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Crafting a Winning Resume for Your Post-Athletic Career

  • May 12, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 18, 2023


Athlete focusing, ready to jump

Unleash Your Competitive Edge!


Congratulations on reaching the exciting stage of transitioning from a successful athletic career to the world of new opportunities! Now, it's time to channel your competitive spirit and showcase your skills in a winning resume that stands out from the crowd.

Don't worry if the idea of crafting a resume feels unfamiliar or intimidating. With the right approach, you can create a resume that highlights your athletic achievements and translates them into valuable assets for your post-athletic career. Let's dive in and discover how to unleash your competitive edge on paper!


Highlight Your Transferable Skills:

As an athlete, you've honed a wide array of skills that are highly sought after in the professional world. Think about the teamwork, leadership, discipline, and time management abilities you've developed through your athletic journey. Incorporate these transferable skills into your resume, providing specific examples of how you've applied them to achieve success. Whether it's leading your team to victory, managing intense training schedules, or demonstrating perseverance in the face of adversity, these experiences showcase your ability to excel in a dynamic work environment. Not sure how to highlight these skills, tothenextplay.com is here to help athletes in their career transition. Get in touch!


Turn Achievements into Impact:

Shift your focus from responsibilities to highlighting your achievements. Think back to your athletic career and identify specific accomplishments that demonstrate your exceptional performance. Did you break records, earn awards, or contribute to team victories? Quantify your achievements with numbers and statistics to convey the impact you made. This helps employers understand the value you can bring to their organisation and sets you apart from other applicants.


Tailor Your Resume to the Job:

Each job opportunity is unique, so make sure your resume aligns with the specific position you're applying for. Customise your resume by using keywords from the job description and emphasising relevant experiences and skills. Showcase how your athletic background aligns with the requirements of the role. By tailoring your resume, you demonstrate your understanding of the job's demands and show why you're the perfect fit.


Master the Art of Conciseness:

A winning resume should be concise and easy to read. Stick to a two-page limit and focus on including only relevant information. Be mindful of the employer's time and present your qualifications in a clear and organised manner. Craft concise, powerful statements that capture attention and leave a lasting impression.


Infuse Professionalism with Personality:

While it's important to maintain a professional tone, don't be afraid to infuse your personality into your resume. Find ways to showcase your passion, drive, and enthusiasm. Give a glimpse of the person behind the athlete. However, strike a balance to ensure that the overall tone remains professional and engaging.


Your NEXT PLAY:


1. Identify transferable skills from your athletic career and incorporate them into your resume, highlighting at least three key attributes.

2. Craft achievement-focused bullet points for each relevant job or experience listed on your resume, using quantifiable metrics whenever possible.

3. Customise your resume for at least three different job postings, tailoring it to match the specific requirements and using appropriate keywords.

4. Edit your resume to be no more than two pages, ensuring it is clear, concise, and error-free.

5. Seek feedback from at least two mentors or colleagues by sharing your revised resume to gather valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.



Crafting a winning resume for your post-athletic career is an opportunity to showcase your unique skills and accomplishments. By incorporating transferable skills, emphasising achievements, tailoring your resume, and infusing it with personality, you can make a lasting impression on potential employers. Stay focused, embrace your competitive edge, and unleash your potential as you embark on this exciting new chapter. Remember, your winning resume is just the beginning of the incredible journey ahead!


Need some help with the above? Let's set up a 30 mins intro call now!


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