Do I need a lifeguard qualification to be a leisure assistant?

Not always. Many leisure assistant roles are open to people with good customer skills, though a first aid certificate or lifeguard qualification can help. Check the advert.

What experience helps most?

Customer service, cleaning, sports clubs and youth work all help. Explain how they prepared you for a busy, public building.

Should I mention my own sport or fitness interests?

Briefly, if it is relevant, such as playing or coaching at a local club. Keep the focus on what you do for customers and colleagues.

How can I show that I am reliable?

Mention covering shifts, opening or closing the building and good attendance. Employers want to know the centre will open on time.

Leisure assistant CV example

A strong leisure assistant CV shows that you can welcome customers, keep a busy centre clean and safe, and cover different areas such as reception, the gym and poolside. It should show flexibility with shifts and a friendly, practical way of working.

Ethan Clarke

Leisure assistant

ethan@example.com07700 900189Sheffield

Profile

Friendly leisure assistant with two years of experience in a busy council leisure centre. Comfortable at reception, on the gym floor and on poolside duties, with first aid training and a good eye for safety. Reliable with early, late and weekend shifts.

Experience

Leisure Assistant

a council leisure centre

Welcomed visitors at reception, signed up new members and took card payments

Set up the sports hall and studio for classes, clubs and children's parties

Carried out regular cleaning and safety checks in the changing rooms, gym and poolside, and logged them on the checklist

Supported the lifeguards by keeping poolside clear and helping during swimming lessons

Dealt politely with lost property, member questions and small complaints, and passed bigger issues to the duty manager

Activity Helper (school holidays)

a local holiday sports club

Set up games and equipment for groups of up to 20 children

Kept children safe on the field by following the club's rules and reporting any worries to the lead coach

Took registers and handed children over to parents at the end of each day

Completed a first aid course before starting

Key skills

Customer serviceReception and membership sign-upsTill and card paymentsCleaning and safety checksSetting up for classes and sessionsFirst aidPoolside supportTeamworkFlexibility with shifts

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Tips for a leisure assistant CV

List your first aid certificate and any pool or sports qualifications near the top
Show that you can work in more than one area of the centre, such as reception, the gym and cleaning
Mention early, late and weekend shifts if you can do them, as leisure centres open long hours
Give a simple example of staying calm with a customer who is unhappy
Include any coaching, club or volunteering experience, as it shows you enjoy sport and helping people

Applying with a cover letter? See our leisure assistant cover letter example.