Getting a job, any job these days can be a struggle. If you’re looking at getting your first job, it can seem overwhelming. Getting a job in the leisure industry is actually not that different to getting a job in another industry. You go through common application and selection procedures. There’s no secret to it, but the trick is where to look and who to butter up!
If you’re looking for a job in the leisure industry, here’s some advice from us
- Sign up to recruitment websites. Use Twitter and Google to find suitable recruitment websites and sign up to email alerts, and follow them on social media. *hint hint* >> you can sign up to our email alerts here. With smartphone technology available, there’s no excuse for not at least knowing about the latest vacancies. Local authority job sites are also a good source of leisure jobs. A large proportion of leisure centres are owned by local authorities and you’ll need to go through the official source for a number of their vacancies.
- If there’s somewhere specific you’d like to work, then send your CV to them and enquire about the possibility of a job in the future. For advice on creating your CV, please use our free CV builder.
- Lack of experience is something that may be holding you back. Summer jobs and part-time weekend jobs are ideal for building up experience. Being a lifeguard is a good entry-level role. Don’t be afraid to take a job outside of the leisure industry. Some work experience in an unrelated or partly-related industry is better than none.
- Volunteering is a good way of building up experience and contacts. Coaching a youth sports team, or helping out at a play-scheme shows employers that you are passionate about leisure and gives you something impressive to put on your CV.
- Use your current contacts. Speak to your team coach about your desire to work in leisure. Maybe they’ll know someone who can help you out, or point you in the right direction. They might even be able to let you help them run things to gain some valuable first-hand experience.
- Get qualified – Find out what qualifications current leisure industry staff hold and get them yourself. The NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification) is essential for working as a lifeguard, and a first aid certificate is handy too. If you want to work in fitness training a qualification such as an NVQ Diploma in Instructing Health & Fitness is desirable, although take care because some qualifications need you to be in a job first so that assessments can be carried out. Speak to your careers adviser if you’re not sure.
- Be aware you will probably have to undergo a DBS check for a lot of leisure jobs, especially those which work directly with members of the public. For more information, please check out this website.
- Once you’ve managed to bag yourself an interview, get active! The interview is probably the most crucial part of the recruitment process. Mess it up at your peril. Read our interview tips to help you get that much-wanted leisure industry job.
Good luck!