questions from coaches about how to deal with unsuccessful coaching assignments or experiences on programs that didn’t do much on the court or court.
If you’ve been in coaching long enough, at some point you’re going to get involved with a bad program or a bad coaching staff.
This is where it’s important to leverage your resume and portfolio to focus on all the positive impact you’ll make as a coach, both on and off the pitch.
You don’t have to talk about wins and losses…..rather, talk about improvements made by your positional group or individual players like all-conference picks, team GPAs, kids playing at the college level. Are there first time achievements, such as the first player to main a city-wide team, or the first time to defeat a certain opponent in a long time?
Academic progress is an important component of any athletics program. This is also an area any AD or head coach would want to see on your resume. There are a variety of ways to help your athlete succeed in class while also helping them achieve their goals after graduation. Plan, document, and change and adjust as you go.
You could also focus on the community engagement aspect of the program. For example, community service activities, fundraising events, or youth athlete clinics and feeder programs in your area.
Another area to highlight is the professional development opportunities you participate in, for example camps, clinics, professional organizations and continuing education opportunities. Try to get involved in as many activities as possible with your national or state coaching association.
Think outside the box for the external activities you participate in. Are you a committee member or do you help coach all-star games, or help select all-conference teams?
If you’ve never been involved in such an opportunity, you should start doing so, and document it in your resume.
Sometimes, you really have to sit down and think about all the ways you’ve positively impacted your program and your athletes, even if you don’t get a winning result at the end of the season. Take the focus away from the bad and instead focus on the good!
Bridging the Gap in Your Coaching Experience on Your Resume
There are two types of dangerous loopholes in a coaching resume. One is lack of experience and the other is lack of career related skills. Both seem like insurmountable hurdles because you can’t gain experience without a coaching job and it takes time to acquire coaching-related skills.
Many trainers or aspiring trainers may be working full time in a completely different profession. This can make it difficult to gain the experience and skills to climb the proverbial coaching ladder. However, there is a way to gain invaluable experience that will not only look great on your resume, but will also hone your professional skills. Here are some ways you can do this:
Join a professional organization
Join as much as possible. There are many organizations associated with each sport, such as state and national coaches’ associations. There are also organizations related to other areas, such as strength and conditioning, nutrition or overall professional development.
Often, within your coaching association, there will be an opportunity to serve on a committee. This is not only a great opportunity for resume filling experience, but also an excellent networking opportunity.
Clinic
Attending a clinic within your sport or one that is related to training is in some way a great way to not only educate yourself and gain experience but again is an opportunity to grow your training network!
Camp
Camping can benefit you in many positive ways. They are a source of additional income. They are also another opportunity to not only meet more coaches, but also an opportunity to learn from these coaches. Plus, you can work with young athletes while working on your coaching techniques and methods.
Personal training, instructions and lessons
Coaching athletes and providing instruction/lessons locally is a great way to fill in the gaps when you’re not coaching. Especially if you are currently working in another job/profession. It is important to show that you are still involved in your coaching and sports. It is best to provide instructions with the company name. It’s easy to create your own company. I recommend going the sole proprietorship versus LLC route. Having your own company is great for personal branding and looks much better on your resume than simply listing “personal training” or “personal lessons.”
Side Business
Starting a side business is another great way to fill a void when you’re not coaching. With the internet and social media, there are many ways to create content and resources that you might even be able to use while helping coaches or other athletes. If you have special skills or knowledge in an area that could be of use to others, find ways to share that information.
In my early days, I created strength and conditioning program templates for trainers unfamiliar with the training aspect of coaching. I’ve also created resources to help athletes, parents, and coaches navigate the recruiting process. The Coaching Portfolio Guide was created after I wrote a short article on developing a coaching portfolio. And when I got tired of working for other disorganized and poorly operated camps, I created my own camp company. There are countless opportunities for entrepreneurs in the coaching profession. You can even host your own clinic or webinar!
Continue education
Take additional college classes or take advantage of continuing education opportunities such as clinics, webinars, conferences, etc. Get documentation or certification if possible.
Certifications and Licenses
Many professional organizations provide the opportunity to become certified in a specific field of coaching or training. These opportunities can help add valuable information to your resume while also providing you with experience and training in the profession.
Need Additional Help?
If you need help with your training resume or portfolio, check it out Training Portfolio Guide. The Coaching Portfolio Guide is a membership-based instructional website that helps you develop a personalized portfolio for any sport. We also have tips and templates for resumes and cover letters. Get a FREE copy of The Complete Guide to Coaching Interviews, which includes over 250 sample coaching job-specific interview questions + best answers to common interview questions, when you sign up for the Coaching Portfolio Guide.
