Getting That Lifeguard Job

Getting a job as a lifeguard is not difficult. In many areas of the United States, there is a “shortage” of lifeguards, and employers may take just about everyone who walks through their door. That being said, it never hurts to stand out from the crowd of applicants, and practicing good techniques to get a lifeguard job can help to hone your job searching and obtaining skills in the future. Also, even though there may be lifeguard jobs for just about every applicant, often the highest paying jobs, the jobs at the best facility, or in the best locations are more difficult to get.



Doing a Preliminary Job Search

The first step is to look for job opportunities. Each lifeguard job may have a different set of qualifications, so you need to decide where you would like to work so you can obtain the necessary certifications and make sure you have the correct qualifications. Some lifeguard positions, for example, will not hire minors. Some require American Red Cross Lifeguarding while others ask for different certifications. Research the minimum qualifications carefully and decide on 2 or 3 places that you can qualify for. Don’t worry if you do not have the necessary certifications yet; that is the very next step!

When and Where and How to Search

Maybe you are wondering: When should I start searching? Where do I search? And how to I search for jobs? Let’s look at each of these questions.

  • When: Lifeguard jobs are available all year long, but most of the job opportunities present themselves in the Spring and Summer. Because you don’t want to miss opportunities, start early with your job search (like January or February for a summer job!).
  • Lifeguard TryoutsWhere: To make it easy on yourself, look at places close to where you live, including:
    • The recreation department of the city where you live
    • The recreation departments of adjacent cities or the county where you live
    • Your local YMCA
    • The local park district
    • The local beach if you live near the coast
    • Private clubs, resorts, and homeowner associations that hire lifeguards
    • A nearby waterpark
    • A waterfront (if you like camping, etc.)
  • How: Thanks to the Internet, you can do preliminary research online. Pick out some places that interest you and check out their websites. Many employers post job descriptions and try-out dates online. This information can tell you things like the minimum age you have to be, how much you have to swim when you try out, and what certificates they require. After doing online research, you may want to call a few places to ask some follow-up questions regarding the job, including the wage, number of hours per week, how to apply, etc.

Create Job Folders

As you collect your research and narrow down your choices, keep a file for the 2 or 3 jobs you want to go for. This file will help you remember what you learned about each position so you do not miss an opportunity by forgetting when a try out is scheduled, etc. Keep the job folders handy so you can review what you need to do to get prepared to apply for these jobs.

Here is what I would keep in each job folder:

    • The job description printed from the facility’s website.
    • The date and instructions for the lifeguard try out, if they are having one.
    • The application and application deadline date.
    • Email printouts, correspondence received, and any notes you’ve taken about the job.
    • Contact information of the hiring staff.

Getting Necessary Certificates

lifeguard-rescue-tube-water-rescue-300x203The next step is to get the certificates required for the job. The job description will indicate the certificates needed to qualify for the job. Many swimming pool, waveless waterfront, and waterpark jobs require the American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate or equivalent. Pools that teach swimming lessons to the public may also require the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certificate. Depending on the location, there may be other certificates that are required or recommended.

Once you know the certificates you need, you can search in your area for these courses and take them as soon as possible. Often, tryouts for lifeguards begin in March and April. Having the correct certificates when you try out will help you get to the top of the hiring list. If you cannot get the necessary courses until after the tryout, the next best thing to do is to come to the tryout with proof of enrollment in those courses, showing that you will be certified before you start the job. Make sure perspective employers receive a copy of these certificates when you receive them.

If you are in the Southern California area, you can find 2-day weekend class options in Irvine, CA at Safe Swim. If you live somewhere else, you can also use the Red Cross class locator to find Lifeguarding and WSI courses where you live.

(I found Hannah Claudia’s videos on YouTube-she is very descriptive about her Lifeguard Training experience. To watch her account of  the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course, check out Course Pretest, Class Experience, and Testing.)

Preparing a Resume

Having your certificates (or at least a date when they will be completed), the next step is to prepare a resume, a brief explanation of your background and experience. Most applicants for lifeguard jobs will not submit a resume, so here is an opportunity to stand out. Your resume tells perspective employers what you know and have accomplished as it relates to the job they are trying to fill. It forms the basis for decisions on who to interview and what questions to ask. It gives a first impression of you.

Resume Make-up

A resume should be:

  • Complete
  • Honest
  • Well organized
  • To-the-point (1 or 2 pages maximum)
  • Neat
  • Well written
  • Correctly spelled and punctuated

The following information should be included:

  • Name, address, phone, email
  • Educational background, dates of attendance and grade-point average
  • Current certifications and their expiration dates
  • Job-related experience
  • Volunteer activities, especially swim team, water polo team, junior lifeguarding, or swim instructor aide work
  • Awards and honors received
  • References (optional)-This will probably be required on the job application.

Resumes have a standard format that helps to organize the information above in a way that prospective employers can easily read. Click the link to see a Sample Resume for a Lifeguard job.

Additional Resume Tips

If this is your first job, you may not have any job-related experience to put down. Fortunately, if you are qualified in terms of your swimming ability, most lifeguard jobs are entry-level and do not require any previous experience. The sample resume was designed for a job applicant with no experience. (If you have experience, just create another section to add “Job Experience.”) 

If you want to put a future accomplishment on your resume (i.e., high school graduation, certification pending, etc.), by all means do so, but clearly indicate that this is a future happening. Indicate “Ocean City High School, will graduate June 2016” or “American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate, currently enrolled in course to be certified on May 10, 2016.”

If you elect to include references, the selection you make are important. You need to think about people who could tell a prospective employer about your honesty, reliability, and work ethic. Teachers, coaches, and past employers are commonly selected. Before putting someone down as a reference, ask the person if he or she would be willing to be one for you.

Applying for the Job

Even though you have a resume, you must fill out an application for each job you are interested in. Often, the application can be downloaded from the organization’s website, or you can pick an application up at the organization’s Personnel Office. Ideally, you want to get as much of your qualifications in order before submitting the application, but do not miss the application deadline, if there is one. Sometimes, the position is “open until filled.” This means that there is no application deadline.

Sometimes, the hiring staff will hand out applications at the tryout. Again, you will stand out if you have the application completed with your resume and copies of your certificates attached and ready for their review.

To complete the job application, you should:

  • Write or print clearly with blue or black ink.
  • Fill in all the blanks to the best of your ability. Leaving an area blank may make the employer think you were careless.
  • If a question does not apply to you, mark it “N/A” (not applicable).
  • Be honest on the application; don’t try to present yourself as someone you are not.

Preparing for the Tryout/Interview

lifeguard tryouts - swimmingMany times, the tryout (swim test, etc.) and the interview are held at the same time. You should be physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared when you attend a lifeguard tryout.

Before the tryout/interview, take these steps:

  • Learn all you can about the employer, the facility, and the aquatics program.
  • Learn about the swimming tests required and any other testing that will take place during the tryout. Be prepared for all tests.
  • Think about the qualities you have which will make you a good employee at that facility.
  • Prepare a short list of questions about the job and your responsibilities to ask at the interview. Avoid asking questions that are overly simplistic or that could be interpreted as masking a complaint or negative attitude. 
  • Practice answering interview questions. Ask a parent or friend to play the role of interviewer and conduct a practice interview. Typical questions might include:
    • Why would you make a good employee at our facility?
    • What are your strengths and weaknesses? (Be careful being too honest about your weaknesses!)
    • What led you to apply for this job?
    • How would you handle a situation where a person’s life was at stake?
    • What is your best subject at school and why do you like it?
    • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
    • What have you learned in any previous home, school, or work experience that you feel will assist you as you do this job?
  • Dress neatly for the interview. It may not be necessary to wear a suit and tie if you are also going to be swimming, but select dressy clothing that conveys respect for the job and the interview team.

Trying Out/Interviewing

interviews-for-concertsEverything you do during the tryout and interview should present you in a favorable light to the interview team. Follow these guidelines:

  • Arrive a little early. This tells the interview team that you will be on time if you are hired.
  • Be prepared. Bring the job folder you have been keeping, the application, a few copies of your resume in addition to the one attached to the application, copies of your certificates, a pen, a swimsuit, a towel.
  • Dress neatly and look well groomed (i.e., nice haircut, shaved, clean fingernails, etc.).
  • Make eye contact with the interviewer(s), smile, and shake hands firmly. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview.
  • Avoid distracting habits such as scratching your head, drumming your fingers, tapping your foot, etc.
  • Listen carefully and completely to each question; never interrupt.
  • Give a clear, concise, and direct answer; don’t ramble.
  • When given an opportunity, ask a few questions to show interest in the job. Keep questions free of any negativity, political agenda, religious reference, etc.

When the interview is over, thank the interviewer(s) for giving you this opportunity. Thank hands and leave in a dignified manner. When you get home, write a note thanking the interview team for the opportunity to interview.

Repeat this process for the 2 or 3 jobs you selected before.

Getting the Job

The process of getting a job is very subjective; you might not get the first job you apply for even if you do everything right. Don’t stress; learn from each opportunity to apply, try out, and interview. Eventually, you will land your first job. When you do, congratulate yourself-you did it! Remember, don’t get complacent. Be a good employee-keep trying to learn as much as you can about your responsibilities. Lifeguarding is a very rewarding job in a fun environment, but it is also a very important job with an opportunity everyday to help others and to keep people safe.

Author’s Note: I got my first lifeguard job nearly 43 years ago. I had a very rewarding experience, kept my focus day-to-day, helped a lot of people, and never let anything get by me! As far as the people I worked with, they were the greatest. I am still in contact with several of them 43 years later! Amazing! I hope everyone reading this will have the same kind of experience I did. Good luck with your job hunt!

For more information about Lifeguarding jobs, check out these links: